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Robert Plant & Alison Krauss — When The Levee Breaks
Album: When The Levee Breaks - Single
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 532









Released: 0
Length: 3:47
Plays (last 30 days): 5
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
And when the levee breaks, I'll have no place to stay
Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan
Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan
Well, it's got what it takes to make a mountain man leave his home

All last night sat on the levee and moaned
All last night sat on the levee and moaned
I'm thinkin' 'bout my baby and my happy home

If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
When the levee breaks, I'll have no place to stay
And when the levee, ooh

I'm goin' to Chicago
I'm sorry, babе, but I can't take you
No, no, I'm going down
Going down, going down
Going down, going down
Going down, no
Going down
Comments (21)add comment
Next week, Santa Fe Opera House!
 On_The_Beach wrote:

By "the original" you're referring the 1929 version, of course . . .

From Wiki:

"When the Levee Breaks" is a country blues song written and first recorded by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy in 1929. The lyrics reflect experiences during the upheaval caused by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.

"When the Levee Breaks" was re-worked by English rock group Led Zeppelin as the last song on their untitled fourth album. Singer Robert Plant used many of the original lyrics and the songwriting is credited to Memphis Minnie and the individual members of Led Zeppelin.[1] Many other artists have performed and recorded versions of the song.



No, actually, I wasn't referring to the 1929 version.  I'm sure it is great.  But if it wasn't for LZ nobody in 2024 would know who Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy were, or would know this song.
When that heavy guitar kicked in I muttered "Ugh yea" under my breath.
 AndrewInScotland wrote:

I really don't like Robert Plant's sound since he's teamed up with Alison. In my opinion his voice sounds whiney and flat, and the whole endeavor seems pointless. If a new artist sounded like this, they wouldn't get any attention. 

However, I do have a recommendation for a great video cover of this track, featuring none other than John Paul Jones on bass:
When The Levee Breaks feat. John Paul Jones | Playing For Change


Great link.  Thanks.
I saw Plant and Kraus several weeks ago. This was a brilliant, scorching, mesmerizing end to the main set. The part of the guitar gunslinger in the touring band is played J.D. McPherson. Check him out solo if you get a chance.
 flyboy wrote:

Didn't recognize Plant's voice.  Was thinking whoever this was shouldn't have bothered remaking this.  But he can sing this whenever he wants.

Makes me want to hear the original for the nth time though.


By "the original" you're referring the 1929 version, of course . . .

From Wiki:

"When the Levee Breaks" is a country blues song written and first recorded by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy in 1929. The lyrics reflect experiences during the upheaval caused by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.

"When the Levee Breaks" was re-worked by English rock group Led Zeppelin as the last song on their untitled fourth album. Singer Robert Plant used many of the original lyrics and the songwriting is credited to Memphis Minnie and the individual members of Led Zeppelin.[1] Many other artists have performed and recorded versions of the song.

I saw them at Wolf Trap a week ago. This song ended the main set. It blew everyone away. 
The last Hardly Strictly Bluegrass before the Rona, and the last show of the day I went, there was Plant with his band. And he gave the crowd what they wanted: lots of Zep with a few of his solo tunes. All fantastic. Including this one, where he was reclaiming the tune from his old band in his own way these days.

I went to work the next day and some kid was telling me he went to see some old guy that had been in Zeppelin, but the crowd was too big so he passed on it. Kids…
ohh love this version, just gave it a 10.
This stopped me in my tracks. It totally showcases the evolution of Robert Plant from those young rock days where he was the king of rock vocals and John Bonham pounded the drums into outer space on this song. Now evolved into a more complex piece that incorporates several world stylings along with the complementary vocal stylings of Alison and Robert. Also a major evolution from the first album done by Alison and Robert where it was primarily bluegrass music with a rock influence. 
Prefer to skip.
I really don't like Robert Plant's sound since he's teamed up with Alison. In my opinion his voice sounds whiney and flat, and the whole endeavor seems pointless. If a new artist sounded like this, they wouldn't get any attention. 

However, I do have a recommendation for a great video cover of this track, featuring none other than John Paul Jones on bass:
When The Levee Breaks feat. John Paul Jones | Playing For Change
Is that Alison going all out World Beat Violin?
Sweet!
Ha!

Just saw them two nights ago!

It was a very good show:  Robert still has RnR blues vocal chops.  Alison has her own vocal chops and is a very good fiddle player.  And they really seem to enjoy playing together.  Both know how to put on a show and pick up the vibes coming from an outdoor venue on a warm June weekday night.  

The band was tight. 
  
They played 4 or 5 Zep tunes.  Two song encore.

Nothing like seeing a real living rock god on stage and having fun.  

Didn't recognize Plant's voice.  Was thinking whoever this was shouldn't have bothered remaking this.  But he can sing this whenever he wants.

Makes me want to hear the original for the nth time though.
I saw RP & AK do this live just a few days ago, and it was incredibly powerful -- it sent chills down my spine.   Ofc, any recording will fail to capture the intensity of a live performance.  And the version I enjoyed was much longer!  This is merely a sample of the full piece...
Reminds me of the album Page and Plant did with the North African musicians
Liking this.
its a windwave. Something old but New.
Talking about "Painting your old wagon!" These two artists have earned the right and we get to hear the fruits of their labors.
Wow... This is a different take!!

Like it on first listen.