Monday, May 2, 2011

Robert Plant and the Band of Joy Concert Review


Robert Plant and the Band of Joy concert on Sunday, May 1, 2011
at Merlefest in Wilkesboro, NC

The Doobie Brothers get the Merlefest 2011 trophy, but Robert Plant & the Band of Joy came in second.  This band should've had the prime time Saturday night spot instead of Lyle Lovett.  They were much better.  I could hardly believe I was seeing Robert Plant in Wilkesboro, NC.  One thing has become apparent: the sky's the limit for this festival.  

I couldn't watch much of the show because I had to work storage, again, starting at 4:00pm - thirty minutes after they took the stage.  Opening up with Black Dog was pretty awesome though, however, from what I hear, the show got better as it went, making me wish I could've stuck around a bit longer.  


Setlist:

1. Black Dog
2. Down to the Sea
3. Angel Dance
4. Black Country Woman
5. House of Cards
6. Monkey
7. Somewhere Trouble Don't Go
8. That's the Way
9. A Satisfied Mind
10. Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down
11. Ocean of Tears
12. In the Mood
13. Please Read the Letter
14. House of the Holy
15. Ramble On

Encore:

16. Harms Swift Way
17. Gallows Pole
18. And We Bid You Goodnight


One thing should be made clear.  This isn't a Zeppelin cover band.  It's a group of musicians Plant has assembled that blend his English hippy-folk vibe with their rootsier Americana.  The result is a rich layered sound blossoming with talent and technical proficiency.  Very different from that raw rock Zeppelin sound I think a lot of folks were expecting.  The Zeppelin covers were't Zeppelin-esque at all.  But they sounded great.  Plant is a musician in the truest of sense.  He's influenced by a variety of genres - rock, folk, bluegrass, Americana, etc… it adds a great level of depth to this band's sound.    



Sunday, May 1, 2011

The Doobie Brothers Concert Review



The Doobie Brothers concert on Friday, April 29, 2011 at Merlefest in Wilkesboro, NC

Setlist: 

1. Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me)
2. Jesus is Just Alright
3. Dangerous
4. Rockin' Down the Highway
5. Clear as the Driven Snow
6. Nobody
7. Far From Home
8. World Gone Crazy
9. Chateau
10. Takin' it to the Streets
11. Don't Start Me (to) Talkin'
12. Little Betty Pretty One
13. Black Water
14. Long Train Runnin'

Encore:

15. China Grove
16. Without You
17. Listen to the Music


To my dismay, I didn't get to watch this concert, I only got to listen.  I had to work storage from 9:00pm - close, so all I could do was concentrate on the magnificent sound coming from the Watson Stage - electric guitars (beautiful tone), acoustics, saxophone, harmonica, bass, drums, etc.  This band can ROCK.  They're as rockin' a live act as I've ever heard at Merlefest.  They blend their instruments together so well, do these amazing three or four-part vocal harmonies, jam out with prolonged instrumental work, and really get the audience dancing.  They put their energy and their emotions into their music, and the audience's reaction reflects it.  Vocally, they remind me of Crosby, Stills and Nash and The Beatles.  Musically, I think they're more influenced by the rootsy approach - sort of like the Allman Brothers.  I definitely recommend checking these guys out if they come to your town; they don't disappoint.