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RECORD COLLECTOR PRESENTS LZ / EVENINGS WITH LZ ON US AMAZON/ROBERT PLANT RSD RELEASE/ LZ NEWS – YARDBIRDS BOX SET/TBL ARCHIVE – PAGE AND PLANT MEADOWLANDS/LETZ ZEP ONLINE GIG/JIMMY PAGE NOVEL/DL DIARY BLOG UPDATE

8 April 2021 1,808 views 2 Comments

RECORD COLLECTOR PRESENTS LED ZEPPELIN…

The RECORD COLLECTOR PRESENTS LED ZEPPELIN special is now on sale…

I’ve been living with this project for the past few weeks – I’ve been very busy liaising with the editor Jamie Atkins, advising on content and contributing my own written pieces.

So what is this all about?

This is the latest in a series of special Record Collector issues – recent specials have included The Who, Queen, Kate Bush and Status Quo.

As with the previous Record Collector Presents specials, it’s a mix of enlightening features, new essays on every studio album, extensive memorabilia focus, fan profiles, rare singles and albums listings and UK discography – all illustrated throughout with many rare photos and images that really brings it all to life.

This is  one of best Led Zeppelin publications I’ve seen in a very long time – it really is a visual feast.

Here’s a preview of the contents:

For the first time ever the esteemed Led Zeppelin collector Brian Knapp has allowed access to his truly incredible collection

Examples of his vast array of Zep memorabilia are presented over ten incredible pages From tickets to programmes, violin bows to motorbikes (yes you read that right!), tour jackets and robes -it’s all here. This visual tour of his truly remarkable  collection has to be seen to be believed. You will be amazed as I am and I’ve seen a few Zep items in my time –  suffice to say Brian Knapp’s Led Zeppelin collection is one of many highlights of this Record Collector Special

Similarly impressive are the two spreads via Nick Anderson – one of the worlds leading collectors of Led Zeppelin singles and albums and a regular .

The Rare Singles section offers eight pages of truly astonishing Led Zep 45s -all manner of countries are represented in this jaw dropping visual display of rarities – complete with pricing guide.

Then there are the Worldwide Rarities   as Nick presents across ten pages all manner of eye catching and highly desirable Zep LPs, acetates, cassettes and eight tracks  from a variety of countries. It’s Zep collector heaven…again with a wallet denting price guide

Then there are the Led Zeppelin Posters and Flyers….

Brian Knapp again opens up his archive and again seeing is believing -there are Zep posters and flyers here of the rarest kind – many rarely seen. Presented chronologically over ten pages and annotated by Mike Tremaglio – Mike applies the same detailed analysis he brings to all his Zep research -not least the Evenings With Led Zeppelin -The Complete Concert Chronicle book I was privileged to co author with him.

Nick Anderson also presents an exhaustive five page UK Led Zeppelin Discography and mint condition price guide

Alongside all this unprecedented  collector focus there’s some compelling written features including:

My back pages: pete Frame revisits his 1971 interview with Jimmy Page originally published in  Zig Zag magazine

A Jimmy Page interview from 2015 in which he discusses the Physical Graffiti reissue and the making of the album

The Swan Song Story – Terry Staunton tells the tale of the Zep record label

The Song Remains The Same -Kevin Harley on a flawed gem of a film

On the Road With Zep -veteran writer Chris Welch recalls a series of on the road Zep experiences

Page & Plant No Quarter Unledded and Walking Into Clarksdale – Chris Roberts offers an overview of the 1994-98 era.

Robert Plant Solo -Terry Stanton explores Robert Plant’s solo odyssey

Plus…every Led Zeppelin studio album re- reviewed by various Record Collector contributors – I particularly enjoyed Kris Needs’ take on Led Zeppelin II

There’s also a series of collector fan profiles -Andy Adams, Cliff Hillard, Michaela Tait, Steve Livesey and yours truly relay their respective colelcting stories and there’s Zep passion dripping from every page.

And finally…

There’s a couple more of mine

The Making of Led Zeppelin IV in which I trace the backstory of how they created one of their finest…and Celebration Days which traces the history of the TBL magazine, the 1992 UK Led Zeppelin Convention I co- organised with Andy Adams and my on going mission to spread the word on the world of Led Zeppelin.

