As the frontman of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant reigned supreme over a new era for rock and roll. From roots firmly bedded in the blues, the band succeeded The Beatles with a brand of progressive hard rock that influenced artists from all corners of the musical map over the ensuing decades, which he’s now revisited in a new recording.
Naturally, Led Zeppelin’s influences extended far beyond Plant’s early fascination with Elvis Presley and Howlin’ Wolf. However, for many years, he failed to appreciate white roots music in the folk and country realms.
Speaking to The Guardian in 2007, Plant discussed his newfound appreciation for the traditional “mountain” music of America, especially the song ‘Little Maggie’ by Roscoe Holcomb. “I’ve met my match with the American roots musicians I’m working with at the moment. My love for discovering new things is ceaseless, but I have missed white American roots music entirely,” he admitted. “I thought it was just guys in the hills singing Black people’s songs, and I was so wrong.”
One of the folk-inspired collaborators Plant alluded to in his comments was Alison Krauss. The pair formed a musical duo in the mid-2000s and released the highly acclaimed album Raising Sand in 2007. Subsequently, they worked on several studio projects together, including the 2021 album Raise the Roof, and performed sets on major tours and at festivals worldwide.
In a new spurt of activity between the two artists, Plant has teamed up with Krauss to rejuvenate the classic Led Zeppelin song ‘When The Levee Breaks’. The epic song, derived from the original by roots blues musician Memphis Minnie, appeared on Led Zeppelin’s masterpiece album of 1971, often referred to as Led Zeppelin IV.
Plant and Krauss set off on their North American ‘Can’t Let Go’ tour with an opening show at Tulsa, Oklahoma, earlier this week and have recently added ten further dates due to high ticket demands. As the tour unfolds, the duo plans to link up with Willie Nelson & Family as his Outlaw Music Festival Tour for a run of dates that will also feature Bob Dylan.
In an interview with USA Today this week, Plant discussed the joy he gets out of performing some of the old Led Zeppelin songs with Krauss. “I love them and am very proud of them,” he beamed.
The former frontman of Led Zeppelin continued: “And to get to change them around and to hear that voice next to me, it allows for an exotic overview of the more dramatic elements. At times, I’m emotional about it because I’m hearing these songs – they are all beautiful adaptations that I could never have dreamt. It’s a great achievement.”