Taylor Swift's <i>Fearless</i>
Photo: Big Machine Records

After taking a couple of weeks off, Taylor Swift will once again top next week's Billboard albums chart. But the big news is the post-Grammy sales bump, which sent her album and plenty of others surging back up into the upper reaches of the chart.

Possibly thanks to her duet with Miley Cyrus on the Grammy telecast, Swift's Fearless sold more than 91,700 copies to grab #1, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Sitting at #2, with sales of more than 76,500 copies — a 715 percent increase from last week — is Robert Plant & Alison Krauss' Raising Sand, which took home five awards on Grammy night, including Album of the Year. On last week's chart, Sand sat at #69. Two weeks ago, it was out of the Top 200.

Landing at #3, with sales of close to 75,400 copies, is neo-soul chanteuse India.Arie, who scored the week's biggest debut with her Testimony: Volume 2, Love & Politics. Last week's chart champs, the Fray, sit at #4, selling more than 75,100 copies of their self-titled album. Chippy Brit Lily Allen debuts at #5, selling about 69,900 copies of her sophomore album, It's Not Me, It's You.

Bruce Springsteen's Working on a Dream sits at #6, with sales of more than 64,500 copies, and Bobby Valentino's Rebirth bows at #7, with 64,100 sold.

Coldplay — who took home three awards on Grammy night, including Song of the Year — jumped all the way from #31 to #8, selling more than 62,100 copies (a 271 percent increase from the previous week's numbers) of Viva la Vida Or Death and All His Friends. The 2009 Grammy Nominees compilation is next at #9, with sales of 61,000 copies, and Best New Artist winner Adele leapt from #27 to #10, selling more than 56,000 copies of her debut, 19.

Outside the top 10, there were plenty of other artists who benefitted from some post-Grammy love. Jamie Foxx — who performed a tribute to the Four Tops alongside Ne-Yo during the telecast — posted a 10 percent increase in sales, landing at #14. T.I., whose "Swagga Like Us" won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, saw a boost from his pair of Grammy performances, as sales of Paper Trail increased by 45 percent, locking him in at #18. Kid Rock didn't win any awards, but thanks to his performance, sales of his Rock N Roll Jesus album jumped up 64 percent, giving him the #21 spot.

Lil Wayne won a trio of trophies on Grammy night and rocked the stage twice, which might explain why he saw sales of Tha Carter III jump 34 percent, placing it at #29. Jennifer Hudson's strong and soulful performance boosted sales of her self-titled debut by 112 percent; moving it all the way from #47 to #30. The Kings of Leon, Duffy, Lady Antebellum, Radiohead, M.I.A. and John Mayer also saw big jumps in sales thanks in part to their Grammy participation.

Check out MTV News' complete Grammy 2009 coverage right here!

• Taylor Swift
• Coldplay
• India.Arie
• Lily Allen
• Adele

Alison Krauss and Robert Plant accept the award for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards on Sunday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

"I'm bewildered," Robert Plant said onstage as he accepted the Grammy Album of the Year award with Alison Krauss on Sunday night. "In the old days we would have called this selling out, but it's a good way to spend a Sunday."

He was probably one of the few who were surprised, because Raising Sand, which won five trophies at Sunday night's show, is in many ways the perfect Grammy album. It features two respected veterans, a critically lauded producer, some sandpaper-and-velvet vocals and a baker's dozen of time-tested standards.

You're probably familiar with Robert Plant from his Led Zeppelin days, and you might be aware of producer T-Bone Burnett's work on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack (it won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2002). And if you don't know who Alison Krauss is, she possesses a haunting set of pipes and is one of the meanest fiddle players in the world. Oh, and she's won 21 Grammys, more than any other female artist and the seventh-most in history.

Really, she's the key to Sand's success, and not just because of her voice (or her fiddle playing). She and Plant first met in 2004, at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute to legendary bluesman Leadbelly, and the former Zeppelin man was amazed by her knowledge of American Roots music — so much so that they began kicking around the idea of recording an album together. Three years later, Sand was released.

And while Plant possesses the more famous voice, the album's finest moments radiate from Krauss. Whether she's getting bluesy on Little Milton's "Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson" or entwining with Plant's husky voice on songs like "Please Read the Letter" and Roly Salley's winsome "Killing the Blues," she more than carries her end of the bargain.

