Review: Robert Plant And Saving Grace (Featuring Suzi Dian) Release 4-Song EP, ‘All That Glitters…’

Robert Plant and his latest backing band, Saving Grace featuring Suzi Dian, have released an EP All That Glitters… containing four new songs. Actually if I’m being honest, the EP was previously released on vinyl-only for April’s Record Store Day. I tried to grab this one on that ill-fated day, but was too late. This weekend’s release is for download or streaming only.

Actually when I saw Plant and Saving Grace in concert a few weeks ago, I think they might have had a vinyl copy of this EP at the merch stand but I thought it was a poster. I should have dug into that but I was busy buying a T-shirt. I can only quote Modern Family on that one, “Get your head in the game, Phil!”

The four new songs on the EP are of apiece with the songs on the previous album these guys released last year, creatively titled Saving Grace. Two of the tracks are traditional folk songs, harkening back to Plant’s early, pre-Zep days as a folk singer, “The Blackest Crow” and “Two Coats.”

The EP is rounded out by a cover of Gillian Welch’s “Orphan Girl,” which the band did in concert and Bert Jansch’s “Poison.” “Two Coats” was released as a single a few weeks ago and we posted about it (here).

“Two Coats,” a metaphor for a man in an old relationship leaning toward perhaps someone new, is an absolute knockout of a song. I already reviewed it so I won’t go much deeper but will say I wish he’d sung that song at the show.

“Orphan Girl,” the Gillian Welch track they did in concert when I saw them, features Dian on lead vocals. Some people might be put off by that, but she’s a capable singer. I mean, I get it, you have Plant in the band you want to hear him sing.

I do prefer when Dian and Plant harmonize, but Plant likes to spotlight the folks in the band too, which is cool. Saving Grace, beyond vocalist Dian (who also plays accordion), is still Oli Jefferson (drums), Tony Kelsey (electric guitar), Barney Morse-Brown (cello), and Matt Worley (acoustic guitar, banjo).

“The Blackest Crow” is another great song. It’s an acoustic strummer of a track with Plant and Dian harmonizing beautifully. Dian also provides the accordion on the song. I’m surprised this one didn’t make last year’s album. It sounds like a Led Zeppelin III outtake. Of course, I may be jumping to the conclusion that these tracks were “leftover” from the original sessions. These might be all new.

My favorite song on the EP, and the longest track, is the cover of Jansch’s “Poison.” Wow, this is an atmospheric, bordering on spooky, song. Plant wrings every bit of emotion out of the song. It starts with sparse instrumentation and Plant’s voice. Every now and then your star has to take a star turn.

I can’t say enough good things about “Poison.” It’s such a stark and striking song. It makes me want even more from this band. Plant just knows how to inhabit and own a song.

We can only wonder what’s next for this folk/folk-rock outfit. Personally, I’d love a live album culled from these wonderful shows they’re doing, but I love live albums.

I love that they are unearthing all these great songs and covering them, but I’d be interested to see these guys write some original music. Although, admittedly, I always love Plant doing covers but then start asking for new stuff. Like Muddy, “I Can’t Be Satisfied.”

This is great, bold, throw back kinda music that you’d hear in a coffee house before I was even born and I can listen to this stuff all day long… in fact I have. I love it when Plant gets into something and does his whole “spring clean for the May Queen” folky stuff. His voice is still incredibly remarkable all these years down the road

This is a great addition to Plant’s catalog and a must hear for fans. He may not be the “Golden God” bringing down Thor in “The Immigrant Sogn” anymore, but damn he’ll still move you with that gorgeous voice.

Cheers!