Raising Sand, the musical collaboration of the decade, is the sound of two iconic figures stepping out of their respective comfort zones and letting their instincts guide them through a bold new sonic landscape. Despite their different backgrounds, Alison Krauss and Robert Plant share an outsider's spirit and a willingness to push the boundaries of their respective genres. This spirit, skillfully honed by producer T Bone Burnett, has resulted in an album that is three steps beyond a cosmic collision of early urban blues, sprawling West Texas country and the untapped potential of the folk-rock revolution. Backed by the incomparable musicians Marc Ribot, Dennis Crouch, Mike Seeger, Jay Bellerose, Norman Blake, Greg Leisz, Patrick Warren and Riley Baugus, Plant and Krauss - on both solo and harmony vocals - tackle a fascinating selection of songs by musicians such as Tom Waits, Gene Clark, Sam Phillips, Townes Van Zandt, The Everly Brothers and Mel Tillis. In Raising Sand, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss explore the elemental roots of popular music while sounding effortlessly and stunningly modern.