June 27, 2008, Greek Theater, Berkeley, CA

Setlist:
Rich Woman
Leave My Woman Alone
Black Dog
Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us
Through the Morning, Through the Night
Goodbye and So Long to You
Fortune Teller
In the Mood (into Matty Groves)
Black Country Woman
Primitives
Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler
Trampled Rose
Green Pastures
Down to the River to Pray
Killing the Blues
Nothin’
The Battle of Evermore
Please Read the Letter
Gone Gone Gone
You Don’t Knock
One-Woman Man
Your Long Journey

from to2bizzy:
After reading all the great reviews from previous concerts, I wanted to go to this concert so bad! All my friends flaked out and the day before the sold out concert I found two tickets on Craigslist for less than face value in a great section with a great view! I bought them, and dragged my husband with me.

We both enjoyed the concert immensley! Alison and Robert were clearly having a great time, and the musicianship was superb! The fog had rolled into the Bay Area and it was a little cold. Alison had a coat on, and came out saying Brrrrrrrr. Then in a low voice…. “I thought it was summer. Silly me…..”

During one song early on, the violinist had a great solo, and Robert snuck up behind him crouching down and gently pushed him out to center stage. It was really cute. I don’t recall all the songs they sang, but enjoyed them all. It was a little strange for me to see Robert in the back ground singing back up at first, but he was clearly enjoying himself. They truly are so different in their stage presence, Alison very reserved, focused on her vocals, and Robert was dancing and frolicking around having a great time. It was great to see them enjoying themselves. Their voices blending perfectly when singing together, and both sounding wonderful on their solo’s. Robert did not disappoint with some of his high notes, and vocals, reminding the crowd he can still go there. A few songs they both projected their voices and went to a place that was unreal and beautiful! You could tell it was out of Alison’s comfort zone perhaps a her eyes were glued to Roberts, but she delivered it perfectly. All the songs were well received by the crowd.

They did sing one song that I can’t recall the name that Robert introduced as off the new album, and not the one out right now, jokingly. It was more up beat tempo, and a little more country style, and very good. So it seems there will be more to come from these three. Razz

If you get a chance to go see them, run!

June 23 and 24, 2008, Greek Theater, Los Angeles, CA

from Planted in my Mind
Heaven, I’m in heaven……… oops wrong era.
But I was. Let me just say that I’ve loved Rasing Sand since the day it came out.
Monday night Dave and I had great seats (unfortunately sitting seperately).
The energy on stage was hot, but it always is when the musicians are enjoying themselves. Every song was fantastic, Robert’s delve into roots music, American style, is brilliant. Paint my face red… during I’m In the Mood, I said to the guy next to me, “I recognize that sond, who did it?”, he turned to me astonished and said “Robert.” Needless to sayy I borke out Nine Lives and am discovering so much I love.

The duets with Robert and Allison were nothing short of magnificent. The sum issi better than the parts. During “gone, gone gone” Robert did this cute little imitation of Elvis (lip curl and all)– I thought Allison was going to burst out laughing!
The LZ songs were good , as usual, “Black Dog” was highly rearranged, but I think I like it better than the SS version.

T-Bone did this amazing song, his voice is very distintive. I don’t know the name, but the lyrics went something like “The frightening part is living”

What was a little sad, but I guess understandable, was that every time Robert wailed, or kicked up a mikestand the crowd went wild. The only standing ovations were for the LZ songs. There was so much brilliant music that deserved to be recognized, I was disappointed that it was not shown the respect or appreciation it deserved.

Stuart Duncan did this amazing “rock and roll” violin solo on “Nothin” that was heart stopping.

I know this is really disjointed, but I’m not a writer. All I can say is they were all wonderful, and I’d love to hear another album from them.

Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD (Washington DC) Friday, June 13

SET LIST
1. Rich Woman
2. Leave My Woman Alone
3. Black Dog
4. Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us
5. Through the Morning, Through the Night
6. So Long, Goodbye to You
7. Fortune Teller
8. In the Mood/Matty Groves/In the Mood
9. Hey Hey What Can I Do?
10. Bon Temps Rouler
11. Shut It Tight
12. Trampled Rose
13. Green Pastures
14. Down To the River To Pray
15. Killing the Blues
16. Nothin’
17. The Battle of Evermore
18. Please Read the Letter
19. Gone, Gone, Gone

