REVIEW: Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters shifts into high gear for last U.S. concert
Contributed by Deb Menconi Clark, associate professor of communication
By beginning their last U.S. concert with a Led Zeppelin favorite, “Ramble On,” the “Golden God” and rock-legend Robert Plant and his band, the Sensational Space Shifters, kept the audience enthralled from start to finish. The band closed with an encore and another all-time Led Zepp favorite, “Whole Lotta Love” at the Austin City Limits Live‘s Moody Theater Oct. 1, 2018.
The 90-minute set was a mix of music from favorite Led Zepp rock standards, to American blues and then some North African inspired beats all complemented by a dramatic and colorful stage light show.
After the first song Plant said, “Austin is the best possible place to end my nearly 40-show tour.”
Plant praised the opening act and his long-time friend Lucinda Williams, who opened his three shows in Austin to promote his new album Carry Fire.
Plant had previously lived in Austin with his former girlfriend and band-mate, Patty Griffin. However, a few years ago he decided to move back to England. He said his time in Austin with its American hospitality and style was marvelous and enticing. Plant said he realized he was more connected to his true roots.
Therefore it seemed fitting that his shows would be filled with familiar friends and fans. He said with his last show in Austin he felt he had come full circle, which made for an enjoyable visit, and a fitting opportunity to end his “Carry Fire” tour.
Plant explained he would be following up with Led Zeppelin’s new book, “Led Zeppelin” by Led Zeppelin, and their 50-year celebration, when he got back to London. Then after his greeting, he went right into “Turn It Up” and then took a dramatic turn with “The May Queen” — a mesmerizing song from “Carry Fire,” with crooning lyrics, dramatic pauses with a double-tap of his tambourine during the silence and then the music would set in again, all in metered time with dramatic stage lights.
The drumming by Dave Smith and unique acoustics by Justin Adams were a departure and refreshing treat to the work Plant had been putting into his new songs for “Carry Fire.”
True to Plant’s taste for not sticking to a set list but playing what he felt fit next, he shifted easily into two more Led Zepp favorites, “Black Dog” and “The Rain Song,” that had the fans singing and moving along.
He did some of his more traditional blues covers and in the middle of the set he played “Carry Fire.” Then back again he went into more of his favorite blues-rock covers such as the rockabilly standard highlighted by Joseph Allen’s lead electric playing, “Funny In My Mind (I Believe I’m Fixin’ to Die).”
After a robust applause, shouts and whistles, Plant came back for an encore and played two more songs, “The Principle of Moments” and “In the Mood.” This was followed by the final encore melody of “Bring It On Home,” “Whole Lotta Love,” and “Who Do You Love?” Then, Plant ended with the crowd’s rockin’ favorite Led Zepp’s “Whole Lotta Love.”
Having just turned 70 last month, it was obvious Plant was still living and enjoying experimenting with a range of music and musical instruments, as he pointed out before or after some of the songs through the set. It was a fun night of old and new music with upbeat covers that made the 90-minute set seem all too short, as the
“Golden God” bowed, exited the stage and left us wondering, “Would Led Zeppelin ever play as a band again?” and “Would we see Plant again?”
According to online rock music chatter, the next steps for Led Zeppelin are perhaps in the digital realm of streaming historic concerts. What Plant decided to do, given his unending quest for new music and entertaining enthusiastic crowds, was yet another infamous Led Zeppelin mystery.
After 50 years, you’d think we’d get used to this. But no, the crowd wanted more and would take whatever Plant had to offer, as he seemed right at home from his loud long crooning to his new more sedate catchy to bluesy tunes. His vocal range is still amazing after 50 years of singing, and he has not ceased to pull an audience in so deep, that they just don’t want to come out.
Set List: Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters – “Carry Fire” Tour
Austin City Limits Live Moody Theater, Oct. 1, 2018
- “Ramble On” (“Led Zeppelin II,” 1969)
- “Turn It Up” (“Lullaby and the Ceaseless Roar,” Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, 2014)
- “The May Queen” (“Carry Fire,” Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, 2017)
- “Black Dog” (“Led Zeppelin IV,” 1971)
- “The Rain Song” (“Houses of the Holy,” 1973)
- “Gallows Pole” (“No Quarter Live Album,” by Jimmy Page & Robert Plant, 1994)
- “Carry Fire” (“Carry Fire,” by Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters 2017)
- “Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You,” (Led Zeppelin’—Debut album, 1969, and re-released by Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, 2016)
- “Little Maggie,” (“Lullaby and the Ceaseless Roar,” Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, 2014)
- “Funny In My Mind (I Believe I’m Fixin’ to Die” (Inspired and originally written by Bukka White in the mid-1930’s and re-released on “Funny in My Mind,” Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, 2012)
ENCORE
- “In the Mood” (“Led Zeppelin II,” 1969)
- Melody: “Bring it On Home,” “Whole Lotta Love,” “Who Do You Love?” and “Whole Lotta Love,” (“Led Zeppelin II,” 1969)
YouTube video of Robert Plant’s, “Bluebirds Over Mountain” from the Carry Fire album.
Also published on Medium.
