Robert Plant & The Band Of Joy

29th October

Ok well here I have to confess a slight bias. I am a fan. Infact I saw Robert Plant and The Band Of Joy earlier in September in their inaugural gig in the UK at the HMV Forum.

This time the venue was Camden Roundhouse which holds in the region of 3300 standing (another1700 seated). The Electric Proms are run by the BBC and as such I must praise the BBC for the organisation and quality of the event. The sound was setup perfectly; not ear bleedingly loud; clear and balanced. The show was not full of gimmicks and fancy lighting but rather complemented the performance.

There was a huge difference in the two performances. The HMV Forum in September seemed slightly nervous, the band somewhat unprepared and the audience nieve about what the Band Of Joy was.

This evening was completely different; the band was tight, the sound fuller and more rich and the audience fully appreciative if what it was about.

As ever Robert was totally unassuming even if the rest of the venue wanted to say otherwise regarding his prowess and work.

The set focused on the Band of Joy and other country and blues numbers from Raising Sands. But those seeking to hear the past were not dissappointed either, with a smattering of Led Zeppelin classics reworked for 2010 including Tangerine, Gallows Pole and Rock and Roll.... the crowd was in heaven and Plant looked slightly embarrased at the adoration of the crowd as his fellow musicians looked on slightly bemused as each song ended to rapturous applause and cheering. Perhaps the enormity of Zepplins legacy was bought home to them in that instant but it should in no way diminish what this Band of Joy has accomplished.

But in keeping with Plants respect for fellow musicians he was equally at home in the shadows performing backing vocals as Buddy Millar, Darrell Scott and Patty Griffin took the lead with Trouble your mind, The satisfied mind and Move up.

People want the reformation of Led Zeppelin this is an answer to those people and it says the way is forward not backwards. With each project Plant moves into areas that are not so far removed from Zepplins roots but that take the music forward and whilst I would have loved to have seen Zeppelin their time has passed.

For the final two songs the band were joined by The London Oriana Choir who sung in layers of gospel harmonies 12 Gates to the City and I bid you goodnight with which the set was closed.

I wanted to write Plant is back on form... but thats wrong, he has just got into his stride with the new band. The King is dead...Long live the King.

12/10

PS: To the couple from Portsmouth it was great to meet you I hope you enjoy the photos.