Artist: Robert Plant and
Alison Krauss

Album: Raise the Roof****

The unlikely but rather inspired pairing of former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant and bluegrass superstar Alison Krauss resulted in the creation of 2007’s terrific folk rock album Raising Sand. But despite (or perhaps because of?) the well-deserved critical acclaim, its much-anticipated follow-up did not materialize in the subsequent years, with sessions in 2009 proving to be unfruitful. Now, nearly a decade and a half later, a second instalment has finally been unveiled, and it is just as charming as its predecessor.

The duo, once again, team up with producer T Bone Burnett whose technical artistry blends wonderfully with Plant and Krauss’s flawless delivery. Just like their first collaborative record, Raise the Roof also focuses on covers. All but one (‘High and Lonesome’, co-written by Plant and Burnett) of the album’s 12 songs are reworkings of (often lesser-known) tracks by other artists ranging from modern indie to nearly century-old blues. But the songs never feel borrowed. Each piece fits perfectly on the set, and each track is so in tune with the artists’ aesthetic that it is hard to tell these are covers in the first place.

From the mesmerizing record opener ‘Quattro (World Drifts In)’ to the stomping closer ‘Somebody Was Watching Over Me’ and even beyond – the tender gem ‘My Heart Would Know’ and the feisty ‘You Can’t Rule Me’ appear as bonus tracks on the deluxe edition – the album offers a bluesy, moody slice of Americana built around warm, gentle vocals and beautiful arrangements.

Plant and Krauss might not seem particularly concerned with raising the roof on this set of mid-tempo ditties – perhaps a little variation in tempo could have made the effort even more splendid – but they deliver heartfelt performances on an intricate musical tapestry; the result becomes increasingly rewarding with each listen.

Covers have rarely sounded this powerful and organic, but you wouldn’t expect anything less given the level of talent involved in the project. Raise the Roof probably won’t be best appreciated on a cursory listen, but repeat spins will help unveil the gentle beauty of each track and the sheer technical mastery all around.

Highlights: ‘Go Your Way’, ‘Can’t Let Go’, ‘High and Lonesome’, ‘Somebody Was Watching Over Me’

Artist: Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga

Album: Love for Sale***

Speaking of unusual collaborations, big band crooner Tony Bennett and popstar Lady Gaga are about as unlikely a pairing as it gets. After creating Cheek to Cheek – a cover album consisting of jazz standards – in 2014, the duo now return with their second (and final) outing, another set of covers, this time in the form of a Cole Porter tribute album.

A bright and breezy affair, (the freshly Grammy-nominated) Love for Sale finds the pair taking the Great American Songbook for yet another spin as they deliver their renditions of ten tracks written by Porter. The songs sound pretty much exactly as you’d expect: soaked in strings and brass, drenched in nostalgia, and drizzled with spectacle.

While their versions of Porter’s hits don’t feel entirely essential, it’s still hard not to enjoy their pleasant versions of tracks like the playful opener ‘It’s De-Lovely’ and swing mainstay ‘I Get a Kick Out of You’. And Bennett and Gaga’s voices do work well together (although it’s worth nothing that of the 10 songs, four – two apiece – are solos). Bennett is suave, Gaga is powerful, even though at times her delivery feels more like that of a mimic, the singer-actress playing yet another theatrical role.

It may not be the most vital volume in either of their discographies, but Love for Sale is an amiable collection that is perhaps most notable as the possible swansong of the 95-year-old Bennett – the crooner is suffering from Alzheimer’s and recently announced his retirement from performing – and on that note, the album serves as a fond farewell.

Highlights: ‘It’s De-Lovely’, ‘I Get a Kick Out of You’