Review of Robert Plant and the Band of Joy at the 2011 Wanee Music Festival

Robert Plant brought his Band of Joy to the Wanee Musical Festival's Peach Stage on Friday, April 15, 2011. It was strange to see Robert Plant perform in the daylight on a stripped down stage. The festival is held annually in Live Oak, Florida. The warm North Florida air brought a great performance out of Robert and his band.

It is not difficult for Robert and his band to sound incredible these days. Considering he has surrounded himself with the outstanding talents of Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller, Darrell Scott, Byron House and Marco Giovino. Robert Plant was going to play Led Zeppelin his way at Wanee and he opened up with "Black Dog." The first three songs were the same as his Washington show I reviewed. On the fourth song he changed it up playing Led Zeppelin's "Black Country Woman."

"Ocean of Tears " was Patty Griffin's highlight instead of "Move On." Patty sounded so much better at Wanee. Buddy Miller took his spot with "Somewhere Trouble Don't Go." Darrell Scott had his moment with "How Many Times Have You Heard Someone Say." Robert Plant redid his own solo songs as well. "Down by the Sea" off of Fate of Nations. Plant performed a new version of "In the Mood for a Melody." He also revisited his days with Jimmy Page performing "Please, Read the Letter." Robert and his band reworked Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog," "Back Country Woman," "Gallows Pole," "Houses of the Holy," "Ramble On" and "Rock and Roll." The reworked versions of "Black Country Woman" and "Ramble On" were the highlight of the Zeppelin covers.

The Band of Joy played five songs off of their album including "Central Two O Nine" which the band used to kick off their three song encore. Next was reworked "Rock and Roll." They ended the night with a beautiful cover of Bob Dylan's "A Hard Rain is Gonna Fall." The Dylan song highlighted everyone in the band and was an incredible musical moment. It was easily the best moment of their set. The Band of Joy is sounding stronger and changing up the set lists. More importantly Robert Plant appears to have found his happy place in the Band of Joy.

Sources:

Personal experience of following Robert Plant's career since 1988 and I was at the concert.