Robert Plant and The Band Of Joy – Palace Theatre, Manchester
Picture by Ian Avey
I have to admit that whilst I was looking forward to this, I was equally apprehensive, because to be honest Raising Sand, whilst good, wasn’t perhaps quite as good as the media made out at the time. I’ve always thought it slightly ironic that the best track on the CD was an old(ish) Page and Plant song!
On the other hand however Band of Joy is an excellent album, to my ears considerably better and more varied than Raising Sand, and this gig too was a delight. A lovely intimate setting, found Robert in particularly good form, no doubt helped by his beloved Wolves win over Man City. A high pitched female shout of “Robert” from behind me also elicited the response “yes dear”!
A great set list, which doesn’t seem to have varied much and its always a pleasure to hear Led Zeppelin songs, even if sometimes it takes a second or two to work which one it is! Gallows Pole was particularly interesting. I must admit that I haven’t quite understood some of the criticism that’s been made of these reinterpretations.
Credit also to Robert’s fantastic band, and an astounding version of “A Satisfied Mind”, which I could have listened to all day.
Fantastic.
Review by Simon Stopher
(No Ratings Yet)
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I took my 24 year old son to see good old Percy at Manchester,the trouble was that he couldn,t get it that he was not playing the Zep numbers as they were first put down on vinyl!! Everthing this guy does is a masterclass,and in my opinion his Manchester gig was no different.We have to accept that the Zep days are over,let us all move on,Percy has.
Having seen the gig in Liverpool the week before, we were very excited about seeing Robert and his Band of Joy again. A real Robert Plant fan would not want the Led Zep songs to be churned out verbatim but would appreciate the fresh and fitting (to Robert’s current musical adventure) nature of the covers. Gallows Pole was truly wonderful and Rock and Roll was met with much appreciation and love. Band of Joy is a talented group of people and this material is much more conducive than stuff Robert did with ‘the tiny one’ . A great time had by all and we all hope Robert’s parting words of ‘see you soon’ are genuine.
Loved the gig, thought Robert was on top form just as every time i have seen him – however im not too keen on the album mainly as the stuff is just not my thing – that said i thought played live it all took on a different dimension and i could have sat there all night listening to it. Brilliant !!!!!
Some of my pictures from a great show from Bob and the band in Manchester
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24365773@N03/
Much like the main reviewer of this gig I too was apprehensive before I travelled south of the border to see the great man but as soon as the house lights dimmed and the charismatic figure of Robert Plant appeared on stage I knew I was going to have another night to remember in Percy’s company. I was not dissapointed. I thought Robert and The Band of Joy were wonderful.Robert’s vocals are just class.Pure class.And The Band of Joy complimented him with great musicianship and harmonies. But, and here’s the rub, I don’t particularly like the reworked Zeppelin numbers. Maybe it’s time for him to leave them out of the set, as he did in the early eighties or play them as they were meant to be played.That said,I could listen to Robert Plant singing the phone book.I just love the man.
can’t understand people who compare the robert plant of now with led zepplin, his music has matured with his audience and the gig was just wonderfull, however seats in the circle were terrible (no leg room)
I can’t believe I’m writing this but I can’t say how disappointed I was with this show. Robert sang well and was on good form with the audience but for me the material just didn’t cut it. The Zeppelin songs were so left field I didn’t even recognise them. Houses of the Holy and Misty Mountain were sang to a totally different backing track. I’m really not one of these people that just wants the same songs in the same style but i didn’t even recognise Rock N Roll till he began singing. By this time I was stood at the back for a quick exit. For me there was also too many solo spots with Robert at the back of the stage. Call me old fashioned but I came to see him. The material had too much country and western, and gospel. I’m all for exploring new ground but this was all a step too far. I couldn’t believe that I was sat there waiting for it to be all over.
Robert made a remark that the new single was being played on Ken Bruce – well you reap what you sow.
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