ROBERT PLANT / ALISON KRAUSS - RAISING SAND

I know, I know...  You're tired of hearing it...  I don't usually follow singers, I follow musicians.  Alison Krauss being one of the few exceptions to the rule.  That being said, I'm a bit of a purest when it comes to her.  I don't like listening to her in a duet unless she takes the lead position.  Therefore, you shouldn't be surprised to know when I heard about this record coming out, I wasn't happy.  

Not one tiny bit.

Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against Robert Plant.  I've enjoyed a lot of his music over the years.  I simply feel his style and sound aren't compatible with hers.  And frankly, when I'm listening to her, I want to hear her.

Imagine my surprise when I actually heard the record for the first time.  The perfect marriage of sounds that not only compliments them both, but blends so perfectly I almost want to hear her like this all the time.  These two artists have voices that enhance qualities in each other.  There's a depth of soul in this disc that is unreal.  You might consider Plant the heavy 70's rock god, but in his heart, the man is a blues singer.  His vocal range allowed him to bring a new type of performance to the emerging metal genre, but if you listen to the words of his songs, he's a blues man.  Through and through.

One of the first things I did when I bought this record was pull it up on wikipedia.  I was curious about the songs and where they came from.  I know Krauss usually performs covers although her band mates in Union Station will often contribute songs.  Plant, on the other hand, is an adept songwriter.  So I wanted to explore where the songs came from.  To my surprise, 'Please Read The Letter' is the only track he wrote on the entire disc.  The rest is covers.  Also interesting is the choice of T-Bone Burnett as producer.  He choose the songs for the duo to record and all I can say is, "Wow!".  He obviously has an ear for sound.  What he helped create here is simple breathtaking.

The first track is 'Rich Woman'.  Dating all the way back to 1955, this is one amazing song.  With Plant and Krauss singing together the arrangement is radically different from the Li'l Millet And His Creoles original version.  The original includes horns throughout and is a rockabilly/rhythm & blues/swing tune while Plant & Krauss' rendition is haunting, floating and otherworldly.  It's like looking at the story taking place through a cloud of smoke and a head full of whiskey.  No matter how you see it, you can't help but sway along with the music as it infects you and draws you in.  Very powerful.

'Killing The Blues' is a song written and recorded by Chris Isaak band member, Rowland Salley.  While his released version has a more defined country flavor, this cover is subdued and maintains the quiet mystical flavor of the first track.  The way they sing these songs makes them all sound familiar even when they're songs you've never heard before.  'Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us' is the first track showcasing Krauss by herself.  Written by Sam Phillips for this album it's a delicate and strange number.  Exactly the kind of tune Krauss shines on.  She makes even the most bizarre sound heavenly.

Plant takes the lead on Dillard & Clark's 1969 track, 'Polly Come Home'.  Once again, the country twang of the original version is toned down in favor of a mellow, ethereal vibe.  Having heard the original, the most startling difference is the emphasis on certain words.  The Plant/Krauss cover seems to take on a completely different meaning.  'Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)' is the first track that really seems to rock and pick up the pace of the disc.  It's got a rockabilly beat and Plant gets to cut loose on this track a little.  For her part, Krauss builds his performance up in a way that's almost perfection.  Originally recorded in 1964 by the Everly Brothers, this exciting track is a lot of fun.  I haven't heard the original, but I will probably look it up online now.

'Through The Morning, Through The Night' is the second Dillard & Clark track on the disc.  It's from the same record as 'Polly Come Home'.  What makes this version so unusual is the choice of Krauss as the lead vocalist.  The original recording is similar in many ways.  It leans more towards the sorrowful than the country even though the twang is present in both versions.  It's the subject matter that makes the selection somewhat odd.  Krauss sings the song in it's original form without changing pronouns.  This is obviously a song written for a man to sing.  Still, she doesn't pull her punches and it's darn close to the best track on the disc.  Very satisfying.

'Please Read The Letter' is the Plant written number and it's absolutely tragic and wonderful at the same time.  As the kinda guy who expresses himself in writing, many's the time I wrote a lover a letter to express my feelings, my hopes and fears.  The build in this song is magical and it's one of my favorite tracks on the disc.  It's sheer and unadulterated beauty.  'Trampled Rose' is a Tom Waits track and I have to admit, I'm not a fan of his voice, but I think he's a talented songwriter.  On his album, this track sounds like an empty liquor bottle rolling out of a dingy hotel room into a hot, dry street gutter in the middle of the day.  With Krauss on lead vocals, the song becomes something else entirely.  It becomes a sense of longing, forgetting and pain.  This track is evocative.

'Fortune Teller' is a track from 1962 by Benny Spellman.  I listened to it on Youtube and it's a band with a strong Louisiana sound.  Plant's version is more traditional rock n' roll.  I actually like both versions of this track!  They both have qualities that makes them interesting.  'Stick With Me Baby' is the second Everly Brothers track on the disc.  The original is an upbeat rock number.  On this version, Krauss and Plant sing together and harmonize on a more delicate and soft version of the tune.  It actually makes the song sound more sincere and authentic.  There's a tenderness delivered here you just can't escape.  It's beautiful.

