So this is Christmas…
Christmas Eve is upon us and once again it’s been the usual rush to get everything sorted for the big day tomorrow.
The TBL distribution centre (our dining room actually!) has been pretty much flat out fulfilling orders right up to today. Many of you will be opening TBL products -notably the Knebworth book, on Christmas day that have been purchased as presents .
I hope the waiting will be worth it….here’s a recent accolade from another satisfied reader:
   ‘’What can I say about the book to do it …

John Paul Jones at the Mandolines de Lunel Festival  –  November 2nd, 2013.
 All photos by Christophe Le Pabic for TBL
This on the spot report from Christophe Le Pabic for TBL:
After being introduced by Olivier Chabrol, the Art director of the Festival, John Paul Jones took to the stage alone. The 500 seated venue included many fans with Led Zep T shirts. John made a brief speech in perfect French, thanking the city of Lunel and the organizers of the Festival . He took to his triple neck guitar to perform …

Robert Plant Presents Sensational Space Shifters at Bluesfest – Royal Albert Hall, October 31st, 2013:  
Set List:  Babe I’m Gonna Leave You/Satan Your Kingdom Will Come Down/Spoonful/Black Dog/Another Tribe/Going to California/The Enchanter /Four Sticks/Fixin’ To Die/What Is And What Should Never Be/Whole Lotta Love/Encores/If I Ever Get Lucky /Rock And Roll. Above photo by DL for TBL
To London for the last blast of the Sensational Space Shifters of this particular stage of the saga…and to the always suitably regal Royal Albert Hall.
Travelling down on the train with Tom, our journey was slightly delayed with …

John Bonham 33 years Gone…
Along with millions of fans worldwide, today I will have some quiet reflection on the tragic events of September 25th 1980 – but as I always say…so much has gone but so much remains…
In keeping with recent posts,  here’s some further personal DL Reflections – this piece originally appeared in TBL 27.
JOHN BONHAM REMEMBERED 33 YEARS ON –  
The Optimism, the Irony and the Agony
Dave Lewis reflects on the personal impact and aftermath of the events of  Thursday September 25th, 1980 
I was just turned 24 years old …

Robert Plant Presents Sensational Space Shifters – Colston Hall  Bristol  Thursday August 29th, 2013.
Set List:
Babe I’m Gonna Leave You/Satan Your Kingdome Must Come Down/Tin Pan Valley/ /Spoonful/Black Dog/Another Tribe/Going to California/The Enchanter/ Four Sticks/Friends/ Fixin to Die/ What is And What Should Never Be/ Whole Lotta Love (including Who Do You Love). Encores – Big Log, Rock And Roll. Above pic by DL for TBL
What a night…
Great crowd – very enthusiastic and a cross section of ages.
From the start, Robert was totally compelling – Babe I’m Gonna Leave You …

Robert Plant Presents The Sensational Space Shifters roll back to the UK this week for three long awaited appearances.  Tomorrow night they are in Bristol at the Colston Hall, on Saturday it’s to Stradbally Co Laois in Ireland for the Electric Picnic festival. Finally it’s back on familiar territory for a date on Monday at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
These are the first dates in the UK since last July’s Womad appearance and before that, the Gloucester SSS debut and HMV Forum show. It’s been too long…
Since those tentative first steps, …

Robert Plant is 65 today…
From his initial forays into the Midlands scene in the mid 60’s, through to his vital contribution to Led Zeppelin and on to an always compelling solo career, Robert Plant has occupied a unique position at the forefront of popular musical culture for over five decades…
That unmistakeable voice and that charismatic presence, together with a relentless thirst for musical invention have placed Robert Plant in a category of his own.
In the past 12 months, working within the dynamic Sensational Space Shifters line up, he has yet again lit up …

Robert Plant Presents Sensational Space Shifters have added another UK date – it’s on Tuesday October 29th at the 02 Apollo, Manchester…
Ticket details here:
http://www.ents24.com/manchester-events/o2-apollo-manchester/robert-plants-sensational-space-shifters/3519585
Above photo via Scott Cameron.
A couple of You Tube clips via Front Row Dave….who more than lived up to his name…great job Dave!

and one more…

………………………….
Mick Farren  1943 – 2013
Very sad to hear the news that musician and writer Mick Farren has passed away age 69 after falling ill at gig with his band The Deviants at the Borderline. Mick was an iconic part of the UK counter culture and …

Robert Plant Presents Sensational Space Shifters Wolf Trap  review by Suzanne McElyea:

This was a beautiful venue, tucked in the Washington DC suburbs.  When I first saw the name, and their logo I thought maybe Robert chose it for his beloved Wolverines. But it was a gorgeous outdoor amphitheater perfectly suited for the evening which began promptly at 8 pm with a band called Bombino.  World music artist from Niger, often compared to Hendrix and Santana, this band showed up in traditional Middle Eastern attire.  I had often heard Robert talk …

 
Above photo Robert Plant presents Sensational Space Shifters in Chicago -photo by Suzanna McElyea
 Robert Plant in surprise appearance at Bywater:
This story via wwltv.com:
NEW ORLEANS — Monday night wasn’t a normal night at BJ’s in the Bywater.  Most nights aren’t. But this Monday night was a special treat for a few lucky souls when rock icon and former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant stopped by Guitar Lightning Lee’s gig at the tiny club on Burgundy Street and sat in.
And, of course, in the digital age, rumors were abuzz Tuesday on social media and …