Watch Robert Plant perform new ‘Tiny Desk Concert’
Robert Plant is the latest star to step behind the office space of NPR’s Tiny Desk set-up. The former Led Zeppelin delivered a hypnotic five-track set along with his band, Saving Grace.
After coasting beautifully through their opener, ‘Gospel Plough’, Plant addressed the audience “The descriptions I received on tottering around this spaghetti here were very, very charming and kind. We are not, in fact, Americana,” the frontman announced, “We are Englishcana.”
Plant continued, “And we all live and operate in an area which is on the border of England and Wales. That in itself doesn’t seem to be a big deal, but for me it’s always been inspiring to be attached to Celtic culture.”
Plant also noted how “inspiring” Celtic culture has similarities to North African music, admitting that this fusion “has always been a great intrigue.”
After thanking the crowd, Plant launched into a cover of a Martha Scandlin song, ‘Higher Rock’. His co-vocalist, Suzi Dian, opened the song, which then moved into an upbeat folk duo.
For the rest of the 26-minute set, Plant and Saving Grace played the emotionally-charged ‘Everybody’s Song’, after which they moved into the “weepy” ‘It’s a Beautiful Day Today’, and finished with ‘Gallows Pole’, during which Dian played the accordion.
The synopsis to the official video reads, “When Robert Plant first stepped behind the Tiny Desk on a blustery Halloween afternoon, he took stock of the relatively stripped-down setup. “This is just like Live Aid,” he said with a smile. “I couldn’t hear myself there either.””
Plant was referring to the technical setup in the office, as NPR Tiny Desk doesn’t use monitors, so that artists can easily hear themselves.
The two singers were joined by Matt Worley on guitar and banjo, Tony Kelsey on guitar Barney, Morse-Brown on cello, and Oli Jefferson on drums.
Soon, Plant and Saving Grace will embark on a UK tour. He will begin in Portsmouth on December 8th, and make his way across the south of England, stopping at London’s Royal Festival Hall before moving on to Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Middlesbrough, and Newcastle before finishing things off in York on December 23rd.
Far Out gave his latest release, Saving Grace, a four-star review, observing, “If you want tunes that are more in line with Led, feel free to pick up one of the copycats, but for me, Plant will always be better when he’s following his muse. Anyone can have nostalgic memories of tunes like ‘Tangerine’ or ‘The Battle of Evermore’ listening to this kind of album, but it’s always better to have the Neil Young approach and give the people what they didn’t realise they needed.”
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