And perhaps that's also due to producer Burnett, who handpicked the 13 songs the duo cover on Sand. His arrangements are sparse — giving the two voices ample room to breathe — yet dense, warm and crackling at the same time. It's a testament to his work that he's often given just as much billing as Plant and Krauss on the project ... and it's certainly justified.

To date, Sand has sold more than 1 million copies, heaped tons of acclaim and actually earned a Grammy last year — "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" took home the award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.

One expert was surprised not by the album's success, but by the fact that it's actually quite a good album.

"At first, the album seemed like a vanity project. ... Two names, clearly a one-off record, didn't have to be any good, you know?" New York Times music critic Jon Caramanica said. "Led Zeppelin fans would buy it because of Robert Plant, Alison Krauss would get a check. But it actually turned out to be a really thoughtful, really good record. So when you combine all that with the fact that the Grammys love to lionize one of their own, I could really see it taking home some awards."

• Grammy Awards 2009: Hottest Moments

• Robert Plant
• Alison Krauss
• Led Zeppelin

Lil Wayne at the Grammy Awards on Sunday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Lil Wayne may have come into the Grammys with the most nominations, but the rapper had to settle for a handful of off-camera gramophones and the prime-time Best Rap Album trophy as the duo of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss dominated the night's major categories.

Though Coldplay came in with seven nominations, they also had to settle for a trio of awards. The Grammy-catnip hookup between the former Led Zeppelin singer and the bluegrass icon garnered five trophies, including Album of the Year.

The awards show featured a slew of amazing performances, as well as the noticeable absence of two nominated artists and expected performers, Rihanna and Chris Brown, who were scratched at the last minute following an alleged domestic incident, for which Brown turned himself in during the broadcast.

U2 opened the evening with Bono standing in front of a giant screen and telling the audience, "The future needs a big kiss!," and sing-rapping along to the spare groove of the band's new single "Get on Your Boots," as the Beatle-esque song's lyrics scrolled behind him. And, after a triumphant comeback performance the night before at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy gala, R&B diva Whitney Houston got a standing ovation (and showed some leg) while presenting the Best R&B Album award, which went to a stunned-looking Jennifer Hudson for her self-titled debut album.

The singer got a long hug from Houston and a standing ovation as she hoisted the award above her head. Overcome with emotion, her voice cracking, Hudson — whose Super Bowl performance last week was her first major public appearance since the murders of her mother, brother and nephew in October — thanked God "who has brought me through ... and my family, in heaven and those who are here today."

And, for most of the night, that was as emotional as it got during acceptance speeches. Unlike, say, the Oscars or Golden Globes, at the Grammys, the drama was not in the teary shout-outs to those who got the artists to the big stage; it was in the many performances that took up most of the evening's screen time, as well as the breaking news from the stage that Blink-182 were re-forming and that Green Day are calling their eagerly anticipated new album 21st Century Breakdown.

Among the highlights: Justin Timberlake took the stage with his Memphis hero, soul great the Reverend Al Green, collaborating on "Let's Stay Together" as Boyz II Men happily sang backup and Keith Urban added a tasty guitar solo.

Coldplay's Chris Martin crooned "Lost" at a piano by himself but was soon joined by his frequent collaborator and couples pal, Jay-Z. The MC laid down his verse from the remix, which, ironically, features the line "N---a sue you, you settle," delivered at the same event where the band was almost served with legal papers in Joe Satriani's copyright-infringement suit. Not content to rock softly, the entire band — dressed in candy-colored Sgt. Peppers-style jackets and pants — cranked it up for "Viva la Vida," the very uplifting anthem that Satriani brought the suit over.

Coldplay snagged the Song of the Year award for "Viva," with drummer Will Champion apologizing to Sir Paul McCartney "for blatantly recycling the Sgt. Pepper outfits." The guys didn't sit down for long, as they also snagged the Best Rock Album Grammy, beating out the Kings of Leon, Kid Rock, Metallica and the Raconteurs. The heavy competition inspired Martin to quip, "We're not, of course, the heaviest of rock bands, as you may have noticed. We're more of a sort-of limestone kind of rock: a little softer, but just as charming."

