June 22, 2005, Tower Theater, Upper Darby PA

by Keeperofthecrag
What a nice job the folks in UpperDarby did with their restoration of a post-depression era Vaudville theatre. If you’re from the school of “Rock As Theatre Act”, the Tower is the place to go.

The “hidden track” Shine remix is lifted right from the CD and pumped through the PA system in the now dark theatre. Red lights illuminate the stage for what seems like forever. And that was just fine with me. I always liked the pre-recorded concert intro stuff - gets back to that “Theatrical Event” mindset of mine.

Robert and Company saunter onstage and dosn’t He pull a fast one…..

Didn’t open with No Quarter. This was night two, and he’s been on South Street. An unshaved, laced workboot, black ruffle shirted,acid washed jeans Rearranger makes his entrance. The band goes into an unrecognizeable rock up tempo beat. It’s not until the first line is sung that you know what’s up : HEARTBREAKER. It could just as well been sung “Hey ladies have you heard the news? You know that Robert’s back in town!” Well, he was. And we were. Ten years after last seeing him with the Page/Plant NoQuarter tour, I am as a newborn babe. How does one get to be as ultra cool and hip as Robert Plant after all these years?

You don’t. It’s as simple as that. He could have just stood there in place on stage waving his hand for the next two hours and just said “Good Evening” over and over because the audience was THAT apeshit. A sold-out crowd (I think it holds about 3,000) was on their feet most of the night. I was like a deer in the headlights - but in a good way. In a real good way.

So, Heartbreaker takes over with a “South Street Shuffle” kind of snap as the original riff from Z2 weaves in and out - and round about. Great suprise opener for one such as myself who figured every show would at least “open” the same. Go ahead and “freeze me in time” right here, because the eventual parting is such sweet sorrow………

A short pause for catching breaths and the heavy drum & bass intro to SHINE IT ALL AROUND arrives. Done a bit “heavier” than on the CD and perhaps similar to the versions on Letterman & O’brien - only longer , with a bit of rythmic jamming added for good measure. Robert’s reserved and restrained manerisms are very fitting for the vibe he is giving us. No overdone athletic styled moves or the familiar Percy Posing of yesteryear. He is a man who came here to work with conviction. Although his enjoyment of the crowd reaction is obvious, the look of seriousness comes through, especially when you’re studying him through binoculars. Robert who is beamingly proud to have come up with a cool radio friendly tune that combines his attitude with a contemporary soundstage, is smiling and happy. It shows.

Lots of talking tonight, as though he’d perhaps met some folks on South Street the day & night before, and was personally speaking to them. Or he could have just been in a talkative mood. Either way, he asks “Hello Philadelphia! Where’ve ya been?” Crowd response: An ear-numbing “YEAAAAAAAAHAAAA!!!” With a few quips about this and that, we get the definitive sing along / call & response number: BLACK DOG. The reworked Sensation version works very well. Less of a hard rock blistering workout we’re all familiar with, it becomes another “Hypno-Swagger” with a well timed effortless sway that seems less like a job to play , in favor of an alluring invitation to come to the altar of Bob. “Watch your honey drip, can’t keep away” leaves little to the imagination with Robert’s outstretched arms and hands making circular massaging motions as if he was …… well, I think you get the picture. Thanks for the mammarys , you ladies in the front row…. No one seems to need their hymnal to sing along with the entire song, let alone the obligatory “Aah ah, Aah ah…….”

Next up, a tasty little snacker - FREEDOM FRIES. True to the CD rendition, he avoided the political barbs we’ve read about in other reviews and went straight to work. Served HOT, without cheese.

Here is the set list rundown hereto on:
Darkness Darkness : Wonderfull break in the tension.
That’s The Way: Nice visit to Zeppland. His current “Stairway” offering.
Tin Pan Valley: A real head hammering here… LIKE THIS
Babe I’m Gonna Leave You: New vocal inflections causes grown man to Cry.
Mighty Rearranger: Proves why Springsteen isn’t the Boss in Philly anymore.
Gallows Pole: The Gypsies have taken over the theatre. We’re Glad.
When The Levee Breaks: “Weep And Moan” takes on new meaning. Very moody and hypnotic effects. Harmonica!
Encores:
No Quarter ! ! : YYYYYeeeeessssss…. He does it afterall. I’m trippin’.
The Enchanter: Keeper In Wonderland.
Whole Lotta Love: A fireworks finale. Infreakingcredible…..