Rambling On: Robert Plant & Saving Grace Perform Mystical Show In Boston

Robert Plant is currently out with his folk-leaning ensemble, Saving Grace, touring behind their recently-released, excellent album, Saving Grace. The run landed Thursday night at Boston’s Shubert Theatre.

The band was in fine form throughout the show, with Plant stepping back numerous times to his bandmates moments to shine. Of course, though, the biggest crowd reaction of the evening was for Plant and his still-fantastic voice.

Drummer Oli Jefferson, guitarist Tony Kelsey, cellist Barney Morse-Brown, and banjo/strings player Matt Worley started the show with a short jam before Plant and vocalist Suzi Dian came on stage for the traditional “The Cuckoo.” Next was “Higher Rock,” one of several songs from the album making it into the setlist.

It was the third selection of the night that finally brought the audience completely to life, a little song called “Ramble On.”

Plant has been reworking Led Zeppelin songs his entire solo career and the new versions with this band were stunning. Given their instrumentation — cello, banjo, cuatro, accordion, and acoustic guitars — Saving Grace is not built to completely rock out, but when they go for it, they can hit as hard as any of Plant’s other solo projects.

Worley had a chance at lead vocals next with “Soul Of A Man,” as Kelsey unleashed his first outstanding guitar solo of the evening, before Plant took back over with the band covering his Strange Sensation song “Let The Four Winds Blow.” When Plant takes center stage, he’s still such a powerful presence, but Saving Grace’s talented musicians does make you take your eyes off of him at times.

Plant was excited to be back in Boston, mentioning Zeppelin’s famous 1969 Boston Tea Party show multiple times. It is certainly one of the most well-known Led Zeppelin shows in their history, and he never thought he’d be playing a beautiful theater like the Shubert anytime in his life.

Dian was the next member of the band given the spotlight, with her taking lead vocals on “Too Far From You.” Plant added a bit of harmony during the song, but Dian earned her standing ovation after the song was over. Their voices meshed together perfectly all evening. The same could be said for when he toured with Alison Krauss, but Plant is an expert at harmonizing.

Led Zeppelin’s “Four Sticks” was up next and had the biggest reworking of the night, with the middle slowing down to a crawl. It was a wild take and included an accordion solo. This is a special version they created for this tour and a must-hear highlight of the show.

Plant then spoke about his fondness for the United States and the West Coast bands of the 1960s before saying Moby Grape was one of his favorites, which led into a wonderful cover of their song, “It’s a Beautiful Day Today.”

The melding of everyone’s playing gave the whole evening a mystical feel, with the one-two punch of “As I Roved Out” and the Low cover “Everybody’s Song” highlighting this motif. Plant has always had an otherworldly feel between his voice and lyrics, and to be in his late-70s collaborating with these musicians that match that vibe is truly something special.

Fans will always clamor for more Led Zeppelin, but Plant has always searched for new muses, and this band nails that for him.

Dian took the lead again on a cover of Neil Young's “For the Turnstiles” with Kelsey doing his Young impression with standout soloing. Full introductions were next before a take on Zeppelin’s “Friends” that just kept building and building.

The audience eruption at the end of the song continued until the band came back out to the stage for a memorable two-song encore of “Down to the Sea” and “Gallows Pole.” During the latter song, the band shifted into Zeppelin’s “Black Dog” with Plant adding some extra rock ‘n’ roll oomph while encouraging the audience to sing many of the lyrics before doing his iconic wail, which then went back into “Gallows Pole” to finish the show.

Another well-deserved audience eruption occurred and the band took a collective bow. This is a not-to-miss tour if you’re a Robert Plant fan.

Photos by Bryan Lasky