ENCORE

1. You Don’t Knock
2. One Woman Man
3. Your Long Journey

from Blue Note:
It was a HOT, HUMID night at Merriweather Post Pavilion, the kind that made Robert Plant’s curls even more wild and full. He wore a short-sleeved black shirt with dark leather pants. Alison Krauss looked like a cool princess in a long, floral dress that blew in the breeze of the stage fan. T-Bone Burnett spoke of the heat but also of the “incredibly good vibe” in Washington, DC. That vibe was certainly shared by all the musicians on the stage. There was a playful rapport and respect for each other’s contribution to the evening’s performance as they traded the spotlight from person to person. Someone from the group had put a small Elvis(?) doll on stage as either a mascot, good luck charm, or possibly as the eighth member of the band, and the doll was also given a quick salute.

Robert was as animated as ever. He gave warm introductions for each person in the band. He was constantly grinning and laughing and moving about the stage. He seemed so amused by the audience’s participation for “Black Dog,” and he laughed out loud when a section of the curtain drape didn’t fall as planned during “Gone, Gone, Gone.” I noticed his toes tapping double time during “Leave My Woman Alone.” Even when he went offstage during Alison’s performance of “Trampled Rose,” I was distracted by his long legs and cowboy boots sticking out behind an amp as he watched from Stage Right. To add a historical touch to the evening, he corrected a sign on the grounds that said, “In the early 1970s a little-known band named Led Zeppelin opened here for The Who.” He jokingly said that it was May 1969 when he and his old mates opened for “that band, those miserable bastards,” and there was so much damage caused that night that they had to give their earnings back. This brought great cheers among the crowd to which he cheekily followed up with “And next week, Iron Maiden!”

The encore seemed brief and a little subdued when they sang “Your Long Journey.” T-Bone Burnett mentioned their sadness of the news of Tim Russert’s passing earlier in the day, and he dedicated the song to him. I was very touched by the way Robert held onto Alison’s hand as they took their final bows and farewelled the crowd. It was a wonderful evening and everything that I hoped it would be!

June 11, 2008, Madison Square Garden Theater, NYC
Opening Act: Sharon Little

Set List:
Rich Woman
Leave My Woman Alone
Black Dog
Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us
Through the Morning, Through the Night
So Long Goodbye To You
Fortune Teller
In the Mood/Matty Grove/In the Mood
Black Country Woman
Bon Temps Roulez
Shut It Tight
Green Pastures
Down To the River To Pray
Killing The Blues
Nothin’
Battle of Evermore
Please Read the Letter
Gone Gone Gone
Who Do You Love (Bo Diddley)
Don’t Knock
I’m a One Woman Man
Your Long Journey

from theenchanter:
I didn’t think it could get any better but it did. The energy on stage was electrifying. They are all really having the time of their lives up there and the joy on Robert’s face just says it all. As I said last night, it’s clear they’ve settled in as far as being comfortable playing as a unit because I noticed tonight there was a lot more improvising and every time someone took a turn in a different direction, you could see Robert and T Bone in particular just beaming.

It was nice to hear Through the Morning, Through the Night added into the set. Killing the Blues was especially moving and as soon as the opening notes began, the audience really cheered. I love how in Down to the River to Pray it starts off with just Alison on stage and that angelic voice fills the theater. Slowly Robert and the others join on harmony and their voices together sound like a choir.

When Robert was preparing to sing Nothin’, he was talking about how he wasn’t that familiar with American music from the south. He said he was immersed in the ghosts of Mississippi, Chicago and Brooklyn which everyone cheered and he said with that impy smile “I had to say that didn’t I” Laughing

Gone Gone Gone was a blast. When the curtain drops and the backdrop is that of the video, Robert turned around and treated us to quite a little dance number Very Happy They were all having a ton of fun during this number. But the real treat was for the first encore, Robert spoke of how we lost an icon recently - Bo Diddley and he sang “Who Do You Love” AND played harmonica Surprised Everyone went crazy. It was a great rendition. Your Long Journey was beautiful and never fails to cause a bit of welling in the eyes.

This concert really is such a collaboration and sharing of talent on stage and I think that’s a big part of what makes it so special. Amazing moments come from any and all points.

Truly spectacular two nights.

Just as a PS - I didn’t see her tonight but I did catch the opening act Sharon Little. I thought she has an amazing bluesy voice. She was quite humbled to be opening for Robert and Alison. I’ll definitely be checking out her debut cd.

