In the Mix

That's how Robert Plant referred to the Raising Sand adventure that brought he and Alison Krauss to the Mann Center in Fairmount Park on Saturday. And it was indeed spectacular, a two hour display of impeccable musicianship and rock star charisma, a pairing of goldilocks hair farmers (see more 'Which one's the dude?' photos below) smart enough to realize that their voices meld in a heavenly blend, so why not put that Led Zep reunion off and head out on tour together?

Plant roams the stage like a lion, albeit one working to keep his innate magnetism from overwhelming the other musicians on stage. Krauss can't stop grinning to herself, and who's to blame her? It's not only that she was backed up by a fabulous band that included project mastermind T-Bone Burnett, who dressed up like a preacher and played acoustic guitar) and Buddy Miller who played electric, and also, autoharp, plus multi-instrumentalist Stuart Duncan (who Krauss described as "my favorite musician in the world"). And that the band kicks up a much more raucous storm on stage than on the at-times too atmospheric Raising Sand recording, allowing Krauss to cut loose like she rarely does on her own records.

On top of that, Robert Plant, the Golden God himself, is flirting with her on stage, slyly singing Allen Toussaint's "Fortune Teller" as if there was nothing he'd rather be doing more. (Speaking of "Nothing," the ensemble also did a staggering take on Townes Van Zandt's song of that name.) Other high points included Plant's "In The Mood," moving into Krauss' beautifully sung rendition of the trad ballad "Matty Groves." And her beginning O, Brother Where Art Thou's ghostly "Down the The River To Pray" solo and a capella, before being joined by Plant, Duncan and Miller as a trio of harmonizing sirens. And yep, they did a slow, smoldering "Black Dog," too.

The show played the Borgata last month, and Steve Klinge reviewed it. At the Mann, Plant name checked North Wales' own Sharon Little, who wore her party dress and showcased her powerful voice impressively in the opening spot. And with the Raising Sand tour winding down, he sounded a bit wistful, saying "it's getting down towards the end now, and we're all feeling a little bit sad." Good times, bad times, he's had his share, and he realizes this unexpected interlude has made for some of his very best.