raising sand...???

rand z · January 2nd, 2008, 09:16 AM

anyone here have a chance to listen to this recent album?

i picked it up about a week ago and have played it a few times... i have to admit that im a little disappointed in it for a number of reasons.

i was hoping that the pairing of robert plant and alison krauss would be unique and wonderful. and, at a few rare moments it is... but, generally throughout most of the tracks, except where they are singing solo, if i didnt know it was them singing, it could be almost any decent female/male vocal duet. especially plant as you really cant distinguish anything "plant" about his voice. they water each other down, considerably, imho. again, only when they solo can i tell its plant and krauss.

the production is probably my biggest issue. why they had t bone burnette produce this when they had ALISON KRAUSS in-house, is imho a major mistake. alison would have provided a purity of sound that is sorely missing, here. imho, it sounds like t bone set up a 50,000 gallon drum; put one centrally located ambiant mic; 3 o r 4 musicians; alison and robert (with mics so close, it sounds like they're half way down there throats), and THEN added even more reverb to the overall sound!!!

I.E. ...

the better title to this album would have been, imho, "raising MUD".

man... imho again, this sounds like an old peter and gordon album, or a yardbirds album from 1964, where everything is done on 4 track steuder and (other than the vocals), minimal micing/mixing. i was hoping the reason plant wanted to work with alison was that he wanted to do a folky, country, rootsy acoustic project with a clear, simple pure sonic quality and well defined mix... ala, union station/nickel creek etc.

the song selection is spotty too... plant (or t bone) keeps throwing in these old british style blues from the early 60's to, i guess, appease plants vocal style, and then juxtaposes it with other sad, lilting, meandering sonic excercises to try and work alison into the project.

imho, it only works at certain points in the entire album. and, to be honest, i dont think plant and krauss needed to be in the same room for most of this project.

the musicianship is mostly understated (though they didnt really need the great norman blake), and, many tiimes, washed out in that infernal reverb(s. in fact, its so basic that i really think i could have supplied most of the guitar/bass parts, myself, and im certainly not a norman blake or marc ribot.

in conclusion, this really didnt work, and imho, it could have if only alison would have produced it and t bone would have stayed home. i realize that they were trying to create (or recreat) a certain sonic feel and tone (it probably WAS early brit pop/blues), but i, for one did not really GET it.

this album is unique, imho, in only that they'll never be anything like it again.

anyone else agree/disagree?

really imho.

rand z tropicalsoul.net

tweeddeluxe · January 2nd, 2008, 09:25 AM

To each his own.

I love it--song selection, production, performance, the whole enchilada. It works for me for all the reasons it doesn't for you.

"...Wheel dew go roun."--O.F.

tom

Jeffscreamedcorn · January 2nd, 2008, 09:32 AM

I have the exact opposite opinion - it's my favorite for the last month. For me, T-Bone was spot on for the production. He brings the "modern retro" thing here that brings out hidden aspects of both singer's talent. There are ample tracks of Plant and Krauss doing what they usually do - this is different - thank goodness!

If you check out T-Bone's last record, "The True False Identity," it might lend some context to Rising Sand. Really this record is a collaboration of the three of them.

uniphasian · January 2nd, 2008, 09:34 AM

I liked it too. The use of reverb and tremolo on certain instruments and vocals provided a very deep three dimensional effect, and worked much better than EQ alone for separation.

I couldn't imagine a better song selection and, IMO, the vocal work was haunting.

My favorite album of '07.

rand z · January 2nd, 2008, 09:40 AM

im thinking from all of the responeses above, that this album pleases plant fans more that krauss', and im much more of a krauss fan than plant's. i guess i expected to hear her "presence" much more profoundly, on this effort.

havent listened to plant or zep in many years... though, i still like zeps first two albums, a lot, and not for a nostalgia trip, but i think they hold up well in that brit blues genre. mostly, because of pages work, not plant.

imho.

superchicken_VI · January 2nd, 2008, 10:19 AM

I'm not at all a Plant fan, and am a huge Alison Krauss fan. I really enjoy most of what I've heard from the album. At first, I was disappointed not to hear more harmony. Then it clicked that this wasn't about harmony singing. When I shed my expectations and turned off the idea of Krauss/Plant and just listened to it, I really enjoyed it. I was relieved that Plant didn't sound like Plant for most of it. Also hearing a stark production of Alison's voice instead of the typical overlush commercial country sound was rewarding. Count me as a Krauss fan who enjoyed it.

