There was a whiff of nostalgia among old boomers at Friday night’s grand show by rock legend Robert Plant and bluegrass queen Alison Krauss at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier on Montreal’s Place des Arts.
The ex-singer of the group Led Zeppelin, just by his presence, managed to rekindle the memories of the spectators who knew him in their musical youth and to move the others who later discovered him in his numerous projects.
Upon entering the stage, the 74-year-old rocker earned a standing ovation. The tone was set. The cheering crowd, who forgave him a 30-minute delay, was treated to a rousing and inspiring show.
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss started their show with a bang. MARIO BEAUREGARD/QMI AGENCY
To kick off the evening, the duo selected three titles from their first collaboration. In quick succession, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss demonstrated their virtuosity by interpreting Rich Woman, Fortune Teller and Can’t Let Go.
“Good evening,” he began after the first three songs in laborious but sympathetic French.
Flawless
Accompanied by his partner Alison Krauss, the classic car delivered a flawless performance on this unique evening, which was presented as part of the Montreal Jazz Festival. His voice remained powerful, strong. She also refined, as if Plant had freed her from the garish and deafening excesses of her youth’s interpretations.
Buoyed by the success of their two albums, Raising Sand (2007) and Raise the Roof (2021), the duo performed their compositions and reinterpretations of blues, country, bluegrass and Led Zeppelin classics.
The room was called their songs “Please Read the Letter”, “Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On), High and Lonesome”, “The Price of Love” (an Everly Brothers cover) and “Gallows Pole” (a traditional one song) welcome.
While listening to the albums we can already see that the union of the two voices creates subtle and moving harmonies for each song. On stage, the two performers bring a rare complicity and generosity to this vocal chemistry.
This was especially true for covers of Led Zeppelin classics. To everyone’s delight, Robert Plant and Alicia Krauss sang subtle, powerful but quieter versions of some of the British group’s ’70s classics: we’re thinking of the great The Battle of Evermore, but also When The Levee Breaks and Rock and Roll. Each time, the audience stood up to dance to the frantic rhythms of the musicians.
All in all it was an unforgettable evening and a little life lesson.
The Inner Flame
While he could have rested on his laurels, Robert Plant pursued his musical quest throughout his career.
With their eight albums in twelve years, the group Led Zeppelin enjoyed colossal success around the world until they disbanded after the death of drummer John Bonham in late 1980. Thereafter, Plant continued his solo career, occasionally reconnecting with Jimmy Page, principal composer of Led Zeppelin plays, declining a return from Led Zeppelin, and undertaking various other projects. His duet with Allison Krauss remains one of his most interesting reincarnations.
Both were fascinated by the roots of North American music and enjoyed great success with their album Raising Sand, which won five Grammys including 2009 Album of the Year. Last year, the duo’s second album Raise the Roof, which hits in the same direction, received three Grammy nominations.
For someone who is already a rock legend, it is an exemplary musical journey. His inner flame has not died out. At 74, Robert Plant seems to find a youthful delight in being on stage and performing the songs he loves. Without compromise. For pure enjoyment. This is the lesson the old rocker taught everyone in Montreal on Friday.