I find myself already looking with interest to go see this concert again somewhere else. Bo Diddley's "Who Do Ya Love" sandwiched within Townes Van Zandt's Nothin' on the day of Diddley's death was smokin' sweet last night as I witnessed the lead of my favorite band (Zeppelin) and the angel of music, Alison Krauss perform at the Roanoke Civic Center. It was a shame that only a pinch above 4000 people were at the show but it is somewhat typical of audience turnout for concerts in our city. (Well, plus the ticket prices!) Perhaps those in the "Noke have Krauss to thank for coming to a smaller venue when bigger stages like Charlotte and Greensboro were neglected. She has musical roots in the area and has been here on several occasions. She even asked the crowd to say hello to one of her local heroes living in the area, banjo player Gene Parker.The concert was over two hours long and better than I anticipated. I had watched some of their CMT crossroads show online but it did not prepare me for the diversely rich experience I had last night. It was rather a comical display of contrasts at time-- Robert Plant, the jovial performer vs Alison Krauss, composed church girl. However, what was proven is that seeming opposites can work well together. Perhaps there are some life lessons to be learned from this . . . What we witnessed was an amazing tribute to the varied roots that have influenced the musical careers of Alison and Robert. In addition, they showed why there is all the rave about their Raising Sand album and tour.
The band played most of their songs from "Raising Sand," opening with "Rich Woman" and singing another favorite, "Gone, Gone, Gone" toward the end. However, it was the performances of "Trampled Rose" and "Nothin'" from Raising Sand that were my faves from that album. Alison seemed like a singer from another world on Trampled Rose, which evoked oohs and ahhs from the crowd. In addition, the band and Plant smoked it on the aforementioned Nothin' (with Who Do Ya Love inserted). Speaking of the band, led by T-bone Burnett . . . as Randy Jackson from American Idol would say, "That right there was molten hot." Some of the top musicians in their field were on hand, including multi-instrumentalist Buddy Miller, violinist Stuart Duncan (whom Krauss called her favorite violinist), Jay Bellerose on drums, and Dennis Crouch on double bass. Of course, let us not forget Alison herself on violin.
I was happy Plant did not have his chest showing via unbuttoned shirt with tight jeans revealing his package, as in old Zeppelin days. He looked smooth even at 59 and drew quite the raucous cheers when he blew on the harmonica to honor the passing Bo Diddley. The performance of Zep's Battle For Evermore was intoxicating as was the absolutely surprising rendition of Black Country Woman, with some sweeeeeeeet violin and boisterous harmonizing between the two stars of the night. The other Led Zeppelin songs of the night were Black Dog (with spooky banjo) and When the Levee Breaks (double violin, are you kidding? Wow) . The rearrangements of these songs with violin, mandolin, and haunting harmony was somewhat stunning. Plant and Krauss nailed Robert's "In the Mood" hit single from 1993. This was no doubt enhanced by the introduction in the middle of "Mattie Groves," a ballad from the 1600's. What was superb about many of these songs were that they were extended versions, thanks no doubt to producer T-Bone Burnett's genius.
What I appreciated about this concert was that both Plant and Krauss were committed to the band and the music, neither upstaging the other. I would say Alison shined in the first half of the show and Robert in the second. Part of this was due to Alison's late performance struggles with her sound equipment that was attached to the back of her dress! It provided the only distraction of the night, other than the stunning beauty which she exhibits (though I was just a tad too far to get a clean look, being in row 27). Plant was definitely the better stage performer in terms of expression and movement. But I must ask, " how does Alison sing like a being from another land with so little effort?"
"Leave My Woman Alone" was a great surprise song (written by Ray Charles). Another stunner was Alison's rendition of Emmylou's "Green Pastures" with wonderful gospel lyrics:
Going up home to live in green pastures
Where we shall live and die never more
Even The Lord will be in that number
When we shall reach that Heavenly Shore
We will not heed the voice of the stranger
For he would lead us to despair
Following on with Jesus our savior
We shall all reach that country so fair
All in all it is hard to pick a favorite song from this concert. The joy of it was manifold:
1. Hearing rock, blues, bluegrass, country, and gospel in one show
2. Seeing two musical demi-gods humble themselves for the benefit of the whole project
3. A smokin' hot band
4. Haunting Harmony
5. Alison and Robert blasting out their lungs on Zeppelin tunes
6. Plant's pure display of his love for his musical roots, still kickin it at 59.
7. The angelic voice of Krauss, 36 years old and plenty left
Here is an incomplete set list of songs played during this concert, not in order, and perhaps missing a couple. Perhaps I will update this section when I can get a completely accurate list. If anyone has an accurate list please send it to me! After one day my memory is shot.
1. Rich Woman from Raising Sand
2. Leave My Woman Alone by Ray Charles
3. Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson from Raising Sand
4. Black Dog by Led Zeppelin (mind-boggling arrangement)
5. Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us from Raising Sand
6. Through the Morning, Through the Night from Raising Sand
7. Fortune Teller from Raising Sand
8. Black Country Woman by Led Zeppelin (surprised by how good this was)
9. Waiting for a long time (not sure if correct song here) by T-Bone Burnett and band
10. Bons Temps Rouler performed by T-Bone Burnett and the Band
11. In the Mood, Plant's 1993 hit (with Mattie Groves mixed in the middle)
12. Trampled Rose from Raising Sand (Haunting and angelic from Alison)
13. Green Pastures by Emmylou Harris (Krauss solo)
14. Down to the River to Pray (Plant joins Duncan and Miller on backup vocals)
15. Nothin' from Raising Sand (featuring Plant) with Who Do Ya Love mixed into the middle.
16. Killing the Blues from Raising Sand
17. One Woman Man by George Jones
18. You Don't Knock by The Kingston Trio
19. The Battle of Evermore by Led Zepp
20. One Woman Man by George Jones
20. Please Read the Letter from Raising Sand
21. Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On) from Raising Sand
22. Stick With Me Baby from Raising Sand
23. When the Levee Breaks by Led Zeppelin
24. Your Long Journey from Raising Sand
Go to Youtube.com and you can see some of these songs performed in various cities.
The Band:
- Robert Plant - Vocals
- Alison Krauss - Vocals and fiddles
- T Bone Burnett - Guitars and vocals
- Stuart Duncan - Guitars and mandolins
- Buddy Miller - Guitars, mandolins, pedal steel and autoharp
- Dennis Crouch - Bass and banjo
- Jay Bellerose - Drums and percussion
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