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Robert Plant
ROBERT PLANT & THE STRANGE SENSATION 
(UK)

See pictures from the performance

There's no doubt that Robert Plant's pitched it just right. Like Ry Cooder and the late Joe Strummer, he knows that being a fiftysomething rock'n'roll musician doesn't necessarily mean re-heating past glories on the chicken-in-a-basket circuit. Still in possession of an inquisitive spirit and inspired by the music of other continents, he's rejuvenated his career by taking a left turn down some highly intriguing routes (for instance, he was last seen hanging out with the Touaregs deep in the Sahara at the Festival In The Desert).

Not that Robert's a recent convert to non-Western music, of course. At the height of Led Zep's fame, his sojourns spent sampling the finest culture India and Morocco could throw at both him and Jimmy Page became the stuff of legend - and this was a good 15 years before anyone came up with the tag 'world music'. Fast-forward three decades and Robert's brand-new album, Mighty Rearranger, shows that this planet's magical sounds continue to inform and beguile him.

An incendiary mix of rock, blues and North African flavours, the album also proves he's a dab hand at putting together a top-notch band, with The Strange Sensation boasting international-man-of-guitar Justin Adams and impeccable Portishead/Reprazent drummer Clive Deamer among their ranks. No chickens, no baskets, no compromise.

Nige Tassell

Robert Plant official website
BBC Music biography
BBC Black Country interview
BBC Bristol picture gallery

See Robert Plant perform Friday 10.30-11.45pm, Open Air Stage

Read other people's comments then Tell us what you think:

Kevin, Leeds
Truly amazing performer. not had a chance to see the band this year, but hope that they tour again in the UK 2007. Robert has found a new lease of life over the past couple of albums. How about a live album Rob?

John - Coventry, Connecticut USA
Very nice recording. Wish it were for sale. Saw Robert & SS at House of Blues Myrtle Beach, SC. He sang "let the four winds blow" for the first time live. Exciting stuff! Can't wait for another album.

Fabian Argentina
When Plant and Page in Argentina,,, PLEACE

Paul
To bad Robert won't explore new music with a now contemporary Page and John Paul Jones. It would certainly be amazing to hear what well seasoned legends could do as a band.

julia binkley, Lacey Washington
I just can't stay away to this day, I'm a old kid that needs you to help me sing with my choir and, we are rockers! I say hi to you from all of them some old some new but, when it comes down to you you must keep me feeling blue. I'm sad but in a way I'm so glad that your helping me understand that it's got to be down. I'v got him right on my trail he's in my blood running through my veins, on my back everyday with the pain that comes down like rain. Help me wash him away! Your a good guy probably with so many things to do, if it wasn't for my School and, the feeling I get when I think of you I'd probably die. Your the reason why I'm still here. I'm hanging on to you with my ball and, chain! Sink or, swim I will prevail and, win!

Katherine TX USA
Would love to see Robert at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in September!

Henry Soul, South London
I like Robert Plant's voice still - a great voice is a great. But why? why change a great gutar line from Jimmy Page at the second tune? That's a shame. I don't listen to rock anymore, since middle of 80's. But Led Zeppelin and a few other greats are timeless.

Slavisa, Amsterdam Netherlands
I saw Robert in Heineken music hall in Amsterdam 05 april 2006 Concert was so good, unbelievable ! Robert Plant and musicians called Strange Sensation played hottest show possible ! Incredible voice, tears in my eyes ! And Whole lotta love as a dessert ! You must see it to believe it !

Big Dave Small - kidderminster
i couldnt imagine anything even matching the sound of zep but here it is,thanks guys.Rock on!

Christian Marker - Norway
I would like to see Robert back in Norway as soon as possible doing some more gigs!

AGUS argentina
THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE WAITING FOR HIM HERE IN ARGENTINA!! i cry when i listen to led zeppelin, it is the gratest thing in the world!

AGUSTINA -ARGENTINA
heyy!!!! when is Bob coming to argentina??? i really want to see him! i would die if he comeS!!!! oh god, i am going to cry if i can't see him =( a lot of people want to see him here in argentina!!!! ARGENTINA LOVES ROBERT PLANT!!!!!!!!!

Wammbarro, UK
Robert Plant is the king.

Agustina - ARGENTINA
i would give everything in the world to see robert plant! my friends and i are all waiting him to come to argentina...we hope he comes someday!!

Ariel-Argentina
it`s incredible that Robert keep on trying to improve himself after Led Zeppelin hyper-success!! i love it!! the only thing i don't like is he never have a great guitar player:(

Tim - Middlesbrough
The Strange Sensation are everything that Zeppelin were at their best but without the risk of being what Zeppelin were at their worst. Plant need never worry that he's done the wrong thing turning his back on the easy option. It's a shame Jimmy couldn't explore fields a new and stop living in the past and on former glory. Saw them at the Sage in Gateshead and it blew anything away that the Page&Plant reunion had to offer. They are truely a band in their own right, not just some undeserving pompous cock rock singer and a bunch of hired hands performing colouring by numbers greatest hits. Fantastic!

