June 27, 2005 Beacon Theater, New York

Set List
Shine It All Around Remix
No Quarter
Shine It All Around
Black Dog
Freedom Fries
Darkness Darkness
That’s the Way
Tin Pan Valley
Heartbreaker
Mighty Rearranger
Gallow’s Pole
When the Levee Breaks
encore:
Babe I’m Gonna Leave You
The Enchanter
Whole Lotta Love

by The Enchanter
Well, well, well…I didn’t think it could get any better than last night but it did. Absolutely unbelievable show. The crowd was much better tonight as well and really embraced the new material which I was happy about. From the minute the Shine It remix kicked in, everyone went crazy with anticipation. Robert chatted much more tonight than he did last night. No tea at all so I hope that’s a sign he’s feeling all better (sigh).

Insense burning (sage I think), Robert strolled onto the stage in a black tuxedo shirt and the pants he donned in the photos from the Mandela concert. While I have always loved Shine It All Around, I think each time I see it live, I manage to like it even more. Robert does all these snakelike moves that really mimic the feel of the song, as does Justin. Quite powerful.

Freedom fries exploded. What a great song. It was great to hear Darkness Darkness. Robert introduced the song talking about the 1960s and said something funny about this being a warmup song for geritol. You can tell the song means a lot to Robert. He’s quite expressive while he’s singing. Very intense.

Tin Pan Valley packed a huge punch tonight. I think he started the song much quieter so that build up to the “like this” was even more thundering.

There was a really fantastic interplay with Robert and Skin. Robert was completely engrossed in one of his solos and at one point, stood there with his eyes closed as if he were lost in the beauty of Skin’s playing. It was really something to witness so close. Robert starting doing some vocalizing and Skin joined right in with him and they had this great musical exchange. At the end of the song, Robert went up and grabbed Skin’s hand. It was clearly quite a moment for both of them.

After the Enchanter, Robert was talking and decided to put the bendir on his head Then he’d say something, take it off, put it on, say something else, take it off. It was hillarious. He seems to like putting things on his head ) It was really funny. He even laughed at himself.

One of the many wonderful things I walked away from tonight was the experience of seeing this absolutely amazing group of musicians. There is such a chemistry between them that just draws you in from start to finish. Robert smiles a great deal as he watches them play. He’s found the perfect setting I should say.

I also loved all this sort of tribal dancing Robert and sometimes Justin do. I’m not sure this will make any sense, but the dancing so beautifully compliments the rhythm and nuances of the songs that it sort of transcends into something beyond just a song.

Slight correction on the merchandise - the posters didn’t appear to be for sale. It looked like they were just part of the display for the t-shirts. There are also buttons which I think the hibob had scanned for us to see back in March. They’re very cool designs.

And Lynx Added:
Great to read others’ impressions on the show. Thought I’d add my own. It was a beautiful evening with love flowing between the audience and the band, especially in the way Robert invited the crowd to sing and clap along through much of the evening. This fitted with the warm, sensuous ambience introduced by the opening music and the incense etc.

I was entranced by Robert’s stage demeanor - he seems to have a unique talent for blending elegant British formality with wild rock-and-roll sexuality- quite an intoxicating combination!

I went to the show with my brother, who while respectful, was not a major fan. However, within the first song or two he was blown away! He turned to me early on somewhat surprised and said something like “Wow, he’s still really cool, he still struts”!

I found many of the moments transcendent. Personal standouts were “That’s the way” and “The Enchanter”, (which I think is one of his best works ever). I loved his harmonica solo during “Mighty Rearranger”. “WLL” was a wild, wonderful barn-stormer too.

On the style front: I think he looks fantastic these days. I find his unshaven look and slightly longer hair very becoming (Very sexy when it gets a bit sweaty under the lights). (Also, I couldn’t help but noticing at one moment, when his shirt was lifted, that he, er, ahem, still seems to favour the underwear- free approach - even with the baggier trousers, it was apparent that everything was nicely intact!…but I digress…)

One minor disappointment was that he didn’t perform “Another Tribe” I would have preferred to hear this over “Heartbreaker” any day! I also think “Somebody Knocking” would be great live.