Listen to Robert Plant’s New Group Reimagines This Classic Folk Tune
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A Fresh Take on an Old Spiritual
Robert Plant’s group, Saving Grace, has released its second advance track from their upcoming self-titled debut album. The new song, “Gospel Plough,” gives the old spiritual folk tune a new atmospheric sound.
According to a press release, Plant and the acoustic ensemble turn “Gospel Plough” into “a hypnotic and alluring mélange of vocals, steel banjo, acoustic guitar and percussion.” Plant shares lead vocals with Saving Grace’s Suzy Dian, while Oli Jefferson plays percussion, Tony Kelsey handles acoustic guitar, and Matt Worley adds banjo. Cellist Barney Morse-Brown is also part of the group.
The Album and Its Influences
The Saving Grace album arrives September 26. It will feature 10 covers, ranging from traditional folk tunes to songs by blues legends Memphis Minnie and Blind Willie Johnson, as well as works by contemporary folk and indie-rock artists.
Among the modern influences are Low, The Low Anthem, Martha Scanlan, and Sarah Siskind. The first single released from the album was a reimagining of Low’s “Everybody’s Song.” The album is available now for pre-order.
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Robert Plant on the Group’s Direction
Speaking about the band, Plant says, “It’s an impressive collection of people now. I can’t tell you how lucky I feel about this. What I am really impressed by is this living, new world of whatever this music is. With this mélange of music, song and voice, anywhere and everywhere is the way to see the road ahead.”
Recording “Gospel Plough”
The press release notes that recording for the debut album began “informally in a barn setup and sometimes outdoors.” These surroundings became part of the music itself—listeners can hear birds in the background during the instrumental outro of “Gospel Plough.”
The song is also known as “Gospel Plow,” “Hold On,” and “Keep Your Hand on the Plow.” It first appeared in written form in 1917 in the Cecil Sharp Collection, with the earliest known recording released in 1930 by the Hall Johnson Negro Choir under the title “Keep Yo’ Hand on the Plow.”
Listen to the song below:
Touring and Special Performances
Saving Grace will launch its first North American tour this fall in support of the album. The 15-date trek begins October 30 in Wheeling, West Virginia, and ends November 23 in Valley Center, California. Texas singer/songwriter Rosie Flores will be the support act. Full tour details are available at RobertPlant.com.
Before the tour, the band will play two intimate album-release shows in London on September 28 at the Circuit nightclub. Performances are set for 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time.