They were not so lucky in the coveted Record of the Year category, where "Viva" lost out to Plant and Krauss' "Please Read the Letter," also blowing M.I.A.'s hopes for taking home her first Grammy for "Paper Planes." With a pair of wins under their belts before the cameras started rolling, Plant and Krauss had already gotten their evening off to a good start by also beating out Madonna, Alicia Keys, Rihanna and Jordin Sparks in the Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals category for their song "Rich Woman."

Lil Wayne, joined by New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint on boogie-woogie piano and Robin Thicke lending his sugary vocals, paid tribute to his hometown with the somber "Tie My Hands," as images of Hurricane Katrina unspooled on the screens above the stage. The raucous performance ended with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and trumpet player Terence Blanchard playing a horn-blasted musical tribute to the Crescent City's jazz heritage, as Wayne scatted "feet don't fail me now, feet don't fail me now."

Waiting in the wings following his performance, Wayne, his jeans sagging, ran up on the stage to accept the Best Rap Album Grammy and kicked his heels together as he was joined by his daughter, members of his family and crew. "Thank God, thank New Orleans, thank these people you see right here, and thank you!" the clearly excited MC said, collecting his fourth Grammy of the night.

Carrie Underwood brought some serious attitude to "Last Name," wailing like an R&B diva as her band kicked in a couple of smoking solos and she worked the stage in a dangerously short gold-accented micro dress. Meanwhile, Kid Rock brought his country flair during a medley that included the ripped-from-the-headlines gritty gospel rocker "Amen" — accompanied by images of Chinese, American and Pakistani flags and one of Rock's mugshots — his massive hit "All Summer Long" and "Rock N Roll Jesus."

Stevie Wonder got in on some of T-Pain's vocal-blurring action, singing through a vocoder as he joined the Jonas Brothers for a funkafied run through their hit "Burning Up," which segued into his classic "Superstition," with guitar-slinging brothers Kevin and Nick flanking Wonder as he brought the tune home.

The brothers had to settle for good seats and working with a legend, though, as British soul singer Adele upset them in the Best New Artist category, after already winning Best Female Pop Vocal Performance earlier in the night. The soulful crooner was back a short time later to perform her signature tune "Chasing Pavements," doubling up with fellow Grammy winner Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland for a big finish.

Someone out there is kicking themselves for not thinking to hook Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift up for a duet before, as the teen divas made some perfect harmony on their duet of Swift's "Fifteen." But it was the slowly re-emerging Hudson who once again stole the show. Two spotlights aimed at her, Hudson strolled slowly onto the stage in a body-hugging black sequined dress, belting out the inspirational "You Pulled Me Through" as a swaying gospel choir emerged to back her up. The singer broke into tears as she ended the song, which drew her second standing ovation of the night as she lingered alone center stage savoring the love and support from her peers.

The unstoppably perky Katy Perry didn't disappoint, either, descending from a giant banana and wearing a fruit-themed fringed miniskirt as she flirted with her white tuxedo-wearing, shimmying backup dancers during "I Kissed a Girl." You could almost feel YouTube accounts exploding as Perry got playfully dragged across the stage by the dancers, who by mid-song had stripped off their shirts to reveal spangly silver bikini tops and then engaged in a six-on-one smooch to end the tune.

Maybe Kanye West had the same stylist, as he took the stage in a silver lamé jacket and black pants to sing "American Boy" with Estelle in the middle of the crowd. And no disrespect to Ringo, but Foo Fighters leader Dave Grohl brought some added thunder to Coachella headliner Sir Paul McCartney's rip through "I Saw Her Standing There." McCartney had to stay seated during the Male Pop Vocal Performance presentation a short time later, as John Mayer's "Say" won out over songs by the former Beatle, Kid Rock, Ne-Yo, Jason Mraz and James Taylor.

Wearing black tights, high-tops and a black-and-white polka-dotted maternity bikini under a black body stocking, a nine-months pregnant M.I.A. acted oblivious to the fact that Sunday was her due date as she sang the hook and hung with the boys on "Swagga Like Us." She was surrounded by the tuxedo-wearing Mount Rushmore of rap, as Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z and T.I. laid down their verses on Tip's remix of her signature song "Paper Planes" for one of the most memorable and high-power hip-hop performances in Grammy history.

