Led Zeppelin icon Robert Plant isn’t known for being a rock star who collaborates with many other musicians outside of his band. In fact, two of his collaborative albums were ‘No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded’ and ‘Walking into Clarksdale,’ and included his former bandmate, Jimmy Page.
However, there’s an exception to his rule as the charismatic rock and roll frontman’s music catalog includes another vocalist, Alison Krauss, with whom Robert Plant released two studio albums. While it may sound like the easiest task considering they are both regarded as brilliant vocalists, Plant actually experienced a hiccup during their first collaboration.
Robert Plant Released Two Albums With Alison Krauss
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss released their first collaborative album entitled ‘Raising Sand‘ in October 2007. Their chemistry was impeccable, and the record won the Album of the Year award at the 2008 Americana Music Honors & Awards and the 2009 Grammy Awards.
Moreover, the album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, the highest chart position for either artists’ solo work. It was also praised by numerous music critics, achieved critical acclaim, and gained a spot on Rolling Stone‘s December 17, 2007 listing of the year’s top 50 albums.
As their fans expected another collaboration for many years, the duo eventually released their second duet album named ‘Raise the Roof’ on November 19, 2021. Much like their first work, this album also received generally positive reviews from critics in addition to peaking at No. 7 on US Billboard 200.
Robert Plant Got Nervous Working With Alison Krauss
Since it was a different experience for Robert Plant to work with another vocalist on an album and live performances, the musician reflected on the challenges of not being the only singer during an appearance on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight many years ago.
The Led Zeppelin icon stressed the fact that he has never been in a position where he had to consider his moves in relation to Alison Krauss. In fact, Plant stated that he felt pressure while performing with Krauss as he had to make sure that he stayed in tune and didn’t do all those characteristic vocals on stage and in the studio since they might bother his partner.
Fortunately, Alison Krauss was the one who supported her collaborator to be himself and encouraged Plant to sing however his one-of-a-kind vocalistic choices directed him to sing. Therefore, Rober Plant thanked her during the show for helping him embrace his style during this unusual process.
About working with Alison Krauss, Plant said:
“It just means that you alternate vocals with somebody who can sing better than you, better than me, you know, different voices. I was never in an environment where I ever kind of sang with another singer as a part of the gig until I met Alison.
What a time in life to suddenly find that you’re actually singing part and going on, ‘I’ve gotta make sure that I stay in tune, and I don’t do any ‘Baby, babies,’ and she is going, ‘Go on, give us one.’ I said, ‘No, later love,’ She said, ‘No, no. Give us one of them ‘whoa! Baby!’ She helped me a lot.”
You can watch the interview below.
