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ROBERT PLANT NEW ALBUM REVIEW /ROBERT PLANT ON BBC ONE SHOW & i TUNES ROUNDHOUSE GIG/BLACK DOG PREVIEW/LED ZEP PAUL SMITH SCARVES/DL DIARY UPDATE -ON THE OCCASION OF MY 58TH BIRTHDAY

4 September 2014 15,016 views 11 Comments

lullaby 2 

Robert Plant: lullaby…and The Ceaseless Roar: 

The new Robert Plant album is officially released this weekend and has already clocked up some very complimentary reviews. To add that, here’s the views of US TBL correspondent Stephen Humphries:

Ever wondered how to fight the process of aging? No need to become a vampire, seek the fountain of youth, or sell your soul like Dorian Gray. Instead, simply follow the example of Robert Plant. On the occasion of his 66th birthday, Robert Plant remains the most youthful artist of his generation.

How does he do it? The singer hasn’t lost his childlike sense of curiosity and adventure. And he hasn’t succumbed to the deadly lull of habit, repetition and familiar comfort. Its those qualities that make his upcoming album lullaby and…the Ceaseless Roar one of the singer’s finest releases. It’s up right up there with Fate of Nations and Mighty Rearranger.

Robert has yet again remained true to his progressive tradition of changing up his sound with each album. Indeed, even though there are echoes of Strange Sensation’s sound on lullaby and…the Ceaseless Roar, it isn’t Mighty Rearranger Vol. 2. No wonder Robert changed the band’s name to The Sensational Space Shifters—it reflects the evolution of the group’s sound.  Indeed, the addition of Juldeh Camara and Dave Smith to this unit has altered its alchemy. The other big change? Robert has returned home to his British stomping grounds with Americana influences and an appreciation for the harmonic interplay of different voices.

lullaby and…the Ceaseless Roar is the most diverse Robert Plant album since Fate of Nations and boasts a wide array of musical colours and moods. Just don’t expect a rock album like Manic Nirvana or Mighty Rearranger. It’s more lullaby than roar. Apart from  “Turn It Up,” there’s nary a guitar riff to be heard. That doesn’t mean that Plant has pulled the plug on the guitars of Liam “Skin” Tyson and Justin Adams—both musicians get opportunities to play several memorable guitar solos and use their instruments in dynamic ways to help create a layered, atmospheric and ethereal sound that is lush yet organic.

The musical style is fitting for what is, at its core, a breakup album. For all the moments of joy on the record, the lyrics are often melancholy. The singer is in reflective mood as he recounts the end of his relationship with American singer Patty Griffin and his subsequent return to the United Kingdom. As such, lullaby and…the Ceaseless Roar is Plant’s most personally revealing and intimate album since Pictures at Eleven, The Principle of Moments, and Shaken ‘n’ Stirred.  But Plant’s approach to expressing his emotions is remarkably different from emotionally wrecked songs such as “Watching You,” “Anniversary,” “The Way I Feel,” “Sixes and Sevens,” “Thru with the Two Step,” “Stranger Here…than Over There” and “Like I’ve Never Been Gone.” Those powerful vocal performances of yesteryear were a torrent of unguarded emotions, gusting and forceful. By contrast, Plant’s approach on  lullaby and…the Ceaseless Roar is quieter and more spare. A less is more approach. Songs such as “Embrace Another Fall” and “A Stolen Kiss” sound all the more wounded and emotionally bare as a result.

lullaby and…the Ceaseless Roar is a deeply satisfying album. One that draws you in time and time again. These sonic travels draw inspiration from Mali, Gambia, Wales, America, and Britain. It’s a tantalizing promise of Robert Plant’s future: At 66 he can still go to Timbuktu and beyond.

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Here’s a guide to the tracks on the album (with reference points from Robert’s solo career that hint at the mood of these songs).

 “Little Maggie” 

An inspired marriage of West African banjo and American banjo. Trance rhythms and dub keyboards make this sonic whirligig spin even faster.  (Closest reference point: “Central Two-O-Nine,” “Somebody Knocking.”)

