Robert Plant’s got a flopper.

And that’s not just a punchline. It’s the spark for a deep dive into the chaotic, beautiful world of musical collaboration.

In this episode of Tracks on Trial, hosts Sam George (Spain), Amy Jo (USA), and Andy Smith (Australia) explore the magic that happens when creative worlds collide, and the disasters that sometimes follow. From country and Americana partnerships to unexpected cross-genre duets, they put the art of collaboration under the microscope (and occasionally, on trial).

This week’s discussion includes:

• Why authenticity makes or breaks musical partnerships.
• The African and folk roots that shaped country and Americana.
• When artistic chemistry ignites genius, and when it blows up spectacularly.
• Robert Plant and Alison Krauss: brilliance, balance… and a few flops.
• How collaboration fuels innovation across genres, from Nashville to New Orleans to Newcastle.

Witty, insightful, and occasionally chaotic, this episode celebrates the risk and reward of working together, because sometimes the best collaborations are built on a little bit of chaos.

Tracks on Trial - the global music podcast where every song (and artist) faces judgment.

Subscribe, listen, and tell us your verdict: was it a Topper or a Flopper?