Sporting a shaggy 'do, normally subdued Radiohead singer Thom Yorke showed off some rock-star swagger as he strutted across the stage in a black leather jacket and tight black jeans as he led his band through "15 Step" with thundering syncopated accompaniment from the clearly amped members of the USC Trojan Marching Band. Nominated for six awards, Radiohead had to settle for the pre-telecast Best Alternative Music Album and Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition package for In Rainbows

T.I. and Justin Timberlake hit the stage again later in the show to re-create their collaboration on the King of the South's somber elegy to friends passed, "Dead and Gone." In his final performance before entering prison for gun charges, Tip, dressed all in black, gave a shout-out to the song's inspiration, his murdered friend Philant Johnson, as Timberlake crooned the hook while playing the piano and a battalion of bucket thumping percussionists laid down a funky beat. T.I. ended the riveting performance by intoning, "Adversity builds character, character will take you places money can't, welcome to my road to redemption," as he humbly hung his head.

Will Lil Wayne grab all the gramophones? Is Katy Perry going to tell her girl rivals to kiss off? Can Coldplay march off with a win? MTV News is all over the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, so stay tuned for interviews, analysis and more before, during and after the big night.

• Grammy Awards 2009: Hottest Moments

• 2009 Grammy Awards Show
• Stars Rock The 2009 Grammy Red Carpet

• Lil Wayne
• Coldplay
• Alison Krauss
• Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
• Robert Plant

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' <i>Raising Sand</i>
Photo: Rounder Records

If it were possible to create the perfect Grammy album, there's a good chance Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' Raising Sand could be it. Take two well-worn, respected veterans. Add one critically lauded producer. Throw in some sandpaper-and-velvet vocals and a baker's dozen of time-tested standards. Mix with some artful black-and-white photography. Shake well. Serve on ice. Reap rewards.

The only difference is, unlike some Grammy albums, Raising Sand is actually good.

You're probably familiar with Robert Plant from his Led Zeppelin days, and you might be aware of producer T-Bone Burnett's work on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack (it won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2002). But chances are, you don't know who Alison Krauss is, despite the fact that she possesses a haunting set of pipes and is one of the meanest fiddle players in the world. Oh, and she's won 21 Grammys, more than any other female artist and the seventh-most in history.

Really, she's the key to Sand's success, and not just because of her voice (or her fiddle playing). She and Plant first met in 2004, at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute to legendary bluesman Leadbelly, and the former Zeppelin man was amazed by her knowledge of American Roots Music — so much so that they began kicking around the idea of recording an album together. Three years later, Sand was released.

And while Plant possesses the more famous voice, the album's finest moments radiate from Krauss. Whether she's getting bluesy on Little Milton's "Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson" or entwining with Plant's husky voice on songs like "Please Read the Letter" (which is nominated for Record of the Year at Sunday's Grammys) and Roly Salley's winsome "Killing the Blues," she more than carries her end of the bargain.

And perhaps that's also due to producer Burnett, who handpicked the 13 songs the duo cover on Sand. His arrangements are sparse — giving the two voices ample room to breathe — yet dense, warm and crackling at the same time. It's a testament to his work that he's often given just as much billing as Plant and Krauss on the project ... and it's certainly justified.

To date, Sand has sold more than 1 million copies, heaped tons of acclaim and actually earned a Grammy last year — "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" took home the award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals. And it's nominated for five awards at this year's ceremony, too. So when you combine the album's backstory with its success, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better favorite to take home tons of trophies on Sunday, something odds-makers are well aware of.

"At first, the album seemed like a vanity project. ... Two names, clearly a one-off record, didn't have to be any good, you know?" New York Times music critic Jon Caramanica said. "Led Zeppelin fans would buy it because of Robert Plant, Alison Krauss would get a check. But it actually turned out to be a really thoughtful, really good record. So when you combine all that with the fact that the Grammys love to lionize one of their own, I could really see it taking home some awards. It's probably the sleeper pick for Album of the Year."

Will Lil Wayne grab all the gramophones? Is Katy Perry going to tell her girl rivals to kiss off? Can Coldplay march off with a win? MTV News is all over the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, so stay tuned for interviews, analysis and more before, during and after the big night, Sunday, February 8.

• Who Will Win At The Grammys?

• Robert Plant
• Alison Krauss
• Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Avril Lavigne, John Mayer, and Nelly announce 2003 Grammy nominations
Photo: MTV News

When nominations for the 45th annual Grammy Awards were announced Tuesday morning, reactions ranged from sincere congratulations to "What were they thinking?" (Click here for the list of nominees.)

