Robert Plant Reimagines “Black Dog” with Jazz Swagger at Midnight Preserves
On a humid New Orleans night, in the intimate glow of a tiny jazz club, Robert Plant stepped onto the stage and did what he does best—reinvent. Backed by the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the Led Zeppelin frontman transformed “Black Dog” into something almost unrecognizable, steeped in brooding brass, deep blues, and hypnotic rhythm. The raw power of his voice, once the wail of rock’s golden era, melted seamlessly into the sultry, slow-burning groove of the band, creating a version so rich and unexpected that one lucky fan in the crowd called it “swampy, moody & downright delicious.”
This magic unfolded at *Midnight Preserves*, the Jazz Fest’s secretive, late-night series where music’s greats appear unannounced, ready to push boundaries. For Plant, who has spent the latter half of his career exploring the intersections of rock, folk, blues, and world music, this was more than just a surprise appearance—it was a masterclass in reinvention. With the Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s horns swelling around him, he abandoned the song’s signature jagged riff for something looser, more languid, yet just as intoxicating.
The audience, packed tightly into the intimate venue, stood in awe as Plant traded his signature rock swagger for something deeper, darker, and drenched in jazz mystique. This wasn’t just a reinterpretation—it was a rebirth. And in that moment, with the midnight air thick with brass and blues, *Black Dog* belonged to New Orleans.
