I changed my mind... a duet on Flaming Red. With Jimmy Page playing his twin neck.

Didn't Marco Giovino play drums for Patty before?

And yes, I'm all for a Flaming Red duet, as well!

Marco has been the drummer in Patty's live band since April 2009.

Patty has had quite a few drummers. Sounds familiar.

Anyone seen Longoria lately?

Yeah, once in awhile he plays in town here in Austin.

Some quick thoughts on the Band of Joy last night in Dallas:

1. The recordings of the Memphis show don't do the effectiveness of Patty's vocals justice. Many times they soar beautifully above Plant's while adding noticeable depth to the vocals. The difference between the recordings and the live performance was most noticeable on the absolutely-stunning main set closer "Gallows Pole".
2. The promise of a more revue-like show has been kept, with Buddy (Julie Miller's "Somewhere Trouble Don't Go" with Patty taking Julie's role), Darrell (Porter Wagoner's "Satisfied Mind" with Plant on Harmonica) and Patty ("If I Had My Way" - the all-male backup vocals were remarkably good) taking the spotlight at various times.
3. I probably enjoyed the many 4-part harmonies as much as anything.
4. There were times that Patty reminded me of a classic go-go dance - she seemed to be having a good time.
5. Plant's voice doesn't soar any more, but he has effectively changed his style and songs so that his voice seems as strong and distinctive as ever.
6. I'm not sure, but I think that, in introducing Townes Van Zandt's "Harm's Swift Way", Plant said that Patty was a native of Austin, Texas. Sounds good to me.
7. While I agree with Keith that Zep's "Rock and Roll" is nothing special, it's placement as the second to last song in the encore (right before "Good Night") was fun.
8. This was a very, very good show before an extremely energetic and appreciative sold out audience. Since the show was in a symphony concert hall in Dallas, that says a lot. I certainly left with a satisfied mind.

Sounds like a fantastic show. Thanks for the report, Russell. Glad to hear that Plant is also participating when the others sing.

Seems like since Rosanne Cash covered Satisfied Mind on her album, it's been popping up from different singers. Great song.

"Gallows Pole" from the Dallas show (Patty really starts letting loose at about 2:50):

Cool!

You can hear and download the track Angel Dance, from Robert Plant's new album here: http://www.directcurrentmusic.com/music-news-new-music/2010/7/28/daily-track-robert-plant-angel-dance.html

(I continue to be underwhelmed....)

The tour is over. Wonder if Patty is relieved to be released from her role as a go-go-dancer?Yeah, she did some nice and creative backup singing with the rock god, but I should think she might be ready to do her own musical thing again.

From the videos I got the impression she was having a grand old time. I think its more her fans that are impatient for her to retake the limelight!

Jane-

The tours not over yet-- Plant's web site lists European dates scheduled for the last two weeks in October. Isn't Patty going to appear at those dates?

Also, thought I'd add a review of the live show in Mobile that rock photographer Bill Allen posted on emmylou.net, an Emmylou harris discussion board:

My wife and I were extremely fortunate to catch the Band Of Joy stop in Mobile Wednesday night at the historic Saenger Theatre. One of the best shows I've seen in some time. For my money, this was a better show than the one I saw during the Raising Sand tour and Patty Griffin was a much better duet partner for Plant than Alison Krauss. Buddy Miller was superb on guitar and vocals and Darrell Scott played masterfully on mandolin, banjo, acoustic & electric guitars and pedal steel guitar. Byron House (on both stand-up and electric bass and vocals), along with drummer Marco Giovino provided a great rhythm section. And Patty Griffin just wailed on vocals all night. Overall, the music was like a rockabilly, gospel, country stew crossed with Led Zeppelin III. Definitely not Led Zeppelin, but, for my taste, it was quite excellent. For you Europeans, my advice is to definitely catch one of their fall shows.

Robert Plant and Band Of Joy
Saenger Theatre
Mobile, Alabama
July 28, 2010

Setlist
01. Down To The Sea (from the solo cd, Fate Of Nations)
02. Angel Dance* (Los Lobos cover - take a listen at http://www1.rollingstone.com/hearitnow/player.php?xmlData=plant/plant.xml)
03. House Of Cards* (a Richard & Linda Thompson cover)
04. Please Read The Letter#
05. Misty Mountain Hop (from Led Zeppelin IV)
06. Somewhere Trouble Don't Go (from Buddy Miller's album, Cruel Moon)
07. Rich Woman#
08. Medley: Twelve Gates To The City/Wade In The Water (old spiritual songs)
09. Tangerine (from Led Zeppelin III)
10. Satisfied Mind (Darrell Scott on lead with Plant on harmonica - some nice four part harmonies)
11. Move Up (Patty Griffin on lead, from her latest album Downtown Church)
12. Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down* (Uncle Tupelo cover)
13. Central Two O Nine* (Lightnin' Hopkins cover?)
14. Silver Rider* (cover of song by Duluth, Minnesota band Low http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUH_i-lhRtw) Plant is also doing their song Monkey on this tour http://vimeo.com/10471986 and both songs are on the BOJ cd
15. In The Mood (from Plant's 1983 solo cd, The Principle Of Moments)
16. Houses Of The Holy (from Led Zeppelin's cd, Physical Graffitti)
17. Over The Hills And Far Away (also from Houses Of The Holy)
18. Tall Cool One (from the solo cd Now And Zen)
19. Gallows Pole (from Led Zeppelin III)
Encore:
20. Harm's Swift Way* (Townes Van Zandt - supposedly the last song he wrote before his death)
21. Thank You (from Led Zeppelin II)
22. Rock & Roll (from Led Zeppelin IV)
23. And We Bid You Goodnight (Again, really nice harmonies acapella. The Grateful Dead used to close with this back in the early '70s)

* from the forthcoming Band Of Joy cd
# from the Raising Sand cd (with Alison Krauss)

http://blog.al.com/entertainment-press-register/2010/07/rober t_plant_defies_expectatio.html

Some clips from Mobile

Thank You/Rock & Roll
http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=s4rkZ7rZim0
Gallows Pole
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV_TyDhyzQU&feature=relate d



www.billallenphotos.com - Live Concert Photography and more...

Perhaps it's just sour grapes, and that I'm just ticked off that there was no touring in the northeast by the Band of Joy (though I read somewhere that there may be more U.S. dates in 2011). If so, I'll be there, for sure!
It's evident that the videos don't do Patty justice , and I have yet to see a vid on You Tube of her doing Wade in the Water with the B of J, or Move Up from Downtown Church. Too bad RP didn't ask her to do a Patty-penned song or two!.

Oops! I just discovered this on You Tube - Patty doing Move Up (spoons and all):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6dim1FOOoI