Few readers writing to MTVNews.com's You Tell Us forum had sour sentiments about demure Norah Jones, the jazz-influenced singer/pianist who's got a chance to sweep the four biggest categories — Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Best New Artist (see "Eminem, Avril Lavigne, Nelly, Norah Jones Nab Most Grammy Noms"). Jones is also among the eight artists who garnered five nominations. (Click for photos of this year's Grammy nominees.)

"I'm sooo happy for [Norah Jones]," wrote 18-year-old Lexi, from Seattle. "I know many people haven't heard her music, but those who have know how great it is. Big ups to the critics for giving this girl the credit she deserves."

Jones' Come Away With Me faces stiff competition from The Rising, Bruce Springsteen's return to form, and, to a lesser extent, The Eminem Show. Although the mainstream seems to have embraced the volatile rapper, with hardly a protest over his third major-label album or his fictionalized biopic "8 Mile," the Grammys might not be ready to bestow such a prestigious honor to a man who had a hit with a song that talks about killing the mother of his child and stuffing her in a trunk.

Then again, Eminem already has five golden gramophones in his trophy case (though none in the big four categories), and the Recording Academy did grant an Album of the Year Grammy to Steely Dan in 2001, for Two Against Nature, which featured the song "Cousin Dupree," about incest. But old guards like Donald Fagen and Walter Becker have always had Grammy odds in their favor, which is why Springsteen stands such a good shot. And even if The Eminem Show doesn't win for Album of the Year and "Without Me" doesn't lay claim to Record of the Year, Eminem is likely to make good on at least one of his other three nominations.

While Jones stands as the artist with the smallest presence at radio compared with fellow new-artist nominees R&B songbird Ashanti, singer/songwriter Michelle Branch, sensitive guy John Mayer and pop-rocker Avril Lavigne, most of you think the latter stands as her fiercest competition.

"I think Avril Lavigne definitely deserves Best New Artist," wrote 14-year-old Ashley of Thief River Falls, Minnesota. "She's worked so hard and accomplished so much this year."

"There is no doubt that Avril Lavigne should win Best New Artist," echoed 14-year-old Danielle, from Somerset, New Jersey. "She writes her own music, had three top 40 songs in 2002, sold over 4 million copies of her debut, Let Go, and hates Britney Spears. What more could you want in a Best New Artist?"

While statistics may garner gold records, they don't necessarily translate to a Grammy. Awards are (theoretically) doled out to those who demonstrate genuine artistry in their work. And that's Avril Lavigne, isn't it?

"Avril has no business being nominated for as much as she was," disagreed 19-year-old Andrea. "As far as music and creativity go, Britney is more creative — and you know that's a stretch, especially since Britney is nothing but manufactured bubble gum. Avril may have had something going with her and her ties but let's face it, MTV, that's all she has had."

After yesterday's announcement of the nominations, Lavigne has a lot more attached to her, namely a monumental mistake when she mispronounced David Bowie's last name. When reading the list of artists up for the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, she mispronounced Bowie as "bow-wie" (rhymes with oh, wowee!). An unnerving hush immediately enveloped Madison Square Garden.

"Am I the only person who realizes what a poser Avril Lavigne is?" queried 22-year-old Kim, from Denver. "First of all, she botched the pronunciation of David Bowie, one of the most influential musicians of our time. ... Does Avril know anything about music? ... My point is, although everyone seems to be touting Avril Lavigne as some new prodigy, the fact is that she is not a true musician or artist and is just as fake and untalented as Britney Spears."

And here we thought Avril was the anti-Britney.

While Mayer's the only guy among the gals in the Best New Artist pack, his fans warn not to count him out just because he's outnumbered.

"John Mayer deserves to win the Grammy for Best New Artist," declared 18-year-old Tiffany Johnson, from Austin, Texas. "He is just on a different level from the rest of the nominees. The guy is brilliant."

Nelly, who's up for Album of the Year, Best Male Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Album honors, among others, is feeling the brunt of haters. For the nearly 5 million copies of Nellyville sold, the St. Louis rapper seems to have just as many, if not more, detractors.

"I want to know what the Grammy folks see in Nelly," demanded 19-year-old Jason Curtis of Seattle. "Everyone is hypnotized by his so-called 'skills,' which are by no means good. As far as I'm concerned, Nelly doesn't deserve a Grammy."

