Robert Plant's last concert with The Band Of Joy

The former Led Zeppelin frontman ended a 13 month world tour with Band of Joy, his group for his most recent album, with a powerful 90-minute show at the Big Chill concert at Eastnor Castle Deer Park in Herefordshire.

Backed by the group he called “just good looking old folk”, Plant was emotional about the group’s end but this did not stop him joking with the crowd.

Mixing Led Zeppelin classics like Black Dog with songs from Band of Joy’s self-titled album, Plant was close enough geographically to his Black Country roots that he incorporated them into the show.

Lifelong Wolves fan Plant reatedly made quips about his love for Wolves, even presenting band member Patty Griffin with a Molineux memento.

He joked: “It’s a bit cold so on behalf of the British weather system I present you with a Wolverhampton Wanderers hot water bottle.”

American singer Griffin had obviously learnt football banter from Plant as she held the gift aloft and shouted: “Who are ya?”

The Wolves jokes continued as Plant introduced guitarist Darrell Scott.

“America unlike Wolverhampton does not have much in the way of soccer but it does produce great musicians like Darrell,” joked Plant.

The singer also waxed lyrical about the Herefordshire country setting for the concert, before adding: “It’s only 45 minutes to get home, too.”

Plant described the show as the “grand finale” for Band of Joy, admitting it was “very emotional for us” to end their time together for what is likely to be a one-off collaboration.

“It’s been 13 months and everyone’s got things to do,” he joked. “Like laundry and making amends.”

The band finished on a high, showing their musicianship and close rapport on Band of Joy tracks like House of Cards and Angel Dance.

But the biggest cheers were for the band’s country rock versions of Led Zeppelin classics, including Houses of the Holy and a superb rendition of Misty Mountain Hop.

Plant’s voice was flawless throughout the show but he became most animated when recreating the songs which have defined his career for over four decades.

The highlight of the show was an epic version of Ramble On, complete with a breathtaking banjo solo in place of the original Jimmy Page guitar playing.

Leaving the stage for the final time, Plant told his bandmates: “It’s a fond farewell. Farewell my friends.”

He then turned to the crowd for a final football call: “Who are ya?”

See original article here

Robert Plant 2011 Ukraine live

Speech by Robert Plant in Kiev, expected for months. And finally the last day in July it happened! Most of the gathered audience expected to hear good old songs Led Zeppelin. Hope the fans come true - but not quite. From the repertoire of "Zeppelin" Plant sang only four songs, but pretty modified to the tune of country music. However, we can not say that the public was dissatisfied.
To say that the concert brought together many people - to say nothing, the hall was packed to capacity. And even after the concert, at the entrance to the Palace of Culture "Ukraine" have continued to crowd people looking for "extra ticket." Moreover, contingent gathered enough raznoshersty - to the speech came the people who listened to Led Zeppelin as a young man "secretly," the young, which is hoisted on to the music of parents and, of course, the entire elite of Kiev. In the hall you could see the musicians of "BB", Vladimir Bebeshko and many others. By the way, these fans were not too lazy to come from the Crimea and other parts of Ukraine, only to see their "god."
"I was at one time on Led Zeppelin's parents" hoisted. "Since this is my favorite band. I have no friends in Kiev, but for the sake of Plante and you can fly to the moon," - said "The city is" one of the most ardent fans of the legendary rock Executive Michael
Percussionist, in all probability, very much.
First appeared on the stage the musicians of the American North Mississippi Allstars, which is not something that warmed room, but simply brought to the boiling point. The audience went into raptures of incendiary blues motifs. In addition to great music filling the guitarist has pleased the public a variety of guitars - from the classic to a variety of bizarre shapes. And then the musicians performed one of their ballads in acoustics.
Musicians brought with them a number of unusual guitars.
And performed an acoustic ballad.
By the way, the musicians paid attention to the tragedy in Luhansk region - the concert was marked by a moment of silence, which, incidentally, was all but two of intervention. First, before performing the first group, and then before the performance of the Robert Plant.
Speech Plant began with a moment of silence.
"I am delighted to be here, but I am saddened by the events in the Lugansk region" - said the legendary vocalist Robert Plant for the first time, appearing on stage.
After that performance itself began. Literally from the first chords, the audience is already prepared joyfully welcomed their idol. To say there is not,  a little hoarse, so recognizable.
From the first notes of a musician began with a reception  microphone, elegantly crossing his legs in the manner of Mick Jagger.
Literally from the first chords started to shake a leg with a musician stand microphone
Robert Plant sang country music singer Patty Griffin.
It is worth noting the composition Monkey, which by its mystical sound did not leave anyone indifferent. Under the melodious voices of chords Robert Plant and country singer Patty Griffin sounded so fascinating, that reigned in the hall of silence, and the audience it was difficult to remove from the scene views.
In addition, the band performed two, already traditional, songs dedicated to the "Lord of the Rings."
By the way, the program is in full compliance with Kiev speech Band of Joy in Moscow, the concert was over, even under the same song. Bidding farewell to the hall, after supposedly the last song, which has led Room to a complete delight, the band came out for an encore. At this point the fans did not stop anything - neither angry security guard, nor the audience shouted, "Get thee to pass." The last two songs sang in chorus room with the musicians, standing, dancing.
Despite the fact that Plant had aged, he looks very much even good!
After two encores of songs performed by Robert Plant thanked the audience, and disappeared backstage. Many continued to be applauded, the audience could not believe that this was indeed the final chord, and the musicians will not return to the scene.
Even sings bass.
Robert Plant also made it possible for team members to present their solo numbers.

