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San Antonio Express-News
REVIEW

Thunderous Page, Plant show delivers the Led Zeppelin flashbacks

by Ramiro Burr

Express-News Arts Writer

09/28/98 Monday

Riding a wall of heavy metal thunder, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant delivered the glorious flashbacks that the rabid 15,000- plus fans had been waiting for at the Alamodome Saturday night.

Like veteran heavyweight boxers, Page & Plant came out throwing some of the heaviest bombs in their arsenal. After eerie Egyptian cadences that could be barely be heard above the raucous din of the crowd, the pair opened with a set that ran through "Wanton Song," "Celebration Day" and "Heartbreaker."

Everyone was on their feet, heads shaking, fists pumping. The smell of weed was heavy in the air.

It was just like old times.

Plant seemed in top shape, looking good and sounding confident. Page, with his trademark long locks horn, oddly grinned like Goofy between riffs. But that happy face belied the intensity of his guitar playing. As if to prove he hadn't lost any speed or power, Page would step to the edge of stage and fire off blistering riffs with an amazing dexterity captured in detail by the three overhead video screens.

Earlier, the crowd has seemed more impatient that usual, perhaps because the dome's air conditioning system had broken down. But all that was instantly forgotten the moment the band came on at just past 9 p.m.

The band's 19-song set featured only four new tunes, including the title track from the "Walking into Clarksdale" CD. Otherwise, the show was basically a Led Zeppelin revival show, much to the excitement of the fervent fans in the house. Every trademark floor- shaking groove, every signature guitar riff and every primal wail by Plant was properly administered to the incredibly thirsty flock.

Old slow-burning blues touchstones like "What Is and What Should Never Be" and "Baby I'm Going to Leave You," were among the few tunes revisited with a secure calmness that showcased the band's inspiring talent for mixing balladry with metal fury.

Drummer Michael Lee is no John Bonham but Saturday night he proved a solid standin, hammering the skins with enormous force.

The band switched gears for an acoustic ride through the rhythmic "Going to California," the ringing "Tangerine," and the dark "Gallows Pole." Page brought out his double-neck guitar and his playing was nothing short of brilliant, as he interspersed his melodic runs with occasional fiery bursts that rang incredibly clear. And yes, he also brought out his bow string for a brief segment that seemed to drive the house wild.

The final drive featured the hard-charging "How Many More Times," the new hynotic "Most High" and the old banner "Whole Lotta Love." A nice surprise was the eloquent "Ramble On," delivered here with a new romanticism.

For the encore, Page and Plant returned with an almost stately version of "Thank You" and ended with the bulldozing "Rock and Roll."

The band walked off the stage and despite a 10-minute deafening ovation, didn't return.