Just got it last night: fresh off the vinyl press and shipped to me from Acoustic Sounds. If this isn't the duo album of the year, what the heck, if is isn't the album of the year, then it will confirm to me that what's wrong with the music business goes far beyond the industry itself.

I've only given this album one listen so far - I can guarantee it will be the first of many - but what is stunning is how well these two titans of their respective genres can come together and make an album that is so seamless and flawless in its execution. I believe these songs are all covers of works by other artists - Everly Brothers, Tom Waites, etc., but the Krauss/Plant duo do these well enough to virtually steal them and make them their own.

More listening to do, but I'm looking forward to it. I can say that if neither of these artists if your cup of tea individually, don't let that color your decision to buy this record. In this case, the whole is much greater than the sum of the parts, and the parts were pretty darn good to start with.

I have it as well and have only gave it one spin so far. It was late and I was on the phone during play....
That said, what I heard was pretty dam good. I will give a real listen on Friday evening.


Bill

I agree with Whell,I hope they do another

Cool, thanks for the review. I have been interested in picking this album up. Now, I will be certain to grab a copy for myself.
DD

I have an Alison Krauss with Union Station Live CD that I bought from a used CD store because
they had it playing on the in-house system and I had to have it. :yes:

I'll have to check this one out... thanks for the heads up! :thmbsp:

Scott

It hasn't left the CD slot in the car since I got it... great harmonies, great backing band.

I love it as well. What a great mix of different styles! Each track is fresh and different. And superb mastering.

It's kind of "spooky" isn't it? I love it.

Just picked up a copy...Tons of Bass....Had to disable subwoofer:thmbsp:...Sounds excellent:thmbsp:.....

I have to agree with everyone on thier comments. I especially like the "sound" of the first track, "Rich Woman." It gives me the feeling of the anologue recordings of yesteryear. Such an excellent choice of recording techniques and music and vocals! :thmbsp:

Some of you might enjoy this interview from Weekend Edition Sunday from NPR a few weeks back when the album was released. I found it quite interesting about how producer T Bone Burnett pushed them both outside of their "comfort zones".

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15675741

Guess I better get me a copy!

I hope they have plans to some live stuff!

I have listened to this 3 times now. Lots of drums, big sounding drums; like one suggested here earlier "had to turn the sub off" no doubt! audiophiles with large woofers will enjoy this album...

I dont know if this is the effect the producer is trying to achieve, but while the vocals have good detail and air around them, close miked, the treble seems to be somewhat reticent. Like everything else has been recorded at a distance of 40 feet away... or mixed/eq'd to give the "older music" effect perhaps?; I notice most songs are written from yesteryear...

But overall very nicely done. It took me until track 5 to actually believe this is Robert Plant singing, when he hits some high notes in scream like fashion. A wonderful job of making vocal sounds out of his comfort zone.

Track 8 however is incredible. (Trampled Rose cowritten by Tom Waits) Alison's voice (which I have not heard before) is absolutely beautiful. Angelic is a word used many times before, I would add haunting (in a good way); it gave me shivers up my spine- after hearing it her voice echoed through my head for hours until I heard it again; and then I played it again! A simple three notes,(root-seventh-fifth?) beautifully sung, this one song is worth the price of admission alone. This song has convinced me to purchase everything she has done!

I agree with you guys. T Bone did a great job with this. Real open dynamics. It sounds great on Polk 10s. The introduction rhythm is brilliant.

I've got to be honest, I didn't like it much the first time through...but after a couple listens it kind of grew on me. The selection of tunes is eclectic to say the least.

First listen this morning before I head to the office - very nice :thmbsp:

Last week there was a Charlie Rose interview on PBS
with everyone involved in the making of the recording
(Must see if you like the album)T-Bone is a magician
They did talk of an upcoming tour in 2008!

Last week there was a Charlie Rose interview on PBS
with everyone involved in the making of the recording
(Must see if you like the album)T-Bone is a magician
They did talk of an upcoming tour in 2008!

