Ahead of their summer tour, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss trade equal amounts of barbs and admiration.
A conversation with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss might not be what you would expect to find humorous.
However, the bluegrass chanteuse and the rock ‘n’ roll legend, who formed an unlikely musical alliance 17 years ago with their rootsy hit song “Raising Sand,” are laid back, humorous, and incredibly considerate of one another.
Moreover, hilarious.
A few days prior to the June 2 start of another summer tour in support of “Raise the Roof,” their critically acclaimed 2021 follow-up to the Grammy-winning “Raising Sand,” the two discussed their disagreement about the end date of their previous tour (which ended in July) and teased each other while responding to questions about potential set list changes.
“We have 39 shows scheduled, but we haven’t started yet. so, in my opinion, we’ll first solidify and play to our advantages,” Plant says.
Require a vacation? Play the crossword puzzle on USA TODAY Daily.
Krauss quips, “And then we’ll play to our weaknesses.”
“Observe what I have here?” Plant replies in a mock-exasperated manner.
The two joke around for twenty-five minutes about aging (she is fifty-two, he is seventy-five), the importance of sleep on tour, and harmony.
One of the greatest singers in rock history, Plant, says, “I’m trying my best to learn how to get it right,” with a clear hint of humility.
What else the two of them had to say was as follows.
Come watch with us!
Enroll to have USA TODAY’s suggested films and television shows delivered straight to your inbox.
What have you two been up to since last year when you both decided to stop traveling?
Robert Plant: I’ve been really busy pursuing my goals and searching the wonderful old world of R&B for songs that I might use in the future. as well as soccer (football) watching.
Alison Krauss: I’ve been watching The Mothman documentaries. and have been working on a new album in the studio with Union Station.
How does it feel to move from touring with Robert to returning to the studio?
Krauss: Being with Robert is so much more relaxed. There is something unpleasant about the studio, but overall, it’s a much calmer place. It’s unbelievable that I get to do both.
Plant: There are a lot more notes in that band that you need to be aware of. I’ve gained a lot of knowledge from being around Alison and her world, which is a charming, courteous, and amusing spectacle of peach cobblers.
Plant: Certainly! You have to navigate the baked goods while doing a studio session in Nashville. It’s far more rough and ready in England. There’s a standard, a quality, a texture to the people of Nashville.
More: ‘Love’ by The Beatles closes on July 6. Why Ringo Starr recommends “seeing it while you can”
These are the songs you’ve been performing live for the last few summers. What aspects of the repertoire or your approach to the music have changed?
Krauss: The longer you live with these songs, the more they transform into something else. I wish we had recorded them this way or phrased them that way. The stories change when you perform the same song live.
Can you look at each other onstage and tell the song is going somewhere because you two have a strong enough rapport now?
Krauss: I’m not sure where he’s going, but I can tell when he looks at me.
Plant: With the exception of “Thank You,” I never sang harmony with Led Zeppelin. I had no idea that singing with someone else was a thing. Our guitar roadie, Henry “The Horse” Smith, and Jimmy Page, I think, sang the harmonies with me on that one. However, I really enjoyed hearing Alison sing.
Robert, do you believe you would still be in music today if you hadn’t made the connection with Alison a few decades ago?
Plant: I consider myself extremely lucky that at such a pivotal moment in my life, Led Zeppelin came to an abrupt halt, forcing me to keep going, find a new place to do what I do, and push myself. Manna from heaven is this woman who is seated beside me.
Further:
Darius Rucker discusses drug abuse, family trauma, and destiny: “Success is the best retaliation.”
Along with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, you are embarking on a tour. In a sense, are you the opening act?
Plant: I believe that while we play, they are preparing hot dogs and ice cream sundaes. However, I believe there is just one person in front of us. Whatever the case, I’m honored to be standing beside Alison prior to Dylan, the master, taking the stage.
Since you contributed vocals to a few tracks on Def Leppard’s “Diamond Star Halos” album, tell me about your friendship with the band, Alison.
Krauss: Def Leppard is a favorite band of bluegrass musicians. Their melodies and their ability to blend together. I had so much fun performing those songs. They were very kind and giving.
Plant: I laugh. This is so different from Robert.
Krauss: That’s correct, unlike Robert. They were very kind and giving, I mentioned (laughs). It was a dream. Many of the people who grew up playing the same kind of music as me dreamed of having a (rock) role.
Every show you do has a couple of rebuilt Led Zeppelin songs. Robert, do you look forward to doing these or is it more like a chore?
Plant: I adore them and am so proud of them. Being able to rearrange them and hear that voice beside me provides a unique perspective of the more dramatic aspects. I get emotional about it sometimes because I’m hearing these songs, all of which are stunning adaptations of songs I never would have imagined. It’s an amazing accomplishment.
Given that your last tour was almost a year ago, are there any health-related preparations you should be making?
Plant: Getting enough sleep is essential. Jet lag is an absolute crippler. At four in the morning, you’ll be up sending notes to people and wondering, “Should I read a book for a while? No, head to bed!”
Have you talked about doing any more recordings together so that the gap between albums won’t be 14 years?
Plant: Time is an interesting concept, isn’t it? I suppose Alison can call me if she wants me back, as she’s heading back down the bluegrass trail
Leave a Reply