\n<\/p>\n
\n\tIn February 2019, Robert Plant<\/a> booked a trio of shows at tiny, off-the-radar theaters across England with a new band he dubbed Saving Grace. Each night they played an eclectic mix of covers like Donovan\u2019s \u201cSeason of the Witch,\u201d Townes Van Zandt\u2019s \u201cNothin,’\u201d Patti Griffin\u2019s \u201cStanding,\u201d and even a couple of Led Zeppelin songs largely utilizing acoustic instruments, including banjo and accordion.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI did this basically to keep me away from the tedium between projects,\u201d Plant tells Rolling Stone<\/em> while chilling in a hotel room between shows in Lucca, Italy, and Juan-les-Pins, France. \u201cI just liked the idea of getting out and playing these tiny weenie little shows, and just showing up with no expectations, nothing at all. It was a totally different way of enjoying myself without having any kind of professional ambition beyond just enjoying the evening.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tIt didn\u2019t take long for Plant to discover an undeniable musical chemistry between himself, drummer Oli Jefferson, guitarist Tony Kelsey, banjo and string player Matt Worley, cellist Barney Morse-Brown, and vocalist Suzi Dian. When space cleared up in all their schedules, more Saving Grace shows were booked with very little advanced notice. They also started laying the groundwork for a studio album, though progress was slow due to the pandemic, the second Plant\/Krauss album, 2021\u2019s Raise the Roof<\/a><\/em>, and a tour that kept the duo on the road for three years.<\/p>\n