originally appeared on armchairmarketing.blogspot.com

by Kelly Feller

When looking for examples of business innovation it’s not difficult to to find some stellar samples. I wrote about how the innovative pairing of Lego branded children’s toys with the Star Wars “empire” (pun intended) has culminated in a joint brand strategy with epic potential (Lego Star Wars video games, toys, online presence, etc.). I stumbled recently upon another unique pairing that illustrates the genius creativity and risk-taking audacity often behind the most truly innovative ideas. Coupling the one-of-a-kind singing styles of legendary Led Zeppelin front man Robert Plant with the luminous voice of the undisputed goddess of bluegrass Allison Kraus brings, imho, true music–and business– innovation. ||Continue reading||

originally appeared in The Free Lance-Star/fredericksburg.com

BY MATT CAMERON

Last year was so packed with great releases that it has seemed nearly impossible to get to all of them–particularly the less glamorous albums that take time to truly appreciate. One of these, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ duet album “Raising Sand,” released on Rounder Records, had long intrigued me, but never actually made it onto my playlist.

A little background on “Raising Sand” is certain to raise, if not sand, then expectations. The duo behind the CD is Robert Plant, the lead singer of the legendary rock ‘n’ roll group Led Zeppelin, and Alison Krauss, perhaps the most successful female country-bluegrass artist in history.

That such a collaboration was able to occur is, itself, a triumph for music. “Raising Sand” quickly became one of 2007’s seminal albums and an example of how successful a collaboration album can be when done correctly.

After listening to “Raising Sand” several times, it became apparent to me that the album is an example of a more traditional style of music–one that hip, young ears seem to have turned away from.

Sadly, that shift in musical focus means that younger listeners might be missing out on some of the purest sounds that exist today. “Raising Sand” is a disc that requires a level of patience, but will reward listeners with a stunning display of musical aptitude if given a chance.

The magic of the disc lies in the delicate musical bond that is established between Krauss and Plant. For the most part, it is a soft and slow album that picks up only on tracks like “Fortune Teller” and “Gone Gone Gone,” on which Plant’s blues prowess stands out from Krauss’ mellow bluegrass approach. The interplay between the duo’s voices is captivating when laid over smooth guitar rhythms, and these few rollicking numbers offset the rest of the album nicely.

Perhaps the album’s best track, however, is one of its slowest, “Polly Come Home.” It is minimalist, to be sure–but Krauss’ and Plant’s voices manage to evoke a quiet and solemn atmosphere of solitude.

Overall, it is this musical atmosphere that makes “Raising Sand” worth delving into. It might take more time to appreciate than the latest indie rock or hip-hop release, but it might eventually sound better than either.

Matt Cameron is a junior at James Monroe High School.

Rounder Records Press Release

Rounder Records is pleased to announce that its artists garnered two Grammy® awards at last night’s 50th Annual Grammy® Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Alison Krauss | Robert Plant received the Grammy® award for ‘Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals’ for “Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On),” from Raising Sand. The song is the only track from the album eligible for this year’s Grammy® Awards. Raising Sand debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart following its October 23 release on Rounder Records and was certified RIAA Gold soon after. The album and subsequent tracks from Raising Sand will be eligible for nominations next year, at the 51st annual awards. Krauss, as a solo artist, collaborator, producer, and with Union Station, now has 21 Grammy® awards to her credit, the most of any female artist or any country artist.

Originally appeared in Entertainment Weekly

by Shirley Halperin

A curly-headed Zeppelin gives a shout-out to “Hairspray”! A bluegrasser gets camera shy! EW hangs out with eht unlikely superduo Plant and Krauss on the set of their new video.

South Central L.A. is about the last place you’d expect to find Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. But as with their stunning, folky collaboration, Raising Sand (which has sold 700,000-plus copies), the singers are again melding their styles in an unlikely way–this time for the video to “Please Read the Letter,” Sand’s second single. “It’s a song of yearning,” says Plant of the tune, which first appeared on Jimmy Page and Plant’s 1998 album, Walking into Clarksdale. “There’s nothing rock & roll about it.” (Which might explain Plant’s cowboy boots.)

While Krauss, 36, says emoting in front of a crew is “incredibly awkward,” Plant, 59, doesn’t seem fazed by the cameras, as long as he gets time in the makeup chair (It’s brushes for miles in my trailer. [they] used to get rid of the cracks in my face”) and isn’t required to dance. “You know Hairspray?” he asks. “We’re the ones who never got through to the final heat in Philadelphia with Dick Clark.” Instead, in the upcoming clip, the duo tiptoe around each other oh-so-dramatically, thanks in large part to the location: a 1905-built house that’s falling apart at the seams. “There’s an air of fragility within the song [too],” Plant notes. “It’s about unfinished business”.

Originally appeared in Commonwealth Times (Virginia)

by Roberto Curtis

Led Zeppelin co-founder Robert Plant and Grammy-winning record-holder Alison Krauss have taken their profound understanding of rock, blues, country, bluegrass and folk and released an album that is truly worthy of Grammy contention for best album of the year.

In the album, “Raising Sand,” the duo grazes the emotions with the slightest touch of instrumental texture and vocal harmonies while letting the gravity of their musicianship hit hard. Krauss’ haunting voice in “Trampled Rose” induces goose bumps while flecks of banjo keep the feel grounded in Appalachian heritage.

Fans of Zeppelin will be pleased to know that Plant’s ability to stir souls is still present. While his vocal quality has matured like a fine Cabernet, Plant’s old style still defines songs such as “Fortune Teller” and “Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On).”

The album features both up-tempo grooves and stalking ballads. Minimalism is the key to unlocking perfection in slower songs, which feature the best vocal blends.

The writing and arranging are spectacular. Spicy elements of the revolutionary rock of the ’60s, of the Beatles, of bluegrass and of the Allman Brothers all blend to achieve a tasty end result.

The album tugs and thrashes emotions throughout with wicked guitar riffs a la Jimmy Page and sick violin and banjo commentary, especially on “Nothin’.”

Plant and Krauss surely live up to critics’ expectations with this album and most likely will please anyone with a willing ear, especially your parents.

Grade: A+