Pic by Luke Holwerda

Setlist:

Down to the Sea, Angel Dance, Please Read the Letter, House of Cards, 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, Nobody’s Fault But Mine, 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, Goodnight

Set list sent in by Kurt Finchum

This review sent in from Ozone baby via email:

Having seen Robert many times over the years, but not since Mighty Rearranger 2005, I withheld temptation of looking at various You Tube postings from Roberts first few dates on this short summer jaunt through an interesting choice of US cities (and delighted Phoenix is one of the 12). I wanted to judge the show based on his new musical direction without knowing what to expect musically, but I did look at the set list. It pretty much mirrors Tulsa, with maybe a couple songs rearranged in running order. My thoughts:  

• Was stunned to actually see 98% of the audience sit for the first two songs. Only one or two standing at the very front of the stage (I was 9th row). I don’t think that has ever happened for me at a Robert show. The one-two song punch was Down to the Sea and Angel Dance, which I thought were great. Robert looked a little disappointed. He got over it quickly though
• I really, really enjoyed the new material, and will definitely get BOJ when it’s released in September! House of Cards and Monkey stand out for me, but they were all good!
• I thought the band were terrific, and I see how Robert clicked with Buddy last tour
• Zep songs that worked and were terrific:
• Thank you really worked for me…so strong. Fantastic! Yet not one of my Zep favorites overall
• Rock and Roll really fits as well! Was surprisingly great, and felt right in this set list!
• Over the Hills – shortened version but what a joy to hear! Think maybe Denver 1990 was the last time I heard this live
• Gallows Pole – liked this version as well as any other solo interpretation over the years
• House of the Holy – I always applaud Robert when he sings new Zep songs never done live! I liked it!
• In My Time of Dying – a few verses part of a medley…Gospel feel, as were many songs, but it worked for me!
  • Zep songs that didn’t work for me:
  • Misty Mountain Hop…so many versions over the years.  I understand why it’s part of this set list, I just wasn’t a big fan of this version. For me, on vinyl, it has been and will always be a top 5 all time favorite though. I would have instead preferred another attempt at a first time live number…maybe something cooked up from those Sweden November recording sessions back in 1978, a few of which I think might have fit this set in certain spots.
  • Nobodys Fault But Mine – although I thoroughly enjoyed Patty Griffin physically and vocally, nobody should sing a Led Zep song when Robert’s on stage but Robert!
    • Solo versions really good: liked All the Kings Horses from Rearranger and Tall Cool One, in addition to Down to the Sea
    • Robert was a great MC as usual, and remember two funny references:
    • his surprise reaction to someone making a Michael Jackson reference (I don’t get that one either Robert!),
    • his comments on remembering other times and places, specifically the infamous Continental Riot House. Wait, that’s in LA Robert! How about a local reference, like maybe Camelback Inn since we are exactly 33 years to the night of the legendarily disastrous Tempe 1977 show, which was 7 miles from tonight’s concert venue! Oh well, I guess I wouldn’t want to bring up that concert either, I suppose!

Overall, I really enjoyed this concert! Hats off you you Robert! I get the new direction, and I get the use of the name Band of Joy, given your descriptions of the variations of that band pre Zep and what you were about, as well as the cuts present on your 66 to Timbuktu album, by pre Zep BOJ. This show was really “vibe-y and atmospheric”, to borrow your terms from years ago! I felt at times that I was in the park from and in the Misty Mountains! This presentation really suits you, and where you’re at in life! Bravo!

