Robert Plant's latest musical endeavor, Saving Grace, has been a beacon of hope for the 77-year-old rock legend. With his new ensemble, he has found a new lease on life, one that allows him to continue creating and exploring music without feeling constrained by the weight of his illustrious past.
The tour, which kicked off at Chicago's Vic Theatre, was a testament to Plant's willingness to take risks and push boundaries. Rather than a stadium rock show, the performance was an intimate, seated affair, with 14 songs carefully delivered across 90 minutes. The setlist included African spirituals, passed-down folk traditionals, and contemporary re-compositions, showcasing Plant's eclectic taste and adventurous spirit.
One of the highlights of the evening was the pairing of Plant's vocals with Suzi Dian's evocative siren calls on a haunting duet of Blind Willie Johnson's "Soul of a Man". The chemistry between the two was palpable, as if they had been singing together for years. Worley's husky banjo playing added depth to the performance, while Plant himself took center stage, his harmonica adding a layer of emotional intensity to the proceedings.
For Plant, Saving Grace represents a chance to reconnect with his musical roots and honor the past while forging new paths forward. He joked about being "a terrible job this is" but couldn't hide his gratitude for the opportunity to share his music with fans once again. The setlist, which included classic Led Zeppelin tracks like "Ramble On" and "The Rain Song", as well as covers of Martha Scanlan and Neil Young songs, showcased Plant's adaptability and willingness to take risks.
As he noted in a post-show interview, the idea for Saving Grace was born in a pub on the Welsh borders in 2018, when he met banjo maestro Matt Worley and found common ground in their shared musical heritage. The group, which includes guitarist Tony Kelsey, cellist Barney Morse-Brown, and drummer Oli Jefferson, has become Plant's "saving grace", giving him a new purpose to keep creating and exploring rather than resting on his laurels.
For fans of Plant and Led Zeppelin, Saving Grace is a breath of fresh air. It's a testament to the enduring power of music to bring people together and transcend generations. As Plant himself said, it's an honor to be able to follow in the footsteps of greats who came before him. With Saving Grace, he has found a new family, one that shares his passion for music and his commitment to creating something special.
The tour, which kicked off at Chicago's Vic Theatre, was a testament to Plant's willingness to take risks and push boundaries. Rather than a stadium rock show, the performance was an intimate, seated affair, with 14 songs carefully delivered across 90 minutes. The setlist included African spirituals, passed-down folk traditionals, and contemporary re-compositions, showcasing Plant's eclectic taste and adventurous spirit.
One of the highlights of the evening was the pairing of Plant's vocals with Suzi Dian's evocative siren calls on a haunting duet of Blind Willie Johnson's "Soul of a Man". The chemistry between the two was palpable, as if they had been singing together for years. Worley's husky banjo playing added depth to the performance, while Plant himself took center stage, his harmonica adding a layer of emotional intensity to the proceedings.
For Plant, Saving Grace represents a chance to reconnect with his musical roots and honor the past while forging new paths forward. He joked about being "a terrible job this is" but couldn't hide his gratitude for the opportunity to share his music with fans once again. The setlist, which included classic Led Zeppelin tracks like "Ramble On" and "The Rain Song", as well as covers of Martha Scanlan and Neil Young songs, showcased Plant's adaptability and willingness to take risks.
As he noted in a post-show interview, the idea for Saving Grace was born in a pub on the Welsh borders in 2018, when he met banjo maestro Matt Worley and found common ground in their shared musical heritage. The group, which includes guitarist Tony Kelsey, cellist Barney Morse-Brown, and drummer Oli Jefferson, has become Plant's "saving grace", giving him a new purpose to keep creating and exploring rather than resting on his laurels.
For fans of Plant and Led Zeppelin, Saving Grace is a breath of fresh air. It's a testament to the enduring power of music to bring people together and transcend generations. As Plant himself said, it's an honor to be able to follow in the footsteps of greats who came before him. With Saving Grace, he has found a new family, one that shares his passion for music and his commitment to creating something special.