|
 Rock
god 'Percy' Plant shares a bill for charidee with the Isle of Wight's
finest, and London's promising new guitar pups.
Chris Long climbs a stairway to heaven...
Legend
is a word too often used in modern music. A few decent albums, a
couple of headline slots and suddenly, you're halfway to the Hall
Of Fame.
Some,
however, have earned their place in music history through sheer
genius, unremitting slog, and the requisite groupie adventures.
At the top of the bill on this opening night of the Teenage Cancer
Trust's annual week of charity shows was one such grizzled superstar
- the indomitable Robert Plant.
Far
below him, Rooster can only dream of reaching such status. For
all their musicianship - particularly the pounding energy of drummer
Dave Neale and the wailing guitar of Luke Potashnick - they've wandered
down the poppier side of rock and left you thinking they could be
so much better if they'd been given time to develop their sound.
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"Unfeasibly
catchy": The Bees
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In
contrast, The Bees have taken the time and blossomed accordingly.
Their second album, Free The Bees, has bounced them out of
the Most Promising bracket; understandably, their set was plucked
from it, wheeling around the unfeasibly catchy 'Chicken Payback'.
They are a band growing into something special.
Special
is what Robert Plant has been for several decades. Unlike
many of his contemporaries, 'Percy' is an artist who has continually
challenged himself, for good or bad, reinventing his sound and finding
fresh inspiration.
banshee
roar
It's
probably the reason why he headed on to the Royal Albert Hall stage
surrounded by his Strange Sensation - former members of Cast, Massive
Attack and Portishead, alongside one of the maddest, freewheeling
eccentric guitarists you're ever likely to see, the loud-shirted,
bunny-hopping Justin Adams.
| "It
was the Zep-style moments that most were waiting for, and no-one
could have left disappointed. 'Black Dog' and 'Heartbreaker'
received rolling revisions, while 'Whole Lotta Love' provided
a wigged-out finale..." |
As
distracting as Adams' antics occasionally were, they weren't enough
to diminish Plant's power. While he may shy away from the banshee
roar that made his name in Led Zeppelin, he is still capable of
entrancing peaks and high rolling vocals.
As
he peeled out a mixture of classics and new songs, taken from his
Mighty Rearranger album, he gradually drew every member of
the audience under his spell.
But
it was the Zep-style moments that most were waiting for, and no-one
could have left disappointed. 'Black Dog' and 'Heartbreaker' received
rolling revisions, 'Whole Lotta Love' provided a wigged-out finale,
and even the mighty 'When The Levee Breaks' confounded the absence
of John Bonham's booming drums, building from an acoustic beginning
to its awesome, honey-dripping end.
When
the lights went up, fellow rock god Roger Daltrey came bounding
on stage to praise Plant and underline the cause that had brought
him back to the same venue at which he first thrilled an audience
a full 35 years ago.
Shorter
in the hair department but just as strong in fervour, tonight's
crowd could agree on one thing: a true legend had been witnessed.
Agree
or disagree with this review? Add your thoughts below:
| Your
Comments |
|
Scott Hughes
Robert Plant refuses to perform with the remaining members of Led Zeppelin, as he says it's the past, well why is he doing Zeppelin material in his set?, very interesting show to say the least, he is not afriad to do something different
Andi Sowden
Brilliant. I agree, I was fooled by the night of Gibson...bit. Nonetheless, I was impressed. I've seen Robert Plant before, and was just as pleased this time. The guitarist was irritating, but the other guy on guitar was red hot. Nobody has yet picked up on the interesting moment when a rodie brought Mr Plant a cup of tea - priceless!
Catherine Jones
I was at the gig and it was fantastic. Noo one can beat Robert Plant for stage presence.
steve porteous
very dissapointing.this was the 4th time of seeing robert plant and way below standard.what i would like to know is how was this gig a celebration of gibson guitars as was advertised.i assume it was to sell tickets as we led zep fans are gluttons for any chance of a page/plant reuinion.i for one wouldnt have bothered if it hadnt been advertised with a teasing gibson logo on posters.
John Roussety
Great gig - at least he's trying new things!
James Williams
After reading the Evening Standard review, which was scathing in the least, it's refreshing to read an accurate review. Unlike the Standard, the BBC have obviously sent someone with music knowledge and taste! The gig was sensational.
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