Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters: Taste of Chicago 2013 Concert Review by Gordon Stamper, Jr.

Robert Plant at Taste of Chicago 2013 (photo by Gordon Stamper, Jr.)

The familiar acoustic guitar opening of "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" accompanied Robert Plant's entrance on the Petrillo Music Shell stage.  A cheer rolled through the massive crowd, and Mr. Plant and his band mates delivered on the promise of these opening chords throughout their 90 minute performance.  Although his vocal range has been shaved due to time and throat surgery, Plant used what he has left with maximum efficiency and effectiveness at his Taste of Chicago appearance.

Throughout the set, the sound shifted from folk to blues to psychedelia and heavy metal.  Plant's versatile touring band The Sensational Space Shifters made much of it possible, with contributors such as Massive Attack's John Baggott on keyboards, West African multi-instrumentalist Juldeh Camara, and versatile guitarists Justin Adams and Liam Tyson.  "Black Dog" turned into a world beat party with Dave Smith's complex percussion and Camara's banjo-like work on the kolongo.

Juldeh Camara on the kolongo (photo by Gordon Stamper, Jr.)

Mr. Plant applied his Space Shifters to classic blues covers as well, including a slinky rendition of Willie Dixon's "Spoonful," and added old gospel intensity to "Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down."  The latter song was one of Plant's finest moments in the show, with his phrasing and building intensity highlighting his remaining vocal strengths.  "What Is and What Should Never Be" also remained a dynamics showcase for Plant, with seductive whispers leading to a shouting climax.

Perhaps the most straightforward treatment of a song was from Plant's solo work, "In the Mood."  It was good to hear the 80's song in a live setting, but fortunately, much of the show strayed from set arrangements and instead kept even Zeppelin material from seeming too obvious and familiar.  One example would be "Whole Lotta Love," which shifted from the original rhythm to a Bo Diddley beat and "Who Do You Love?" before returning to a metal sonic attack, with Camara's one string African fiddle added in for surreal effect.

But even those audience members who may have been befuddled by the new arrangements seemed to be won over by an ethereal rendition of "Goin' to California."  It inspired some couples to slow dance, caught up on a breezy summer night with a shimmering soundtrack to match.  Plant's Golden God days are gone, but what is left is a music scholar who balances pride in his legacy with musical exploration in his live performances.