 “Rainbow” 

A simple, yet very effective tune that consists of a jangly guitar figure, African hand drums, and a whisper of mellotron. The main instrument: Robert’s amazing voice. There’s no actual chorus, per se, but once you hear this yearning love song a few times it’ll stay with you forever. One for a future “Best Of” album. (Closest reference points: “Little Hands,” “Shining in the Light.”)

 “Pocketful of Golden”

A warm, vibrant, and instantly lovable voyage to the geographic nexus where North African and Middle Eastern collide and mesh. There’s a lyrical surprise in the very first line that I won’t spoil…. (Closest reference points: “Down to the Sea,” “Most High.”)

 “Embrace Another Fall”

A lament from a broken heart. Robert’s plaintive voice is as nakedly emotional as his vocals on “Sixes and Sevens,” “The Way I Feel,” or “Anniversary,” yet more nuanced and understated than those earlier songs. The powerful arrangement is full of shifting dynamics and surprises, not the least of which is the similarity Celtic folk and Middle Eastern modalities. An instant Plant classic and contender for best song on the album. (Closest reference points: “Life Begin Again,” “The Window.”)

 “Turn It Up”

The closest this album comes to rocking out. This song about American right-wing Christian radio starts off with a loping, bluesy guitar riff of the sort you might stumble across on a Tom Waits album. The verses have a rhythmic flow similar to “Tin Pan Valley” and the reverb-y chorus allows Plant to open his pipes and sing to the rafters. Cool Justin Adams solo. (Closest reference points: “All These Things Must Pass Away,” “Tin Pan Valley.”)

 “A Stolen Kiss”

This is a first: A Robert Plant piano ballad. The piano is accompanied by a bass and some e-bowed guitar atmospherics. Mostly it’s Plant’s voice, naked and confessional. The album title comes from a lyric in the song.  At first, it may seem the most underwhelming song on the album but repeat plays reveal that it’s one of the best. (Closest reference point: “Song to the Siren,” “Thru with the Two Step”)

 “Somebody There”

Surely a future single. The verses float like by like a lazy river but the song opens up for an irresistible chorus with a bright guitar figure by Justin Adams. Liam “Skin” Tyson plays a nifty upside down, inside-out guitar solo.  (Closest reference points: “I Believe,” “House of Cards.”)

 “Poor Howard”

The album’s sole cover version. It’s a bluegrass hoedown that initially sounds like it could have been on Raising Sand or Band of Joy. It’s sounds very traditional until Juldeh Camara injects a West African fiddle into the mix. Initially didn’t make much of an impression, but repeat listens reveal that it’s a fairly catchy ditty. (Closest reference points:  “Angel Dance,” “Red Dress.”)

“House of Love”

Longtime Plant fans will quickly realize that this song is a sequel of sorts to an earlier lyric. The warmth of the music, which features e-bowed guitar, stands in stark contrast to the sad lyrics about a love gone wrong. An understated but catchy chorus. Features a middle-eastern guitar solo that snakes like a cobra down a sand dune. (Closest reference point: “The Only Sound that Matters,” and one other I could mention, but that would ruin the surprise if you haven’t already guessed it.)

“Up on the Hollow Hill (Understanding Arthur)”

Driven by infectious electronic groove and shimmery electric guitars, as Plant surveys some emotional wreckage with clear eyes and a broken heart. Standout inventive guitar solo by Skin Tyson. “All I want, all I pray, all I crave, is a love that takes my breath away,” Plant sings. (Closest reference points: “The Window,” “The Enchanter.”)
“Arbaden (Maggie’s Baby)
Essentially a reprise of “Little Maggie” but this time as an electronic rave-up and the first time Juldeh Camara gets to sing on the album. Fantastic! But too short at three minutes. Wish it was twice as long! (Closest reference point: “Shine It All Around – Hidden track remix on Mighty Rearranger.”)