It wasn't all trash talk directed at the St. Louis rapper, however. Many have their fingers crossed that the Band-Aid bearing MC will leave with even more gold than he came in with.

"I'm really anticipating seeing Nelly take home the Grammy for best album," wrote 14-year-old Linzi, from Sandusky, Michigan. "I mean, his music is totally hot, and I'm pretty sure that I don't know anyone who isn't into Nelly."

Linzi, meet 21-year-old James, from New Haven, Connecticut.

"It is clear once again that the awards honor what is popular, not what is good," James began. "Nelly has sunk so far down in the talent pool that he's left rapping about sneakers and some sort of heat wave that has apparently swept Nellyville. Talk about meaningless music. Seriously, if it's that hot in 'herre,' then drink a glass of water. Don't make a freakin' song about it."

Fellow hip-hopper Petey Pablo, up for Best Rap Album with Diary of a Sinner: 1st Entry, faced some harsh reactions, with fellow nominee Mystikal also catching some heat.

"I am very upset to see that Pete Pablo has been nominated for Best Rap Album," expressed 25-year-old Curtis, from Tallahassee, Florida. "Also, Mystikal's Tarantula album was very disappointing. How come someone like Trick Daddy or Cee-Lo never gets nominated? He is pure trash, and I understand why people like Jay-Z protest the Grammys. If we want to make it mainstream for all these old white people, let's nominate Will Smith. Even though his album sold probably 200 copies, he does not curse."

Such outrage over those who were nominated couldn't rival the furor over those who were left out: uber-producers the Neptunes and anyone from the neo-garage school, such as the Hives, the Vines, the Strokes or the White Stripes.

"How did Dr. Dre get nominated in the Producer of the Year category, while the Neptunes were ignored?" wondered Venni, 18, from Blacksburg, Virginia. "Dre didn't do anything in 2002. Every single song on the radio was produced by the Neptunes."

OK, Venni may be exaggerating a bit, though Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo are responsible for Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love You," Nelly's "Hot in Herre" and Mystikal's "Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against the Wall)," all of which are Grammy-nominated.

"I'm surprised the new 'the' bands didn't get major nods," typed an aghast CJ, 18, from Newmarket, New Hampshire. "I'm sad that the White Stripes were shafted, when overrated Avril Lavigne gets all the credit. Well, the Grammys are pretty lame either way."

If the nominations aroused such fervent feelings in these folks, they'd better be prepared for the shock of February 23. While some surprises can be expected with the nods, utter jaw-droppers like the over-the-hill Jethro Tull winning for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance in 1988 are unmatched.

Stay tuned and stay calm.

For a look back at previous big Grammy winners, red carpet photos and much more, visit our Grammy News Archive.

• Eminem
• Norah Jones
• Nelly
• Dixie Chicks
• Bruce Springsteen

Robert Plant
Photo: Chris Floyd

Mysterious Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant is still full of surprises. Late last month he announced plans to head into the studio in October to record his first solo album in eight years with his touring band, Strange Sensation. Now he's pulled another strange move by canceling his end-of-July performance at this year's WOMAD USA world-music festival in order to get a jump-start on the record. His management company said Plant would begin to record the new record within a few weeks.

A joint press statement from WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) and Plant's management stated simply, "The cancellation is due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts between live performances and the availability of band members to record their new album." On Monday, WOMAD USA replaced Plant with Gregg Allman. It has also just recruited Perry Farrell, who will perform a DJ set as DJ Peretz. WOMAD USA, founded by Peter Gabriel, diplomatically added that it "hopes to bring Robert Plant and Strange Sensation to Seattle for next year's festival." The upcoming record will likely feature songs the band has been playing on tour, according to Plant's management, including reworked Zep classics such as "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You," "Misty Mountain Hop" and "Whole Lotta Love" as well as such covers as Billy Roberts' "Hey Joe" and Donovan's "Season of the Witch." The Strange Sensation album will likely be released on Atlantic Records, a publicist at the label said.

While Plant won't play this year's WOMAD USA Festival, which takes place July 27-29 in Redmond, Washington's Marymoor Park, Gabriel will appear there for the first time since 1994 as a guest performer with African-Irish act Afro-Celt Sound System. Other outfits playing this year's WOMAD include Steel Pulse, the Neville Brothers, Youssou N'Dour and the recently added Pato Banton and the Reggae Revolution.

