Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation-al Space Shifters

[caption id="attachment_1762" align="aligncenter" width="267" caption="Photo by Dawn Atherton - Used by Permission"][/caption]

Robert Plant introduced his latest project last night at Guildhall in Gloucester last night as the Sensational Space Shifters played to the 400 or so people who were lucky enough to get tickets.

[caption id="attachment_1763" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Photo by Dawn Atherton - Used by Permission"][/caption]

The Space Shifters lineup consisted of Plant, Patty Griffin (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Juldeh Camara (ritti), Skin Tyson (guitar), Justin Adams (guitar), Billy Fuller (bass), John Baggott (keyboards) and Dave Smith (drums). Minus drummer Clive Deamer, this is virtually the line up for Plant's Strange Sensation when he recorded and toured on Mighty ReArranger.

Here's a setlist, lifted from a picture of the stage setlist:

1. 18 hammers


2. Tin pan valley


3. 44


4. Four sticks


5. Hey joe


6. Bron-y-aur ( perhaps Bron-y-aur stomp)


7. No bad news


8. Standing


9. Black dog


10. Somebody knocking


11. Witch doctor


12. WLL/bury my body


13. Satan or Siren


14. Gallows pole

[caption id="attachment_1764" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Photo by Dawn Atherton - Used by Permission"][/caption]

They did play Song to the Siren, but it's unclear whether Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down was also played. The setlist consists of old Plant and Zeppelin numbers, some old blues pieces and one number by Patty Griffin (No Bad News). Reports are that the show was "awesome," and the few clips that have made their way online give the impression that Plant was in good form.

Here's Song to the Siren from last night's show to judge for yourself.



Thanks to Wyatt Brake for much of the information on the band and for his work in referencing the songs, and to Dawn Atherton who allowed me to publish her pictures from the evening here.

[caption id="attachment_1765" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Photo by Dawn Atherton - Used by Permission"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1768" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Photo by Dawn Atherton - Used by Permission"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1769" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Photo by Dawn Atherton - Used by Permission"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1770" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Photo by Dawn Atherton - Used by Permission"][/caption]

Robert Plant to Unveil New Band

Robert Plant announced today, via his website, that he is launching a new band in July. Plant will unveil the Sensational Space Shifters at the 30th anniversary of the WOMAD Festival in Wiltshire, July 27-29.

The Sensational Space Shifters will consist of members of his former band, Strange Sensation including guitarist Justin Adams and Adams former collaborater Juldeh Camara.

The Sensational Space Shifters are being described by UK Festival Guides as "a heady brew of blues, gospel and psychedelia inspired by the roots music of Mississippi, Appalachia, Gambia, Bristol and the foothills of Wolverhampton. "

In 2009 Plant took the stage of WOMAD Abu Dhabi with Adams and Camara to perform Funny In My Mind (I Believe I’m Fixin’ To Die) from Dreamland, possibly an indication of what's to come:



No word on whether the Sensational Space Shifters will record or tour.