Hats off to editor Jamie Atkins and all the contributors who have made Record Collector Presents an absolute triumph.

Personally it’s been an inspiration to work on this – I am not sure I could have pulled this off last year given my mental state back then. It’s provided me with a much welcomed focus to really get back to doing what I do best. Spreading the Zep music message…

Put simply – if you love Led Zeppelin you will love this fantastic Record Collector special – it’s 114 pages of pure Zep visual delight…oh and the back page advert is pretty good too…

If you thought you knew a bit about the ins and outs of collecting Led Zeppelin – Record Collector Presents Led Zeppelin will tell you much more – no fan should be without it….

It’s on sale in shops now including WH Smith or at the ordering link below :

https://shop.recordcollectormag.com/product/RCLED/led-zeppelin-special

Get ready for some quality  Led Zep reading…let me know what you think…

Dave Lewis – April 8, 2021


 

Evenings With Led Zeppelin – The Complete Concert Chronicle – Now on US Amazon for pre – orders:

The forthcoming Evenings With Led Zeppelin Revised & Expanded Edition is now available to pre order in the US via Amazon – here’s the US pre ordering link…September 23 publication…don’t miss out!

https://www.amazon.com/Evenings-Led-Zeppelin-Complete-Chronicle/dp/1913172392/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=evenings+with+led+zeppelin&qid=1617700631&s=books&sr=1-1


 

RECORD STORE DAY 2021  – JUNE 12 DROP:

This years Record Store Day releases have been announced for the two drop events on June 12 and 17…and there’s a Robert Plant title for June 12…

This looks great…count me in…I was there!

Here’s the details…

Robert Plant – Live at Knebworth

Release Date: 12 Jun 2021

Format:

12″ Coloured vinyl (Limited)

Label:

Mercury Studios

More Info:

This is the first time, in over thirty years, that this title, has ever been released as a 12″ EP on coloured vinyl. An iconic release from an iconic artist. This was originally released on DVD and a 2CD set which features performances from one of the most legendary concerts ever staged in Britain and each sale raises money for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.

This is part of a trio of releases Live From Knebworth 1990 – Genesis and Status Quo being the other titles -with each sale raising money for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.


LZ News:

This one via LZ news…

Remastered version of The Yardbirds Happening ten Years Time Ago due as  part  of forthcoming  Yardbirds Box Set …

A remastered version of the Yardbirds song “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago” which featured Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones is being released as part of a new box set.

The seven-inch vinyl single of the remastered 1966 song is being released as part of the new “Yardbirds (Roger The Engineer)” box set due to be released on June 18.

Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones both played on “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago” in 1966 while working as session musicians before establishing Led Zeppelin in 1968.

The song, as well as the main studio album, was remastered from the original tapes by Phil Kinrade at Alchemy Mastering, overseen by the co-producer of the original album Paul Samwell-Smith, according to a description of the upcoming release on the Super Deluxe Edition website.

The B-side of the vinyl single is the remastered original B-side “Psycho Daisies,” with Page credited as a co-writer. Both tracks are also included on a CD of session recordings in the new box set.

You can purchase the box set from Amazon in the UK here. It’s also available in a limited edition, Amazon-exclusive version with a print signed by Jim McCarty and Paul Samwell-Smith that is limited to 500 copies as well as an indies-only coloured vinyl edition that doesn’t include the signed print.

Jimmy Page has also given a new interview to author David French for the box set’s track liner notes.

