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08/23/2024

Alison Krauss and Robert Plant w/JD McPherson at the Cuthbert Amphitheatre in Eugene, OR on 08/20/24

By Ben Mah // PHOTOS AND REVIEW

I think that one of the most difficult things to do when attending a concert is to have your expectations set accordingly. I don’t really mean that in a negative way, as if there’s no way a performer could live up to some standard that you (or someone else) set. But depending on who the band is, or your level of interest/fandom, sometimes it can be hard to manage. It’s a lot easier to manage when the band is unknown, or a performer you’ve seen a number of times.

In the case of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, you couldn’t be faulted for having outsized expectations. Alison Krauss is one of the most well known names in bluegrass/americana having been performing and recording for almost 40 years. And then Robert Plant being…Robert Plant, former vocalist of arguably the most well known band in rock and roll, Led Zeppelin. In 2007 the two of them collaborated on Raising Sand, a popular and award winning album of duets. The follow up album - Raise the Roof, took 14 years to materialize. With all that being said and being a fan of both artists, I’ll admit that despite my efforts my own expectations were a little high. Fortunately and not surprisingly, those expectations were exceeded in every way.

Following a very energetic opening set by JD McPherson and under a full moon, Krauss and Plant stepped on stage at the Cuthbert Amphitheater in Eugene with all of their shared history, approaching each other from the opposite sides to meet in the middle and wave to a very enthusiastic sold out crowd. What followed was a riveting and perfectly executed set of songs starting with the lead track from Raising Sand “Rich Woman” performed by two legendary singers backed by an equally talented band, including the opener McPherson on guitar and occasionally Krauss herself on violin. Their set touched on highlights from both of their collaborative albums plus a small handful of Zeppelin covers. Both vocalists sounded amazing, whether singing together as they did most of the night, or when they took solo turns on select songs. You could tell from the quality of the performance, and their interactions with one another that they both share a love of performing, and a reverence for the source material being performed. It’s hard to pick out high points from an evening full of them, but Krauss’ solo performance of “Trouble With My Lover” from Raise the Roof was certainly one, and their reimagining of “When The Levee Breaks” at the end of the main set was equally as powerful as the well known Zeppelin version. For the encore, they performed 2 more selections from their collaborative albums. The crowd then returned the favor and did one final cover - the traditional “Happy Birthday” for a very appreciative Robert Plant who turned 76 that evening.

Setlist

Rich Woman
Fortune Teller
Can't Let Go
The Price of Love
Play Video
Rock and Roll
Please Read the Letter
High and Lonesome
Last Kind Words Blues
You Led Me to the Wrong
Trouble With My Lover
In the Mood
Matty Groves
Gallows Pole
The Battle of Evermore
When the Levee Breaks

Stick With Me Baby
Gone Gone Gone

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