TO say this was a much anticipated gig would be something of an understatement.

Robert Plant, yes, the Robert Plant in the unlikely surroundings of Colne Muni with his new band - who could fail not to be impressed?

Certainly not a single member of the sold out audience who witnessed something truly special.

Saving Grace are the latest in a series of musical projects into which the former Led Zeppelin singer thrown himself wholeheartedly into in recent years following on from The Band of Joy and the Sensational Shapeshifters.

Anyone expecting raucous versions of Whole Lotta Love or Black Dog were in for a disappointment.

The wonder of Wolverhampton has moved on and he's making the music he wants to - and every credit to him for that.

As ever he has surrounded himself with a musical collective of the highest order - singer Suzy Dian, Tony Kelsey on guitar and mandolin, Matt Worley on banjo and guitar and percussionist Oli Jefferson.

Together they created something truly magical at the Muni.

With a stage set up almost like a recording studio - Persian rug on the floor, a multitude of instruments lying within easy reach - this was an intimate evening of the highest order.

This was a night of genuine roots music - early blues, Appalachian mountain music, folk-inspired traditional songs, tunes captured in the early field sound recordings.

What was great was the sheer enjoyment Robert Plant got from performing the songs and from the playing of his musical partners. For someone who, let's face it is a musical legend, he was just so humble, often contenting himself with playing the role of backing singer, maraca shaker or simply spectator as his ensemble wove their sonic tapestry around us.

But when he did put himself centre stage it was a treat to behold. That voice is still as distinctive as ever and his harmonies with Suzy Dian were just perfect.

From the traditional Cindy I'll Marry You to a cover of Moby Grape's It's a Beautiful Day Today, the setlist spanned the decades and for the audience it was like being given the opportunity to open the most perfect advent calendar with a real treat behind every window.

Highlights, of which there were many, included the complete silence from the audience which greeted many of the songs, so spellbound were they by what we on offer; the hauntingly beautiful four-part harmonies and Robert Plant's easy grace. He was clearly having a ball - and so were we.

"Well it beats staying in," he quipped at one stage. It certainly did!