Here’s the full setlist for the new box set:

LP 1 – Yardbirds (Mono version)

Side One:

  1. Lost Women
  2. Over, Under, Sideways, Down
  3. The Nazz Are Blue
  4. I Can’t Make Your Way
  5. Rack My Mind
  6. Farewell

Side Two:

  1. Hot House Of Omagararshid
  2. Jeff’s Boogie
  3. He’s Always There
  4. Turn Into Earth
  5. What Do You Want
  6. Ever Since The World Began

LP 2 – Yardbirds (Stereo version)

Side One:

  1. Lost Women
  2. Over, Under, Sideways, Down
  3. The Nazz Are Blue
  4. I Can’t Make Your Way
  5. Rack My Mind
  6. Farewell

Side Two:

  1. Hot House Of Omagararshid
  2. Jeff’s Boogie
  3. He’s Always There
  4. Turn Into Earth
  5. What Do You Want
  6. Ever Since The World Began

Seven-inch vinyl single – Happenings Ten Years Time Ago

Side A:

  1. Happenings Ten Years Time Ago

Side B:

  1. Psycho Daisies

CD 1 – Yardbirds (Mono version)

  1. Lost Women
  2. Over, Under, Sideways, Down
  3. The Nazz Are Blue
  4. I Can’t Make Your Way
  5. Rack My Mind
  6. Farewell
  7. Hot House Of Omagararshid
  8. Jeff’s Boogie
  9. He’s Always There
  10. Turn Into Earth
  11. What Do You Want
  12. Ever Since The World Began

CD 2 – Yardbirds (Stereo version)

  1. Lost Women
  2. Over, Under, Sideways, Down
  3. The Nazz Are Blue
  4. I Can’t Make Your Way
  5. Rack My Mind
  6. Farewell
  7. Hot House Of Omagararshid
  8. Jeff’s Boogie
  9. He’s Always There
  10. Turn Into Earth
  11. What Do You Want
  12. Ever Since The World Began

CD 3 – 1966 Studio Recordings

  1. Mr. Zero – Keith Relf
  2. Knowing – Keith Relf
  3. Hot House Of Omagararshid (Alternate Mono Mix)
  4. He’s Always There (Alternate Stereo Mix)
  5. Turn Into Earth (Early Mix)
  6. Turn Into Earth (Vocal Track)
  7. Turn Into Earth (Alternate Stereo Mix)
  8. Ever Since The World Began (Vocal Track)
  9. I Can’t Make Your Way (Alternate Stereo Mix)
  10. Great Shakes Commercial (Version 1)
  11. Great Shakes Commercial (Version 2)
  12. Shapes In My Mind (Version 1) – Keith Relf
  13. Shapes In My Mind (Version 2) – Keith Relf
  14. Happenings Ten Years Time Ago
  15. Psycho Daisies
  16. Stroll On

Led Zeppelin News Update:

For all the latest Zep and related news check out the Led Zeppelin news website at:

http://ledzepnews.com/


TBL Archive:

Jimmy Page & Robert Plant – Back in the USA – 26 years gone

 

26 years ago this spring , Jimmy Page & Robert Plant were on the first leg of their Unledded No Quarter tour. The tour opened in Pensacola and ran through until Vancouver on May 26 before moving into Europe, going back to America and eventually ending in Australia and Japan in early 1996

Given all that has happened since, not least the 02 reunion, the Celebration Day film and the Zep reissues, it’s easy to forget the impact this reunion had at the time. 15 years on from their last tour together, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant recaptured the imagination of Zep fans around the world. On stage they extended the creative edge of the MTV Unledded shows and combined it with the dynamic rock foundation that Led Zeppelin built their reputation on. The deployment of the Egyptian ensemble and orchestra added a unique exotic edge. I was lucky enough to see two shows at the Brendan Byrne Arena Meadowlands on April 5th and 6th. Along with thousands of other fans, it was massively exciting to be given the opportunity to see and hear the Zeppelin catalogue re interpreted with such  panache and viguor by the principal songwriters of much of the original material.

To mark the 26th anniversary here’s my on the spot report from Meadowlands Arena that first appeared in a TBL Newsletter in May 1995..and some posts from my Facebook page:

It was 26years ago today…

26 years ago today on April 6 ,1995, I was lucky enough to be in New York to attend the April 6 and 7 1995 performances by Jimmy Page & Robert Plant at the Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey. Gary Foy and I travelled on a group trip from a company in Rotherham – it was all very well organised.

We also hooked up with a fair few fans including Dardo Simone and photographer Larry Ratner who published the Led Zeppelin Live Dreams photo book.

