It could be the super-sized buckets of wine handed out at the bar but there’s a real sense of anticipation for this “secret” gig to unveil Robert Plant’s latest incarnation, as singer in moody blues and folk band Band Of Joy.
Now 62, the lion-maned wailer has resisted the $200 million temptation of a full Led Zeppelin reunion tour in favour of a deeper exploration of the Americana style and sounds of his Grammy-winning Raising Sand album with Alison Krauss.
Krauss has been supplanted by country singer Patty Griffin in the new five-piece ensemble that revives the name of a late-60s side project Plant formed with John Bonham.
So 250 competition winners and media folk pack into the former church in Mayfair, an appropriate setting for the spiritual vibe of many of the cover version on the Band Of Joy’s album, out in mid-September.
Opener Monkey, written by moody US indie band Low, has a swampy groove which Plant rides with a typically-commanding vocal, intertwining with Griffin’s keening voice.
It’s clear that Percy’s legendary high-pitched roar will be used sparingly on songs, including an antique spiritual Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down, which sit well in Plant’s mid-range. When he does let rip it remains one of the most powerful voices in rock.
Plant’s bandleader, US arranger Buddy Miller, unleashes a couple of squalling solos, as the pace builds through Richard Thompson’s House of Cards and a thumping version of Los Lobos’ Angel Dance, the Band’s first single.
Admiring the church, Plant raises expectations by describing the venue as a “House of the Holy”, before declaring that particular avenue “obsolete”. After 35 minutes, Plant bids us Thank You and goodnight, with no encore.
Plant says he feels further away from heavy rock than he ever has – even going to see Them Crooked Vultures made his ears bleed. Band Of Joy sets aside Plant’s more ambitious North African musical explorations of recent years and fits nicely alongside Tom Jones’s similarly-themed Praise & Blame collection.
Plant looks delighted to have found a versatile band that isn’t expected to ape Zep and which shares his current passion for pre-rock musical forms. Jimmy Page isn’t going to get that phone call any time soon.
By Adam Sherwin
Loading...