Knowing that Raising Sand had “Nothin’” by the late, great Townes, the most perfect lyricist ever, and a cover of Rowland Salley’s “Killing the Blues” (which you’ve heard John Prine sing) was all it took to sell me anyway. Alison and
Robert do a very sweet, slowed-down version and are quite properly ‘swinging the world by the tail’ on this one.

Robert Plant rocks “Fortune Teller” somewhat, but I keep waiting for him to break out his outdoor voice. “Fortune Teller” is credited to Naomi Neville. I do believe that is a pseudonym for Allen Toussaint, New Orleans piano player extraordinaire and clever lyricist. It’s a nice song, nicely done.

“Stick With Me, Baby” is a Mel Tillis cover from 1960. Another slow one. With sweet harmonies.

The track that I will iPod is “Nothin’” with its perfectly ominous fiddle by Alison and sweet narration by Plant. Props to T-Bone Burnett, Norman Blake, Marc Ribot on guitars and Dennis Crouch on bass. Killer! I could have used a little less tambourine, but now I’m just getting picky.

The CD finishes with two more good ones, but now I just want to go cuddle with my baby and probably fall asleep.

Eh?? I’ll give this one couple more spins, then probably wrap it back up and send it to my brother who swears he wants to be Alison’s next ex-husband.