Plant & Krauss’s album has been playing non stop since last year when I picked up a copy.  The musicianship present on this gem is stunning top that off with the incomparable vocal skills of Alison Krauss and even without Plant you would have a classic but throw in Plant’s amazing phrasing and suddenly you have a masterpiece of American music.

Last night the air was filled with the beautiful tone of Americana.  Alison Krauss has the sweetness and most subtle voice I have ever heard.  She has a small stature that keeps her almost motionless but from within this tiny frame a sound larger than life emerges.  Plant looks great for a man who survived not only the 70’s but as the single greatest rock singer.  He swaggered onto stage with a gate and stride reminiscent of a drunken cat.  Red wine in hand his appearance was enough to garner screams and shouts from nearly every man and women in attendance.  “OH MY GAWD ITS ROBERT FRIGGIN PLANT!!!” one woman shouted.  Yes, it was Robert Plant in person, for real!

They popped right into the albums opener and warmed up the speakers and the crowd.  As the band came up to speed the sound system opened up and they began to take advantage of the open air theater and warm atmosphere.  Surrounded by the best players in the genre the tone and patina that flowed from the vintage racks were welcomed by these ears.  T-Bone who stands at least 7 ft tall looked like a character out of a civil war film.  Long coat and floppy hair hardly overshadowed his keen playing style.  His playing was solid, fair and perhaps most important, dead-on.

I have to admit that I was more than blown away by the rendering of Going To California.  First I am a huge Zeppelin fan (they are the sole reason that I play guitar) and having never had the chance to see them (or Plant) play live to see and hear Going to California with Alison Krauss supporting the highs was one of the greater live music moments of my life.  This song was stunningly beautiful. Layered with mandolin, and acoustic bass I was in a jaw dropped awe inspired smile the entire song.   By no means was this show a Zep cover show.  They rolled through most of the better songs on the album and threw in a few random covers.  Alison did an A Capella version of Down by the River (?) from Oh Brother’ that might have converted a few heathens is was so beautifully sung.

An amazing show!

Consolers Of The Lonely is big, fat and rich. The tone is tasty and the songs showcase an array of influences and styles. The album weaves its way through some heavy rifting, melodic and powerful tunes. Whether its the opening track Consolers Of The Lonely or the future rock classic Hold Up I am having a hard time finding a particular song I like best - they all ROCK. In fact the album is becoming a staple in my routine. A perfect work out album this thing will pump your heart and keep you a step ahead of the pain. The song Rich Kids Blues is as close to a rock anthem as anything The Who produced. In fact this song could have easily been an outtake on any Who album from the 70’s and yes its that good.

I like the youthful intensity of The Raconteurs’ - They are championing the rebirth of musicianship. You know that little thing called talent and creativity that seemed to wash by the wayside in the last decade. With most guitar players only capable of playing a few bare chords or a few simple licks Jack and gang have given us fans of Rock hope. Perhaps we will once again be debating the virtues of several modern guitar players in the same breath as the legends of the past.

This album is a instant classic. A true ROCK album.

4.5 stars out of 5.

Its been quite a while since I posted anything up here.  It hasn’t been due to a lack of new music or great thoughts but more a lack of time.  Between a full time job and launching The Floppy onto the world there hasnt been much time left over for bloggin’  But with the introduction of several new stellar albums I figured it was a grand time to start writing again.

The Vampire Weekend is a fresh blast of air in a musty dark and bitter basement.  The Indie world seems to be good at copy cat’n each other so when a new and differnt sound comes along its as if the whole world forgot about the whole world - they declare a new and latest and greatest.

Vampire Weekend blends a plethera of influences to create a paired down low fidelity sound.  More Talking Heads than Paul Simon more Bishop Allen than Arcade Fire the uplifting vocal tone and back beat are really what makes this a stand-out.  The parade likesnap of the snare drum and the tasteful yet delightful use of assorted strings helps to create a fantasy land of color.  Layered on top of the circus is a blended yet striking guitar style and a Hollar n Yodel vocal work.  The songs are short and sweet and each has a great hook and a fun bass line.  Its as if they were designed for commercials they play a much more lucid picture in your head than their simplicity presents.

January 21st 2007

Tickets available at Ticketbastard.com

Raising Sands is hard to classify. Neither country (Krauss) or Rock (Plant) it is a melding of two magical voices into a medley of Americana and bluefolkjazzgrass. The first song brings you up to speed by settleing your stomach a bit with an easy to swallow bluesy jam. Raising Sands winds its way through a series of ups and downs making me ponder how much Gram Parsons may have influenced both of these artists. The hit of the album is Gone Gone Gone and an amazing show of vocal ability. The vocal harmonies and the phrasing are stupendous. Very few artists could pull this song off with any dignity left. Plant and Krauss blow the roof off with this diddy.

