Robert Plant and Alison Krauss are still on the Top Country albums chart with Raising Sand after 57 weeks.

This week: #42, Last Week: 35, Two weeks ago: 37.

Robert showed up for a Gallery showing for Mo Jupp on November 23, 2008.

Sandy Holt writes in the Stratford upon Avon Herald:

Bruno Dauvin of the Where I Fell In Love Gallery, in Shipston, had an unexpected guest at the launch of his latest exhibition last Sunday [November 23, 2008]–he noticed that among the hundreds of people walking through the door of his gallery was none other than rock legend Robert Plant.

The rock star, best known for his time spent as lead singer of Led Zeppelin, had called in to join the festivities of the opening of renowned sculptor and ceramicist Mo Jupp’s 70th Birthday Retrospective Exhibition. Mo Jupp is also regarded by many as a legend in his lifetime, and his work and teaching has influenced countless sculptors and ceramicists, as well being acquired by by many discerning collectors.

Mr. Dauvin told the Herald: “I didn’t know, but Robert is a collector of Mo’s work and he popped in because he wanted to say ‘Happy birthday.” He already has a few pieces of Mo’s work.”

Mr. Plant, although having property near his home town in the West Midlands, made a special visit to Shipston to see the artist, and he hinted he may return to have another look at the work. Bruno added: “The day was even more special because this may be one of the last shows Mo does. It was so busy that I think Mo was really happy. It is really good for Shipston.”

Mo Jupp’s 70th Birthday Retrospective Exhibition shows at the gallery until 18th January.

Thu, December 4 at 10:00am ET on PLD HD
Crossroads: Robert Plant/Alison Krauss
A rebroadcast of the CMT Crossroads episode.

Scott Matthews has finished recording his second album, “Elsewhere”. It’s due to be released in March. Robert Plant appears on the album in a duet on “12 Harps”. Matthews says it’s one of the standout tracks.

Kernan Andrews filed an interview in the Galway Advertiser where Matthews talks about touring–and singing–with Robert.

“I have some issues with my vocals,” Scott admits. “Maybe it’s a little insecurity on my part but a lot of people tell me that my voice suits the kind of music I do. Robert Plant himself said that was one of the things he noticed and that he really liked my voice. That was such a good thing to hear and a real boost to my confidence.

“I got to know him before recording the second album and I had a song in mind for him called ‘12 Harps’. It has leanings towards acoustic Led Zeppelin with mandolins. For me to be singing in the same room with Robert Plant - I was so scared. With Page, Jones, and Bonham behind him, what he did with his voice back then in Zeppelin is pretty untouchable. The sheer range and dynamic he’s got. He’s 60 now and his voice is more mature and has a real resonance in it. It’s one of the stand out tracks on the album!”

Hancock of the Birmingham Evening Mail (UK) reports a conversation he had with Robert in Bilston on November 6, 2008. Robert indicated that he would be returning to the studio in January to record a follow up to “Raising Sand”

The Evening Mail writes:

Robert Plant tries to avoid questions about his role in the proposed Led Zeppelin reunion tour - but Hancock managed to steer him in that direction at Bilston’s Robin 2 club.

Robert made a surprise on-stage appearance to mark singer Ricky Cool’s 30 years in music and confirmed to Hancock he would not be joining Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham on the road. He said it was partly because he’d be busy working on the follow-up to his awardwinning Raising Sand LP.

“In January, I’m starting to record a new album with Alison Krauss and T Bone Burnett,” he revealed, before adding “but I understand that everyone’s got to eat,” implying that the Plant-less Led Zep has his blessing.

But before he joined the Big Town Playboys on stage for a couple of bluesy numbers, he imparted one piece of significant information: “They won’t be calling it Led Zeppelin!

Paul Cashmere of undercover.com.au is reporting that Michael Lee, the drummer who worked with Robert in the 90s, has died. He was 39. No cause of death has been reported.

The Americana Music Association has launched their official auction site. Proceeds from all the auctions go towards covering the organizations costs for the Americana Music Festval and Conferences. New auctions will be added every two two four weeks.

One of the first auction items up for bids is a Hatch print signed by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.

Dennis Cook writes about photographer Jay Blakesberg who has a new career retrospective: “Traveling on a High Frequency–Photography 1978-2008″. In the article, Blakesberg talks about how he approaches his work as well as his subjects:

“Sure, I’m a fan and over the years I’ve had some amazing conversations with everybody from Trey to Jerry Garcia to John Lee Hooker to just recently Elvis Costello and Robert Plant. But, I’m not going to gush like a fan, like ‘Oh Robert, you’re so amazing!’ My conversation with Robert Plant was about Moby Grape. You’re a fan but you can’t really let that come across. These guys are also regular people, too. So, I’m not going to bow to them like some deity.”

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss are still lingering in the Billboard 200 album charts.
This week: #184, last week: 185, two weeks ago: 175, 54 weeks on the chart.

Raising Sand also remains on the Top Country Albums chart.
This week: 35, last week: 33, Two weeks ago: 29, 56 weeks on the chart.

Sun, November 23 at 2:00pm ET on RAVE HD
Soundstage
A rebroadcast of Robert Plant and Strange Sensation on PBS’s Soundstage

Tue, November 25 at 12:00pm ET on RAVE HD
Soundstage
A rebroadcast of Robert Plant and Strange Sensation on PBS’s Soundstage

Fri, November 28 at 4:00pm ET on RAVE HD
Soundstage
A rebroadcast of Robert Plant and Strange Sensation on PBS’s Soundstage