 

Stephen Humphries for TBL

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lullaby… and The Ceaseless Roar – official streaming link:

http://www.npr.org/2014/09/01/343144827/first-listen-robert-plant-lullaby-and-the-ceaseless-roar?autoplay=true&eml=2014September2%2F1789121%2F6286235

Robert Plant on the BBC One Show tonight:

Robert will be appearing live on the BBC One show tonight Friday September 5th – the show airs from 7pm. One song will be aired live with three others to be performed after the main show which will be aired on the BBC iPlayer link.

Here’s the link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p025jw1x

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Robert Plant BBC 6 live session:

Robert will be recording  a lvie session at Maida Vale studios to be broadcast on BBC 6 music  on September 11th.

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Robert Plant i Tunes Festival: Roundhouse Monday September 8th:

On Monday Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters are playing a special launch gig for the lullaby and The Ceasless Roar album – this is part of the iTunes Festival being staged at London’s Roundhouse.

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Black Dog Basic track with guitar overdubs premiere… 

fourth iv

The previously unreleased version Black Dog (basic track with guitar overdubs) due to be released on the companion disc of the forthcoming Led Zeppelin IV reissue was aired on the Chris Evan show yesterday morning – Chris also mentioned Jimmy Page will be on the show on October 17th

Here’s the Guardian link to listen to the previously unreleased version of Black Dog

http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/sep/04/led-zeppelin-black-dog-previously-unreleased-version

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Led Zeppelin limited edition scarves due:

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British designer Paul Smith puts a spin on Led Zeppelin’s album covers for latest collaboration:

British fashion designer Paul Smith has teamed up with Led Zeppelin for a collection of scarves, featuring artwork taken from the band’s albums.

The collaboration marks the successful launch of the band’s newly re-mastered versions of their nine albums.

Putting a fashion spin on the images Paul Smith has created three unique designs. In order to translate the renowned imagery onto the fabric of the scarves, he had to apply the photographic technique.  Images of the band’s upcoming albums Led Zeppelin IV and Houses of Holy have already been jacquard-woven as well onto two further scarves and a brand new design has been created for a sixth scarf.

The first three artwork designs for ‘Led Zeppelin’, ‘Led Zeppelin II’ and ‘Led Zeppelin III’ have been reinterpreted onto luxury fabrics, measuring 1.5 by 1.5 metres and have been described as ”truly unique items”.

The 69-year-old menswear icon took on the challenging task of replicating the covers by using a photographic weaving technique to create the largely monochromatic cover of ”Led Zeppelin”.

Four high quality yarns were combined to produce the eight colours of the bright ”Led Zeppelin II” image, while the psychedelic ”Led Zeppelin III” has been recreated using a combination of boucle and merino wool.

The albums – which have been reissued in chronological order after being remastered by the band’s guitarist and producer Jimmy Page – are being replicated to be produce a collection of nine scarves to go on sale exclusively in-store and online.

Only 50 scarves in each design will be available to buy when they go on sale at PaulSmith.co.uk and the Paul Smith store on Albemarle Street London from Thursday October 23rd.

More details to follow at

http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/uk-en/shop/

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DL Diary Update On the occasion of my 58th birthday…

DL Diary Update:

The good lady Janet had he most fantastic birthday weekend –which started on Thursday with a trip and stay over in Brighton. On the actual birthday on Sunday, we had a wonderful day here – with Sunday lunch with Janet’s Mum Bet and Sam and Adam, then we had friends around in the afternoon and evening. Many thanks for all your comments and good wishes to the lady on her 40 plus 10 birthday.

It’s been back on various TBL projects this week with TBL 38 text preparation etc – more on all this soon.

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Whilst in Brighton there was of course a little record shopping slotted in –I came away with three very nice 1970s samplers namely a couple on the  CBS label – Heavy Sounds and 70s Underground and the rare 1966 Elektra label sampler Good Time Music which have the hard to find Eric Clapton and the Powerhouse tracks  – very nice indeed.

 

On the player, plenty of Robert Plant with his new album imminent – Pictures At Eleven has been on, the live 1983 set Starting over and selected cuts from the new album – notably Embrace The Fall and the downbeat piano ballad A Stolen Kiss – the latter with a vocal of stark beauty recalling the broodiness of Elvis at his best.

