Raising Sand

Raising Sand has been out, and I’ve enjoyed it for so long it almost seems like old news to have the Grammy’s honor this magnificent musical collaboration between Allison Krauss and Robert Plant. It pairs Plant’s fierce dedication to old-fashioned American blues refracted through his British rocker lens, with Krauss’ gorgeously refined voice and traditional musical sensibility. The collaboration works and offers musical choices both weird and wonderful. Its five Grammy awards are richly deserved.

A hearty mazel tov to Pete Seeger for a Grammy possibly even more richly deserved, considering it comes at the age of 89. He won for Pete Seeger at 89. Also, highly recommended is Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s Grammy winner, Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu.

For all the winners see the Grammy site.

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Alison Krauss, Robert Plant Take Grammy's Record of the Year

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss have four Grammy wins together, taking home Best Country Collaboration for 'Killing the Blues,' Best Pop Collaboration for 'Rich Woman,' Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album for 'Raising Sand,' and Record of the Year for 'Please Read the Letter.'

"When we started this project together, the whole game was a mystery. We gave ourselves three days and said if it didn't work, we'd go back Wolverhampton," said Plant, upon accepting Record of the Year honors. "It's been given that Nashville touch, and it feels pretty good."

"Good things happen out of nowhere," added legendary producer T. Bone Burnett.

With 25 career wins, Krauss holds the record for most Grammy wins ever by a female solo artist.

Grammy Nominations - Country Categories (*Winners in bold.)

Best Country Album

'That Lonesome Song' - Jamey Johnson
'Sleepless Nights' - Patty Loveless
*'Troubadour' - George Strait
'Around the Bend' - Randy Travis
'Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love' - Trisha Yearwood

Best Country Song
(award goes to songwriters)

'Dig Two Graves' - Ashley Gorley & Bob Regan (recorded by Randy Travis)
'I Saw God Today' - Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell & Wade Kirby (recorded by George Strait)
'In Color' - Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller & James Otto (recorded by Jamey Johnson)
*'Stay' - Jennifer Nettles (recorded by Sugarland)
'You're Gonna Miss This' - Ashley Gorley & Lee Thomas Miller (recorded by Trace Adkins)

Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group

Brooks and Dunn - 'God Must Be Busy'
Lady Antebellum - 'Love Don't Live Here'
Rascal Flatts - 'Every Day'
Steel Drivers - 'Blue Side of the Mountain'
*Sugarland - 'Stay'

Best Country Collaboration With Vocals

Kenny Chesney & George Strait - 'Shiftwork'
*Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - 'Killing the Blues'
George Strait & Patty Loveless - 'House of Cash'
Sugarland, Jake Owen & Little Big Town - 'Life in a Northern Town'
Trisha Yearwood & Keith Urban - 'Let the Wind Chase You'

Best Female Country Vocal Performance

Martina McBride - 'For These Times'
LeAnn Rimes - 'What I Cannot Change'
*Carrie Underwood - 'Last Name'
Lee Ann Womack - 'Last Call'
Trisha Yearwood - 'This Is Me You're Talking To'

Best Male Country Vocal Performance

Trace Adkins - 'You're Gonna Miss This'
Jamey Johnson - 'In Color'
James Otto - 'Just Got Started Lovin' You'
*Brad Paisley - 'Letter to Me'
George Strait - 'Troubadour'

Best Country Instrumental Performance

Cherryholmes - 'Sumatra'
Jerry Douglas & Lloyd Green - 'Two Small Cars In Rome'
Béla Fleck & The Flecktones - 'Sleigh Ride'
Charlie Haden, Pat Metheny, Jerry Douglas & Bruce Hornsby - 'Is This America?'
*Brad Paisley, James Burton, Vince Gill, John Jorgenson, Albert Lee, Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert & Steve Wariner - 'Cluster Pluck'
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Congratulations T-Bone

T-Bone Burnett and his collaborators Allison Kraus and Robert Plant took home the Big Awards tonight at the Grammys.

Defeating hard-core rap and arena-filling rock, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss swept the 51st annual Grammy Awards, at Staples Center here on Sunday night, with an album of gentle and luxuriant renditions of old rockabilly and country songs.

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Robert Plant and Alison Krauss win Album of the Year

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss cleaned up at the Grammys, winning a total of five trophies - including the big one for Album of the Year.

Yes, this means they won out over Ne-Yo's "Year of the Gentleman" which, in turn, means the Stereotypes crew lost out on their second bid for a Grammy.

Jeremy Reeves reaction (via text) "We lost! It's rigged"

and then

"Ha ha"

Seriously, you can't complain too much, losing out to the likes of Plant and Krauss and it's a good call on the part of the Grammys. "Raising Sand" is a complex and sophisticated record that's also immensely emotional and catchy.

It's the kind of record that'll make your year-end favorite list and your mom's. And I mean this in the best way possible.

As for the Stereotypes' double-loss. These guys are still at the beginning of their career. My guess is these won't be their only career nominations.

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