Customer Reviews
Unexpected classic..... 
2008-07-04
"Raising Sand" is the haunting and brilliant collaboration between Robert Plant and Allison Krauss; it opens with my favorite track - the Sam Phillips song "Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us", which quickly demonstrates that there's a lot more going on here than the "Led Zeppelin goes Country" preconception that the notion of these two artists working together conjures up. The album continues with track after track enjoyment and surprise. This is yet another triumph for producer T Bone Burnett, who has incisively crafted a breath-taking soundscape, supported by some of the finest musicians working today, where the whole is deliriously more than the sum of the parts. It all sounds so effortless that you know it must have been quite the opposite - dreamy and seductive, this is an unexpected classic.
Less than expected. 
2008-07-04
I'm a fan of Alison's but I was simply disapointed in the merger of these two artists. The musical spark was not there; however, it looks like it is just in their eyes for one another.
Rock God meets Bluegrass Queen 2008-07-04
I admit the idea seemed kind of silly: matching a rock God with a bluegrass Goddess -- each amazing in their own way but, together? I just wasn't sure.
But good God almighty, there's some serious magic at work here.
Haunting, melancholy, harmonious -- hard to describe but there's something divine in the notes. The pairing is odd but works in a way that's really quite amazing. And seeing them live -- whoa!
If you like deep, moody music (or either of these two musical giants on their own) you must give this album a try. Granted, it's not Zep and it's not Union Station bluegrass -- but that's the point. Together they create something different, a mood... a feeling... an emotion. It's grand. Hurray for the odd pairings! First Emmylou Harris and Mark Knopfler and now this... Raising Sand? No... Raising the bar!
observation 
2008-07-03
why is there no color at all anywhere on the case or liner notes? It's like viewing the world on a black and white tv set -everything is in various shades of gray. Pretty odd in this day and age to say the least.
Killer CD, Killer Live Concert 2008-06-30
For nearly 40 year I have been a total fan of Robert Plant, particularly from his Led Zeppelin years. So I was already primed to explore the melding of two amazing voices on this groundbreaking CD. With her creamy, angelic voice, Alison has blended perfectly with Robert's powerful rock god delivery in the most brilliant collaboration I have heard. Ever.
I saw them in concert this past Saturday at Lake Tahoe, and along with over 5,000 other roaringly appreciative fans, was stunned and thrilled with the incredible mastery of these artists and their band. The percussionist Jay Bellerose was a non stop locomotive driving the concert. His energy was jaw dropping. Prowling and owning the stage like the king lion that he is, Robert sang his face off as he rocked out the audience with his stunning set, including "Fortune Teller"; guitar shredding "Nothin'" and another whose title escapes me. He even wailed a little bit which made the audience go nuts! Alison, who stands nearly motionless with such quiet poise on stage delivered chills to the breathless audience as she howled on "Trampled Rose". Even the outdoor venue and less than perfect speakers couldn't dampen her triumph. The mastermind of this collaboration T-Bone Burnett blew us away with his killer guitar performances. Backing up Robert on country or his hard rock songs the band proved that there were no absolutely zero limits to their musicianship. You could see they were having a blast.
Their encore set included the LZ song "When the Levee Breaks" and closed the show with a real hit of nostalgia. Hearing sounds of LZ coming from tailgate parties after the show I was real happy to hear "Whole Lotta Love" which is what Robert always inspires in me. I appreciate this CD even more after seeing them in such an primo concert. Alison Krauss is wonderful. Robert Plant RULES.
Something different and refreshing 2008-07-19
Well of course both of these artist alone are musical genius. You certainly can't go wrong putting two geniuses together. I love Led Zep. and although I've never been a "fan" of Blue Grass, I have been an Alison Krauss fan. Of course this CD is closer to Blue Grass than hard rockin' Led Zep. But, it works. They work. I can't wait for their next album! (My favorite song on this is 'Please Read The Letter'. In this song is where you will find your Led Zep. "flavor".)
Disappointed 
2008-07-15
Two great artists but they just croon... effort came out vapid and flat. Too Mellow.
After all these years... 2008-07-14
two people I've followed individually have made this supremely heavenly album that I simply cannot qualify; it reflects an amalgum of strange purity that exceeds a mere collaboration. Words fail me...
A beautiful album 2008-07-14
A beautiful, relaxing album with plenty of interesting sounds. I've become addicted to it!
Bill's Fifty Words or Less 2008-07-06
Tennessee mountains,
Mississippi mud,
Honeysuckle wine and
Texas blood.
Rhododendron blooms,
Rusty nails,
Empty rooms and
Mournful wails.
Church door cracks,
Long dusty roads,
Broken hearts and
Heavy loads.
Sneering guitars,
Rattling bones,
Voices from heaven,
Black snake moan.
Funeral cortege and
A Harley ride home.
Mesmerizing Alt-country-bluegrass-rockabilly-gospel-blues Masterwork.
