"The essential ingredient for any successful rock group is energy–the ability to give out energy, to receive energy from the audience and to give it back to the audience. A rock concert is in fact a rite involving the evocation and transmutation of energy...The origins of all the arts–music, painting and writing–is ceremonial and magical; and that magic is always used to obtain some definite result." ~~ William Burroughs
Robert Plant and his band achieved such a creation of energy - from the performers to the audience – tapping into the "will", the source of magical energy. It was a night ripe with magic, ritual, circles, dance and laughter. A coming together, all brought about by music that shifted and assailed the senses, striking the proverbial gong and tapping the collective unconscious, which is considered by some as an immense depository of ancient wisdom shared by people in all cultures. Jung considered it the, "whole spiritual heritage of mankind's evolution born anew in the brain-structure of every individual."
With gypsy blood coursing through his veins – a natural storyteller if ever there was one – Mr. Plant's wanderlust brings out his inquisitive nature to learn new ideas, new ways of being, a sincere traveler of both time and space. A 21st century minstrel man with an eclectic group of spectacular troubadours at his side it is no wonder that Robert Plant and his sensational space shifters are able to bring the magic back.
It is said a Bardic Circle is simply a setting for listeners to entertain each other through song and stories. All should participate, though it is not necessary for all to contribute to make it a fun thing to do. This is what happens when Plant and company come to town. They set the circle. Each musician catching the wind and letting it breathe then whispers to our ears the notes we want to hear. Old songs played and tossed about like a game of round robin, all players waiting patiently to have their turn and when called upon giving only there stellar best, the audience reciprocating their pleasure in kind. All riding the tribal beating wave; energy is given back, everyone sharing in the collective oneness of the evening and all arriving in utopia.
Mr. Plant is the mighty rearranger, an epic bard, the alchemist and a soothsayer. For many years he has learned his craft, fine tuning when need be but always giving his all, never holding back. Always learning – the good and bad; he keeps the circle flowing – music always coming first.
"Then as it was, then again it will be. And though the course may change sometimes, rivers always reach the sea."
~ Robert Plant/Led Zeppelin-Ten Years Gone
Singing with passion, joy, and exuberance, Robert's excitement and energy comes through loud and clear. While change is good, it shakes and stirs the clichéd pot, he is back in his element though, back where he truly belongs. The ebb and flow of the circular ritual wheel has turned. Robert is happy – the spark is back - you can see and feel it.
As a long-time follower and listener of Robert Plant the night of July 26th held much magic, happiness and light. Robert and the band brought us back and forth, pulling this way and that way, playing us their journey through song, taking us on a fun-filled ride, allowing us to come full circle - to enjoy the moment and listen to the sounds in the wind and to take them with us on our own sojourns; to keep music beating within our hearts and to dance without care. A wondrous spectacular night and one I will never forget.
Thank you Mr. Plant.