• Robert Plant

Robert Plant and Jimmy Page
Photo: Aubrey Powell Productions

English folk/blues guitarist Roy Harper will celebrate his 60th birthday on Sunday with his family — his musical progeny, that is, and it won't be a quiet event.

During a sold-out concert at the Royal Festival Hall in London, he'll be joined onstage by Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, guitarist Nick Harper — his son — folk guitarist John Renbourn, Tea Party guitarist Jeff Martin, and possibly Jethro Tull flutist and vocalist Ian Anderson. Kate Bush is scheduled to attend as well, but the event publicist wasn't sure if she would perform. And while Pink Floyd guitarist and vocalist David Gilmour was invited, it's unclear whether he'll be able to attend.

Although Harper's evocative fretwork and intimate lyrics remain somewhat unknown in the United States, he's well-respected in England, especially by the elder statesmen and women of rock, many of whom have cited him as a major influence. Led Zeppelin immortalized him on the track "Hats Off to (Roy) Harper" from Led Zeppelin III (1970), and Pink Floyd invited him to sing lead vocals on "Have a Cigar" off Wish You Were Here (1975).

Over the years, Harper — whose actual birthday is Tuesday — has worked with nearly all of the aforementioned acts, as well as original Who drummer Keith Moon, Paul and Linda McCartney, Ten Years After guitarist Alvin Lee, Faces/Small Faces bassist Ronnie Lane, and Yes and King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford.

On June 19, the Right Stuff/EMI will release the Harper career retrospective Hats Off, which features a mix of his best collaborations and solo recordings.

The track listing for Hats Off:

• "Death or Glory?"
• "Commune"
• "Me and My Woman" (w/ David Bedford Orchestra)
• "Male Chauvinist Pig Blues" (w/ Jimmy Page, Keith Moon and Ronnie Lane)
• "Highway Blues" (w/ Jimmy Page)
• "You" (w/ Kate Bush and David Gilmour)
• "1948ish" (w/ Jimmy Page)
• "Another Day (Live)" (w/ David Bedford Orchestra)
• "Don't You Grieve"
• "Ten Years Ago"
• "These Fifty Years" (w/ Ian Anderson)
• "One of Those Days in England (Part 1)" (w/ Paul and Linda McCartney, Alvin Lee, and Ronnie Lane)
• "The Same Old Rock" (w/ Jimmy Page)
• "The Game" (w/ David Gilmour, John Paul Jones, Bill Bruford and Chris Spedding)

• Roy Harper
• Robert Plant
• Jimmy Page

Robert Plant
Photo: Atlantic

After finishing a short U.S. tour and various summer festival dates in Europe, Robert Plant will start work on a new record with his touring band, Strange Sensations. He plans to enter the recording studio in October and hopes to release the album sometime next year.

Strange Sensations consist of former Cure guitarist Porl Thompson, Sinéad O'Connor guitarist Justin Adams, Page & Plant bassist Charlie Jones, Portishead keyboardist John Baggott and Roni Size & Reprazent and Portishead drummer Clive Deamer.

Plant's manager, Honey Bianchi, said the new album will likely feature songs he's currently playing live, including updates of such Zeppelin tunes as "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You," "Misty Mountain Hop" and "Whole Lotta Love," and covers such as Billy Roberts' "Hey Joe" and Donovan's "Season of the Witch." The disc may also contain new songs, she added, though it's too early to tell. The album will be Plant's first solo release since 1993's mellow, introspective Fate of Nations. Plant plans to undertake a large U.S. tour following the record's release.

Plant also contributed guest vocals to the song "Life Begins Again" from Afro-Celt Sound System's forthcoming Volume 3: Further in Time, scheduled for June 19 release. Finally, Plant and former Led Zeppelin bandmate Jimmy Page will play together July 7 at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland. Last year, the two recorded the Sonny Burgess song "My Bucket's Got a Hole in It" for a Sun Records tribute album due in August, but they have no immediate plans to tour or record together, Bianchi said.

• Robert Plant

Robert Plant
Photo: Atlantic

While there is no shortage of summer concerts ahead, none of them is quite like WOMAD USA, Peter Gabriel's annual world-music celebration.

Perhaps the most unexpected group set to play the U.S. installation of the festival, scheduled for July 27-29 in Redmond, Washington's Marymoor Park, are Robert Plant and his Strange Sensations band (see "Robert Plant Brings Strange Sensations To States").

