Raising Sand | 
 enlarge | Creators: Robert Plant And Alison Krauss, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss
Label: Rounder
Category: Music
List Price: $18.98
Buy New: $7.67
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Rating:  483 reviews
Sales Rank: 50
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.5 x 4.8 x 0.4
MPN: 619075
UPC: 011661907522
EAN: 0011661907522
ASIN: B000UMQDHC
Release Date: October 23, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New - Factory Sealed - Shipped from Florida via USPS First class mail. We ONLY sell what we have in stock. NO back orders here.Import Edition
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| Tracks:
| • | Rich Woman | | • | Killing the Blues | | • | Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us | | • | Polly Come Home | | • | Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On) | | • | Through the Morning, Through the Night | | • | Please Read the Letter | | • | Trampled Rose | | • | Fortune Teller | | • | Stick with Me Baby | | • | Nothin' | | • | Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson | | • | Your Long Journey |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Perhaps only the fantasy duo of King Kong and Bambi could be a more bizarre pairing than Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Yet on Raising Sand, their haunting and brilliant collaboration, the Led Zeppelin screamer and Nashville's most hypnotic song whisperer seem made for each other. This, however, is not the howling Plant of "Whole Lotta Love," but a far more precise and softer singer than even the one who emerged with Dreamland (2002). No matter that Plant seems so subdued as to be on downers, for that's one of the keys to this most improbable meeting of musical galaxies--almost all of it seems slowed down, out of time, otherworldly, and at times downright David Lynch-ian, the product of an altered consciousness. Yet probably the main reason it all works so well is the choice of producer T Bone Burnette, the third star of the album, who culled mostly lesser-known material from some of the great writers of blues, country, folk, gospel, and R&B, including Tom Waits, Townes Van Zandt, Milt Campbell, the Everly Brothers, Sam Phillips, and A.D. and Rosa Lee Watson. At times, Burnette's spare and deliberate soundscape--incisively crafted by guitarists Marc Ribot and Norman Blake, bassist Dennis Crouch, drummer Jay Bellerose, and multi-instrumentalist Mike Seeger, among others--is nearly as dreamy and subterranean as Daniel Lanois's work with Emmylou Harris (Wrecking Ball). Occasionally, Burnette opts for a fairly straightforward production while still reworking the original song (Plant's own "Please Read the Letter," Mel Tillis's "Stick with Me, Baby"). But much of the new flesh on these old bones is oddly unsettling, if not nightmarish. On the opening track of "Rich Woman," the soft-as-clouds vocals strike an optimistic mood, while the instrumental backing--loose snare, ominous bass line, and insinuating electric guitar lines--create a spooky, sinister undertow. Plant and Krauss trade out the solo and harmony vocals, and while they both venture into new waters here (Krauss as a mainstream blues mama, Plant as a gospel singer and honkytonker), she steals the show in Sam Phillips' new "Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us," where a dramatic violin and tremulous banjo strike a foreboding gypsy tone. When Krauss begins this strange, seductive song in a voice so ethereal that angels will take note, you may stop breathing. That, among other reasons, makes Raising Sand an album to die for. --Alanna Nash
Album Description
The musical collaboration of the decade, Raising Sand is the sound of two iconic figures stepping out of their respective comfort zones and letting their instincts lead them across a brave new sonic landscape. Despite hailing from distinctly different backgrounds, Alison Krauss and Robert Plant share a maverick spirit and willingness to extend the boundaries of their respective genres. This spirit, expertly honed by producer T Bone Burnett, has resulted in an album pitched three steps beyond some cosmic collision of early urban blues, spacious West Texas country, and the untapped potential of the folk-rock revolution.
Supported by the unparalleled musicianship of Marc Ribot, Dennis Crouch, Mike Seeger, Jay Bellerose, Norman Blake, Greg Leisz, Patrick Warren, and Riley Baugus, Plant and Krauss -- as both solo and harmony vocalists -- tackle an intriguing selection of songs from such tunesmiths as Tom Waits, Gene Clark, Sam Phillips, Townes Van Zandt, The Everly Broth! ers, and Mel Tillis. Raising Sand finds Robert Plant and Alison Krauss exploring popular music's elemental roots while still sounding effortlessly, breath-takingly contemporary.
The song "Killing the Blues" is featured in the new JC Penney American Living Campaign.
Album Description
2007 collaboration between the former Led Zep vocalist and the Bluegrass/Folk favorite. Raising Sand features a stellar cast of supporting musicians, including guitarists T Bone Burnett, Marc Ribot, and Norman Blake, multi-instrumentalist Mike Seeger, drummer Jay Bellerose, and bassist Dennis Crouch. The songs range from modern to classic, consisting mostly of lesser-known material from a wide spectrum of great Blues, R&B, Country, and Folk songwriters: Tom Waits, Gene Clark, Little Milton Campbell, Mel Tillis, Townes Van Zandt, Doc Watson, Phil and Don Everly among them. They also recorded the Robert Plant/Jimmy Page song 'Please Read the Letter' from the 1998 album Walking Into Clarksdale. Rounder.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 45 more reviews...