Daniil · January 2nd, 2008, 10:44 AM

I like it, but I hear what you're saying Rand Z. To me it sounds more like a T-Bone Burnett album than a Plant+Krauss album. Which is not a bad thing, but is very different from what I expected.

The production does feel just a tad claustrophobic to me. Nothing at all like T-Bones excellent soundtracks (O Brother and Ring of Fire sound just amazing!)

fenderfan · January 2nd, 2008, 11:09 AM

I really enjoy the album and it's somewhat earthy, old-style sound. It sounds like they had the whole band and the singers in a big room with a few mikes placed around for recording, and I think that gives it a nice "real", organic feel...

cwomack06 · January 2nd, 2008, 11:13 AM

Hey,

I gotta say, I am very pleased with this CD. But I do understand what you meant when you talked about Plant not sounding Plantish. But overall I think this album is a great collaboration between two of the worlds best vocalists and one of the greatest producers. I give it an 8 of 10

Just my 2 cents.

Thanks,
Corey Womack

rand z · January 2nd, 2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniil

I like it, but I hear what you're saying Rand Z. To me it sounds more like a T-Bone Burnett album than a Plant+Krauss album. Which is not a bad thing, but is very different from what I expected.

right...

rand z tropicalsoul.net

kludge · January 2nd, 2008, 01:29 PM

I remember reading an interview where Plant said that the first rehearsal scared him to death! He's used to being the Big Huge Rock Star, playing stadiums with hundreds of thousands of people... which gives him some distance. But the first rehearsal was unamplified, just him and Allison and T-Bone in her living room. He had "nowhere to hide". I think that's one reason for the un-Zeppelin sound in his singing... which is GOOD imho. It got him out of his comfort zone.

And I loved, LOVED the band. Marc Ribot is one of my favorite guitarists (and a Tele player!), Greg Leisz is just breathtaking on steel. And the sound? Maybe it's me, but I like the murk.

JStella · January 2nd, 2008, 01:36 PM

Loved the record. It definitely sounds more T-Bone than Allison or Plant, but to my ears that's a Very Good Thing. I think he found something in both their voices that breaks their more stereotypical work, which to me is kinda boring.

- Josh

chipl · January 2nd, 2008, 01:41 PM

My first listenings to the CD left me a little underwhelmed. the sound was so understated both singers seemed to laying back, singing softer than both usually do.

But the more I listened to it, the more I liked it. I actually got to appreciate the quietness of Plant's singing, as if he were tapping some folk-rock music vein that perhaps he liked pre-Led Zep? T-Bone's production also grew on me, and while the CD wasn't spectacular or had aural fireworks either, eventually songs and the combination of Plant and Krauss's singing really began to win me over. (I'm a pretty big AK fan from Union Station recordings).

I also like the fact that they cover the Everlies (Gone Gone Gone) and Gene Clark (Polly and Through the Morning, Threrough the Night--off that great recording "The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard and Clark")

rand z · January 2nd, 2008, 03:12 PM

i guess i was expecting, and would have preferred, an alison krauss produced album. i really like HER producing... and the sound of union station, especially live.

imho.

rand z tropicalsoul.net

6942 · January 2nd, 2008, 05:07 PM

I was VERY disappointed in this CD.
Muddy sounding without a single spark of energy.
They should play this CD in elevators............

Steve

20texas20 · January 2nd, 2008, 07:23 PM

I was expecting some life... I have to agree with rand z's OP.

rdchapman · January 2nd, 2008, 07:28 PM

Didn't care for the mix of the drums and the upright Bass. Muddy and weird to me. Not a natural sound IMHO. That and I not not a fan of Mr. Plant to begin with. It sounded like they were trying to do a Nora Jones kind of thing with bad material and failed.

casterway · January 3rd, 2008, 12:25 AM

I love it. Completely different than what I would have expected.
It sounds to me like both of them were completely taken out of their comfort zones.
Brilliant, brilliant album. Up there with The Notting Hillbillies, and Treat Her Right.