While Plant and his new band will mix up originals with Led Zeppelin material, the banshee-voiced singer has in the past collaborated with Hossam Ramzy's Egyptian ensemble as well as Indian singer Najma Akhtar.

Plant and Gabriel are among 40 acts confirmed to play the domestic version of WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance), which also takes place in Australia, South Africa, Japan and various European countries. "I challenge anyone to come to WOMAD USA and not be inspired by something they see there," said Gabriel, who founded the festival in 1982. "I make a new discovery each time I attend." This year marks the first time since 1994 that Gabriel himself will perform at WOMAD USA. He will join the African-Irish outfit Afro Celt Sound System as a vocalist. Plant and Gabriel also appear on the group's forthcoming album, Volume 3: Further in Time. The Neville Brothers, Youssou N'Dour, Steel Pulse and Asian Dub Foundation are among the artists hailing from the 22 countries represented on this year's bill. Earlier this year the festival appeared dead following a split between its two producers, the UK-based WOMAD organization and Seattle's One Reel.

"I got a phone call from Peter Gabriel one day," said Ron Sims, Executive of King County, where Redmond resides. "He said, 'We're still on, aren't we?' And I replied, 'Absolutely, Peter!'" Peter Gabriel's WOMAD festival has long been a quick, intensive way to gain insight into the world's multifarious forms of music. Past festivals have featured performances by Nigeria's Femi Kuti, members of Cuba's Buena Vista Social Club, the Congo's Papa Wemba, Cuba's Los Van Van and countless other internationally renowned traditional, pop and hybrid acts.

Tickets for the event go on sale May 4 and can be purchased at the official WOMAD Web site (www.WOMAD.org).

The complete WOMAD USA lineup, according to WOMAD:

• Afro Celt Sound System (with Peter Gabriel)
• Asian Dub Foundation
• Ballake Sissoko
• Barbara Luna
• Blind Boys of Alabama
• Chemirani Zarb Trio
• Daniel Lapp
• David Lindley
• El Hadj N'Diaye
• Iarla O'Lionaird
• Ifang Bondi
• Imbizo
• Julien Jacob
• Justin Adams & Salah Dawson Miller
• Kathryn Tickell
• La Familia Valera Miranda
• Lagbaja
• Lo'Jo
• Matapat
• Neville Brothers
• Oyster Band
• Pina
• Puentes Brothers
• Raul Barboza
• Rennie Harris Pure Movement
• Robert Plant and the Strange Sensations
• Savourna Stevenson
• Sawt El Atlas
• Steel Pulse
• Transglobal Underground
• Youssou N'Dour and Super Etoile de Dakar
• Yungchen Lhamo

• Robert Plant
• Afro Celt Sound System
• Peter Gabriel

Robert Plant
Photo: Atlantic

Rock fans who have been jonesing for some Led Zeppelin since guitarist Jimmy Page's back problems forced him and the Black Crowes off the road last summer (see "Page, Crowes Nix North American, European Tour Plans") can get their fix this spring.

Legendary Zeppelin singer Robert Plant will bring his new outfit, the Strange Sensations, to the Northeast and Midwest for a handful of performances in May and June. The band includes bassist Charlie Jones (Plant's son-in-law and longtime sideman) and ex-Cure guitarist Porl Thompson.

While the Page-Crowes shows favored arenas and outdoor amphitheaters, the Strange Sensations will opt for smaller spaces. Plant and the gang will play rooms with capacities of 2,000 to 4,000 during their seven North American appearances, beginning May 25 at the Orpheum Theatre in Boston.

The shows will mix Zeppelin material and Plant originals, according to the tour's promoter.

No word yet on whether the Sensations will go into the studio, so those in search of new Plant recordings will have to settle for "When You're Falling," a track on Afro-Celt Sound System's Volume 3: Further in Time, due on Peter Gabriel's Real World label in early June. Robert Plant and His Strange Sensations tour dates, according to the tour's promoter:

• 5/25 - Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre
• 5/27 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
• 5/28 - Washington, DC @ Constitution Hall
• 6/1 - New York, NY @ Roseland
• 6/3 - Toronto, Ontario @ Massey Hall
• 6/4 - Detroit, MI @ State Theater
• 6/6 - Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theater

• Robert Plant