July 9, 2005 Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL

Set List
No Quarter
Shine It All Around
Black Dog
Freedom Fries
Morning Dew
That’s The Way
Hey Hey What Can I Do
Tin Pan Valley
Heartbreaker
Mighty Rearranger
Gallows Pole
When The Levee Breaks

Encore:
The Enchanter
Whole Lotta Love

by Roberts Siren
Robert and The Strange Sensation put on a most superlative performance last night at the Auditorium Theatre. This was my third time seeing them this year and I think they just get better and better.

After the incense was lit and the remix of “Shine It All Around” played, the band took the stage. As soon as I saw Clive pick up the bendir, I knew they were going to open with “No Quarter”. After a few starting beats, Robert saunters onto the stage looking even younger than when I saw him four months ago. His hair is a little longer and he’s sporting a very flattering beard and mustache. He was dressed in a perfectly ironed black shirt and some sort of patterned black pants. After hearing Robert begin the first verse and recognizing he was leading into “No Quarter”, the crowd erupted into jubilant applause. I love how Robert has executed this version into an acoustic, beat driven rendition of the LZ original.

“Black Dog” raises the audience to its dancing feet. It’s a classic that’s guaranteed to please any fan looking for a Led Zeppelin fix.

After the song and a moment of fervent adulation, Robert asks if anybody’s out there. This is followed by more praise when Robert then asks if anybody remembers laughter. Before most songs, Robert leads-in with some thoughts or reflections about the song. Unfortunately, it was very hard to hear his musings above the noise of the crowd.

What wasn’t hard to hear is how powerful Robert’s voice is. It’s truly phenomenal how he still possesses his vocal range. Don’t believe the critics that write Robert can’t hit the high notes anymore because that’s pure rubbish. I can only surmise they’ve left the show before hearing “Whole Lotta Love”.

Before “Whole Lotta Love” played, there were plenty of memorable moments. Robert has a few sexy new dance moves. I think he’s adopted Elvis’s hip gyrations while his hand slowly rubs his lower belly. What a tease! After “Mighty Rearranger” in which he plays the harmonica, he continually throws the harmonica up in the air teasing the audience into thinking he may throw it out to some lucky person, but he never does. At the end of the show, somebody throws a beach ball onto the stage. Before the guys take a final bow, Robert kicks it back into the audience.

As always, Robert and The Strange Sensation have done a brilliant job entertaining their fans. They leave you in a joyous state that will linger for some time.