Magical, mystical Mr. Plant

Star Tribune photo by Renee Jones Schneider

No, I'm not dazed and confused because of the lateness of the hour. Here are a few post-concert reflections about Robert Plant and his Band of Joy's exciting concert (read my review) at the soldout State Theatre on Tuesday.

*Plant shared the spotlight, by letting Patty Griffin, Darrell Scott and Buddy Miller each sing a song while he became a backup singer (and harmonica player behind Miller).

*During the traditional spiritual "Wade in the Water," Plant threw in a Zeppelin line "In my time of dying." Hmmmm.

*A great student of American music, Plant apparently failed to realize he was in the home state of Low (he sang two of the Duluth group's songs) and Bob Dylan (he closed with Dylan's "A Hard Rain Is A-Gonna Fall").

*Wasn't surprised that there was only one tune from the Grammy-winning 2007 Alison Krauss duo album, "Raising Sand." (It was a Page/Plant oldie, "Please Read the Letter.") This show (and tour) emphasized material from last year's "Band of Joy" -- six of the 12 numbers were played Tuesday.

*The truncated North Mississippi Allstars — just guitarist Luther Dickinson and his bro Cody on drums — were disappointing as the opening act. It felt like a jam session in their basement. Highlight: Luther playing an electric guitar with a cigar-box body.

Set list:

Black Dog/ Down to the Sea/ Angel Dance/ Black Country Woman/ House of Cards/ Monkey/ Somewhere Trouble Don't Go (sung by Buddy Miller, Plant on harmonica)/ Silver Rider/ A Satisfied Mind (a Porter Wagoner cover sung by Darrell Scott)/ Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down/ Q What a Beautiful City > Wade in the Water/ Patty Griffin song ????/ Please Read The Letter/ House of the Holy/ Ramble On ENCORE Tangerine/ Harm's Swift Way/ A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall