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Home » Robert Plant

Columbia Halle, Berlin, Germany

6 April 2005 2,462 views No Comment

Set-List:
Rave Intro -Shine Mix
No Quarter/Shine It All Around/Black Dog/Freedom Fries/Morning Dew/4 Sticks/Thats The Way/All The Kings Horses/Takambra/Tin Pan Valley/Babe I’m Gonna Leave You/When The Levee Breaks
Encores: The Enchanter/Whole Lotta Love
Thanks Henning Sigge/Matthias Adam

Reviews:
This From Fabrice Philipp
Plant finally back in Berlin after 12 years absence. Back then I saw him he was support act for Lenny Kravitz. However, not this time at the Columbiahalle. I forgot the name of the support band which was a local Band of youngsters. Before they started at 8 pm the singer had a little speech about “It’s an honour to play before a man who’s today’s biggest artist SOMEHOW. Anyway they played half an hour of simple average rock. I was unimpressed and even can’t remember the band name.

At 9 pm lights went out and the Rave Intro-Shine Mix started and seemed to last forever when finally the Strange Sensations hit the stage and started the revised version of No Quarter. The audience really cheered up when Plant showed up at last. No Quarter worked good but nothing compared to the original arrangement.

Next was ‘Shine It All Around’ which I already knew ‘cause I downloaded it two days before. Plant is in very good mood the whole evening. Before the second song he turns to the audience: “We’re gonna have a good time!”

I gotta admit that I’m pretty familiar with the setlist so I knew what was about to come next. The (slightly) rearranged BLACK DOG!! It was this point where you get the notion what a tight unit this band has become. Simply more than just a vehicle for Plant. A groovy version which set the house on fire. Needless to say that the lyrics were familiar to the audience’s majority. Great call and response (“Ah Ah, Ah Ah, Aaaaaaaaaahh”).

After roaring applause Plant made a few decent remarks about Bush, Blair and politics. The band went than into ‘Freedom Fries’. A great new song.

‘Morning Dew’ got a full length introduction speech by Plant. I really love the middle part in style reminding THE DOORS and the crowd seemed too. Sadly the only Track from DREAMLAND we heard at this gig.

Following that I expected HEARTBREAKER but this was not to come. Instead of it the band launched into FOUR STICKS (yes!).The first timed this song was played on the tour I thing. The crowed loved it. Well this can be told of every song played tonight maybe with the exception of ‘All the King’s Horses’ which – certainly a good song – was a bit too mellow and needs further listening. Before that there was ‘That’s The Way’. Probably a good choice to replace ‘Going to California’ with that one.

A funny thing happened when during one of Robert’s song introduction a slip was thrown onstage. Robert commended: “Some underwear has arrived. It’s never too late to start.”

‘Takambra’ and ‘Tin Pan Valley’ from the forthcoming album were well received be the audience. I’m really really looking forward for MIGHTY REARRANGER, I tell ya!! ‘Tin Pan Valley’ began relatively soft but after Plant shouts “LIKE THIS” this becomes a fascinating rock song. Throughout the concert Robert saved his voice power a bit. This behaviour comes definitely to an end with ‘Tin Pan Valley’. Since then he proved that his voice is still a shape some people don’t expect.

‘Babe I’m Gonna Leave You’ was quite similar to the Page/Plant live version from ’98 with longer and fine guitar solo. Needless to say that Zep songs are the most appreciated songs by the crowd but I would’ve liked to hear more solo Stuff from Robert. By the way Justin Adams is a fantastic guitar player and entertainer. Someone who does a lot of stage movement and posing (in a positive way, of course). ‘TALL COOL ONE’ wasn’t played!

One of the evening’s highlights was a revisited ‘WHEN THE LEVEE BREAKS’ after one more new song (forgot the name). Great arrangement! People loved it!

After returning onstage ‘The Enchanter’ was performed, a song that’s maybe the best of the new ones. Awesome tune!!

Finally, ‘WHOLE LOTTA LOVE’ with an intro of an old blues classic called ‘SMOKESTACK LIGHTNING’: Wow, they could have done one or two blues tunes at the gig. I can’t put into words how the crowd went nuts when Robert did the first line of WHOLE LOTTA LOVE. Robert was unbelievable and so was the entire band! This song rocked the house!! By the way, amazing middle section. There’s no doubt that Plant’s still one of the finest vocalists and he’s backed with what probably is his best band since he’s a solo artist.

All in all one of the best concerts I’ve ever been. A Singer who still discovers new ground with the songs from the soon to be released album and he’s coming with a brilliant band. I can’t praise enough the The Strange Sensations, especially Justin Adams. This group has an unique chemistry and they play music you’ll like!

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