Originally appeared in thelondonpaper.com

Rock giant Robert Plant, who receives the CBE, shot to fame as lead vocalist of Led Zeppelin, as well as carving out a successful solo career.

Plant recently released the Nationwide Mercury Prize-shortlisted Raising Sand, with American bluegrass superstar Alison Krauss. ||Continue reading||

Press Release

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss have been honored with Grammy nominations in five categories for the T Bone Burnett produced release ‘Raising Sand’ (Rounder Records). In addition to ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Record of the Year’ (for “Please Read The Letter”), ‘Raising Sand’ garnered nominations for Best Contemporary Americana/Folk Album, Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals (for “Rich Woman”), and Best Country Collaboration With Vocals (for “Killing The Blues”).

Alison Krauss comments: “I’m absolutely thrilled and grateful. And also proud of the record!”

The nominations for the 51st annual Grammy Awards — to be held February 8th, 2009, in Los Angeles — add to last year’s win for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for “Gone Gone Gone” and a growing list of awards for the release, including a CMA award for ‘Musical Event of the Year’ as well as ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Duo/ Group of the Year’ honors at the Americana Music Awards and a nomination for the Mercury Prize’s ‘Short List.’

Debuting at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 chart upon release in October 2007, ‘Raising Sand’ has been certified platinum by the RIAA, and has merited across the board praise, nods in numerous best of the year lists, and raves in outlets such as NPR, Time, Rolling Stone, Billboard, USA Today, The New York Times, The New York Post and The Los Angeles Times.