I should preface this review with the acknowledgment that I’m quite the Led Zeppelin fan.  I still recall the first time I ever really listened to Zep;  I was 16 years old and on acid, naturally.  My trip buddy for the evening brought over some sort of Zeppelin collection to check out.  Needless to say, I was totally blown away.  Acid rock, indeed!

On the other hand, while I can’t say I’ve ever really listened to an Alison Krauss album, I did catch one of her concerts a few years back when I was working at the Kentucky Theatre.  She has a nice enough voice, but I always felt something was missing.  Her music never grabbed me.

When I heard that this show was coming to Rupp Arena, I was excited at the chance to be able to walk down the street and see Robert Plant appear before my eyes.  After I checked out “Raising Sand”, the duo’s album, my enthusiasm waned a bit.  The new-folk they’re going after is a good enough concept, but it never really takes off.  I blame T-Bone Burnett, the producer.  Beginning with “O Brother Where Art Thou”, he’s been bringing watered down versions of Americana to the masses to devour, all the while receiving heaps of praise for resurrecting this supposedly lost genre.  Gimme a break.

You may be thinking, well this guy just doesn’t like Americana….he must be an ignorant Zeppelin fan.  Well, you’re wrong, friendo.  I have an appreciation for alt-country, roots music, Americana, whatever you want to call it.  I’m especially fond of bluegrass, which is perhaps why Alison Krauss irks me.  Calling her music bluegrass is like calling Kenny G’s music jazz.  She does indeed possess an angelic voice, but I’ve yet to sense any sort of spirit or personality from her.  Bluegrass, to me, is 100% spirit.

Pairing Robert Plant with a true bluegrass band, now that would have been something.  As it was, however, the concert was predominately a bore, with a few exceptions.  Alison Krauss did her best Sandy Denny impression on “The Battle of Evermore”, and Plant felt free to really let loose on the number.  “Gone Gone Gone” was nice enough, but was one of only a few upbeat moments throughout the show.  Everything felt forced and artificial.  Far too clean.  Starbucks approved decaf.  Gone gone gone, indeed.  Really gone.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss – Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)

There are a few remaining dates in the tour…

SAT JULY 19 – Sommet Center – Nashville, Tennessee

TUE ZEPT 23 – Starlight Theatre – Kansas City, Missouri

WED ZEPT 24 – Fox Theatre – St. Louis, Missouri

FRI ZEPT 26 – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – Houston, Texas

SAT ZEPT 27 – Austin City Limits Festival – Austin, Texas

TUE ZEPT 30 – Theatre of the Clouds – Portland, Oregon

WED OCT 1 – WaMu Theatre – Seattle, Washington

FRI OCT 3 – Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival – San Fransisco, California

SAT OCT 4 – Konocti Field Amphitheatre – Kelseyville, California

SUN OCT 5 – The Mountain Winery – Saratoga, California