Elena Sands - Karlstad, Sweden
Robert Plant is an incredible singer and performer and his co-operation with The Strange Sensation gives excellent results. I listen to this music with bated breath!! "Shine It All Around" is a real masterpiece - no wonder it's Grammy nominated. Hopefully they'll come to Sweden in the nearest future...

Dave, NY
The band sounds great. They are really comming together. And Roberts voice is in excellent form as well.

tominsky - Montreal Canada
1 word, WOW !!!!

Oliver , Peru
It´s nice to hear him in a so good shape. I have never had the chance to see him in person, you know I live in Peru. Thanx for give us some fun with Percy.

Ben peach
Robert plant was very good I In joyed It allot.Thankfull for doing some led zepelin songs I thought more people liked It well done a good poformance.

Dee - Oxford
I would like to keep this broadcast on my computer. Are you going to make it available in a suitable format??

Sami-Helsinki
I saw Plant a couple of months ago here in Helsinki and just as three times that I have seen him before he was very very good. I will surely go and see his gig again if an opportunity comes.

Eliana Chamizo - Santiago de Chile
Awesome recording! Thank you so much for have it available for those like me who enjoy this kind of music so much, but live far away... Love to all music lovers from Chile!

maria breax
I have never met him but i am planning to see a concert.I was also planning to go to disney world,but you can always go there.id rather see robert plant than go to disney world.

Mark
Well done for putting up Percy's gig on your site. Keep it there! Can't wait to see him play Hammersmith in December. I'll be down the front- in my Baggies shirt.

Gill and John, Neston
How disapointed we were, Robert & the band were clearly playing their hearts out on the stage, but the sound was dead wherever we went in the arena. It was a bit like listening to the CD with a thick blanket over the speakers. Not really sure that he needs to do the LedZep stuff at events like WOMAD, he has such a diverse musical talent as his solo output proves. All in all it was not the great happening we had hoped for considering he was the primary reason for coming to WOMAD. Hopefuly we can see him elsewhere and maybe the sound will be better.

Kev - Wombourne, Staffs
Can't wait to see Mr P at Wolves Civic in December. maybe he'll buy me that pint he still owes me .....

Sihndhee, New York
I've seen Robert four times in the past year including the tribute to Led Belly last November in Cleveland, OH. He's a phenomenal performer and his band really are Sensational!

Dave; Reading, UK
Are you quite sure that he's not just " re-heating past glories "

Will - London
Bad. Really bad. The crowd only got going when he played the Led Zep stuff.

otto - detroit
saw plant and SS in rochester hills, Mi, USA a few weeks back...fantastic show, and still a fantastic voice. Remarkable how well it and he has aged. Still hits those high notes.

Dianne Cave/USA Virginia
It's so great to hear Robert Plant live in concert. I wish you could have had the video also!!! Thanks.

Clode from Italia
I went from Italy just to listen to him. I really enjoy the live concert. Robert is still fantastic also the band was great. Of course they are not LedZeppelin but they made a good job. I have also to say that I met him at WOMAD,he's a kind person.

kevin rhode island
plant sounds great!

Lina Canada
Superb. Robert and his band are hypnotic as I sit in summer heat, summer slumber, knowing this music, this voice is not completely of this world and the channels of other realities find a path as the levee breaks. The enchanter and the enchanted, the many tribes, the kings, the spirits and love; it's all one and beautifully done. How much higher can we go and how much deeper can we search? Without boundries and with this music anything is possible.

Richard , Fife
The most exciting and innovative musician of his generation....full stop.

Julian Walker, Reading
Tremendous concert, what a pity you left off the opening song "No Quarter".

Tim Powell, East Dulwich, London
What a sensational mix of new material and old Led Zep favorites on a clear and starry Friday night! Robert Plant's voice is as strong as ever, lending itself well to the new tunes. Even with a "world music" direction, they still sound very rock 'n' roll. I will definitely get hold of the new album for more. However, sad as it may sound for some, the real, unforgetable treat for me was the lugubriously delivered "When the levee breaks" and the finale, a pulsating version of "Whole Lotta Love". Well, what more can I say, but a fantastic start to a fantastic festival!

Nigel - Herefordshire
Excellent performance, although some technical problems on the last number (Whole Lotta Love). Very diverse from accoustic to full on electric - played a mixture of songs from new album plus many classic Led Zep. Great night!!

Dale - Northamptonshire
I saw him on friday playing a killer 1 hour 20 mins set. Got right to the front, and now i've seen the man from Led Zeppelin. Whole lotta love was fantastic.

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