Raising Sand
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Free Music Notes for Raising Sand
Free Music Review: Beautiful; a revelation!
Hit: 5 Stars
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.Free Music Review: SOUNDS GREAT.... BUT DONT GRAB THAT BONG JUST YET KIDS....
Hit: 5 Stars
While I can see Zeppelin fans not grasping this album so well, I must come to the side of propping it as a great peice of work for Robert Plant. It seems that ever since the steam ran out in 1980 for Zeppelin (and even a little before, actually) Robert Plant has really leaned towards doing a much softer style of music. It has never seemed to work out so well for him until now.
This is the magic of Plants vocals accompanied by the pretty female vocals of Alison Krauss. It seems initially like a strange mix, but actually it's the type of combination that Plant should have been seeking out for years now (I don't think he's really had a voice that has translated onto record for over twenty) .... I'm not sure who came up with this idea of putting these two together (perhaps in her younger days Alison Krauss was wearing tight jeans and groupie-ing it up outside the Zep shows?!) but it seems to have worked in both of their interests. And the album contains a lot of nice, easy music. I don't shun the soft bluegrass feel, because a lot of the songs have a cool, serene and often times dark feel to them. Something Robert Plant has been trying to acheive now for a long time that has always fallen flat (on my ears anyway). It's amazing how the girl can really enhance his voice.... Strange project, but no doubt works. However, do not purchase if you are still in High School and only interested in Zeppelin... without an open ear chances are you may be dissapointed. Led Zeppelin is Led Zeppelin, everybody needs to try something different sometimes, and I'm glad to see that something different has finally worked! Sounds great!
Free Music Review: Killin' the Blues
Hit: 5 Stars
I too was anxiously awaiting release of this album. I was worried that it was gonna be too Zepplinesque, despite the fact that I was a serious Zeppelin fan in the 70's. Between that and loving Alison Krauss I had to get this album. Having come back to my folk roots where I originally started and then morphing into country and bluegrass, I had hoped that this would be more mellow and accoustic than rock and roll and wasn't sure where the blend of these two voices would meet. It is mellow and beautiful, and in several songs, I love Plant's "hints" of his signature scream that he does so well. In an accoustic setting, Plant's perfect voice stands out more, and the two voices blend like a chorus of angels. Besides the curiousity of what these 2 icons of different genres would create together, I was also drawn to this album for "Killin" the Blues", written by my good friend Rowland Salley. I loved this song from way back, when Roly was the only one that sang it. Now many have recorded it. It is a fantastic song and was always one of my favorites. I think it is one of the best songs on the album along with "Your Long Journey". There are many other great tunes on this disc and the harmonies are impeccable. Someone else mentioned that they were bothered by the song where Alison sings in the male vernacular. The song is great and very Alison Krauss style, but I also wish she would have sung it true to her gender. Regardless, I still love that song, love the album and am glad to have it in my collection. The album grows on me the more I hear it, but I liked it from the first listen.Free Music Review: A RARE BEAUTY AND AN INSTANT CLASSIC !
Hit: 5 Stars
I have been listening to good rock for about 40 years, and I am not easily impressed. In my book this one is one of the best albums released not only this year, or this decade, but ever! The first listen gave me the same reaction as when I heard albums like "Pet Sounds", "Aftermath", "Revolver", "Dark Side of the Moon" or "12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus" for the first time. It really is that good! I have for some years been aware of Alison Krauss, her voice must be one of the most beautiful vocal instruments on the planet. And surprise, surprise : Robert Plant turns out to be a perfect match for her. It's impossible to describe in words the sheer beauty of some of the tracks; Tom Waits'
" Trampled Rose" belongs to another world. There is obviously a risk that an album like this could be too saccharine for its own good, but there are counterelements that balance the album perfectly. I am thinking about the production of T-Bone Burnette, the brilliant and very under-rated guitarist Marc Ribot who adds his own special flavor to the proceedings, and Alison's fiddle playing, which at times can be both rough and spikey. In a few words, the album is as perfectly balanced as a top notch single malt! And an album without a single weak track is as rare as hen's teeth in this age of mediocrity. I would like to take the liberty to send a big kiss to Alison and big hugs to all the guys involved. Thank you and I sincerely hope there will be more of the same from you. And this must be quite a challenge to the other top power rock vocalist : Mr. Daltrey, can you hear me??
Free Music Review: What is wrong with people???
Hit: 5 Stars
I guess this is what they mean when they say "you either hate it or you love it". Sheesh.
I got this album yesterday after overhearing it in a cafe. I heard like 4 seconds of "Rich Woman" and went to the counter! I had to have it!
I heard it was coming out a while ago, but totally forgot! Well I was missing out!
So as of this writing, I have spun this album 7 times! 7!
I hear what people are saying about the production, but I feel that it enhances the album really. Its muddy, its real, T-bone is not to be questioned people!
These two are angels together I think. I have loved Alison for a number of years but am fairly new to Robert actually. I was not raised by a fan of Zep, so I had no reason to care. BUT I do like that one song of his "Morning Dew". So with that ONE SONG under my belt I thought "yeah, him and Alison might be alright!" *wit in text is a toughy* I WAS RIGHT.
I have never reviewed anything on here before, but felt compelled to do so after reading so many negatives. I know that people have a right to their opinion but only if they are right, right? :)
*Highlights
"Killing the Blues"
"Rich Woman" I love that reverbed guitar! Its infectious! (also on "Fortune Teller" which is a cute song)
"Please Read the Letter"
"Trampled Rose" Oh Alison, I just love you.
"Polly Come Home"
...OK SO THEY ARE ALL GREAT!
I feel quite lucky, I see they will be live in my city in October, I'm off to buy those tickets now. *nah nah nah*