 Truly signficant October 30, 2007
Dave Goldberg (40 miles north of NYC)
160 out of 177 found this review helpful
This is wonderful listening. Even more, it's truly significant. That's in part because of the reaction _ I don't how many times in the last few months I've read about what seems to "critics'' and others to be a truly strange pairing. Something like: "You'd never expect two singers so far apart to team up, but it seems to work.''
That's nonsense (except the part about it working _ it doesn't "seem,'' it's real.) That's because the "critics'' and others put music in boxes and can't understand a pairing of "bluegrass,'' (the quotes are intentional) and heavy metal. This is Americana, but Americana as interpreted by Plant, Krauss and T-Bone Burnett that transcends category in a way that few albums do. Look on top. How many different categories does it rank No. 1. _ Rock, pop, folk, international. That's what music should be but too often isn't because the folks who run record companies and radio stations want to put music in the narrowest possible category.
It's also a breakthrough for all three artists, including Burnett, but especially Krauss, who in her last few albums has boxed herself in with very nice listenable material that's too often predictable. A couple of the albums won Grammys(she has 20)and they're incredibly well produced and performed, but after a while one Robert Lee Castleman song turns into another and the effect is underwhelming.
On this one, she uses all her talents, even, perhaps even as the excellent producer she is _ Burnett clearly took her advice and Plant's on some of the songs. Her country/bluegrass fiddle turns into gypsy violin on "Sister Rosetta,'' producing a haunting effect that's rarely heard in this kind of music.
Beyond that, I've never heard an album where the voices blend so well that it's hard to tell where one stops and the other picks up _ Tom Waits' "Trampled Rose'' is the exemplar of that and the most fascinating and haunting song on the album.
But it's almost all wonderful and it ends with what sounds very much like a little game being played by Burnett and Krauss in particular. The last number begins with Mike Seeger on autoharp leading into a Doc Watson gospel tune. Seeger discovered Elizabeth Cotten, who was his family's housekepper, and he was one of the pioneers who convinced record labels to record roots artists, Watson among them. It's also the most Krauss-like _ it's closest to what she does, right down to using a gospel number to close her albums (and her shows.)
But most of this is totally new territory for both artists. Maybe Krauss should have gone there a decade ago or maybe the timing is perfect. It's one of the few albums _ Luncinda Williams' "Essence'' is another _ that can get away with slow tempos and minor keys on two-thirds of the songs and not sound repetitious or boring.
Again, it's most important because it defies category. Other artists are trying _ Ben Harper and Norah Jones, with whom Krauss guested on a Bonnie Raitt show/CD/DVD are mingling pop, rock, country, gospel and reggae (in Harper's case.) The more the younger generation goes beyong genre and into "just music,'' the better off we'll all be. (Uh, no, Plant, at 59, isn't exactly the younger generation, but he's been looking for new frontiers for a decade or more.)
He's also a Brit and Brits tend to understand American music better than most Americans. In any case, people like Mark Knopfler, Steve Winwood, Van Morrison and even Jagger/Richard stay away from boxes. (And, by the way, I just heard Krauss do a wonderful version of Winwood/Traffic's "I Can't Find My Way Home'' on XM) It was issued three years ago as part of a TV Soundtrack. So yes, she's known for a long time that there's a big wide world of music out there.
This landmark album makes that point even more strongly.
Everything You Wanted it to Be! October 23, 2007
A* (New York, N.Y. United States)
117 out of 131 found this review helpful
I have been waiting on this disc. I mean really waiting, like marking off the days on a calendar waiting. We don't have to go over the basics, how Plant and Krauss are gifts from the VOCAL GODS!! But what surprises me about this disc is how understated it all is. The music is the winner here -- well, the listener is.
The opening song "Rich Woman" with its elastic bass line and krauss almost purring into an oft-kilter bluesy tone is pure magic, but its also eerie as all get out. But so is most of this disc. It's almost as if Burnett turned up the gothic horror to a Tim Burton soundtrack and planted it down in the South.
Clark's "Through the Morning, Through the Night," gets more than an honest reading, the harmony between the two bleeds into one soft cushion that hugs the melody. And is honest and bitterly romantic. Wait's "Trampled Rose" gets another great reading, with Krauss howling just above a thumping beat. "Killing The Blues" gives Plants voice such softness and lilt that for some reason it reminds me of vintage Righteous Brothers.
The disc is excellent, and so far is my running for album of the year. They have taped an episode for CMT Crossroads and they have both stated that they are more than willing to work with each other again. And I will be marking off those days as well on my calendar. A gem of an album from two amazing singers with extremely rare gifts.