I think you have to forget that it is Plant and Krauss, and just open your ears and listen to what's gong on there musically.

rand z · January 3rd, 2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casterway

I love it. Completely different than what I would have expected.
It sounds to me like both of them were completely taken out of their comfort zones.
Brilliant, brilliant album. Up there with The Notting Hillbillies, and Treat Her Right.

I think you have to forget that it is Plant and Krauss, and just open your ears and listen to what's gong on there musically.

i agree with this assessment and perhaps this is really what its all about... you've opened my eyes, and ears!

thanks to all who replied!!

rand z tropicalsoul.net

CDKopf · January 3rd, 2008, 05:17 PM

Don't have the CD but saw the video for GoneGoneGone on CMT today. Not my favorite...But... is that woman getting better looking with age or what!!

casterway · January 4th, 2008, 12:30 AM

Yeah, she's insanely beautiful. Here's the video.

casterway · January 4th, 2008, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rand z

i agree with this assessment and perhaps this is really what its all about... you've opened my eyes, and ears!

thanks to all who replied!!

rand z tropicalsoul.net

Just glad I could be there for ya, bro.

Poppatwang · January 4th, 2008, 09:20 AM

A friend let me preview the album. Then I ordered my own copy.
Not a Plant or a Krause or a Burnett album. It's it's own lil aural schmooze fest.

Sea Level · January 4th, 2008, 09:22 AM

I like it a lot and it was very much what I thought would happen w/ T-Bone Burnett involved. I for one really like his quirky production w/ the blend of old school and , I guess, new school. T-Bone is a true innovator. Great talent all around on this one. I hope they do another one. They seem to be on to something.

January 2nd, 2008, 09:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
rand z Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 901	raising sand...??? anyone here have a chance to listen to this recent album? i picked it up about a week ago and have played it a few times... i have to admit that im a little disappointed in it for a number of reasons. i was hoping that the pairing of robert plant and alison krauss would be unique and wonderful. and, at a few rare moments it is... but, generally throughout most of the tracks, except where they are singing solo, if i didnt know it was them singing, it could be almost any decent female/male vocal duet. especially plant as you really cant distinguish anything "plant" about his voice. they water each other down, considerably, imho. again, only when they solo can i tell its plant and krauss. the production is probably my biggest issue. why they had t bone burnette produce this when they had ALISON KRAUSS in-house, is imho a major mistake. alison would have provided a purity of sound that is sorely missing, here. imho, it sounds like t bone set up a 50,000 gallon drum; put one centrally located ambiant mic; 3 o r 4 musicians; alison and robert (with mics so close, it sounds like they're half way down there throats), and THEN added even more reverb to the overall sound!!! I.E. ... the better title to this album would have been, imho, "raising MUD". man... imho again, this sounds like an old peter and gordon album, or a yardbirds album from 1964, where everything is done on 4 track steuder and (other than the vocals), minimal micing/mixing. i was hoping the reason plant wanted to work with alison was that he wanted to do a folky, country, rootsy acoustic project with a clear, simple pure sonic quality and well defined mix... ala, union station/nickel creek etc. the song selection is spotty too... plant (or t bone) keeps throwing in these old british style blues from the early 60's to, i guess, appease plants vocal style, and then juxtaposes it with other sad, lilting, meandering sonic excercises to try and work alison into the project. imho, it only works at certain points in the entire album. and, to be honest, i dont think plant and krauss needed to be in the same room for most of this project. the musicianship is mostly understated (though they didnt really need the great norman blake), and, many tiimes, washed out in that infernal reverb(s. in fact, its so basic that i really think i could have supplied most of the guitar/bass parts, myself, and im certainly not a norman blake or marc ribot. in conclusion, this really didnt work, and imho, it could have if only alison would have produced it and t bone would have stayed home. i realize that they were trying to create (or recreat) a certain sonic feel and tone (it probably WAS early brit pop/blues), but i, for one did not really GET it. this album is unique, imho, in only that they'll never be anything like it again. anyone else agree/disagree? really imho. rand z tropicalsoul.net

January 2nd, 2008, 09:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
uniphasian Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Denver, CO Age: 48 Posts: 103	I liked it too. The use of reverb and tremolo on certain instruments and vocals provided a very deep three dimensional effect, and worked much better than EQ alone for separation. I couldn't imagine a better song selection and, IMO, the vocal work was haunting. My favorite album of '07. __________________ - Uni

January 2nd, 2008, 11:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
fenderfan Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denver Posts: 506	Love it... I really enjoy the album and it's somewhat earthy, old-style sound. It sounds like they had the whole band and the singers in a big room with a few mikes placed around for recording, and I think that gives it a nice "real", organic feel...

