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Plant keeps evolving

Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters
Centennial Hall, University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
September 19, 2018
Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters

Review and photos by Frances Sealy

Plant is one of the few legends alive today that is often dubbed a 'rock god' in the style of a Dylan, McCartney or a Jagger. That is a tough title to live up to. Plant as we well know was the lead singer of Led Zeppelin - one of the most revered rock bands of the 20th century that had the adoration and respect of the entire planet. They still hold that reverence even though the band dissolved by 1980m. Many have attributed the breakup to the devastating loss of iconic drummer John Bonham. Plant's loss of his first born young son may have also been a factor.

Led Zeppelin has occasionally performed live since in various forms, but there has never been formal tours.

Plant was the lyricist of many of the Led Zeppelin songs and he was highly influenced by American blues music from the beginning of his career. He also had a propensity for mystical, spiritual and the philosophical worlds. He has traveled the world partially on a quest to explore the meaning of life and to explore music. He has managed to successfully reinvent himself along the way.

He was kind enough to address Tucson during the show, "I told you I would come back. Tucson is a very special place." "I've come back to my friends here." Realistically Plant has a lot of special places in his heart. Anecdotally, he has been spotted unannounced in clubs in New Orleans and in Austin over years to name a couple in the States.

Plant's personal quest has enabled him to continue to grow musically. This is what makes a Robert Plant show special. Many fans would like to keep him in the Led Zeppelin 'box.' He has refused to stand still. His present band has many African and Middle Eastern influences. They are a very skilled and creative musicians.

Guitarist Liam "Skin" Tyson did an admirable job of capturing the original acoustic essence of "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You" without copying Jimmy Page's playing note-for-note. Guitarist Justin Adams and violinist Seth Lakeman had ample solo moments during the show. Adams was spot-on in capturing Jimmy Page's guitar. That's not a bad thing.

Plant does perform Led Zeppelin music, but he has put a different spin on it. It's more mature and the performances are still magical and magnetic. Plant is no longer the flamboyant younger rock god strutting his bare chest as he used to command the stage.

The set list changes every show. Fans were treated to "When the Levee Breaks," "The Rain Song," and "Good Times Bad Times." "Please Read the Letter" was given a rocking twist that wasn't present with the Alison Krause version. There was new music as well from his new album, Carry On.

Plant left the crowd craving for more, The capacity crowd was multigenerational. Over half of the people were under thirty. Regardless of the age, all of those who could stand up were up dancing, clapping and singing. Centennial Hall has not had a roar of a crowd like that in a long time.

Plant seemed very happy as he performed with the band. There was a sense of fulfillment as he performed. People still talk about a Led Zeppelin reunion, but Plant doesn't need one. He is doing quite well on his own. This was not a rock revival show. It was fresh, new and special.

Related articles:

Robert Plant (New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival) - Festival review - New Orleans, LA April 2014
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Concert review - Highland Park, IL June 2008
Pearl Jam / Robert Plant Hurricane Katrina Benefit Concert - Concert review - Chicago, IL. Ocotber 2005
Robert Plant concert review / press conference - Austin, TX March 2005
The Who / Robert Plant - Concert review - Tinley Park, IL August 2002
Robert Plant and Strange Sensation - Concert review - Milwaukee, WI July 2002
Page & Plant - Concert review - Milwaukee, WI June 1998
Robert Plant - Band of Joy - Album review
Robert Plant / Alison Krauss - Raising Sand - Album review
Robert Plant - Dreamland - Album review
Led Zeppelin - BBC Sessions - Album review
Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin DVD - DVD review

Set List:
1. When the Levee Breaks (Led Zeppelin song)
2. Turn It Up
3. In the Mood
4. The Rain Song
(Led Zeppelin song)
5. Please Read the Letter (Jimmy Page & Robert Plant cover)
6. Gallows Pole ([traditional] cover)
7. Carry Fire
8. Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You (Led Zeppelin song) (Medley)
9. Poor Howard
10. Funny In My Mind (I Believe I'm Fixin' to Die)
11. Ramble On (Led Zeppelin song)

Encore:
12. Good Times Bad Times (Led Zeppelin song)
13. Black Dog mix

Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters
Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters
Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters

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