Robert Plant and His Band of Joy Live in Washington, D.C.

Robert Plant brought his Band of Joy to the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington , D.C. on February 1^st. Stage lights and an album banner where the only decor for the stripped down show. The North Mississippi All Stars opened the show, with just a guitarist and a drummer. They were an excellent choice for an opening band with their blend of jam rock blues.

Robert Plant did not need a fancy stage. Instead he surrounded himself with great musicians like Patty Griffin and Buddy Miller. Darrell Scott added to the equation with his steel guitar, guitar, lute, whatever instrument he was playing on every tune. Byron House on base and Marco Giovino on drums laid down a solid rhythm section. On his latest album the songs are reworked arrangements of cover songs. The reworked arrangements carried onto the live show be it Led Zeppelin songs, Robert Plant solo songs, or songs from their latest release.

Robert Plant opened the show with a version of Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog." Yes, he would play the old songs but they would be played his way, with a new and different sound. Next Plant would venture into his solo catalog for "Down to the Sea." The third song in the set was from the new album "Angel Dance." The song does not remain the same when the band covers Zeppelin's "Houses of the Holy" next.

The Band of Joy returned to their new album with "Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down." Robert knows his band mates are talented and deserve the spotlight. He gives the spotlight up to Patty Griffin for "Move Up." Then they return to Band of Joy material for "Cindy, I'll Mary You Someday." A meandering medley followed of "12 Gates to the City," "Wade into the Water" and "In My Time of Dying." The Zeppelin bit caught me off guard a bit as it was far removed from the old band version.

Darrell Scott took his moment in the spotlight on "Satisfied Mind." Then Robert returned to the front for a beautiful version of "Tangerine." Darrell's steel guitar adds so much more to the song. The new version, expanded with more depth than the Led Zeppelin version. The band followed the Zeppelin nugget with two fine selections from the new album "Harm's Swift Way " and "House of Cards." Buddy Miller took his spotlight with "Somewhere Trouble Don't Go." While Plant isn't in the spotlight he is adding backing vocals and harmonica.

"Monkey" and "You Can't Buy My Love" follow from the Band of Joy album. Patty strums her acoustic guitar and the band launches into a fine reworked version of Led Zeppelin's "Ramble On." The band played a new version of Plant's 1988 hit "Tall Cool One." Robert's band closes their set with a Darrell Scott banjo led slower, haunting version of the mighty Zeppelin's "Gallows Pole."

Robert and his gang return to the stage for an encore featuring "In the Mood." The song was a Plant original from the early 80's reworked in Band of Joy style. Next the band launched into a rockabilly version of "Rock and Roll." A song Robert sang loose and had fun joking with the lyrics. The band said goodnight via a cappella version of "And We Bid You Good Night" which highlighted the vocal talents of Robert Plant and the rest of his Band of Joy. Robert Plant and his band made for an entertaining, musical evening which was a joy to listen to and watch.

Sources:

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