This was my only trip to the US and it was absolutely mind blowing. The crowd reaction on both nights was truly remarkable.

……………………..

 

Here’s my review that appeared in Mojo…

It was 26 years ago today…

26 years ago today I was lucky enough to be in New York for the second performance by Jimmy Page & Robert Plant at the Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey.

During the day Gary Foy and I were taken around the Greenwich Village area by our very gracious hosts Larry Ratner and Kim.

We visited Electric Lady Studios and the offices of Atlantic Records. Here’s a pic taken inside Electric Lady Studios in front of the studio console and by the Jimi Hendrix backdrop mural. It was incredible to be inside the very studio Hendrix had created his magic…and where Led Zeppelin visited in June 1972…such great memories from this New York visit all of 26 years ago today..

From my Facebook page April 7…

26 years ago today I was lucky enough to be in New York for the second performance by Jimmy Page & Robert Plant at the Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey. The very kind folks at Atlantic Records secured us second row centre seats.

In this photo taken I think by Christophe Le Pabic behind the stage – I can be seen in the second row looking up at Jimmy,Robert and the late great Michael Lee just above Jimmy’s guitar neck.

Unsurprisingly, this occasion is right up there in my all-time fave gigs…they were simply astonishing that night all of 26 years ago…what a memory…

And more Page & Plant…

TBL Archive :Jimmy Page & Robert Plant: US Tour 1995.

Here is a piece that originally ran in TBL 11:

With the MTV film in the can, the next logical move was to take the show out on the road.,

The pair decided to extend the formula used for the MTV shows, employing the Egyptian string and percussion ensemble led by Hossam Ramzy and dubbed The Egyptian Pharaohs. Under the direction of Ed Shearmur they enlisted the assistance of local orchestras in each area they performed, thus enabling them to repeat the successful formula used for the Unledded filming which allowed fresh interpretations of the Zeppelin catalogue.

Just prior to the tour opening in February, Page and Plant reunited with John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham for an appearance at New York’s Waldorf hotel to accept Led Zeppelin’s induction into the Rock’n’Roll Hall Of Fame. Jonesy’s comment – “Thanks for my friends for remembering my phone number” – during his speech was a curt acknowledgement of his displeasure at being ignored.

Rehearsals for the Page Plant tour took place in London, and a preview of what was in store occurred when the pair did a live link up for the American TV Awards, performing ‘Black Dog’.

In early April I was lucky enough to catch their two day stint at the Meadowlands Arena in America (see my review for Mojo below). The second night where they strolled on to the stage and moved into ‘Thank You’ remains a defining memory. Further shows in Paris, Glasgow, Sheffield, St Austell, Poole, Birmingham and London proved conclusively that despite their advancing years the duo’s ability to recreate the power and grace of Zeppelin was without question.

It was a glorious period as long time fans and those too young to have seen Zep in their prime revelled in what was all in name the Zeppelin reunion we had all hoped for. By the tour’s end it was evident that Jimmy Page was playing better than at any time during the previous fifteen years. Indeed for a project that began as a request to strum a few Zep tunes unledded style for MTV’s acoustic showcase, when played live night after night this reappraisal of the Zeppelin catalogue developed into a fully ledded experience. A trend that would continue when they returned to the live action in 1998.

With so many tapes at our disposal, there is ample scope to take a retrospective view of the tour. Having listened to hours of material drawn from the many tapes of the tour, I have compiled an imaginary four-CD compilation that takes in all the major developments along the way. It includes the one-off gems slotted in, the stand-out performances, the offbeat sequences and all the historic moments building into a true overview of the entire tour. It features 53 extracts drawn from 26 different locations spread over 28 shows; nearly five hours of musical Page and Plant highlights that capture the often barely believable events that thousands of fans were privileged to enjoy during those 370 days.

