With the Them Crooked Vultures members now returning back to their day jobs , John Paul Jones first post TCV appearance found him in Spain at the  African Express concert held in A Coruña, Galiza, NW Spain over the weekend. Reports are sparse but I can confirm that John appeared playing bass on Elíades Ochoa’s version of “Chan Chan.” Mariam improvised and everyone enhanced the haunting Cuban masterpiece. He also appeared alongside former Clash guitarist Mick Jones, Amadou and Mariam, Ochoa, Amparo Sánchez and others in a version of “Rock …

Robert Plant and the Band of Joy
Bayfront Park Amphitheater, Miami
Saturday, July 31, 2010

Picture by James Brosher
Review by Lee Zimmerman from The Miami New Times.com  
Robert Plant is born again. Well, okay, perhaps not in the religious sense…. Although in Saturday night’s spectacular showing, he and his magnificent Band of Joy did a fair amount of testifying via some gospel-tinged material. Rather, he’s been reborn in the sense that the one-time rock god has descended from Olympus to purvey a style considerably more down to earth.
He’s gone from wailing British blues …

This review and picture by Shawn Geurin
Robert played to a sold out crowed of predominately 50 year olds. Last time he was in Tampa was 1998.  Rumored he spent part of the day walking Clearwater Beach.  Same 1:45 minute set. Sound was outstanding from 5th row, not obnoxiously loud. Robert was in great mood, very little talking though.  He sounded excellent.  A few mis-steps along the way (abbreviated Tall Cool One and Over The Hills transition).   Gallows Pole lacked the thunder I was longing for.   Robert allowed time for each member …

I can remember a fair few Robert Plant new single premieres down the years.
Hearing an advance tape of Big Log in June 83 and knowing it would catch the summer mood. Being totally mystified by Pink And Black when it was first aired on the Whistle Test. Heaven Knows played on Radio One’s review show Roundtable and being given a thumbs up by Bee Gee Barry Gibb. 29 Palms heralding the Fate Of Nations era on a bright April morning.
This week Angel Dance was added to the list. Being out …

Pic by John-David-Mercer-Press-Register
The internet is currently full of Robert Plant delights  including a continuing flow on YouTube of fan footage from the US shows including this excellent piece from Stubbs BBQ in Austin.

There’s also an  exclusive preview of Angel Dance ,the first single from the forthcoming Band Of Joy album.  To listen to this  follow the link to Rollingstone.com Angel Dance
Rounder Records have released a EPK with an interview with Robert and more exclusive preview cuts from the album including the superb “You Can’t By Me Love”. This can be …

Pic by James Brosher AMERICAN-STATESMAN (Stubbs)
Robert Plant defies expectations, beautifully, at Saenger show
Review by Lawrence F. Specker, Press-Register at blog.al.com
Robert Plant could say yes to a Led Zeppelin reunion tour, spend a few months singing great songs to adoring throngs and then spend the rest of his life counting his money.
His sold-out Wednesday night show at the Mobile Saenger Theatre made it crystal clear why he’s stuck to a different path, even after a one-off 2007 concert that showed the three surviving members of the band can still bring the …

Pic by John-David-Mercer-Press-Register
Tangerine: Robert Plant & the Band of Joy @ Stubb’s BBQ, 7/26/10
Taken from www.hardrockchick.com with kind permission
I woke up with the sun on Monday morning. It trickles in my windows as it rises over the hills that surround my new home.
I now live in the middle of nowhere.
But today, I would drive to Austin- a place where I am much more comfortable- to see a living legend. I don’t quite feel ready to start being HRC again, but seeing Robert Plant for my first show back here felt …

Photo by Daniel Work
Setlist:
Down To The Sea, Angel Dance, House of Cards, Please Read the Letter, Misty Mountain Hop, Somewhere, Trouble Don’t Go, Rich Woman, Twelve Gates To The City/Wade In The Water, Tangerine, Satisfied Mind, Move On Up In Glory, Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down, Central Two O’ Nine, Monkey, In The Mood, Houses Of The Holy, Over The Hills And Far Away, Tall Cool One, Gallows Pole
Encore: Harm’s Swift Way, Thank You, Rock and Roll, We Bid You Goodnight.
The Band Of Joy’s show in Houston Texas …

Setlist:
Down to the Sea, Angel Dance, House of Cards, Please Read the Letter, Misty Mountain Hop, Somewhere Trouble Don’t Go, Rich Woman, Oh What a Beautiful City/Wader in the Water/In My Time of Dying, All the King’s Horses, Satisfied Mind, If I Had My Way (Patty Griffin solo spot: a traditional that’s on her new album, “Downtown Church”), Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down, Central 209, Monkey, Houses of the Holy, Tall Cool One, Over the Hills and Far Away, Gallows Pole.
Encores: Harm’s Swift Way, Thank You, Rock and Roll, …

”One publishes a splendid Led Zeppelin magazine doesn’t one” – The TBL 2 meet HRH, July 21st 1982.
Seeing the announcement of the Princes Trust concert due to be staged later this year with Eric Clapton headlining, reminded me of my experiences at the 1982 Princes Trust Rock Gala staged at the London Dominion Theatre.
This was the night Robert Plant performed on a London stage for the first time since the demise of Zep. My good friend Tom and I were there on the evening of July 21st 1982 to witness …