Raising Sand * by Robert Plant (CD, Oct-2007, Rounder Records)

This is definitely not everyone's cup of tea. It took a couple of listens for me to appreciate it. Many may find the album slow, but Plant's and Krauss' voices do match very well. This album is more for fans of T Bone Burnett then either Plant or Krauss, definitely his influence is all over it. Fans of Tom Waits would also enjoy, as they cover a song he wrote. No Stairway To Heavens or Kashmirs here, but I am a big fan of both Plant and Krauss and they never disappoint.

I actually bought this CD for a friend of mind (whose name is Sand--I thought she would enjoy the play on words) and then I listened to it and was hooked from the first song, so I bought myself a copy, too. When I first saw the CD, I thought "Robert Plant and Alison Krauss??? What kind of a combination is that?" Well, I love it! Their voices mingle very well together and the musical arrangements are great! Mostly I like it because there's a variety of styles (rock, country, folk) which you might not expect individually from these two artists. (Some reviewers might consider this a negative, but I enjoy seeing artists go outside their comfort zones). Finally, not only do these two sound good together, they look good together, too. (I love the liner note photos--they look like a couple of puppies frolicking around!) I'm sure they had a lot of fun making this CD and it comes across in the music. (My favorite: "Rich Woman"--great beat, instrumentation, and how can you not love a song with the words "she got the money and I got the honey".) I'd recommend this CD for fans of either artist, or someone who's never heard either one of them before. All in all a very enjoyable listening experience! So check it out and prepare to be pleasantly surprised.

I saw this on Crossroads on TV and bought the album immediately. Whoever thought of pairing this unlikely duo is brilliant. The voices mesh perfectly. All in all, it is close to a blues album with just enough variation from their different roots to make it new and interesting. Listening to the new arrangements of some old Led Zep. tunes is a real eye opener; I want to go back and hear the originals again.

This is an incredible collaboration. Both their voices blend perfectly. I can't stop listening to it. Beautiful, haunting songs. And it makes sense, since Zeppelin used a lot of "bow" instruments in their music.

This album combines two vocal styles that dont belong together and it shows. Alison Krauss sounds like shes struggling to keep plant from sounding like a dying emphasyma patient, and plant sounds like, well... a dying emphasyma patient. All of the reviews that like this album seemed to say, "its great background music" or "get out a bottle of wine, put on this album and go do something else" ...???? ooooo-k I got it. This is a GREAT album if you dont want to listen to music

Watched Robert and Alison on the program "Crossroads" and decided to purchase this album for my husband. It is a good mix of music styles and has a great sound.

I found this disc purely by chance, when seeking out some Dean Martin to add to my ultralounge library that I play in my restaurant (yes, really). I'd just returned to the South Pacific after spending some time in Tennessee on family business, and was amazed that I'd heard nothing about this disc while staying in an area where Alison Krauss is a Very Big Deal. It sounded intriguing, so I bought it.

I'm very glad I did.

It's an interesting, eclectic selection of songs, and the voices of the two artists are surprisingly well-suited to one another. When it first arrived, I found myself playing it over and over, getting different impressions from the songs with each play -- always a good sign. This is an album that can stand up to repeated listenings.

A stunniing collaboration, with awesome song writing, and a warm natural sound. Very well produced. Stunning vocals from both Mr Plant, and Ms Krauss. An ideal album to kick back, open a decent Red wine, and chill.

Great mix of talent and songs, there are a few # 9 & 11 that give sounds of early Robert Plant, as well some of the tunes remind me of Allisons efforts on "Oh Brother" soundtrack.

My friend saw an ad for this cd, and bought it. I listened to it, and just had to buy my own copy. This cd has very original music, and each song is unique. There are some tunes Robert Plant and Allison Krauss sing together, and some they sing separately. My favorite is "Fortune Teller" sung by Robert.
Allison Krauss has a very haunting voice that really hits your soul.
This is a top cd that I would highly recommend to anyone.

A friend suggested buying since he knew I like Robert Plant. But, this album is horrible. I would rather listen to nails on a chalkboard.

This is my first CD by these artists. I decided to buy it after hearing some sample cuts and reading a review online.I'm so glad I did.

I purchased this CD because the blend of these two artists vocals sounded interesting. They are. Song selection is excellent mix up subdued and uptempo numbers. Perfect CD to play poker to!

Krauss & Plant's harmonies are so tight that it's hard to separate them. Amazing work. And, here's the hundred letters required by EBay: awesdtrfyguiojpkl,ujdyhsgbvfdcbnjosmkptlb,veabbituowiptemobl,wtrobmv,

Totally different; Great combination of 2 unique voices. Hope they collaberate again. MAKES YOU WONDER WHAT OTHER DUOS WOULD WORK TOGETHER.

I could listen to this album 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! It's just beautiful. The voices of Allison Krause and Robert Plant blend so perfectly and there are a few songs that never fail to bring a tear to my eyes. I love music of all kinds but this is one of the best ever!

I bought this album because I'm an Allison Krauss fan, and I don't have much to say about the album in its entirety, because I'm so stuck on track 3: "Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us". To me it is haunting, and oh so very sensual. There is a hint of wistfulness and melancholy, and Krauss's voice expresses a deep, yearning quality. I'm so taken by the effect of the instrumentals, and how they combine and intertwine with the sound of her voice, that I'm barely even aware of the words. It goes down like warm chocolate fudge topping on a creamy smooth not-so-vanilla sundae.

Then again, I'm a folkie. From what I can tell, people only love or despise this album, but I think those who are not fond of it were expecting it to sound more familiar: more completely like either like Plant's music or Krauss's former offerings. Perhaps what I'm hearing in this album, and this song in particular, the part I like so much about it, is that you can feel the two of them searching for the blend of their individual talents.

WOW! Talk about two people from different backgrounds...these two make beautiful music together! Plant still "has it" and of course Allison does too. When I first heard their music I just couldn't believe it. If you like blues & jazz this one is for you!

For those of you that remember Robert Plant from the first band he was with ( Led somthing) this will be something different but the same. His style is softer now, but the passion is very much there. Some old songs, a bit of country mixed in makes for a great album.

I BOUGHT IT BEACUSE I HAD HEARD A COUPLE OF SONGS FROM MY X-M RADIO AND WANTED TO HEAR MORE.I DONT DISLIKE ANYTHING ABOUT IT,IT IS A VERY GOOD CD

I decided to buy this based on seeing Kraus and Plant in a special on CMT. Comments on the front of the Raising Sand cover reads, “The musical relationship between Krauss and Plant is so gentle, attentive, and respectfully intimate it feels more like a courtship dance, one of the best albums of the year.” MOJO ****

I was a Led Zeppelin fan, you can hear some of the music from Led Zeppelin, and Jimmy page's old songs deep down in the fabric of some of the songs. There is a bluesy sensuality to this bluegrass, that I can listen to over and over again. Not sure if you call this bluegrass. I call it great! This duo is a great mix!

This album reflects less country influence than most of Alison Kraus's previous albums, and contains more folk music and blues elements than I expected. The real surprise is how well Plant and Kraus's voices blend together. The result is absolutely beautiful.
My biggest problem with this album is that I'll likely burn myself out on it because I'm listening to it so much. Three words: "Killing the Blues."

Havent not heard Robert Plant in many years.. THis guy has gotten better has he has gotten older.. IT is very nice to see if producing again with Allison Krauss