So this is Page and Plant on tour together at last in 1995 and 1996. Proving conclusively that the evolution of Led Zeppelin continues…

Part One

CD1: US Tour First Leg:

Intro: Tales of Bron – Robin Williamson poem

‘Immigrant Song’ intro/’The Wanton Song’

(Thompson Bowling Arena, Knoxville, Tenessee, March 3 1995)

The previous date in Atlanta had seen the amalgamation of ‘Immigrant Song’into ‘Wanton Song’ as the set opener. On that occasion they had some trouble sorting out the ending (it was after all the first live airing of ‘Wanton Song’ in 20 years!). In Knoxville it all came together with Page leading the way with some dexterous runs. The atmospheric opening introduction poem that proceeded became a familiar opening ritual to a majority of the US first leg and some European dates. The choice of the little known Incredible String Band album extract recalled Plant’s fondness for this Sixties outfit, and by the time Robin Williamson had got to the line “There is the flavoured haunt of pleasure, no haunt or threat or malediction, but sweet of music strikes the air” the fans knew what was coming next as the silhouettes on stage burst into life.

‘Wanton Song’ went on to become the favoured set opener, clocking over 80 performances during the tour.

Achilles Last Stand’

(The Omni, Atlanta, Georgia, February 28 1995)

‘Achilles’ was always a prime contender for reworking on this tour so it was no real surprise when it turned up in the set lists of the two opening dates in Pensacola and Atlanta. More baffling was the fact it was never played again. On the evidence of the passion they brought to this performance there appears no logical reason why. It was a more than competent display that kicked along with all the verve of the best Zep deliveries circa 1977.  Robert introduced it as “One of the first songs Jimmy and I wrote relating to travel” – a similar spiel would be given over to introducing The Song Remains The Same which effectively took over the Achilles slot the next night.

Watching the video shot from the show, it’s clear they were enjoying reliving this crucial Zep track – the pair could be seen clustered together in a classic pose during the “Aha… Aha” refrain.

At times the February 28 delivery of ‘Achilles Last Stand’ recreated the spirit of Led  Zeppelin better than any other single performance on the tour. Maybe that’s why they decided to drop it. Perhaps they both felt it was just a little too close to what went before…

‘House Of The Rising Son’/‘Good times Bad Times’

( UNO Lakefront Arena, New Orleans, Louisanna, March 11 1995)

From the moment Plant casually walked up to the mic and oozed into the traditional local blues standard ‘House Of The Rising Sun’, this second night in New Orleans was destined to be special.

They then switched straight into ‘Good Times Bad Times’, the only performance of the rarely played Led Zep I opener. And it was a joy to hear them rumble through the familiar stops and starts of the track with Michael Lee on drums proving his worth.

‘Lullaby’

(UNO Lakefront Arena New Orleans Louisanna March 11 1995)

When the first set lists were posted on the Internet many presumed this was a new song and listed it as ‘Spiderman’. In actual fact  it was a revivial from Porl Thompson’s Cure days. It worked as an offbeat interlude amongst the Zep numbers with Plant immersed in the lyric and Page cutting fine precise lines against Porl’s rhythm work. ‘Lullaby’ survived in the set until the early part of the Europran dates before being deleted.

‘The Song Remains The Same’

(UNO Lakefront Arena, New Orleans, Lousinna, March 11 1995)

“There’s a ….”

At the beginning of this mid-period Zep classic, Plant twice taunted the crowd with the opening line from the well known Rolf Harris cover. Instead Page led them into a powerful rendition of the Houses Of The Holy opener. This was a definite highlight of the US leg with Page and Porl Thompson trading licks most effectively, with the latter’s speed on the Gibson jumbo guitar really pushing the song along. Plant reached the high notes with ease as it led it into a glorious finale. “Can you feel it?” asked the singer afterwards. Absolutely.

Tangerine’/’Hey Hey What Can I Do’

(US Air Arena, Landover, Washington, March 23 1995)

Two superb performances lined up back to back during this show. ‘Tangerine’ made its only appearance on this leg performed in a full band arrangement. The crowd reaction as Page hit the familiar notes was nothing less than euphoric. Porl played some suitably laid back electric parts against Page’s Ovation acoustic strumming. A nostalgic first outing for the Zep III standard that was last performed live twenty years back at Earls Court.