January 2nd, 2008, 01:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
kludge Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minneapolis Age: 43 Posts: 1,013	I remember reading an interview where Plant said that the first rehearsal scared him to death! He's used to being the Big Huge Rock Star, playing stadiums with hundreds of thousands of people... which gives him some distance. But the first rehearsal was unamplified, just him and Allison and T-Bone in her living room. He had "nowhere to hide". I think that's one reason for the un-Zeppelin sound in his singing... which is GOOD imho. It got him out of his comfort zone. And I loved, LOVED the band. Marc Ribot is one of my favorite guitarists (and a Tele player!), Greg Leisz is just breathtaking on steel. And the sound? Maybe it's me, but I like the murk. __________________ Oz: Well, other bands know more than three chords. Your professional bands can play up to six, sometimes seven completely different chords. Devon: That's just, like, fruity jazz bands. -from Buffy the Vampire Slayer

January 2nd, 2008, 01:41 PM	#13 (permalink)
chipl Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 729	I was a but underwhelmed at first My first listenings to the CD left me a little underwhelmed. the sound was so understated both singers seemed to laying back, singing softer than both usually do. But the more I listened to it, the more I liked it. I actually got to appreciate the quietness of Plant's singing, as if he were tapping some folk-rock music vein that perhaps he liked pre-Led Zep? T-Bone's production also grew on me, and while the CD wasn't spectacular or had aural fireworks either, eventually songs and the combination of Plant and Krauss's singing really began to win me over. (I'm a pretty big AK fan from Union Station recordings). I also like the fact that they cover the Everlies (Gone Gone Gone) and Gene Clark (Polly and Through the Morning, Threrough the Night--off that great recording "The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard and Clark")

January 2nd, 2008, 09:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
tweeddeluxe Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: MD Age: 51 Posts: 703	To each his own. I love it--song selection, production, performance, the whole enchilada. It works for me for all the reasons it doesn't for you. "...Wheel dew go roun."--O.F. tom

January 2nd, 2008, 09:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jeffscreamedcorn Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: beantown Age: 51 Posts: 753	I have the exact opposite opinion - it's my favorite for the last month. For me, T-Bone was spot on for the production. He brings the "modern retro" thing here that brings out hidden aspects of both singer's talent. There are ample tracks of Plant and Krauss doing what they usually do - this is different - thank goodness! If you check out T-Bone's last record, "The True False Identity," it might lend some context to Rising Sand. Really this record is a collaboration of the three of them.

January 2nd, 2008, 09:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
rand z Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 901	im thinking from all of the responeses above, that this album pleases plant fans more that krauss', and im much more of a krauss fan than plant's. i guess i expected to hear her "presence" much more profoundly, on this effort. havent listened to plant or zep in many years... though, i still like zeps first two albums, a lot, and not for a nostalgia trip, but i think they hold up well in that brit blues genre. mostly, because of pages work, not plant. imho.

January 2nd, 2008, 10:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
superchicken_VI Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Monroe, NC Age: 35 Posts: 1,056	I'm not at all a Plant fan, and am a huge Alison Krauss fan. I really enjoy most of what I've heard from the album. At first, I was disappointed not to hear more harmony. Then it clicked that this wasn't about harmony singing. When I shed my expectations and turned off the idea of Krauss/Plant and just listened to it, I really enjoyed it. I was relieved that Plant didn't sound like Plant for most of it. Also hearing a stark production of Alison's voice instead of the typical overlush commercial country sound was rewarding. Count me as a Krauss fan who enjoyed it.

