CONCERT SUMMARY:
ROBERT PLANT/ALISON KRAUSS
CONSTELLATION BRANDS
MARVIN SANDS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

     SWINGING THE WORLD BY THE TAIL…..In 2004 the Rock Rapport had the distinct honor of covering the LEAD BELLY Tribute Concert: Shine A Light On Me at the Rock ‘n’ Roll HALL OF FAME in CLEVELAND. On that fateful night we witnessed a union, the birth of a collaboration between Iconic Rocker ROBERT PLANT and Bluegrass Fiddle phenom the Enchantress ALISON KRAUSS (www.robertplantalisonkrauss.com).
     Last year the duo released “Raising Sand” which garnered both critical and commercial success including a GRAMMY for “Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals” with the 1964 Everly Brothers song “Gone Gone Gone,(Done Moved On).  The accolades continue to roll in this past week with “Raising Sand”  earning three nominations from the prestigious AMERICANA AWARDS.
     The stars aligned both on stage and in the steamy Finger Lake skies as the splendorous Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands PAC welcomed ROBERT PLANT & ALISON KRAUSS along with music magus T-BONE BURNETT to kick off their 2008 summer concert season.
     Not to be overlooked is the galvanizing contributions of T-BONE BURNETT (www.tboneburnett.com) who not only produced the album; he’s also responsible for the superb selection of songs on the record not to mention the alluring eclectic arrangements on the road.
     A packed house joined in the musical celebration which opened with “Rich Women” from the “Raising Sand” record.
     It didn’t take long for the LED ZEPPELIN faithful to get what they came for; the synergetic band comprised of Guitarist Buddy Miller, Drummer Jay Bellerose, Bassist Dennis Couch and Multi-Instrumentalist Stuart Duncan added a bluegrass blend to the Led Zep Classics “BlackDog” and “Black Country Women”,  which at times brought the enthusiastic crowd rushing to the stage.
     Towering above the other ZEPPELIN songs would be the “Battle of Evermore”, as the “Queen of Light took her Bow” to the ZEPPELIN epic, whilst the Rock God and the Soulful Siren intertwined their voices copiously with KRAUSS and her haunting harmonies backing the patented PLANT “Wail and Moan” as he got the LED out.
     Other gems in the set included a rousing rendition of “In the  Mood” from the 1983 PLANT solo album “The Principle of Moments”.  The duo also thankfully unsealed “Please Read The Letter” for the album and tour which was originally released on the 1998 JIMMY PAGE/ROBERT PLANT record “Walking Into Clarksdale”.
     KRAUSS’S talents coupled with her unique beauty and penetrating voice seemed to flow effortlessly with inspiration, which is surely part of the reason PLANT was drawn into this creative venture.
     As for Rock’s preeminent front man this tantalizing trip back to the Roots of Rock Music should come as no surprise as PLANT has always been a connoisseur of his craft, delving deep into his vinyl vault for stimulation throughout his storied career.
     The two hour musical revival was captivating from beginning to end watching these two synchronized spirits turn the hour-glass upside down as they paid homage to the musical roots that inspired and influenced them making this one unforgettable evening.
     While LED ZEPPELIN fans continue to clamoursly await  another reunion both PLANT & KRAUSS seem more then content to “Ramble On” with the “Raising Sand” tour through mid July. PLANT recently told reporters at a press conference “I’m in no hurry to go anywhere.  I want to stay very close, this is a font of knowledge and I want to stay as close as I can.  I’m a very fortunate man, I couldn’t wish for anything better than this.”
     Although this past week the rumor mill continues to churn once again as JIMMY PAGE & JOHN PAUL JONES joined the FOO FIGHTERS on stage in London; after the gig PAGE stated that he was hopeful that ZEPPELIN would perform together again, but that the fall of 2009 would be the earliest possibility as the surviving members have other commitments to fulfill.
     ZEPPELIN fans should be patient, I’m no “Fortune Teller” but I think “Your Time is Gonna Come”.
     Be sure to check out the CONSTELLAION BRANDS-MARVIN SANDS, PAC website (www.cmacevents.com) for a list of the amazing summer concert line-up which includes LYNYRD SKYNYRD, STEELY DAN, MELISSA ETHERIDGE, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, SHERYL CROW, JOHN FOGERTY, BOB DYLAN, KID ROCK and the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND to name just a few.
      -The Rock Rapport would like to THANK Renee Pfefer of On Tour PR for taking great care of us.

                                                 **************PEACE &HARMONIES*************