The underrated Zep III leftover (and subsequent US B side to ‘Immigrant Song’) ‘Hey Hey What Can I Do’ was another revelation with the crowd egarly joining in the chorus. Videos from the tour of this track show Page beaming with pride and duck walking along the stage.

Boogie Chillun’ sequence

(Skydome Arena, Toronto, March 27 1995)

“One night I was laying down”… The John Lee Hooker standard was an integral part of the ‘Whole Lotta Love’ medley in the Zeppelin era. This was its only appearance on the tour, emerging during the ‘Calling To You’ medley. The way it developed out of a lengthy Page solo was invigorating and for those in attendance a rare revival for another part of the Zep live canon.

059

‘Calling To You’ including ‘Break On Through’/’As Long As I Have You’/

Dazed And Confused’ inserts

(Brendan Byrne Arena, Meadowlands, East Rutherford, New Jersey, April 6 1995)

‘Calling To You’ had previously been a highlight of Plant’s Fate Of Nations tour. With Jimmy on board it quickly developed into an extended piece that included a compelling guitar battle with Porl, a seminal riff exercise and then into an anything-could-happen medley sequence in the grand Zep tradition. This night in Meadowlands was exceptional for the inclusion of Garnett Mimms ‘As Long As I Have You’, a staple of the first two Zeppelin American tours but not performed by Page or Plant since. It followed the now customary delivery of The Doors’ ‘Break On Through’ and then merged with a few lines from ‘Dazed And Confused’. Another  memorable sequence.

‘Shake My Tree’

(Great Western Forum, Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, May 17 1995)

On the face of it this was a rather bizarre choice for inclusion on the tour. A highlight of the 1993 Coverdale Page album, it says much of Plant’s compatibility with Page at the time that he agreed to sing the Coverdale lyrics, albeit in a slightly amended form. ‘Shake’ was actually a great riff exercise which allegedly was first conceived during the Zep In Through The Out Door sessions. On stage it gave Plant the chance to pull out the old “Suck it!” refrain at appropriate moments and for Page to weave those weird sounds from the theremin.

‘Kashmir’

(Great Western Forum, Inglewood Los Angeles, California, May 17 1995)

When Page and Plant breezed back into the Forum some 17 years after the night of Listen To This Eddie, a tradition of spontaneity was upheld. During ‘Kashmir’ they were joined by guest violinist Lili Hayden who brought a impulsive virtuoso feel to the end section as she pitted her talents against the Egyptian Pharaohs. “Ladies and gentlemen Lili Hayden appears at the Viper Room in Holly wood every Sunday night,” Plant informed the audience at the close.

Dave Lewis

Part 2 to follow


Letz Zep online gig date change:

Due to covid restrictions Letz Zep have now rescheduled their Online stream concert to Sunday 25th April . 8pm

Here’s all the info:
It’s been a long time since we rock and rolled……but Letz Zep are back and are pleased to announce their first ever online concert, broadcast at 8pm GMT on April 25.
Ratio Production in Wales have done a fantastic job on the sound and visuals to make this event something special.Presented by Chris Blackwell, who has written, recorded and toured with Robert Plant himself on his Now and Zen, Manic Nirvana and Fate of Nations era.The band will be performing all the greats from the wide spectrum of the music of Led Zeppelin, including Rock and Roll, Black Dog, Dazed and Confused, Kashmir and the immortal Stairway to Heaven.Tickets are available vi Let It Rock Music: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/letz-zep-tickets-123724887469We hope to see you all on the road again soon, thanks for your continued support.Letz Zep
For more on the official number one tribute to Led Zeppelin see the website:
www.letzzep.com

Searching For Jimmy Page  forthcoming novel:

Christy Alexander Hallberg has been in touch to inform me about her forthcoming novel – here’s the info:

Christy Alexander Hallberg’s debut novel, Searching For Jimmy Page, is forthcoming later this year fall 2021 from Livingston Press.

Per the synopsis on the back cover of the novel, “The unraveling of eighteen-year-old Luna Kane’s haunted past begins in the winter of 1988, when her dying great-grandfather, a self-proclaimed faith healer, claims he hears phantom owls crying in the night. ‘Them owls, like music. Can you hear the music?’ His plea triggers Luna’s repressed memory of her dead mother’s obsession with Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin’s legendary guitar wizard, and sends her on a pilgrimage from North Carolina to England,” to search for the man whose music her mother held sacred.

