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Live Review: Robert Plant and the Band of Joy at Stubb’s
Robert Plant took all sorts of detours on his way from dancing like Legolas to looking like Gandalf.
There was that unfortunate haircut during Live Aid, that time he looked like a burrito on the cover of Musician magazine and naming a record “Now and Zen.”
But he seems to have hit a sweet spot these past few years. “Raising Sand,” his collaboration with Alison Krauss, was a weird miracle of rootsy swagger and classy rock lilt; the tour that followed produced some of his strongest, heaviest music in a very long time.
For his next trick, he revived the Band of Joy (which was the name of his pre-Led Zeppelin band with John Bonham), enlisted the help of Patty Griffin and “Raising Sand” tourmate Buddy Miller, cut a record that’s due in the fall and hit the road, stopping at a sold-out Stubb’s Monday night.
With Miller, Griffin and Nashville pros such as guitarist Darrell Scott, drummer Marco Giovino and bassist Byron House, Plant grooved through an often surprising set of covers, older solo material given a fresh coat of class and a few Zeppelin nuggets.
An swinging, almost psychedelic-folk take on Los Lobos’ “Angel Dance” followed opener “Down to the Sea” The Richard and Linda Thompson lament “House of Cards” and made beautiful use of Griffin’s vocals, which were occasionally a little lost elsewhere (she seemed to vanish on “Please Read the Letter”). Yes, he broke out “Tall Cool One” and “In the Mood.”
As for the Zeppelin, country-honk filled in for stomp on “Misty Mountain Hop,” “Over the Hills and Far Away” and especially “Houses of the Holy,” while the excellent “Gallows Pole” and “Tangerine” - both from the folkier “Led Zeppelin III” - flourished.
Miller was the set’s not-so-secret weapon, leading the band and contributing solos both razored and tuneful; his thrum of feedback powered the night’s most unexpected cover: indie rockers Low’s “Monkey.”
A glorious cover of Townes Van Zant’s “Harms Swift Way” all but upstaged Zep classics “Thank You” and “Rock and Roll” in the encore. The man really knows how to make folk songs into electric castles - it’s easy to see him making music like this for the rest of his life
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By Holly Hanson
July 27, 2010 8:24 AM | Link to this
I was totally blown away by Robert Plants Stubbs show. His voice just got better as he kept singing, even hitting the higher registers when he did the Led Zeppelin songs. The Band of Joy were terrific, the whole experience was just a thrill.
By David
July 27, 2010 9:02 AM | Link to this
Nice writeup of a really good evening, Joe.
By Judi Alley
July 27, 2010 12:21 PM | Link to this
One of the best shows ever. Robert still has it and the band supporting him was fabulous. I was awe struck being so close to a true rock legend.
By wolfgang
July 27, 2010 4:20 PM | Link to this
We really enjoyed the way he put a little “Texana” twist on some of his Zeppelin tracks. Patty Griffin was the perfect accompaniment.
By jt
July 28, 2010 9:57 AM | Link to this
was great to see plant so close up. band was tight. was expecting too much i suppose as plant didn’t even attempt to hit some notes from the old days. a fun evening but alittle disappointed the old zep tunes were a far cry from the original; but once again i was probably expecting too much.
By KarenLamphier
July 28, 2010 11:55 AM | Link to this
Wow, it was a pretty great eve. I saw Plant at sxsw 5 years back; although I was thrilled to be there (I was a bit too young to see him with Zep) and I thought the Strange Sensation was interesting, I really thought he was just slightly better than phoning it in. My expectation for the Stubbs show was ‘not worse’…those expectations were blown away. Plant’s vocals, band selection, set lists and just flavor of the show were all way cool. While I hope for more from Plant and the Band of Joy, I’m excited to see/hear what bubbles up next from his creative well. Robert, can’t wait to see what you bring to Austin next time.
By CO
July 28, 2010 2:12 PM | Link to this
What I really appreciated and did not expect was his homage to American music; specifically gospel and Americana. Really good stuff. Also, I had never heard of Buddy Miller. What an amazing guitarist and my favorite set of the whole evening was his own song (Plant walked off stage). Going to Napster and get some of his stuff. I didn’t think it was the best situation for Patty and it was not the best situation to show case her stuff but, at one point, Robert told her (paraphrasing) This is your town, go get it, and she was as awesome as he was gracious. Not least, the audience was great. I had no idea 5000 people could make that much noise.
By KWS
July 28, 2010 7:14 PM | Link to this
I was very disappointed in the quality and the volume of the speakers. My home stero is louder than that. They did not have enough equipment (amps/speakers) on set. Trying to fit everything in one truck and save money. The other problem they had was the vocals were louder that the instruments on a few songs. Where was the guy in the back on the mixing console. The song selection was not bad, the length of the conert was good, nice encore. I give it a C+
By Joy
July 28, 2010 8:40 PM | Link to this
Saw the show in Houston Saturday night, pit front row. Robert Plant and The Band of Joy rocked, so did opening act Bettye LeVette.
By KeithP
July 28, 2010 9:54 PM | Link to this
What a great show! Plant trucked out way more Zep than I expected, having seen him with AK at ACL a couple of years ago, I totally expected more of that slow americana that he has really been into lately. I loved the new stuff he said was on the new record coming out in September. Brave man going out without product to sell today. Buddy Miller and the band rocked way more than I dreamed, though I knew his music and knew what a great musician & producer he is. For those looking to hear more Buddy (and Julie) Miller check out their album Written in Chalk that came out a year or so ago. If you liked his 1 song, you should like the CD…though I’m a heathen and have it on vinyl- excellent time.