The Chicago Sun Times reports that Robert Plant visited Chicago this week, even making an appearance with Los Lobos at Taste of Chicago on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. The evening before he treated guests at the James Hotel to an impromptu jam session.

Article and photos.

Robert Plant previewed his forthcoming album Band of Joy for critics in New York City on Thursday, June 24, 2010. Kenneth Partridge from Spinner.com reports that Robert attended the preview at the Back Room, a bar in the Lower East Side.

Partridge quoted Robert as saying:

“People say to me, ‘How do we know what you’re going to do next?’” he said. “I have no idea ever what I will do. I just know the first four hours when you meet musicians are the most crucial in your life. You know then whether there’s something really magical there, or whether you’re just churning it out.”

“And I could never go anywhere near that latter condition,” he said.

According to Tulsaworld.com, a limited number of tickets for Robert Plant’s July 16, 2010 Brady Theater show were released today. Tickets for the show are $59.50 for floor front and balcony, and $49.50 for floor back. Tickets are available in Tulsa from Reasor’s, Starship Records, Ida Red or by phone at (866) 977-6849.

Olaf Tyaransen of the Herald.ie was among the journalists at the June 1 debut listen of Robert Plant’s new album Band of Joy. He writes:

“To London for a sneak listening preview of Robert Plant’s forthcoming album, Band Of Joy. Although it won’t be released until September, Universal Records obviously have high hopes for it. They’ve flown journalists in from as far away as Australia to play them the album just once. Security is tight and all mobiles and recording devices have to be handed in at the door.

The long-haired former Led Zeppelin frontman is present himself. “I used to be in a psychedelic band but there’s never been a more surreal point than this one.”

Although I’m sworn to secrecy, I doubt anyone at the record company will object to me telling you that the new album is absolutely superb.”

Robert Plant’s new album, Band of Joy, will be released September 14, 2010. Tracks on this album include:

Angel Dance
House Of Cards
Central Two-O-Nine
Silver Rider
You Can’t Buy My Love
I’m Falling In Love Again
The Only Sound That Matters
Monkey
Cindy, I’ll Marry You One Day
Harm’s Swift Way
Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down
Even This Shall Pass Away

Pre-order Band of Joy at Amazon.com and avoid the record buying crowds!

According to the Miami New Times, Live Nation is currently offering a “No Service Fee June” sale on tickets at various amphitheater shows. The sale runs until 11:59pm June 30, 2010. The sale means that the ticket price stated is what you will pay–the usual fees like venue charges, service charges and parking charges will not be added.

Those of you attending the July 31st Robert Plant show at Bayfront Park Amphitheater in Miami will be able to benefit from this sale if you buy your tickets before June 31.

According to Billboard Business News, Robert Plant’s new album was met with an enthusiastic reception during a London debut event on June 1, 2010.

Richard Smirke writes:

The new record forms a triumphant follow-up to “Raising Sand”, replicating the raw organic sound of its predecessor while, at times, pursuing a rockier direction.

Standout tracks include album opener “Angel Dance,” a driving blues number, “Silver Rider,” an epic duet (probably with Griffin), which alternates between quiet relaxed verses and an infectiously catchy rock chorus, and “I’m Falling In Love Again,” a beautifully soulful country ballad.

Elsewhere on the record, “You Can’t Buy My Love” delivers a foot-tapping cross between Johnny Cash and Hamburg-era Beatles, while “Monkey” momentarily harks back to Plant’s days in Led Zeppelin with its potent mix of feedback, grinding rock riffs and deep bass. The wonderful “Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down,” meanwhile, is a blues number which pushes Plant’s still-powerful vocals to the fore.

The album closes with blues rock number “Even This Shall Pass Away,” which finds Plant singing, “What is wealth the King would say/Even this shall pass away” before culminating in an extended instrumental outro.

“‘Band of Joy’ was an appropriate title for an amazing group of people who had nothing to lose,” Plant told the assembled media audience before leaving the room, declaring: “I’m off to make another one.”