With the release of Led Zeppelin's 'Mothership' imminent, lead singer Robert Plant has gazumped his own band with his album with bluegrass star Alison Krauss.
The Plant and Krauss album 'Raising Sand' is expected to be a Top 5 debut in the USA next week. It may even come in at number two.US industry site HitsDailyDouble.com is predicting that on first day sales this week, that the album should sell between 80,000 and 90,000 units.
The Plant and Krauss album was produced by T-Bone Burnett ('O Brother, Where Are Thou' and 'Walk The Line').
At SxSW in 2005, Robert Plant accepted a Grammy Award for Led Zeppelin's achievements. It was the first time Led Zep had earned a Grammy.
Krauss, however, has received 20 Grammy Awards, most recently in 2005 when her 'Lonely Runs Both Ways' scored Best Country Album.
'Raising Sand' is a collection of covers of songs from artists like The Everly Brothers, Tom Waits, and Mel Tillis.
Plant's previous diversion this far from Led Zeppelin was when he recorded the classic 'Sea of Love' for The Honeydrippers EP in the 80s.
Led Zep's 'Mothership' will be released in Australia on November 7.
The deluxe edition DVD of Led Zeppelin's 'Song Remains The Same' DVD will be released on December 5.
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss 'Raising Sand' will be released in Australia on November 17th.