Liza Wieland, author of Paris, 7 A.M., named one of The Best Books by Women of Summer 2019 by O, the Oprah Magazine, offers this praise for the book: “In her wondrous first novel, Christy Hallberg gives us a mystery, a mother-daughter love story, a paean to rock and roll, and a window into the culture of eastern North Carolina, all joined seamlessly by the elegance and poetry of her writing. It’s a book that begs to be read twice, first to find out the true story of Luna’s parentage, and then again, immediately but more slowly, to savor the beauty of the language.”

Pre- orders will be available shortly.


DL Diary Blog Update:

Friday April 2:

The good lady Janet and I would like to say a big thank you for all the many good wishes we received on our 37th Wedding Anniversary on Wednesday – it made our day even more special so thank you so much you very lovely people..

Much love from us here xx

A very Happy Easter one and all…

Friday April 2:

 

As is well documented here I like my music carriers to be of a physical nature – I love vinyl LP records, I love CDs and I also love cassettes…

I have a fair few musicassettes (at least 500) to give them their full name, so I was well pleased to recently acquire a rather splendid portable Sony cassette player in very good condition.

This is going to allow me to unearth many a quirky cassette I have –including a whole lotta Led Zep and many a compilation and mixtape.

So let the cassette revival here commence…

First up…today’s cassette pet is is the debut Led Zeppelin album – this cassette version is from Istanbul – it switches the opening track Good Times Bad Times to side two with Your Time is Gonna Come usually the side 2 opener being the opening track on side one. This was often a common trait of cassette formatting to keep tape lengths even.

Who needs streaming and downloads when you’ve got 500 cassettes to wade through…!

Saturday April 3:

Saturday is Platterday:

Marking the great Richard Thompson’s Birthday today so on the player some early morning Fairport Convention…the brilliant 1969 What We Did On Our Holidays album sounding mighty fine…

Saturday April 3:

Saturday is platterday – on the player the Genesis Duke album – always loved this one going back to when it was released around this time in 1980…great memories in these songs…

Saturday April 3:

Saturday is platterrday – on the player –inspired by the excellent documentaries on BBC 4 last night, a bit of Peter Green era Fleetwood Mac -the excellent Greatest Hits compilation on CBS sounding great…

April 3:

Saturday is platterrday – on the player – celebrating the arrival of the Record Collector Presents Led Zeppelin special and the fact it’s 50 years ago tomorrow that I first heard Zep live via the broadcast of their In Concert presentation on BBC Radio One…the Led Zeppelin BBC Broadcast bootleg LP –an original pressing on the TBLQ label that I purchased in 1973..and my it sounds good…

Saturday April 3:

On the Sony cassette player –todays cassette pet…

My original BASF C90 cassette of Led Zeppelin’s Presence as taped off the Alan Freeman Rock show on BBC Radio One Saturday April 3 1976…as 45 years ago today he previewed the entire album non stop ahead if it’s UK release the next week…

I needed it as soon as possible so hearing this cassette for the first time was a monumental listening experience – not least Achilles Last Stand which sounded right off the scale…unbelievably magnificent……

This cassette was played non stop until I got the album the next week…oh and it sounds brilliant on cassette – there’s many a fantastic memory inspired by this wonderful tape…

Saturday April 3:

Saturday is platterday – catching up on some 45rpm singles – John Lennon Instant Karma! Record Store Day release Play Loud says the label so we did…

Saturday April 3:

Saturday is platterday – back to albums – and not just any old album – on the player my copy of Led Zeppelin Presence as purchased at WH Smith’s where I worked 45 years ago this week.

In 2015 when I interviewed Jimmy Page at Olympic Studios for the TBL magazine he very kindly autographed it for me – he wrote ‘’To Dave Ever Present! – Jimmy Page’’ …

 

Sunday April 4:

Sunday sounds on CD – loading up the brilliant recently released CD compilation Dusty Springfield The Complete Atlantic Singles 1968 – 1971

Sunday April 4:

Sunday sounds on CD

… It was 50 years ago today..