After missing out on the Glastonbury Abbey extravaganza, I am eagerly looking forward to the i- Tunes Roundhouse gig on Monday ( I’ve just worked out this will be the 112th time I’ve seen him sing live). I ll also be checking out the BBC i Player later tonight for his appearance on the BBC 1 show. I am likely to be in a public house toasting my birthday in the early evening because that time of year is around again…       

DL AT 58: ON THE OCCASION OF MY BIRTHDAY

Today I reach the ripe old age of 58.

Some timelines:

I was 7 years old when I first saw a live concert (The Dave Clark Five show), 9 when I first saw Tottenham Hotspur play, 13 when I first heard Led Zeppelin, 15 when I first started work in retail , 15 when I first saw Led Zeppelin live at the Empire Pool Wembley, 18 when I saw Led Zeppelin perform five times at Earls Court, 21 when I jumped on stage with The Who, 22 when I wrote the first Tight But Loose magazine, 25 when I started  going out with Janet, 27 when we married, 34 when Sam was born, 35 when my book Led Zeppelin A Celebration was published ,38 when Adam was born, 51 when Led Zeppelin reunited at the 02 Arena, 53 when I created TBL Publishing and went self- employed, 57 when I published the revised Then As It Was Led Zeppelin at Knebworth book…

My 57th year has been bookended by Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters gigs – the Wolverhampton Civic Hall date on September 2nd last year and the forthcoming Roundhouse i Tunes Festival gig on Monday.

In between, alongside Robert’s activity, it’s been something of a vintage one on the Zep front with all the build up and euphoria of the first three Led Zeppelin reissues. This has provided many a memorable personal experience. On the TBL front, alongside the magazines  there’s been the launch of the Then As It Was  -Led Zeppelin At Knebworth book – the response to which has been excellent.

So once again, forgive me the indulgence but here are some DL birthday at 58 reflections:

At 58, the usual passions remain undimmed.

As ever here music remains all encompassing. Listening to it, writing about it, reading about it. That folks is my DNA.

Right at the centre of my world is of course Led Zeppelin and all its many offshoots. It remains an absolute privilege to be able to relay the world of Zep through the various TBL mediums be it this web site, Facebook, the magazine or the books.

It’s also how I make a living and there are plenty of exciting TBL projects ahead which I’ll be unfolding in the coming months. At this point I’d like to offer sincere thanks to  every subscriber and buyer of TBL product this past year. Your support is very much appreciated.

Add to that the love of football –and following the erratic fortunes of Tottenham Hotspur and England, a good old bike ride (my favoured mode of transport) and socialising in the pub with friends.

Pubs oh yes…I have a great affinity for the great British pub – and it’s not just that they serve alcohol – I love the differing atmosphere, the lay out –the sheer tradition of the British pub. Too many are closing of course which is a terrible shame. Those that remain should be coveted.

After an early start to work on TBL 38 text, I will visit one or two today including a lunchtime pint with the boy Adam tot toast the old man’s birthday.

58 years old…that’s not too far off 60 which is a ridiculous notion when I think back to say seeing Zep Knebworth which seems like a second ago ..but a lifetime..

None of us are getting any younger -the days are to cherish and with health issues to contend with and the usual daily grind, it isn’t always easy – indeed as you will have read on the TBL diary, I’ve struggled recently with depression for which I’ve needed to get support with – it isn’t all smiles and there are often tears behind the smiles…however during such times, the inspiration of family and friends becomes ever important and valued.

Back to the music – always music..

This is the ingredient that has forged so many like minded friendships over the past five decades.

As is plainly evident, my tastes were formulated in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s and have remained pretty constant ever since.