Raising Sands is a breath of fresh air. Not because its anything new or groundbreaking, in fact I think most people are going to be bored by this album. To me however, it’s a warm reminder of how a star whose gone black has come home again. Plant has planted his feet firmly on the ground with this album and I am eager to see what the man has in front of him. If you love the softer side of Americana, if Willie Nelson, Gram Parsons, Ryan Adams or Wilco tickle your fancythan you will like Raising Sands.

The band looked fresh and young.  They had recently been introduced to a LA stylist judging by their new short hair cuts and Melrose inspired fashion.  A far cry from the mops the adorned last year.  Its always nice to watch the evolution of a Rock Star.  They start out scruffy and evolve into a clean cut fashion model.  Anyhow… They belted right into their show and with the signature drall and moan that Caleb Followill does so well.  It comes across great on an album but was nothing more than a mumble throughout the entire show. Usually I will blame that on a clubs sound system but this was at The Joint and they have a tremendously good system.   The sound aside The Kings rocked hard.  They seem to play well into the crowds energy and as the mood swayed from gently to drunk the band picked up its pace.  Finding its way through both albums and a few songs that I had no idea of they finished off the night with a savory session of Aha.  So while they lacked any sonic clarity and certainly appeared to be more Hollywood than Deadwood I would have to say I enjoyed them as a live band.

There are a number of tracks that stand out on Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - namely the single The Underdog.  This song sounds as if its right out of the North East circa 1976.  It could be a long lost Steely Dan song with the style that vocalist and songwriter  Britt Daniel has thrown onto this baby.  Britt may just be the best sounding vocalist of any contemporary rock band.  His range and style are classic in their comfort.  

I am enjoying this album immensely and each track seems to have a life of its own.  While certainly not a concept album (the songs don’t necessarily flow) Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (pronounced Click Click Click Click Click ) ummm….  the tracks do ring with originality and musicianship worth of praise.   This could turn out to be the type of album that makes a career.  I hope so these guys have worked hard to stay afloat long enough to win some back.

Stevie started the evening walking in hand with his daughter and speaking for a few minutes on why he decided to tour after so many years. His Mother was the reason. Among her last words were a message to Stevie to take his music back to the people. And back to the people he went. The demand for tickets was apparent as crowed of middle aged folks hung around the entrance asking politely “any one have an extra?”…People were paying outrageous amounts of money for tickets. But why not? It was Stevie Wonder at the Bowl!

The show worked through a plethora of classics, Master Blaster, Part-Time Lover, Living for the City, Superstition, My Cherie Amore, I Just Called, and all the rest. He sounded great, unlike most of his contemporaries Stevie seems to have kept his tremendous range. Engaging the crowd with his spit fire wit and slight political rants “Let the next President realize that this is the United States of the People of America” and a few other anti Bushisms - which of course are well received and deserved - . His hearing was spectacular, several times responding to a yell from high in the stands or chiding the lackluster performance of the “Fellas” during the crowd participation song. But was most spectacular was his presence. A true legend, a musical genius Stevie Wonder is the type of artist that you are proud to tell your children you once saw play. The type of artist that transcends generations (as was evident last night) Stevie is a Wonder and by no means is he even close to “little” in fact he is “Enormous Stevie Wonder” to me.

It was a classic show, filled with joy and nostalgia. Taking many of the fans back a few years and filling the night with love an joy. I think Stevie was happy with the results. I know I was.

The addition of Nels Kline was the most profound difference to Wilco from the last time I saw them play. Nels is an astounding guitar player, among the finest today. With energy and skill far beyond most working players, Nels shook, twisted and yawed his way through the night to steal the show. With an arsenal of odd effects and instruments I had a hard time not listening and staring in complete awe at his playing. Pulling out the occasional odd device he pounded, rolled, picked and plucked the strings to produce a wave of sonic heat. He was all over the fretboard yet always on it - Amazing!

The rest of the band was equally as talented and Jeff Tweedy looked at ease singing almost all the gems from their recent Opus - Sky Blue Sky - The band was on top of their game and there were a few moments when the entire crowd was in tune. With all being held hostage by the pure magic that was flowing from the stage. It was a cathartic experience and a pure pleasure to witness.

If you missed it, you missed it.