The Perfect Storm: Golden God, Bluegrass Queen and Ravinia

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 18, 2008 3:30PM

Since its release last October Raising Sand, the critically lauded collaboration of former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant and high priestess of bluegrass Allison Krauss, has become something of a phenomenon. Working in tandem with producer T Bone Burnett, who picked and arranged the songs, Raising Sand is a joy to the ears. Its emphasis on blues, country and old R&B is reminiscent of Bob Dylan's records of the past twenty years, while Burnett's production at times evokes the ethereal moods of Emmylou Harris' Wrecking Ball or Willie Nelson's Teatro.

The main players are in fine form, as well. Plant hasn't hit the glass shattering notes that cemented his "Golden God" reputation since Zeppelin's Physical Grafitti, but his bluesy vocals and phrasing are still in fine form. He still has one of the most easily identifiable voices in popular music. Meanwhile, Krauss, who's honed a middle of the road approach as she's become more thin and blonde over the years, sounds particularly inspired. Her crackling, almost sassy rendition of the late Little Milton's "Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson" is one of Raising Sand's many gems. Another fave is a duet of the Everly Brothers' "Gone Gone Gone," of which we've included the video above.

Plant, Krauss and Burnett bring their act to Ravinia this evening for a show where only premium seats remain as of this filing. Reviews of the tour have been as equally glowing as those of the album. Some of the real treats of the shows are the recast Zeppelin numbers, like a slow torch version of "Black Dog" that teases with its innuendo instead of beating you over the head with it, as in the original. As speculation continues over a Led Zeppelin tour Plant, Krauss and Burnett have intimated in recent interviews that Raising Sand is only the beginning of what they view as a long-term partnership.