June 10, 2008, Madison Square Garden Theater, New York, NY

Opening Act: Sharon Little

Set List:
Rich Woman
Leave My Woman Alone
Black Dog
Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us
So Long Goodbye To You
Fortune Teller
In the Mood/Maddy Grove/In the Mood
Black Country Woman
Bon Temps Roulez
Shut It Tight
Green Pastures
Down To the River To Pray
Killing The Blues
Nothin’
Battle of Evermore
Please Read the Letter
Gone Gone Gone
Don’t Knock
I’m a One Woman Man
Your Long Journey

from theenchanter:
Robert Plant is clearly right where he belongs. Seeing the show tonight (2nd one of the tour) and the energy and smiles from him and really from all of them is incredible. They’ve clearly found their groove together and I noticed with this show more improvising and playing off each other. There are so many moments when either Alison or T Bone or someone in the band has a solo and you can see his face just taking it all in and being so moved by it.

Even though many of these songs were not originally penned by Robert or Alison, you pretty well forget that. They’ve made it their own. The root and meaning of the song is clearly there, but they’ve added their own interpretation to make it something so unique.

So many highlights - I really love hearing Robert sing Leave My Woman Alone, Don’t Knock and I’m a One Woman Man. He’s got a great way with them and it’s yet another example as I’ve said so often, how diverse and talented a singer he is to move through so many genres and it “fit” so well. Fortune Teller is one of my favorites - Robert gets that little twinkle in his eye when he sings it. Great fun. Nothin’ is more intense live. In the Mood into Maddy Grove is gorgeous and it’s nice to revisit his earlier work and hear it in a totally different manner. Probably the most moving part of the show was Your Long Journey. The song is a tear jerker on the album and to watch him sing it just intensifies the words that much more.

Alison’s voice was stunning. To hear her sing Down to the River without accompaniment and so on key is great. Special nods really need to go out to T Bone for his vision bringing this project to life the way he did. At the end when they bowed, he just hugged Robert and smiled at him like a proud papa. It was really sweet to see.

It’s hard to believe they were on for 2 hours because it went way too quickly.

This time I was able to see the full merchandise table - they have in addition to the tourbook (which I would suggest if you only get one thing, buy that), a few different t-shirt styles, a poster of them but it’s done in an artistic treatment, a tote bag (white) and I think that was it.

Roanoke Civic Center, Roanoke, VA

from Heartbreakerfan:
Robert and Alison put on a superb show last night in Roanoke. They both sounded fantastic, and they both looked great. Sharon Little opened for them, and she did a good job.

Alison looked sleek and trim in her fitted print dress with purple belt. Robert also looked sleek and trim in his black shirt with ruffles, black pants, and white/black boots. I enjoyed each and every song, and they provided a musical treat for southwest Virginia.

I tried to write down the song list, and I hope I got it right. I had to leave early since I live out of town and really wanted to beat the crowd. I only saw two songs of the encore. The Roanoke Times says they played four songs so I missed two (boo hoo). Maybe someone else that attended this concert can fill in the missing two songs.

Rich Woman
Leave My Woman Alone
Black Dog
Sister Rosetta
Through the Morning, Through the Night
So Long Goodbye to You
Fortune Teller
In the Mood–changed to Black Country Woman–In the Mood
Hey Hey What Can I Do
Shut It Tight (I think)–T Bone Burnett
Bon Temps Roule –T Bone Burnett
Trampled Rose
Green Pastures
Down to the River to Pray
Killing the Blues
Nothin’–went into Who Do You Love?–Nothin’
Battle of Evermore
Please Read the Letter
Gone Gone Gone

Encore:
You Don’t Knock
One Woman Man

I hope this is correct. Maybe someone else will provide the two songs I missed. In The Roanoke Times, the guy doing the review mentioned When the Levee Breaks, but I honestly don’t remember that being performed. Maybe it was and I was just so entranced by the whole experience that I didn’t realize I missed writing it down.

I loved it when Robert sang Who Do You Love?, a Bo Diddley song. Of course, he mentioned his untimely passing away on Monday. He played the harmonica on this song, and he does it so well. When he sang, Please Read the Letter, Alison had problems with her ear monitor; and he got to sing half of the song alone. I liked the gospel song, You Don’t Knock, that Robert sang, and he did an excellent job on that as well. The Roanoke crowd loved them, and I think each and everyone in attendance had a remarkable time. Thanks again Robert and Alison for such a great concert!