Raising Sand raises the bar for collaborative work October 31, 2007
R. Kyle (USA)
57 out of 65 found this review helpful
A self-named "Led Head" friend of mine told me about this CD. His thoughts were that the world as we knew it was coming to end when Robert Plant joined up with a 'country musician'. Having somewhat more eclectic tastes--I didn't think so.
What a treat to open the CD and hear "Rich Woman" on Halloween. A.D.D's headliner review gives the best description of the Southern Gothic 'feel'.
Another particularly eerie song is "Fortune Teller," where Plant sings the tale of a young man who goes to a fortune teller and discovers that he will fall in love with the first woman he sees--which turns out to be the Fortune Teller herself--now he's happy as can be and he gets his fortune told for free. (Yup, corny as KS--but the sound is very cool!)
For the most part, the music will probably suit Alison Krauss fans more than Plant's, but Plant's fans need to listen--just to hear how strong the man can be on soft music.
The best of any profession are the people who raise the bar for the rest. The test of a great collaborative work is -- is the whole better than the sum of its parts? Plant, Krauss, and Burnett started out at the top of their respective forms, but this CD is truly a masterwork among their individual collections, too. "Raising Sand" is going to open the door for a long more mind-bending work.
Beautiful; a revelation! October 23, 2007
William Merrill (San Antonio, TX United States)
20 out of 24 found this review helpful
Raising Sand is an album I'll be coming back to again and again to savor its treasures. I rarely give 5-star ratings in these customer reviews, feeling that a product needs to be not merely good but remarkable to earn the highest rating. This new collaborative work definitely qualifies. And it's a collaboration of three musicians, with producer T Bone Burnett playing just as important a role as the two headliners. One of many things about the disc that struck me most powerfully the first time thru is the subtlety of Robert Plant's vocals and how well he harmonizes with Alison Krauss. For such a screamer, I didn't expect quite this degree of gentleness from Plant. The harmonies on slow songs such as "Killing The Blues" and "Through the Morning" are breathtakingly beautiful. Vince Gill has nothing on this guy! As for the incomparable Mr. Burnett, his contributions both as a musician and as producer and arranger are huge. Just listen to a song like "Trampled Rose" to hear what I mean. A lonesome dobro and shuffling percussion set an authentic, old-timey mood that perfectly complements Ms Krauss' plaintive cries, but the credits also list toy piano and pump organ as instruments played on the song. Those sounds fill in little spaces in the song, adding an extra element of atmosphere and mystery. Burnett undoubtedly also contributed heavily to the choice of songs for Raising Sand, a selection that travels through "americana" and many of its styles, from rockabilly to country, folk, soul and various other stops along the way. "A T Bone Burnett production" has come to mean a particular and significant thing, and this new CD is yet another addition to an already impressive resume.
A TIMELESS SOUL MOVING EXPERIENCE * OUTSTANDING * PHENOMENAL* & TRULY EXTRAORDINARY! DESERVES A GRAMMY October 23, 2007
Barbara Rose (BornToInspire.com)
28 out of 36 found this review helpful
The mysteriously sublime fascinating energy, stellar vocal quality and amazing musical delivery ROBERT PLANT and ALISON KRAUSS have created IS RAISING SAND. A tribute to rock and roots music, delivering heart and soul moving range, the songs and the care in creating an outstanding musical experience is all too evident. You can "feel" their care, heart and soul in the music.
This CD cannot be pinned down to one single genre because it bridges and interconnects rock, blue grass, country, R & B, and even a distinct quality with each song that is entirely unique. PLANT and KRAUSS' voices are extraordinary. The interplay between them creates a moving, exciting EXPERIENCE.
The WAY they sing grabbed my heart. They exude a depth and passion that stirred me at my core. Their extraordinary & rare qualities makes this music timeless.
ROBERT PLANT IS TRULY OUTSTANDING - his passionate delivery is nothing shourt of soul stirring. While I don't like to single out specific songs because the album as a whole is a statement of collaborative genius, I was especially moved by how he sang "Please Read the Letter". There are parts of the song towards the end that you can hear his 1970's fascinating style. He's still got that one-of-a-kind magic and its deeper, richer, at its pinnacle.
ALISON KRAUSS HAS THE VOICE OF AN ANGEL - it is rare indeed to experience so much range. To sum it up in three words, RAISING SAND is RICH, DEEP AND EXTRAORDINARY. I was especially moved by her voice and energy in "Trampled Rose" - ironically, the incredible song has a "Kashmir-esque" quality to it. It is HIGHLY ORIGINAL and PHENOMENAL.
The instrumental music is soul stirring.
ROBERT AND ALISON, THANK YOU FOR MAKING MUSIC THAT MOVES THE SOUL. I am thrilled and ecstatic for you - who deserve as much joy as this CD is sure to bring millions. You both deserve a GRAMMY for this CD - 10 Stars!
Whole lotta love,
Barb
[Tech Update] The MP3 of the full album downloads perfectly with Amazon's music downloader. The quality of the MP3 is EXCELLENT. WELL WORTH the small download fee.
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