Heavy Metal + Blue Grass?!?!

[RobertN]

My wife got me the new CD, "Raising Sand" by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, yes, you read it right; heavy metal legend Robert Plant (of Led Zeppelin fame) and Blue Grass superstar Alison Krauss!

I bought this CD a few weeks ago. All I can say is AWESOME!

At first listen, I thought it had kind of a Chris Isaak feel to it.

This album is certianly not what anyone would expect, especially given the artists. But, if you look at some stuff that Plant has done, like the "Honey Drippers", Some of it is not too far off base for him. He has certianly found broad horizons in music since the Led Zep days.

Interesting, in the interviews, it seemed this was more of a coming out for Allison; though she has done tons of collaborations, none have stray as far from bluegrass as this.

The album does have a slower darker feel to it, and yes some times haunting. But, it is done so extremely well. The overall ensemble is excellent.

They are doing a winter/spring European tour; suppossed to do a summer US tour...

re: Led Zep. I kinda think of them more as a hard/heavy blues band than any kind of metal band.

With this album, it leaves me still wishing for another collaboration... I would really like to see Chriss Isaak and Linda Ronstadt callaborate. He is an excellent musician and showman; she is an amazing vocalist.

There is another older CD that really suprised me; Patty Loveless and "Mountian Soul". She amazed me with the power and range she has.

 

[Soundguy]

check out AC-Dixie.. they take rock songs and spin they with a banjo.. etc.

I've heard bib band workups of lots of rock songs too.

soundguy

 

[RobertN]

My wife got me the new CD, "Raising Sand" by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, yes, you read it right; heavy metal legend Robert Plant (of Led Zeppelin fame) and Blue Grass superstar Alison Krauss!

After more thought, here are a couple things you could look at...

Check out the Chieftains. They had Roger Daltry on a live album as guest on a couple songs. "Blue Eyes" with a full Irish/Celtic band is amazing!

Another cool album, although a little older now, is Jethro Tull; "A Classic Case". Full orchestra backing them up, it sounds awesome!

I am less enthused about country these days; too much is either cross over to pop, or too much rock. As much as I like outlaws like the '70's Wille/Waylon/Kris, I still like more traditional county. And, these days, the country stations around here are top/pop country; the same songs again and again...

try Pandora.com, and plug in Patsy Kline; you'll get a great mix Or, Stivie Ray Vaughn

try listening to Welcome to KVMR - Music of the World. Voice of the Community. Nevada City, California streaming audio on saturdays 10am-4pm PST. Also weds eve, 8pm PST. Awesome bluegrass show, traditional country, and one Weds a great celtic show.

 

[N80]

I bought this CD a few weeks ago. All I can say is AWESOME!

At first listen, I thought it had kind of a Chris Isaak feel to it.

I like Chris Isaak a lot. I think "Wicked Game" is one of the best songs ever written.

Interesting, in the interviews, it seemed this was more of a coming out for Allison; though she has done tons of collaborations, none have stray as far from bluegrass as this.

While I do love this album, and would like to see Krauss do other collaborations, I would not want to see her turned into a pop artist. I would much rather see her continue to grow famous but within the bounds of good honest blue grass and roots type music.

The album does have a slower darker feel to it, and yes some times haunting. But, it is done so extremely well. The overall ensemble is excellent.

Yep, I think the other band members are superb. Both Plant and Krauss have always surrounded themselves with talented musicians. I found the steel guitar on this album to be particularly well done. So often it seems like steel guitar is a gratuitous add-on just to make a song sound 'country'. On this album it is honest, understated and the timing is perfect.

They are doing a winter/spring European tour; suppossed to do a summer US tour...

I haven't been to a concert (other than symphony) in probably 12 years. I would love to see this duo in a small venue and would pay good money to do so. Robert Plant is one of the most amazing live performers I've ever seen. I saw him about 15 years ago in Columbia, SC (which would have to seem like a provencial arm pit to him) and it seemed like he was having the time of his life during that show. He seemed to genuinely be having fun. Either he loves his work or he is a great actor.

With this album, it leaves me still wishing for another collaboration... I would really like to see Chriss Isaak and Linda Ronstadt callaborate. He is an excellent musician and showman; she is an amazing vocalist.

Love Isaak but have never paid much attention to Ronstadt. She was certainly a great vocalist in her day....does she still have it?

But I agree, I'd like to see more people doing this sort of thing. Either digging up good old stuff or writing new basic, soulful roots music and doing it with true artistic talent. Pop country has no appeal for me. Rock seems to be finally dead or at least in the noisy death throes. Maybe its time for a revival of the good old stuff done by consumate artists. I think there is a market for it.

 

[Steve_Miller]

I guess I'm way out of touch, I know who Robert Plant is, but have no idea who Alison Krauss is. I'm only 47, do I qualify as an old geezer?

Steve
Nova Scotia

 

[RobertN]

I guess I'm way out of touch, I know who Robert Plant is, but have no idea who Alison Krauss is. I'm only 47, do I qualify as an old geezer?

Steve
Nova Scotia

Allison is an exceptional bluegrass fiddler, and wonderful singer. She started playing fiddle at a young age, and by teen's was winning fiddle and violin contests all over the US. She primarily is with her own band, Allison Krauss and Union Station.

She has done some country duets, and scores for a number of movies.

 

[RobertN]

Love Isaak but have never paid much attention to Ronstadt. She was certainly a great vocalist in her day....does she still have it?

Oh ya, she's still got it. And, better as time goes on. She was a good untrained vocalist. In the early 80's when she paired up with Nelson Riddle, she also got voice training. It never ceases to amaze me the range she has, from folk, country, pop, rock, spanish, jazz, Broadway.... Although there are other female vocalist who may be good in one genre of music, Linda can do many, exceptionally well.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Allison is an exceptional bluegrass fiddler, and wonderful singer. She started playing fiddle at a young age, and by teen's was winning fiddle and violin contests all over the US. She primarily is with her own band, Allison Krauss and Union Station.

She has done some country duets, and scores for a number of movies.

Allison Krauss is 36 so she is younger then you so you may be an old geezer (she is older then me though (29))

Alison Krauss - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[chh]

Just listened to the youtube promo on the album. Will most likely have to get the album. Can't stand the most of the new "country music" myself, or pop or rap. I really like some of Josh Turner's stuff, I just wish he would stay away from the goofy songs. I generally like the old country stuff and traditional bluegrass, Ralph Stanley, Bill Monroe, Earl Scrugg(he's 84 tomorrow)ect.
I like colaborations like this that push the artists to have to work toward a different stlye music. Some really good stuff comes out of it.
If you want to hear something real different check out some songs by Gillian Welch.
And no I'm probably not as old as a lot of people would think I am from that post. Just turned 46.

 

[N80]

Right. And she's not going to be a household name like Brittney Spears or Kenny Chesney. Its blue grass after all. Not pop. And blue grass is never going to be as marketable as pop. Which is fine. Krauss is an extremely talented vocalist and a superb fiddler, far more talented than any of the pop and pop country musicians that I'm aware of.

Her soundtrack appearances have given her career a boost. I've been aware of her for quite some time but first got interested from her songs on the "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou" soundtrack which was very popular and gave blue grass a real popularity kick.

I like her music and I like blue grass but don't own an album of either. That may change soon. I really like live blue grass and have had a lot of opportunities to enjoy it. Shindig on the Green, an event that occurs every Friday night during the summers in Asheville, NC is a truly excellent musical experience with tons of talented performers, most of them local. All blue grass.