For me it’s about albums, songs, vocalists, emotion, composition, dynamics, light and shade…and the usual suspects prevail and that means I listen to the likes of:

Led Zeppelin and related artists/Crosy Stills Nash and Young,The Who/The Beatles/The Rolling Stones/Rod Stewart/The Faces/Bob Dylan/Nick Drake/ Jethro Tull/Free/Bad Co/Yes/Fairport Convention/Sandy Denny/Joni Mitchell/ Dusty Springfield/ David Bowie/T Rex/Pete Townshend/Humble Pie/Peter Frampton/The Yardbirds/Allman Brothers/The Byrds/Pink Floyd/Cat Stevens/George Harrison/Paul McCartney/Wings/Traffic/Yes/Eric Clapton/Blind Faith/Derek & The Dominoes/Donovan/Family/Ronnie Wood/Mott The Hoople/ELP/Elvis Presley/Frank Sinatra/Miles Davis/Burt Bacharach/Paul Weller/The Jam and many more.

You could say it’s a whole lotta retro but that’s the way I like it. There’s always a fair few CDs and LP’s in the ”To listen to’’ pile and more to unravel and enjoy.

Then there is vinyl…lovely long playing vinyl – the LP – the record..

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Whilst I still collect CD’s –there have been some notably impressive re issue sets over the last 12 months – Miles Davis In Mono, Nick Drake Lunch Box, the Crosby Stills Nash & Young Tour 74, Eric Clapton Give Me Strength the 74/75 Recordings – it’s vinyl that tends to dominate here..

Oh yes  vinyl – the collecting of vinyl albums continues to be a real passion – ever increasingly so!

As my good friend Dec notes I seem to be on a quest to invest in every rock album released sine 1968 –it’s not quite as bad as that but boy do I love re connecting with the long playing format.

Big time.

So what is the attraction?

Well for me in an ever changing technological social media driven world,the LP (and single) record is a true bastion of past values – values to be held on to and cherished.  Vinyl is the true everlasting music carrying format.

The sleeve art work, the size, the tangible feel, the smell..and the sound – living breathing vinyl grooves…and of course that most comforting of sounds…the initial surface noise as the needle hits the vinyl…sheer bliss in my world…and countless others  – note least of course one James Patrick page – I have been fortunate enough to see his own passion for record buying at close quarters over the two day Olympia fair last November when I launched the Knebworth book

For me every vinyl album I acquire tells a story – the historical significance of the label and pressing and of course the music itself and where I was at when I first heard it.

Most of my collecting center’s on the golden age of the 1960s and 70s –when I was growing up and discovering music for myself.  Indeed part of my vinyl quest is to buy back LP’s I either foolishly sold or lost along the way (latest examples: Cream Fresh Cream, Jefferson Airplane Long John Silver, Carlos Santana & Buddy Miles Live)

During the past few months, it has of course been an absolute pleasure to indulge in the reissued Led Zeppelin vinyl and with more ahead that prospect is a mouthwatering one.

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In the collecting of vinyl there are many bargains to be had – with a keen eye for a bargain I rarely pay over a tenner for anything and mostly under £5. I have something of a deft touch at searching out gems in local charity shops – two of my best finds occurred in local charity shops  namely over the past year being a Led Zep II on US Atlantic for a tenner and Bob Dylan’s Blonde On Blonde mono pressing for £3. In London there’s Fopp for the 180 gram reissues Sister Ray and Reckless Records continue to come up with some great stuff. Then there’s the London Olympia and Westminster record fairs and Spitalfields market. The nearby Hitchin market is another good source as is Empire Records in St Albans and Wax Factor and Across the Tracks in Brighton. Recently in Bedford there’s been an excellent stall on Fridays in the town centre.

Amongst my gang, Tom, Phil and Dec are also vinyl enthusiasts particularly Tom who like me is also an avid vinyl collector and we can often be heard discussing the fascinating minutiae of rare vinyl pressings on the Vertigo label etc etc – or ‘’talking bollocks’’ as some of our ladies are prone to comment on –  but hey it’s what we do!

Our trip to London for record store day is always one of the highlights of the year. Pete Burridge and Mat Roberts are two other local friends who have the vinyl buzz and our finds are often on our respective Facebook pages..

Rarely a week goes by where I do not pick up one or two items – the downside is of course they do take up some considerable room as the good lady Janet often reminds me!

So with vinyl collecting at the forefront of many of my passions…this year’s 58 at 58 listing centre’s’ on my vinyl passion.