This review by Smitty

First, great to see Phoenix TBL fans writing in!  It is always great to see Robert.  This was my 10th time seeing him (not bragging, just stating this to say I am very familiar with his material and have seen him a lot in various venues).  I would rate this as a “good” concert…not great.  The last time he was in Phoenix (with Alison)…now, that was a “great” concert.  Thanks to TBL and other sites, I had done my research on his set lists, and was very familiar with expected material.  
Thoughts:
– Still awesome voice and he’s out and playing…truly inspiring!  I felt very fortunate for Phoenix to be on the tour list.
– Great rapport with crowd, though he didn’t seem truly energized (maybe it was lack of crowd response, not sure)  Robert did make a comment about a thank you to the dentist in Scottsdale.  Did he crack a tooth that morning?  Wonder what that was all about?
– Buddy Miller is awesome
– I appreciate revamped Led Zep songs…but don’t feel that every song has to be turned inside out.  When you think about it, what song that has ever been remade, was better than the original?  The answer…none.  Hey, we are talking mighty Led Zep songs, why not revamp some, but give us the pleasure of hearing some close to the original?
– Robert played an awesome harmonica…for me, this was one the highlights of the shows.  God, I’d love to hear him nail “Worse Than Detroit” with the harmonica.
– I think Robert needs to use Patti Griffin’s talents more.  Yes, I know she is not on an equal setting where Alison was, but she clearly has an awesome voice, and could be woven in even more.

Thanks for the opportunity to comment.  I’d see Robert again in a heartbeat.  And…I agree…Jimmy get moving, your fans want to see you!
Smitty

Robert Plant brings joy to Dodge show

Review by Larry Rodgers – The Arizona Republic. Read more: www.azcentral.com

If there was any doubt that Robert Plant’s commitment to roots-rock is long-term, his tour with his latest project, Band of Joy, will clear it up.

Robert Plant concert pics

Plant, who delivered a stimulating set of covers and material from his time as a solo artist and with Led Zeppelin on Tuesday, July 20 in Phoenix, won five Grammys with his last rootsy outing, and it looks as if more could be on the way.Page in the late ’90s).

Plant and his group, named after a pre-Zeppelin band fronted by the singer in the ’60s, played a generous sampling of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s upcoming album of cover songs, due in September.

Plant, 61, joked to the healthy-sized Dodge Theatre audience that he would be playing “a collection of songs from the beginning of time, when man used to collect nuts and berries.”

Standout tunes included a stunning version of Richard Thompson’s “House of Cards,” Townes Van Zandt’s “Harm’s Swift Way,” the gospel-infused “Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down,” the slow rocker “Monkey” and “Central Two-O-Nine,” which found Plant scratching on a washboard.

Looking relaxed in a black T-shirt and jeans, Plant was in good humor and fine form vocally. He long ago dialed back the vocal gymnastics that were his trademark in Zeppelin, but he still tackles every song with the passion and depth that made him a superstar.

The 2010 version of Band of Joy is a perfect match for Plant, who teamed with bluegrass standout Alison Krauss three years ago on the Grammy-winning “Raising Sand” album.

Respected Nashville singer Patty Griffin is Plant’s vocal counterpart in Band of Joy, and the pairing sounded divine at the Dodge.

Griffin’s singing soared when she stepped into the spotlight during the show, such as her heavy gospel reading of the intro to Zeppelin’s “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” and her work during a gospel-style medley of “Twelve Gates to the City,” “Wade in the Water” and Zeppelin’s “In My Time of Dying.”

Griffin put her stamp on a pair of tunes recorded by Krauss with Plant – “Rich Woman” and “Please Read the Letter” (originally done by Plant and former Zep bandmate Jimmy

Plant’s other not-so-secret weapon in Band of Joy is veteran Nashville guitarist and producer Buddy Miller, who toured with the singer and Krauss a few years ago.

Miller emerged as the driving force behind several songs, using a parade of vintage guitars and ethereal special effects.

Miller mixed surf and swamp styling’s on “Rich Woman,” threw down a lead rivalling Page on Zeppelin’s “Misty Mountain Hop” and controlled the spooky sound of “Monkey.”

Multi-instrumentalist Darrell Scott provided perfect touches of banjo, pedal steel and guitar, and both he and Miller were given the vocal spotlight on one tune, with Plant lurking in the shadows playing solid harmonica.

Other reworked Zeppelin songs that brought the crowd to its feet included “Houses of the Holy,” “Gallows Pole” and encore versions of “Thank You” and “Rock and Roll.”

But Plant’s heart clearly lies with his new roots adventure, and the Phoenix crowd was willing to go along.

“Ninety-five percent of these songs, you have never heard. But you have been extremely receptive,” Plant said with a smile as the show wound down.

Review by Larry Rodgers – The Arizona Republic