January 2nd, 2008, 10:44 AM	#7 (permalink)
Daniil TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 68 5 Photos	I like it, but I hear what you're saying Rand Z. To me it sounds more like a T-Bone Burnett album than a Plant+Krauss album. Which is not a bad thing, but is very different from what I expected. The production does feel just a tad claustrophobic to me. Nothing at all like T-Bones excellent soundtracks (O Brother and Ring of Fire sound just amazing!)

January 2nd, 2008, 11:13 AM	#9 (permalink)
cwomack06 TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Arkansas Age: 20 Posts: 42	Hey, I gotta say, I am very pleased with this CD. But I do understand what you meant when you talked about Plant not sounding Plantish. But overall I think this album is a great collaboration between two of the worlds best vocalists and one of the greatest producers. I give it an 8 of 10 Just my 2 cents. Thanks, Corey Womack

January 2nd, 2008, 01:36 PM	#12 (permalink)
JStella Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Shepherdstown, WV Age: 37 Posts: 489 14 Photos	Loved the record. It definitely sounds more T-Bone than Allison or Plant, but to my ears that's a Very Good Thing. I think he found something in both their voices that breaks their more stereotypical work, which to me is kinda boring. - Josh

January 2nd, 2008, 03:12 PM	#14 (permalink)
rand z Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 901	i guess i was expecting, and would have preferred, an alison krauss produced album. i really like HER producing... and the sound of union station, especially live. imho. rand z tropicalsoul.net

January 2nd, 2008, 05:07 PM	#15 (permalink)
6942 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 1,285	I was VERY disappointed in this CD. Muddy sounding without a single spark of energy. They should play this CD in elevators............ Steve

January 2nd, 2008, 07:23 PM	#16 (permalink)
20texas20 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 142	I was expecting some life... I have to agree with rand z's OP. __________________ I'm a sucker for a cheap guitar... My guitars are a platform for experimentation... and, my Tone is highly overrated.

January 4th, 2008, 12:30 AM	#21 (permalink)
casterway Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Aldergrove, British Columbia,Canada Age: 40 Posts: 2,277	Yeah, she's insanely beautiful. Here's the video. __________________ There's nothing wrong with a proper repair... "I don't scratch no guitars." John Lee Hooker, when asked to carve his signature into an old acoustic.

January 2nd, 2008, 07:28 PM	#17 (permalink)
rdchapman Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Saratoga, NY Age: 54 Posts: 391	Didn't care for the mix of the drums and the upright Bass. Muddy and weird to me. Not a natural sound IMHO. That and I not not a fan of Mr. Plant to begin with. It sounded like they were trying to do a Nora Jones kind of thing with bad material and failed.

January 3rd, 2008, 12:25 AM	#18 (permalink)
casterway Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Aldergrove, British Columbia,Canada Age: 40 Posts: 2,277	I love it. Completely different than what I would have expected. It sounds to me like both of them were completely taken out of their comfort zones. Brilliant, brilliant album. Up there with The Notting Hillbillies, and Treat Her Right. I think you have to forget that it is Plant and Krauss, and just open your ears and listen to what's gong on there musically. __________________ There's nothing wrong with a proper repair... "I don't scratch no guitars." John Lee Hooker, when asked to carve his signature into an old acoustic.

January 3rd, 2008, 05:17 PM	#20 (permalink)
CDKopf Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Spokane, Wa Age: 33 Posts: 342 3 Photos	Don't have the CD but saw the video for GoneGoneGone on CMT today. Not my favorite...But... is that woman getting better looking with age or what!! __________________ "Luther's wife is real pretty........ she's about this tall.........LAYIN' DOWN!" (Johnny Cash & guitar player Luther Perkins)

January 4th, 2008, 09:20 AM	#23 (permalink)
Poppatwang Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,817 13 Photos	A friend let me preview the album. Then I ordered my own copy. Not a Plant or a Krause or a Burnett album. It's it's own lil aural schmooze fest. __________________ The Dieselfitters http://www.dieselfitters.com Roy Hubbs http://www.royhubbs.com

January 4th, 2008, 09:22 AM	#24 (permalink)
Sea Level TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Chicagoland Age: 58 Posts: 90	I like it a lot and it was very much what I thought would happen w/ T-Bone Burnett involved. I for one really like his quirky production w/ the blend of old school and , I guess, new school. T-Bone is a true innovator. Great talent all around on this one. I hope they do another one. They seem to be on to something.