'Nothin'' was originally recorded by Townes Van Zandt.  It appears on his 1971 album "Delta Momma Blues".  He performs it as an acoustic number and it's creepy.  Plant and Krauss perform is as some sorta weird rock opera.  The guitars are sliding and electric.  Krauss plays the violin.  And Plant...  Well, he half sings, half confidingly whispers the lyrics.  If there were songs written about country suicides, this would be the framework.  'Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson' is a track from Little Milton back in 1975.  It's a fun track and with Krauss on lead vocals, it's quite dynamic.  The horns are replaced with guitars.  I love both versions of this song.  What an amazing track.  Masterful.

'Your Long Journey' is a 1963 track by Doc Watson.  It's a true bluegrass classic and Krauss/Plant treat it with the respect it deserves.  I haven't heard the original version, but I'm guessing Krauss does what she usually does with these old forgotten tunes.  She makes them sound more round and full rather than sparse and thin.

No matter what kind of music you like, if your heart has found comfort in the sweet soul of blues or other forms of American traditional music, you will find something on this record to touch your heart.  It is the work of musicians who are truly masters of the craft and talented beyond belief.  It reaches new heights.  My final words:  EVERYONE SHOULD OWN THIS AMAZING RECORD.  UTTER PERFECTION.

ROBERT PLANT / ALISON KRAUSS - RAISING SAND
01. Rich Woman
02. Killing The Blues
03. Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us
04. Polly Come Home
05. Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)
06. Through The Morning, Through The Night
07. Please Read The Letter
08. Trampled Rose
09. Fortune Teller
10. Stick With Me Baby
11. Nothin'
12. Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson
13. Your Long Journey

READY TO WEAR - MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE

I saw this movie long before I realized my interest in the soundtrack. Let me state for the record... This film is absolutely brilliant. The soundtrack is another matter entirely. Although it has moments of absolute brilliance, it isn't a complete collection in that it leaves out a large number of songs appearing in the film. The tracks it does include seems to consist of the songs the producers thought would make the most money. Not always the smartest move when it comes to compiling a soundtrack.

The Ini Kamoze track opens the disc and it's ok. I remember it got some airplay and I saw the video on VH-1 a couple times. The Supercat track is awesome. It's a nice bluesy 50's number with a great beat. I quite like it. I really love the Salt-N-Pepa track, 'Here We Come'. It's funky, straight up and in your face. Salt-N-Pepa have always interested me and this track is a wonderful addition to the record. M People's contribution is cool, but somewhat standard fare for house records at the time. I'm sure it was mixed like crazy. Janet Jackson's number is lackluster but also fairly common for her during this time. This is right about the time I checked out on her. She became boring and everything sounded largely the same.

The Rolling Stones number is laughable and unwelcome. It's place in the movie is also annoying. It's the one song I absolutely feel has no business anywhere near this project. The Sam Phillips cover of 'These Boots Are Made For Walkin'' is wonderful. She captures the intensity of the original number with a folksy twist.

For years, I dished The Cranberries. I just hated them. Every song sounded like a broken record. Then I saw this film and heard this number. I think this song is incredible for a number of reasons... First and foremost, I love the message. "You're so pretty the way you are..." What an amazing statement in both the film and the music. Plus the mix is absolutely riveting. The Deep Forest song called 'Martha' is actually the track 'Marta's Song' from their album 'Boheme'. I like this track quite a bit as well. There is a slight difference in the bass track, but otherwise, it's the exact same number.

The Brand New Heavies tune is interesting but not remarkable. I enjoy the vocal delivery and although I've never invested much time or energy into this band, I'm interested in hearing more. The Cece Peniston song is pretty typical of her stuff, but it's fun and I really like the song. I can sing along and tap my feet. That's a great feature in a tune.

Now here's the reason I should've bought the disc. There's a Prince composition by The New Power Generation here. 'Get Wild' appears on the 'Exodus' record, but this version is quite different in a number of ways. There's different effects happening throughout the song. Specifically, Mayte in the background saying stuff in Spanish. There is a different vocal take as well. It really is worth having. It shows some of the progression in the way Prince writes and records music.

TTD clocks in with 'Supermodel Sandwich'. I have to be honest, as much as I normally enjoy his work, this is one of my least favorite numbers ever. The Perfecto Mix of 'Lemon' by U2 is pretty interesting though not incredible by any means. It's got a nice rhythm and flow. But the gasping cries of Bono detract from the overall effect of the song. It's all beat and no substance.

Overall, it's an interesting collection, but hardly one that goes well together. Like the fashions in the film, this disc is all over the place. You'll probably pick this up for one or two numbers you're interested in rather than the entire collection.

If that's the case, save the money and buy the tunes online individually. Check that... I just saw how much this disc was selling for on Amazon... If you want more than two songs, you might as well go ahead and buy the disc online. With prices like $.01... You can't get it cheaper. My final word: INTERESTING.

READY TO WEAR - MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE
01. Ini Kamoze - Here Comes The Hotstepper (Heartical Mix)
02. Supercat - My Girl Josephine
03. Salt-N-Pepa - Here We Come
04. M People - Natural Thing
05. Janet Jackson - 70's Love Groove
06. The Rolling Stones - Jump On Top Of Me
07. Sam Phillips - These Boots Are Made For Walkin'
08. The Cranberries - Pretty (Remix)
09. Deep Forest - Martha
10. The Brand New Heavies - Close To You
11. Cece Peniston - Keep Givin' Me Your Love (West End Mix)
12. The New Power Generation - Get Wild
13. Terence Trent D'Arby - Supermodel Sandwich
14. U2 - Lemon (Perfecto Mix)