VOA标准英语2010年-Robert Plant Revives 'Band Of Joy'

Long before singer Robert Plant formed the legendary¹ rock group Led Zeppelin, he was a member of a blues² band called Band of Joy. Now, some 40 years later, he's released a new CD by the latest incarnation of Band of Joy, with members that now include acclaimed³ singer-songwriters Darrell Scott and Patty Griffin.

At age 62, Robert Plant is singing a bit softer than he did during the days of Led Zeppelin. "Band of Joy" finds Robert Plant blending the "old-time" and bluegrass sounds from "Raising Sand," his Grammy-winning duet with Alison Krauss [rhymes with "house"] with the more bluesy⁴ rock sounds of early Led Zeppelin.

The songs on "Band of Joy" are an eclectic mix of country, rock, and folk. There's even a remake of Texas R 'n'B singer Barbara Lynn's 1960s' hit "You Can't Buy My Love," originally an answer song to The Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love." On the album it's given a bit of a rockabilly twist, turning the song into a country shuffle⁵.

"Band of Joy" was produced by Robert Plant and guitarist Buddy⁶ Miller⁷, who was the bandleader during Plant's "Raising Sand" tour with Alison Krauss. Miller also sings on a few tracks, including "Falling In Love Again," originally recorded by Chicago soul group The Kelly Brothers. Plant and Miller have re-envisioned the song for "Band of Joy." Darrell Scott is the other voice making up the Southern Gospel-esque choir⁸.

Not all the songs of "Band of Joy" are covers of hits by obscure American bands. "Band of Joy" even finds Robert Plant doing a bit of songwriting with co-producer Buddy Miller. Robert says he was encouraged to do so by bandmate Patty Griffin.

British folk rock legends Richard Thompson and Linda Thompson are also represented on "Band of Joy." Their "House of Cards" is here, but with a bit of an update to the original sound. In interviews, Plant refers to Richard Thompson as "another music nut," adding that this song is "so good and so finite, the lyric⁹ is superb."
 

1 legendary   

adj.传奇（中）的，闻名遐迩的；n.传奇（文学）

参考例句：

• Legendary stories are passed down from parents to children.传奇故事是由父母传给孩子们的。
• Odysseus was a legendary Greek hero.奥狄修斯是传说中的希腊英雄。

2 blues   

n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐

参考例句：

• She was in the back of a smoky bar singing the blues.她在烟雾弥漫的酒吧深处唱着布鲁斯歌曲。
• He was in the blues on account of his failure in business.他因事业失败而意志消沉。

3 acclaimed   

adj.受人欢迎的

参考例句：

• They acclaimed him as the best writer of the year. 他们称赞他为当年的最佳作者。
• Confuscius is acclaimed as a great thinker. 孔子被赞誉为伟大的思想家。

4 bluesy   

adj.布鲁斯乐的（一种摇摆乐）

参考例句：

• As a teenager I was obsessed ragtime, and bluesy guitar guys like Johnny Winter. 当我十几岁的时候我迷上了雷鬼，和JohnnyWinter那样的布鲁斯吉他手。 来自互联网
• Lips Accentuate your new bluesy beat in simply sensational LipSlicks Hint of Mauve. 为了强调新布鲁斯乐的节奏，涂上紫红色的唇彩是最自然的。 来自互联网

5 shuffle   

n.拖著脚走，洗纸牌；v.拖曳，慢吞吞地走

参考例句：

• I wish you'd remember to shuffle before you deal.我希望在你发牌前记得洗牌。
• Don't shuffle your feet along.别拖着脚步走。

6 buddy   

n.（美口）密友，伙伴

参考例句：

• Calm down,buddy.What's the trouble?压压气，老兄。有什么麻烦吗？
• Get out of my way,buddy!别挡道了，你这家伙！

7 miller   

n.磨坊主

参考例句：

• Every miller draws water to his own mill.磨坊主都往自己磨里注水。
• The skilful miller killed millions of lions with his ski.技术娴熟的磨坊主用雪橇杀死了上百万头狮子。

8 choir   

n.唱诗班，唱诗班的席位，合唱团，舞蹈团；v.合唱

参考例句：

• The choir sang the words out with great vigor.合唱团以极大的热情唱出了歌词。
• The church choir is singing tonight.今晚教堂歌唱队要唱诗。

9 lyric   

n.抒情诗，歌词；adj.抒情的

参考例句：

• This is a good example of Shelley's lyric poetry.这首诗是雪莱抒情诗的范例。
• His earlier work announced a lyric talent of the first order.他的早期作品显露了一流的抒情才华。