According to a New West Records representative (Buddy Miller’s label), Robert Plant and Buddy Miller recorded “What You Gonna Do Leroy” in a dressing room in Toronto. Miller, of course was one of the musicians on the Raising Sand tour. The song was presented to the label as a rough mix for songs to appear on Miller’s upcoming album.
The song is a Lefty Frizzell single. Frizzell was a leading player in the Honky Tonk Style of country music in the 50s and 60s. Frizzell is also known for his recording of “Long Black Veil” in 1959. The song went on to become a genre-crossing classic and was recorded by numerous artists including The Chieftains (with Mick Jagger on Vocals), Johnny Cash, The Stranglers, Bob Dylan, Marianne Faithfull, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
At the Americana Awards in September 2008, Robert and Buddy performed “What You Gonna Do Leroy” tune for attendees. It’s a honky tonk number that features a smooth fiddle background along side a plodding drum. Robert’s vocal is sort of a honky tonk Elvisy Eddie Cochran.
Christi Marsico of Smoky Mountain News (North Carolina) writes about a recent interview with comedian Ron White. White is perhaps best known for his stint on the Blue Collar Comedy tour with Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy. White’s most popular routine is “Tater Salad”, and part of his stage persona includes drinking (presumably scotch) and smoking a cigar.
White confessed to being moved during a Robert Plant/Alison Krauss show: Marsico wrote:
The comedian makes it a goal to find live music after his performances, adding he “likes to support the arts.” White claims there is not a lot of polka in his personal music selection, but he was recently “misted up” by a Robert Plant and Alison Krauss concert. His CD collection includes AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Allman Brothers, The Doors and Dwight Yoakam.
The Town Hall is now live. For visitors coming in via the “what’s new” link on the home page, the Town Hall is replacing the Plaza. For more information visit the Lobby for links to related documents.
The changes to the main site will be listed here using the Little By Little Category. Click Little by Little in the sidebar to see all the changes by date, newest first.
This video is from the Lexington, KY show on July 18, 2008 which I attended. As a long time patron of Rupp arena I’m well aware that this venue doesn’t often lend itself to good acoustics that you’d think necessary for the Raising Sand show. Kudos to Robert’s long time sound man for making the sound much better than I had expected.
The video is “Down to the River to Pray” from the “O Brother Where art Thou” soundtrack, which was also produced by T-Bone Burnett. Alison’s performance of the song was mesmerising as usual, and it was interesting watching Robert sing with the backing voices. You could clearly hear him in the mix, yet it wasn’t overpowering the trio. Great job on this one.
From where I sat, both Robert’s fans and Alison’s fans enjoyed the song. Overall it seemed like Alison’s fans also came away with an appreciation for Robert’s singing, judging by the comments I heard as I left the arena.
Huffington Post writer David Wild offers up a tongue in cheek playlist of songs to play on your iPod while waiting in the soupline. “Rich Woman” made the list:
“RICH WOMAN” ROBERT PLANT/ALISON KRAUSS
Remember, it’s never too late to find a rich woman — or two.
Painter, Poet, and all around eccentric artist Billy Childish numbers Robert Plant among his fans. The Times Online ran an article and interview with the artist.
A paranormal research group was investigating the Wolverhampton Civic Center. I think the researcher found a spirit of another kind as she writes:
However I recently got to play a blinding gig at Wolverhampton Civic Hall (Do I hear the sound of screaming boys?). I even got to sit in Robert Plant’s special seat. I could almost smell his lingering aroma, the aftershave, the sweat, the test…
