Robert Plant Presents Sensational Space Shifters – Civic Hall Wolverhampton – Monday September 2nd, 2013

Set List:

Babe I’m Gonna Leave You/Satan Your Kingdome Must Come Down/Tin Pan Valley/ /Spoonful/Black Dog/Another Tribe/Going to California/The Enchanter/ Four Sticks/Friends/ Fixin to Die/ What is And What Should Never Be/ Whole Lotta Love (including Who Do You Love). Encores – Big Log, Rock And Roll. 

……………….

Another consummate performance by Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters in Wolverhampton  – easily on a par with the Bristol show –same set list, humorous Plant banter throughout and home loving crowd reaction.  With 57 fast approaching, I decided to give the knees a rest and take up a seated position in the balcony with long time TBL man Pete Gozzard.  A very good view of the action as can be seen by the pics I took.

Robert was quick to note the familiar surroundings commenting that he was back in the ‘’home of the heart’’. Again for me it was the self penned solo material that really cooked. Tin Pan Valley crunching into action , Another Tribe formulating into a glorious groove and The Enchanter hitting a delightful jazzy tempo. I am sure I am not the only one who would take the loss of a couple of Zep numbers in place of solo performances such as Like I’ve Never Been Gone or Come Into My Life. At this point I need to acknowledge the excellent contributions of John Baggott on keyboards, Billy Fuller on bass and David Smith on drums.

Going To California (‘’not again Arthur!’’) was aided by some neat audience participation to the close (‘’Ahhhh’’….’’ahhhh’’) and before Friends, Robert was at his spieling best replying to a cry for In My Time Of Dying with a curt ‘’That won’t get in the way of this…’’

Fixin’ To Die had some explosive guitar histrionics from Justin –  a sort of Who meets Gene Vincent Bluecaps arrangement , What Is And What Should Never Be was sweet on Led Zep 2 nostalgia and Whole Lotta Love into Who Do You Love (”Grandaddy got to get it too”)proved an irresistible combination.

‘’One upon a time we had a record on the radio’’ was Robert’s intro to Big Log and he went on to explain how the band had checked out the Memphis Studios where Al Green had recorded for inspiration for this new updated arrangement.  Sure enough that soulful feel dominated a perfect delivery of the 1983 number 11 hit that as Plant observed, ‘’still gets played on Steve Wright in the afternoon’’. I’d welcome a seven inch pressing of this gem coupled with Tin Pan Valley representing both sides of the Space Shifters sound as a record store day exclusive.

Rock And Roll was the suitable buoyant ending with Juldeh to the fore, prior to which Robert made reference to his new management company Yam Yam  -the name of which is derived from the unique Black Country dialect (something that he further explained to me after the show).

It was a mighty Black Country roar that resounded around the Civic Hall of Wolverhampton as Robert and the Sensational Space Shifters took the final bow of a tour that has taken in five continents (or incontinence as Plant also quipped).

‘’Next week Unit 4 plus 2’’  a reference to the type of band’s he supported  in this vicinity back in his youth was Robert’s wry final comment.

…and that is enough presenting of the Sensational Space Shifters for a while.

Summary: Back in July of last year, I noted that this latest Plant incarnation was something of an interim project and not anything long term. I was entirely wrong as over the past few months, this unit of very fine musicians has moulded into one of the most enjoyable outlets from which to present the unique vocal talents of the front man we know so well.

The good news is – there’s more to come with Manchester and London dates in late October  and one has to hope that ahead there will be studio time that will lead to an SSS album.

These Bristol and Wolverhampton dates I and many others have enjoyed, have been a thrilling experience – and ample evidence of the sheer joy Robert Plant is garnering from this latest venture.

Put simply he’s never looked happier and it’s made for a memorable few days. As my TBL compatriot Pete Gozzard put it  ‘’how can a pensioner be this good?‘’

In Robert Plant’s musical world, age counts for nothing. This is a 65 year old with no bus pass required – the journey goes on ….HIS way…

Dave Lewis – September 3rd, 2013

The party’s over…for now..

………………………………

DL Diary Update:

Once again it was an absolute pleasure to connect with so many likeminded fans at the Wolverhampton gig including Paul Humbley with his stories of Robert and Jimmy at Stourport in 1985, Hiroshi a massive fan of Family who kindly gave me a very nice Zep Japanese mag/book, Paul Aspey, Richard Grubb, The TBL MK gang of course, Paul Harrison, Paul Harper, Dawn Atherton, Billy and Alison, Anne , Lee and Jezz from the Black Country , Steve who was on that TFI Page Plant interview , Trev,  John West, Elma England who reminded me she offered to help with photocopying of TBL issue 1, John Godson and a fair few more. Thanks for all the great laughs and banter.

The best laid plans…following last night’s superb gig the plan was for Cliff to drive me and Tom back to his place and then for us to get the bus back to Bedford from there. Alas…to our surprise and slight dismay, the multi-story car park across from the Civic where we parked was closed by the time we were set to go…so we had to hastily book into the Premier Inn Gary Foy was at and then drive back when the car park  opened at 7am this morning! Oh how we laughed! All worth it of course (I think!)…. Big thanks to Gary for his help and Cliff the esteemed ticket man for getting us back very swiftly in the face of minor adversity …..  here’s the lonely TBL editor outside the Civic Hall Wolverhampton very early this morning…another one for the memoirs….

It’s back on TBL projects, McCartney feature  etc and  whole lot more –and the little matter of a 57th birthday to celebrate on Thursday. As the singer put it ”just keep moving…”

DL

…………………………………

And Finally

Electric Picnic 2013 –  Stradbally, Co. Laois, Ireland Saturday August 31st:

The Electric Picnic set was streamed live by  RTE 2 FM on Saturday evening – many thanks to James Cook for giving us the tip for that one – it sounded excellent -very full on to an appreciative and excited crowd  –

Here’s the listen again link:

http://www.rte.ie/radio/utils/radioplayer/rteradioweb.html#!rii=1%3A20430035%3A99997%3A31%2D08%2D2013%3A

Robert was also interviewed by Dave Fanning after the show and the full interview is here…

You Tube Clip: Dave Fanning Electric Picnic Interview:

You Tube Clips from Wolverhampton: Excellent clips here via adperry…

Tin Pan Valley

Friends

Big Log

Until next time…Keep listening, keep reading…

Dave Lewis/Gary Foy – September 3rd , 2013.