Wouldn't that be amazing! :banana:

I agree that this was a good effort, and confounded my expectations of both Plant and Krauss.

What really blows me away is that they chose to use two Gene Clark songs, including one from Dillard & Clark. Major kudos - I thought "Through The Morning, Through The Night" turned out particularly well. :thmbsp:

Man, I just got back from town and meant to stop and pick up a copy. Crud. Looks like I'll have to head back out later as I've been really wanting to hear this one.

Anybody checked the prices for the vinyl of this album on Amazon lately ? I just picked it up for twenty bucks.

Just found out that they're coming to Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center in Canandaigua, NY, on June 7. I tried to access the website, but it seems to be down, and the date isn't listed on RP/AK's site.

I WILL be attending this show. :D

like the rest of us with a strong interest in music, i have been hearing about this album all year, and occassionally considered giving it a listen, but mainly i ignored it, because it seemed a little too mainstream, maybe even kinda corny and mostly aimed at career revival or extension, or something...it just wasn't pressing my buttons ....then, i caught about 45 minutes of a concert on MHD (Music High Definition) last night, and was dumbfounded with the Burnett's arrangements, the magic of Plant/Krauss'es voices together, the reimagining of the public domain songs and the Led Zep stuff....i just sat there with my mouth hanging open ...and i am not a fan of 'twang' or Americana, being decidedly more than a little to the left of center. and i WILL have this on vinyl....and if ya have a high def TV and associated sound system, for sure try and find this. i recorded mine....

While my lazy butt has been spinning "Magic" by Bruce Springsteen and the new Black Crowes "Warpaint", I haven't gotten this new AK/RP album...


I will say that I've followed her ever since 1993, and got to see AKUS at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in 2002(I think), and it was ....

THE BEST LIVE PERFORMANCE I'VE EVER SEEN.

And I've seen plenty...

Deep Purple. Kiss. Black Sabbath. All very good live, but nothing makes your blood run cold like honest working-man's bluegrass. I know, the genre's don't gel, but dammit, what a show. 2 hours felt like 10 minutes.

No one spoke, no one talked. All listened. And when they returned for an encore, a roadie brought out a SINGLE Neumann condenser mic, and they all came out and huddled round it to sing "Down to the River to Pray".

Not a dry eye in the place.

Of course, that venue didn't suck, either. :D

Sorry I missed them a few weeks ago when they came through town. Wrong night, wrong venue.

Funny thing that reviewers are starting to pick up on, is that it's really a T Bone Burnett album that he got Krauss and Plant to do the vocals on... almost like the old Big Band era bandleaders. Damn, that guy's got some cred!

Those of you who are impressed with this, check out Burnett's last two releases: True False Identity and Tooth of Crime.

I'd have to agree. I'm OK with Krauss, but Plant and/or Led Zeppelin generally will make me leave a room. I have been a long-time fan of T Bone Burnett (since his 1985 self-titled acoustic album) and also really like this Krauss/Plant album.

I hope they have plans to some live stuff!

They have been touring together this summer. I heard the show was so-so, but then again *I* have not seen them, so take it with a grain of salt.

I enjoy the CD too.

They have been touring together this summer. I heard the show was so-so, but then again *I* have not seen them, so take it with a grain of salt.


Most of the "so-so" reviews were from folks who went to hear Plant do Led Zep covers. They were caught off guard (I read a couple of those).

Here's a good (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/12/arts/music/12plan.html?ex=1371009600&en=04f1e84ee37b605f&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink) one.

I have it on vinyl. Great album. I was pleasantly surprised!

Most of the "so-so" reviews were from folks who went to hear Plant do Led Zep covers. They were caught off guard (I read a couple of those).

Here's a good (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/12/arts/music/12plan.html?ex=1371009600&en=04f1e84ee37b605f&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink) one.

Got that right PM.

Personally, I find it a bit uneven. Interesting collaboration. I was somewhat disappointed that it didn't have a stronger Celtic bent. But enjoyable, nonetheless. It will be interesting to hear "Please Read the Letter" in all it's electric glory if the Led ever comes together and tours.