July 21, 2005 Embarcadero Marina Park South, San Diego, CA

by Violeta Plant
Around 8.15 pm “Shine It all Around Remix” was played: The place was already full. Before the song ended, I thought: “Oh my God! I’m about to see Robert Plant!” I had so many expectations for this show –being my first Robert Plant concert. I was very excited.

The song ended and the Strange Sensation entered the stage, and went to their instruments: Clive, Justin, John, Skin, Billy… the noise of the crowd was deafning, but I unleashed my howling and yelling until I saw Robert: Black shirt, buttoned (!); silver bracelet in his right wrist; light blue loose fit jeans.

As an overture was presented No Quarter. It was very interesting version. Sounded like a whole new song, but the lyrics were the same. I loved it.

Shine It All Around was performed after. Wow. I loooove that song!! I would have danced a mandala if I had the space!

Next came Black Dog. Do I really need to describe it? It was fan-tas-tic!! Robert joked after a false Start (it seemed like there was an error starting Freedom Fries); he said something about censorship after the abrupt interruption, but then proceeded with the song.

I was in the 34th row, so I had a fair prospect of the crowd in front of me. I had the impression that most people didn’t know the new material. I found myself singing parts of Freedom Fries and Shine It All Around, dancing and clapping my hands, while most of my neighbors were just standing. The song ended: cheers, shouting and clapping… mostly from the first rows and some scattered loud maniacs (I dare include myself in this category) distributed here and there.

Robert asked: “Anybody out there?” of course the intention was to animate the crowd: It worked. I shouted and screamed at the top of my lungs and then they played Hey Hey What Can I Do: another crowd pleaser. He “lent” us his mic to sing bits has he did with Black Dog.

Robert commented about the beauty of the venue: it is a miniature isthmus with boats and yachts near by. He liked it and asked if we knew Crosby owned one of those boats… or maybe Stills had a boat there. He jokingly asked if he could rent one.

I was surprised about how different sounded Gallow’s Pole. At first I couldn’t recognize the song until he sang “Hangman…” that’s when the crowd responded –what a classic, great version! Apparently someone was remembering and celebrating the “good ol’ days” with a ciggie. That smell was unmistakable, it was marihuana. I don’t endorse the use of it, but honestly, at that time I was inhaling second-hand wacky tabbakie fumes and couldn’t care less!

Robert thanks the support of the San Diego radio. He said that this is the city were the Strange Sensation gets more air time in the US. He introduced the man (I don’t remember his name) responsible of the radio station (the media chain CEO, I don’t know) and presents him with a golden trophy-like recognition. The man hugs Robert (lucky guy) and shakes hands with the band. Robert jokingly announced that [the guy] “will now play some Judas Priest numbers!” [Audience laughs].

Funny little observation: While the guy was shaking hands with the others, Robert was actively looking were to put the bag were the trophy was, he was making it into a ball to fit it somewhere. Apparently there was no place for it, and he just flung it and landed right in the middle of the stage…hehehe, someone from the back graciously and quietly came out, picked up the now wrinkled bag and disappeared in the shadows. Robert said they better do the next song before [the radio guy] did his Jimmy Page impersonation.

After that, they did That’s The Way. I felt I was going to flip-out and die. I didn’t. I –obviously- survived. That’s one of my very favorite Zeppelin songs. I felt it like a personal gift. I wasn’t expecting Robert to sing it, although I knew he played it in other cities. It was a fantastic number (it IS a wonderful song after all, isn’t it?) The crimson lights lighted the background (which , by the way, was red with white in the middle –like Canada’s flag), while white light was dispersed by two “disco mirror spheres”. I think it was in this song when he played a little of that tambourine-looking instrument. He dropped it after the song was done, but he was perfect

Tin Pan Valley was performed with exuberant energy- it was a treat to listen the “Like this!” part and watch Justin do his stuff. And, once again, it seemed that I was the only one who knew the words…

Robert asked the audience (for the second time): “Anybody out there?” [Clapping, shouting, woohoo’s, whistles]. He said: “Funny how the security guards are still standing. Nothing’s happening. Maybe a little humidity”. Ouch. I sensed reproach… or maybe I just imagined it, but the way that he said it… I don’t know, maybe I felt that way because I thought: “What is wrong with all you people?! At least clap!”People were really lively when the Zeppelin numbers were performed but seemed lost when the MR tracks were played because they clapped out of synch or just stood quietly (the majority).

Later, he mentioned about the importance of the California musical scene and the influence it had/has in him. Then he sung a quite mellowed White Rabbit with the obligatory psychedelic sounds. That was a great rendition of the JA classic.