Wiev the original here

Robert Plant, Band of Joy to tour Europe

After finishing their North American run of shows with three festival appearances -- Merlefest in May and Bonnaroo and Telluride in June -- Robert Plant and the Band of Joy will embark on a European tour.

The Band of Joy has announced 10 shows in July and August. After two Italian shows, the tour runs through France, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany and Belgium. More shows are expected to be added, including some shows in the UK.

The following dates are confirmed, with tickets on sale now:

• July 19: Rome, Italy - Capannelle Fiesta
  
• July 20: Milan, Italy - Arena Civica
  
• July 22: Nimes, France - Festival de Nimes, Les Roman Arenes
  
• July 23: Nyon, Switzerland - Paleo Festival
  
• July 27: St. Petersburg, Russia - New Arena
  
• July 29: Moscow, Russia - Crocus Hall
  
• July 31: Kiev, Ukraine - Palace of Sports
  
• Aug. 2: Warsaw, Poland - Torwar
  
• Aug. 3: Berlin, Germany - Zitadelle
  
• Aug. 5: Lokeren, Belgium - Lockersee Festival

View the original article here

"Band of joy," project Solo of Robert Plant

"I suddenly felt very free and liberated," Mr. Plant said by telephone at his home in England, near the Welsh border. "The time was open ended, with a vast horizon, and this is how I used to feel the music.". This great weight fell away from me and I thought: "I could be 17 here." It took me back to how I felt when I was in the band of joy. »
Inspired by this emotion and the remarkable ensemble of musicians he worked with (led by guitarist and co-producer Buddy Miller and Patty Griffin singer), Mr. Plant decided to the title of this album "Band of Joy"."," after the group in which he and drummer John Bonham played prior to the formation of Led Zeppelin in 1968. With a laugh, Mr. Plant, 62, described "wonderful, crazy, incendiary quality this band," saying: "it has been constantly implode in internal and external." We were so frustrated and so hungry, but it was great. »
The creation of the "band of Joy" album, which was released on Rounder Records on September 14, was not quite so chaotic, although he did need some twists and turns along the way. (The group will perform at the Bowery Ballroom Sunday.) After the unexpected success of "raising sand", which won a Grammy Award 2009 as the album of the year, the Plant of Mr. and Mrs. Krauss has attempted to record a follow-up. This in itself was a little surprise, because the solo career of Mr. plant he saw strive to avoid repeating himself, venturing down avenues such as rockabilly, folk and music of the Middle East.
"We cut lot with Alison," he said, "and we have spent enough time to know that we did not just not the right equipment." We had such great output with "raising sand", he had such joy and humour and reverie, and we were not hitting in the same light. »
After these sessions, Mr. Plant called Mr. Miller, who had been in the "Raising Sand" band tour and asked if he would assemble musicians for a solo project. "I have really spent much time trying to talk about ending the record with Alison," said Mr. Miller. "I thought there are magical moments there."
What he heard Mr. Plant, however, was that he wanted to start from scratch and try something more daring. "I spent three years searching around, how to exploit the search for clues and collect songs that are deep enough", said Mr. Plant.
It gathered dozens of songs that he was interested in recording, ranging from the indie rock to traditional spirituals. Mr. Miller, with the feeling that he needed to musicians who "would be able to travel to where the music takes," assembled a small band with multi-instrumentalist Darrell Scott, bassist Byron House and drummer Marco Giovino.
"The musicality of these guys is almost frightening," said Mr. Plant. "Sing with them down the rigging with a knife in my teeth, I just try to off the coast with some experiments." Sometimes I think I should just be helping restoration. »
Always, he believed that he lacked something, and he calls Mrs. Griffin, a famous singer-songwriter and a frequent collaborator with Mr. Miller. "He told me that he felt as he had not completed the folder again, and it needed a few spices," she said.
What he wanted, however, was something very specific and very different from the dynamics of concessions he shared with Ms. Krauss. Ms. Griffin stated that its role was "more landscape there, more like a cello or a flute.". Mr. Plant called "the sidekick serene, almost confused."
Mr. Miller and Ms. Griffin described the sound of "band of Joy" as darker than that of "raising sand." With two songs from the catalog of the band of Minnesota Low spare, intense and songs by Los Lobos, Richard Thompson, Townes Van Zandt alongside Doo - wop numbers and spiritual, the disk is a testament to plant for its liberal design eclectic tastes of music American roots.

The paper "band of Joy" may seem a bit like a territory back to familiar, but the performances are always surprising. You can't Buy My Love "is a back-porch rocker popping finger, while"The Only Sound that Matters,"offers an introspective meditation on the complications of love." Between the calibre of musicians, the ambitious material and plant of Mr. voice (his signature banshee wail modulated to attack more altered, expressive, Mr. Miller compared to jazz singing), the album - true to its title - really feels like a band effort.
Mr. Plant stated that the sensation of records reminds him "that another band," as he refers sometimes to Led Zeppelin.
View the original article here