 |
| Michael White and The White play The Sound Academy in Toronto every month |
Nov 16 2012 – In what has now become a monthly tradition for us, Friday night The Sound Academy beckoned yet again for Led Zeppelin fans to gather. The club formerly known as The Docks once again became the epicentre of Led Zeppelin in Toronto as Michael White and The White blasted a special show featuring part 2 of The Song Remains The Same. Michael White has been rocking the Sound Academy as part of his discography series and we have been to almost all of the shows in this series. Not only is Michael White the most featured artist on T-Mak World, we also interviewed White to get his thoughts on what makes him the leader of the world’s most prolific Led Zeppelin tribute band. Read any one of our reviews to get a sense of how remarkable White is both as a performer and as a person. Here is a quick handy guide to all our previous articles:
 |
| Frm left to right: Michael White, Davin Goodie, Brian Wall, Danno Murray |
The crowd of 1000 was in for a treat tonight as White and his band (Davin Goodie on Bass and Keys, Brian Wall on Drums, Danno Murray on Guitar) continued delivering tracks as delivered in Led Zeppelins’s 1976 record The Song Remains The Same. What the non casual Led Zeppelin fan would notice immediately was that the setlist included songs that were not on the 1979 record but on the 2007 re-issue. White delivered incredible reproductions of those 4 songs (The Ocean, Misty Mountain Hop, Since I’ve Been Loving You, and Heartbreaker). In a sense the show was more accurately a tribute to 2007’s The Song Remains The Same re-issue – but most in the audience wouldnt care as the band kicked into high gear with a blazing The Song Remains The Song (which you can view below from a unique angle) followed by The Rain Song.
 |
| Michael White and Davin Goodie |
Before the band hit the stage Goodie told us that we were in for some very long versions of the Zeppelin artillery and the band did not dissapoint on that regard. Dazed and Confused went on forever (or at least 30 minutes) as the audience was captured in a trance and appreciated the magical reproduction of the world’s greatest rock and roll band (with due respect to the Stones). Certainly a highlight of the night, people in attendence who had never seen The White before really did get their money’s worth with the technical mastery the band displayed on Dazed and Confused. While different The White shows provide a different experience the theme for tonight was hypnotic. No 3 minute quick hit songs here, everything extended to the limits with an almost inhuman endurance by the band. I wonder how long do these guys actually have to practice to perfect a 30 minute song (and a Zep song at that).
 |
| Davin Goodie and Brian Wall |
The set ends with Bring It On Home and What Is & What Should Never Be and as the band walks off the stage the audience does not let them leave quite yet. The one encore featured the harmonica toting Michael White going from one end of the stage to the other while playing Bron-y-Aur Stomp. The sweaty faithful were drained as they were offered a top notch performance. As is usually the case a large crowd gathered to the left of the stage where Michael White comes out to sign autographs and get his picture taken. Tonight’s crowd was larger than usual – a testament to the strength of the performance.
 |
| Michael White and The White |
Next up – December 1st for A (Michael) White Christmas – an all request show! The band will be compiling their setlist from Twitter and from Facebook so get in there and let the guys know what you would like to hear.
 |
| Michael White delivers a triumphant set of Led Zeppelin |
Verdict: One of the strongest performances ever by Michael White and The White. Our highest possible recommendation is given to the montly shows that White delivers at The Sound Academy, regardless if you are a Zeppelin fan or not.
Setlist:
The Song Remains The Same
Rain Song
The Ocean
Misty Mountain Hop
Since I’ve Been Loving You
Dazed and Confused
Heartbreaker
Whole Lotta Love
Stairway To Heaven
Bring It On Home
What Is And What Should Never Be
Bron-y-aur Stomp
 |
| Brian Wall of Michael White and The White |
 |
| Danno Murray of Michael White and The White |
 |
| Davin Goodie of Michael White and The White |
 |
| Michael White and The White |
 |
| Michael White and The White |
 |
| Michael White and The White |
 |
| Michael White and The White |
Thought there was a lot of sloppiness in the beginning of the set. Some mistakes and lack of cohesivness. Otherwise a good show. Hard to complain when I haven't paid for a show yet! This is really the only clone band I go and see. Dazed and confused was a little too long and they could maybe have played some other material instead of the extended versions. Still want to see them tackle Celebration day!