Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Cardiff International Arena
8 May 2008

Several people are perusing the streets of Cardiff Thursday afternoon wearing Led Zeppelin shirts. A wall in an alleyway corner bears a shiny new graffiti of a crashing blimp. Anyone could overlook these hints of Zeppelin-mania as everyday displays of following for the epic band. Today, however, their presence in the Welsh capital marked the arrival of the lead singer himself: Robert Plant is in town. The Golden God, Old Percy, rock n’ roll extravaganza personified… endless characterizations have been used in reference to one of rock’s greatest frontmen. Tonight, however, tales of hotel-bashing and groupies galore have no place, as Mr. Plant walks onto the stage not with Page, Jones and Bonzo, but with American bluegrass queen Alison Krauss. The unlikely duo are touring Europe and the United States following the October 2007 release of their critically acclaimed collaboration album, Raising Sand. Fusing folk/bluegrass, the root of Krauss’ work, and the blues, deeply embedded in Zeppelin music and Plant’s solo work, the album brought together two artists with very contrasting backgrounds but a shared pursuit of eclectic portfolios. Legendary producer T-Bone Burnett handpicked the songs and musicians, and the album quickly became the best-selling piece of both Krauss’ and Plant’s career (excluding the latter’s Zeppelin LP’s, of course).

The night opens with the provocative Rich Woman, with Plant and Krauss slyly emerging from opposite sides of the stage. The chemistry between them is instant from the moment they first lock eyes and voices for the sensual tune. Krauss, wearing black, high-heeled boots and a flowy black dress, plays off Plant’s signature dance moves and body language (same ones at ages 19 and 59). Despite Plant’s exhaustive time on stage throughout his career, Krauss appears more at ease performing live than her companion. Plant seems like he still needs to own the stage and talks profusely between songs, while Krauss just smiles and nods along. When she sings, however, any indications of Plant being the main star of the night are crushed: her honey-dripping, crystal clear (and seemingly effortless) voice perfectly blends with Plant’s sensual moan. Krauss’ fiddle-playing sounds like a true virtuoso’s (which she is), especially during Please Read The Letter. The track originally appeared in Plant’s 1998 collaboration album with Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. Krauss’ fiddle solos give the song an entirely different feel than that provided by Page’s guitar, making the track fit in perfectly in the album and in tonight’s repertoire. The song’s adaptation from the original version is just one example of Burnett’s masterful arrangements on the record, on which he also plays the guitar.

For those who tried but missed Led Zeppelin’s historic reunion (roughly around 20 million of you), hopes of a full-on tour are temporarily crushed as Plant tours with Krauss. The remedy for many fans was to go to Plant’s gigs then and hope for one or two Zeppelin tunes. Plant and Krauss do four. Black Dog is the third song of the night, with the famous riff coming from a banjo instead of Page’s guitar, a loungy procession replacing the heavy rock stampede, and a very sexual meltdown of voices permeating the arena instead of Plant’s piercing wail. Other Zeppelin moments come during Hey Hey What Can I Do, Black Country Woman, and the only song on the band’s repertoire to feature a woman, Battle of Evermore. Krauss successfully stands in for the late Sandy Denny and the song comes to its climax at the end when the rock girl in Krauss comes screaming out even louder than Plant himself.

Plant is at his vocal best in Townes Van Zandt’s Nothin’, proving again the malleability of his vocal chords as he dwelled into the song with technical precision and passionate spontaneity. Allen Toussaint’s often covered Fortune Teller is a highlight as well, with hints of the old Golden God aura pouring out. Krauss’ voice is pristine throughout the entire duration of the concert, which runs a good two hours, but the vocally challenging Trampled Rose shuns any pre-conceived notions that the gig was worth going to for Plant only.

Raising Sand is another addition to the already prolific careers of both artists, and its live rendition brings it to life in a way only the truly masterful can. Zeppelin fans have heard their Old Percy still at the top of his game and Krauss fans have been reminded yet again of her flawless talent. The concert showcased the funny personalities of the two artists and friends, and despite the relaxed, almost playful, atmosphere, the night is nothing short of a display of musicianship at its finest.

Christina Cromeyer Dieke