Loading up the 1971 BBC In Concert Disc from the expansive CD box set Led Zeppelin The Complete BBC Sessions on the Tarantura bootleg label.

This BBC In Concert was originally aired 50 years ago today on April 4 1971 – I listened to it in some awe on that day as it was the first time I’d heard Led Zeppelin live…and it of course still sounds amazing…

Monday April 5:

The debut Led Zeppelin album received a belated UK release this week in 1969 following it’s January release in the US…you can never have too many copies of that one…and I have a few…

Monday April 5:

 

Remembering the late great legendary Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant on the occasion of his birthday.

I was lucky enough to be in his company on a few occasions. Most memorably in June and October 1993 when I spent two days at his Eastbourne home.

This was to conduct what was probably the longest interview he ever gave. It can be seen my book Celebration II The Tight But Loose Files.

While I was with him he kindly signed my Led Zeppelin A Celebration book.

Without Peter Grant Led Zeppelin would have been a very good group – with his guidance they conquered the world…

Thursday April 8:

Remembering Chris Robinson – One Year Gone…

I’ll be pausing for thought today to remember the much missed local musician Chris Robinson who passed away one year ago today aged 58.

Chris was a regular at Pete Burridge’s Record Club at the Castle in Bedford. He was always great to chat to and conversations about Pink Floyd albums were often on the agenda – he was a big Floyd fan.

I cherish this pic of taken at the Record Club in early 2020 – Chris is second on the right with myself and Pete Burridge and Mat Roberts

Chris is sorely missed by the whole Bedford musical fraternity –and will always be much loved and remembered…

Thursday April 8:

Thursday treats at WH Smith…

I was well pleased this morning to find that the Record Collector Presents Led Zeppelin special is on sale now in WH Smith.

I’ve lived with this project for some weeks and to see it all come to fruition with my contributions in is very pleasing indeed.

The entire magazine is absolutely brilliant –no Zep fan should be without.

Some particular inspirations this past week:

The much welcomed Record Collector Presents  Led Zeppelin special dropping through the door…and then seeing it on the racks in WH Smith…

The new issue of the always excellent Shindig! magazine dropping through the door…

The Record Store Day releases for the two drops on June 12 and July 17 being announced…

Update here:

Another very busy week here – with the Record Collector special signed off  and out on the streets, I am now working on the next project. A lot of research and text preparation is going down here. The good lady Janet has had a welcomed Easter rest – we have been keeping up our daily walks to help strengthen her leg.

Next week’s phase of easing the lockdown will see shops and markets re opening  which means the local Slide Record Shop  will be opening its doors once again and Darren Harte will be back out with the Vinyl Barn – with social distancing rules observed and fully masked up, I am very much looking forward to flicking though LPs, singles and CD’s again -something that I’ve very much missed…

Thanks for listening – stay safe and well you very lovely people…

Dave  Lewis – April 8, 2021

Until next time, stay safe and stay well…

TBL website updates written and compiled by Dave Lewis

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2 Comments »

  • Graham Rodger said:

    On the subject of promotional LZ blimps (pictured in Record Collector) you can see one of them, along with John Bonham’s drum kit, at the very end of this clip from Blue Peter in 1988. I wonder how much they fetched at auction?: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GV4aHlj3Quk

  • Steve Hall said:

    Like you Dave, I’ve got hundreds of cassettes collected over many years in the 70’s and early 80’s (I was poor as a church mouse at the time, so couldn’t afford a record deck!!), and I’ve been trying to digitise them recently so that I can play them in the car (like most cars these days, they only play music via iPod/iPhone or SD memory cards). The problem I’ve found, especially with the very old ones, they tend to get stuck in the machine!! I’ve already ruined a few of them because the tape wraps itself around the ‘guide wheels’ and get crumpled or even torn.
    I hope you have more success than me, but take care when playing them – you have to be quick to stop the tapes being ruined!!!!!

    All the best, and belated congrats on your wedding anniversary!

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