Here is a look back to the group’s February 7 show in Charlotte…

Photos by Vikas Nambiar

On this evening Robert Plant and his new group Band of Joy lived up to its name before a packed house at Ovens Auditorium.

Band of Joy borrows from many sources as Plant creates tight arrangements from blues, gospel, and rock and roll influences. Choosing musicians who are tops in their fields and molding a sound that is surprisingly unique, created an experience not to be missed. The band played almost everything from its 2010 release and added a few songs from the Led Zeppelin catalogue.

Joining Plant was Patty Griffin, a mezzo-soprano, with nice full tones which ably match Plant’s voice. Darryl Scott played six different instruments, plus backing vocals and lead vocals. Buddy Miller contributed on electric guitar, vocals and lead vocals on “Somewhere Trouble Don’t Go.” Byron House appeared on electric bass and as often on bass violin, is well known in the Americana and Bluegrass worlds. Marco Giovino on percussion demonstrated a deviation from the sound of most drummers. He tended to stay on the toms, giving a deeper and richer and driving tone to the sound.

At times there were five vocalists as Plant sought out forceful harmonies. While Plant took most of the lead duties he also gave the other singers, most notably Patti Griffin, the opportunity to move up front while he stepped to the back of the stage to sing backup. This offered a certain variety within the set. One of the highlights was when Griffin was played a Gibson Songwriter and Scott on the mando-cello melding the tones to a great effect. That attention to detail that makes this such a superior band.

Set List
Black Dog
Angel Dance
Cindy, I’ll Marry You Someday
Down To the Sea
Can’t Buy My Love
Houses of the Holy
House of Cards
Monkey
Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down
Gasoline and Matches
Tangerine
Satisfied Mind
Nobody’s Fault But Mine
Move Up
Tall Cool One
Ramble On
Gallow’s Pole

Encore
In the Mood
Rock and Roll
And We Bid You Goodnight