Robert Plant & Band of Joy + Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara @ Palais des Sports, Paris oct 24 2010
Robert Plant has a new toy: The band of Joy ( after Alison Kraus) and they're playing for the first time in Paris. Robert already played here many years ago on the "Manic Nirvana" Tour, the concert hall has changed a lot , it is now one of the most beautiful venue in Paris ( capacity between 2500 & 4000)The Beatles have played there in 1965 and Richie Blackmore played his last show with Deep Purple in 1975.
Even though the place isn't sold out it's hard to find an empty seat. Justin Adams & friend is opening to the packed venue.Justin was the guitar player with Robert Plant, he's now back to the World Music. Not really the kind of music that I like a bit too Arabic & African for me.
Very simple stage for Robert Plant, just a small backdrop featuring the cover of the new album and a few lights. Very relax atmosphere as most of the songs are mid-tempo and from the new album. Things started getting hot when Plant played his first Led Zeppelin song " Misty Mountain Hop" (click for video) and all the confortably seated froggies rushed down the front ( It was all seated). Robert thought it was funny " Allez les Bleus" he said.
He still has a beautiful voice but doesn't really push it as the songs are really quiet maybe too quiet for some of us. We'd like to see him rock a bit more but it won't happen tonight. Robert was reading the lyrics to every song includin the old ones on a book in front of him.
The other musicians had a solo spot first was his guitar player & producer (the old hippie with the hat above) singing one then the other guitar player sung one too with Robert on the harp in the back.
A couple of other Led Zep songs were played "Tangerine" (here on video) "Gallows pole", "Houses of the holy"and a slow version of "Rock 'n Roll"
SETLIST (tbc): Down to the sea, angel dance, house of cards, please read the letter, Misty mountain hop, twelve gates to the city/Wade in the water, Tangerine, somowhere trouble don't go, satisfied mind, move up, satan your kingdome must come down, centraltwo-o-nine, monkey, houses of the holy,You can't buy my love, Tall cool one, Gallow's pole ENCORE Harm's swift way, Rock n roll, and we bid you goodnight.
Last song was very quiet " I Bid you goodnight" as was most of the show Good gig if you like the new record otherwise a bit too soft.
Big Brother & The Holding Company @ Boule Noire Paris Oct 21 2010
The original members Peter S Albin (bass) & Sam Houston Andrew III (on guitar)
After celebrating Jimi Hendrix ( he died 40 years ago on Sept 18), it's time to celebrate Janis Joplin who died 40 years ago on Oct 4th. Big Brother... her band is still touring. Unfortunately one of the original guitar player died a couple of years ago and tonight the drummer isn't there. So we only have Peter (on bass) and Sam ( on guitar) plus Mary Bridget Davies as Janis Joplin
The singer's great, you close your eyes is it's like Janis' never been away. See setlist for details, lots of youngsters in the audience. The original members proved us that they still can play, there's a great "new" guy on the guitar. Very cool night listening to Janis' songs
Patti Smith signing session @ L'Arbre à Lettres, Paris Oct 21 2010 6:00PM
Another day, another singing session for Patti Smith to promote her new book "Just Kids". Yesterday it was at the Virgin megastore (scroll down for more) and it started 20 min late, today we're on time and it started in advance. Fuck it ! We've missed Patti playing one song then she started signing books ( and a few cds) luckily we didn't wait long before she played another song (here on video). The place is rammed, much more people than yesterday and it's hot as hell so we decided to make our way out. Hope she didn't play another song (she probably did).
Here's one for ya all:
Then we went to the Boule Noire to see Big Brother & The Holding Cie
Patti Smith signing session @ Virgin Megastore Champs Elysées Paris Oct 20 2010 8:20 PM
It started a bit late, 8:20 PM when Patti started signing books at the beginning of the queue. She then played a song and went to the table to start signing her new book. When everybody had their book signed she played a couple more songs on the small stage including a impro for the evening at the Virgin. By 10:00 it was all over. No reading too bad Last time I did one was with Marianne Faithfull and it was at the cosy bar upstrairs.
If you couldn't go, she's doing another one tomorrow ( Oct 21st) @ 6:00PM @ L'Arbre à lettres, Rue du Fbg St Honoré M° Ledru Rollin.
Tomorrow night Big Brother & the Holding Cie ( Janis Joplin former band) is playing the Boule Noire in Pigalle see ya there
Chris Wilson @ Gibert Joseph Paris Oct 20 2010 5:00 PM
He's the second singer with the Flamin' Groovies, short acoustic set on twelve strings. A bit as if your funny uncle decided to play a few songs after a few pints of lager.
SUPERTRAMP is back together to celebrate 40 years of existence. 1970-2010. It's not really Supertramp as Dougie Thomson ( Bass) and of course Roger Hodgson are NOT part of it. It looks like Rick Davies needs some money. Can't remember last time they were in Paris ( maybe 1998) anyway Supertramp is very popular in France and tonight's show is long sold-out despite very expensive tix, another show has been added on Oct 28 which is also sold-out.
They opened the set with " you started laughing" and then it's hit after hit :
SETLIST:(tbc) You started laughing Gone Hollywood Put on your old brown shoes Ain't nobody but me Breakfast in America (Jesse S vocals+piano) Cannonball Poor boy From now on Give a little bit (Jesse vocals) Dowstream Rudy It's raining again (Gabe D vocals) Another man's woman Take the long way home (Jesse S vocals) Bloody well right The logical song (Jesse S vocals) Goodbye Stranger Encore: School (Jesse S vocals) Dreamer (Gabe D vocals) Crime of the century
Without Roger it's not the same even though the guys on vocals for his songs are doing good ( much better than the other guy on the last tour). John Anthony Helliwell is still doing his funny bits but there's something missing, first part was just good above average , second part was better. Enjoyable but it could have been better. You could get the LIVE recording on a usb key for 25 euros at the end of the show. Cool but not for me.
Merchandising
"School" :
Next show on Oct 28 @ Paris Bercy for "Supertramp"
