Oct. 1, 2005 Wiltern Theater, Los Angeles, CA

Set List
Shine It All Around Remix
Tin Pan Valley
Shine It All Around
Black Dog
Freedom Fries
7 + 7 Is
Going to California
Girl From the North Country
Mighty Rearranger
Thank You
Hey Joe
Four Sticks
Gallows Pole
encore: No Quarter
The Enchanter
Whole Lotta Love

by The Enchanter
I’m truly speechless at this time. I honestly don’t think I can put just how intense this show was properly into words. I’ve been very blessed to have seen many shows on this tour and I feel like each one is better than the one before, if that is even possible.

It was clear from the moment Robert walked into the stage to sing the opening notes of Tin Pan Valley (very interesting to see this as a show opener) that there was truly magic in the air. Robert spoke a bit about Love being so representational of a time in music when it had a conscience and broke into a phenomenal version of 7+7 Is. It was brilliant, I think the first time I had seen it. In a very poignant moment after he sang Going to California, he said the next song was written by someone who was so lyrically talented and he felt he paled in comparison. While I completely disagree as it’s like comparing apples to oranges, it was quite touching to see such a lovely display of modesty. Girl From the North Country was incredible. What a beautiful version - so different than when I’ve heard it done with Priory of Brion. Both Justin and John took solos and John in particular really played such an emotional solo which the audience truly embraced. During that time, Robert stepped back and looked up in the air with this look of true contentment and then closed his eyes. So very powerful. It’s just another fine example of how truly passionate he is about music. It was quite something to see.

Mighty Rearranger was amazing! Full of energy and yes, the harmonica came out for a great blues jam. I was pleased he brought it back as it seemed absent in some of the recent shows and it’s one of my faves from the album.

Hey Joe was mind blowing. Justin came out with an African guitar - it’s not a lute and I apologize for not knowing the name and my first thought was they were doing Somebody Knocking but I was wrong. I think this was the best version of Hey Joe I have seen/heard ever. The version so many people are familiar with via Hendrix pales in comparison and seems to be more of an outlet for a guitar showcase. Robert and the band really get behind the song and the darkness of the lyrics come out quite powerfully. Justin also becomes quite the acrobat spinning and spinning so much I keep expecting he’ll kerplunk on the stage.

What more can I say. Robert and Strange Sensation are unstoppable. There is so much true passion and joy behind what they do that is just not evident in most other musicians. Absolutely the most amazing night…

And Planted in my Mind added:
I too was surprised by the Tin Pan Valley opening, it was sooooo intense. Robert seemed to really have fun on the “like this,” bending backwards, knees bent, singing to the sky! There was plenty of kicking over mike stands as well.

Shine it all Around was the best I’ve heard yet. I was so happy to have them play more MR songs.

Black Dog was fun, a little closer to the original this time. It became a sing-along, with Robert stepping back at times and letting the audience sing. But when Robert did sing, his voice was just a strong as it was 25 years ago. I don’t know how he’s done it, but he and his voice have gotten younger in the past year.

The critic who said Freedom Fries was the weakest in the MR line up, needs his head examined. Robert was incredible.

I almost started to cry when they hit the first few notes of Going to California. It was really beautiful — albeit a little hard to hear over the crowds woohooo’s. At the end of it Robert bent over forwards for a minute, there was alot of emotion on his face — I was wondering where he was in his mind. For a second I thought he was crying but then a smile played across his face and he stood up. He really looked happy last night. Smiling to himself quite a bit from the reaction of the crowd.

Then, Girl from The North Country, which I’d never heard. It was so touching and soft and emotional. From there they segued (sp?) in the very might Mighty ReArranger, god it was great. Robert on Harmonica that close .

I can’t keep repeating “the crowd went wild,” but repeatedly they did!

Robert gave it all last night…. he seemed very happy……
and then there was Justin, who is equally mesmerizing to watch. That man can dance!!!!! Enchanter, that one leg in the air spin is amazing to watch. I also love when he lifts both arms out to the side and moves around the stage as if he were in the middle of the desert. and then there’s the bluesy creep across the stage his lower body undulating forward.

Speaking of lower bodies undulating — Robert is definitelly mastering the movement of hips . He was wearing the black floral jacquard pants with a plain black shirt, it was unbuttoned to one button below the navel, and there were some quick glimpses of his tummy — which appears to be pretty buff.

The encores were fabulous. At one point (Enchanter do you remember which song?) he got us all clapping a rhythm, and then they stopped playing and there was just the sound of the entire place clapping this rhythm — wow.

During Whole Lotta Love, one of the Jack Daniels boys caused a big rukcus, they crowd parted, then his friends were trying to push him up on stage, at that point security grabbed him and drug him over the front rail and out. The look on Justin’s face as this was happening was a mix of concern and disgust.

But we all carried on with the song, and were rewarded with a great experience. I will never, ever forget this concert.

And then Robertsplant added:
WOW, I agree with the reviews, and I add a little from my perpective. 1st I have seen Robert 3 1/2 times this year (1/2 = C. Ferguson show ) Greek, WoodinVille, now the Wiltern. The Wiltern by far was the best not including (outdoor atmosphere of the Greek , and getting there by limo, and Bonzos 25th with recognition by Plant, and doing “Skips Song” at Woodinville) beside that, the Wiltern last night Blew the doors down on the other shows I have seen this summer. It was also the loudness solo Plant show I have ever heard (and I have heard many from every tour) Voice was MIGHTY. He almost hit the ceiling when he JUMPED into “like this” A TOTAL rock star move !!!!! This show was total Plant in all perspectives. I can’t remember the last time my ears rung after a concert. They are still ringing now, and a good ring it is !!!!!!