This list chronicles 58 vinyl LPs and singles that I have acquired over the past year from the variety of the sources listed above. From rock to jazz and folk and back again. All with one common denominator – they reconnect me with the music that continues to be the soundtrack of my life in the format that I am most familiar with…

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So with stylus at the ready….

58 vinyl greats at 58

LP’s:

Led Zeppelin  – Led Zeppelin III – original Australian pressing

Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin II – original US pressing

The Beatles – White album – original mono pressing

Pink Floyd  – Wish You Were Here /The Extraction version –  Bootleg

Bob DylanBlonde On Blonde – original mono pressing

Jimmy PageJames Patrick Page Session Man –bootleg box set

Led ZeppelinRoyal Albert Hall   January 9th 1970 – bootleg box set

Humble PieSmokin’

The Everly BrothersTwo Yanks In England

Janis JoplinIn Concert

Booker T and the MGSMcLemore Avenue  – on the Stax lebel

Bad CompanyStraight Shooter – Canadian pressing on the Swan Song label

Led ZeppelinFab 4 Liverpool – bootleg box set

list one

The YardbirdsLittle Games – record store day release

Rick GretchThe Last Five Years

Derek and the DominoesIn Concert

Credence Clearwater RevivalThe ’69 Singles – record store day release

Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin 1 – deluxe box set

Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin II –deluxe box set

Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin III – deluxe box set

Miles DavisKind Of Blue – 180 gram mono pressing re issue

Dave Brubeck QuartetMy Favourite Things

Bobby Darin1936 – 1973 – on the US Motown label

Ray CharlesRay Charles Story Volume One – original pressing on UK London/Atlantic

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Steve CropperWith A Little Help From My Friends

Good Time Music – 1966 Elektra Records sampler

Fleetwood Mac  – Then Play On – original UK Reprise pressing

The Rolling StonesDeja Que Sangre/ Let It Bleed – bootleg

Easy Rider soundtrack – on US Dunhill label

Bob DylanAnother Self Portrait – deluxe box set

Stephen StillsManassas

Led ZeppelinIn Through The Out Door – Indian pressing on the Atlantic label

James Taylor James Taylor  – first album on US Apple

Crosby Stills Nash and YoungDéjà vu – on US Atlantic

Blind FaithBlind Faith on the US Atco label

Bobby WhitlockRaw Velvet

The ByrdsHistory Of The Byrds

TelevisionMarquee Moon – 180 gram reissue

Nick DrakeA Day Gone By – bootleg

list 9

Jefferson AirplaneLong John Silver

The MisunderstoodGolden Glass

Dave Clark FiveWashington DC on the US Ember label

Gene KrupaPlays Gerry Mulligan Arrangements

Glenn CampbellBy The Time I Get To Phoenix

Davy Graham & Bert Jansch  – Davy & Bert – 10in record store day release

Rod StewartEvery Picture Tells A Story – US Mercury fold out sleeve

Bobby WomackThe Poet II

Nicky HopkinsThe Tin Man Was A Dreamer

FamilyAnyway – on US United Artists label

Emerson Lake & PalmerTarkus – on US Cotillion label

Flying High – Atlantic Records JAL airlines sampler

Jimi HendrixHendrix In The West

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Singles/EP’s

The MisunderstoodNever Had a Girl Like You – original UK Fontana

Marianne FaithfulSomething Better/Sister Morphine – Decca single – record store day release

Ronnie LaneOoh La la/Anniversary  – Island single record store release

Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera –  Flames/Salisbury Plain – record store day release

Frank SinatraIt Was A Very Good Year – EP

The BeatlesLong Tall Sally – EP

Dave Lewis – September 5th, 2014.

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And finally: Black Dog – basic track with guitar overdubs:

The groove remains the same …well not entirely and it’s brilliant…

Hey hey mama….take it boys…

Until next time…

Have a great weekend

Keep listening, keep reading…

Dave Lewis/Gary Foy – September 5th, 2014.

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11 Comments »

  • Dave Lewis (author) said:

    Many thanks for all the great birthday wishes!

  • Ed-Washington DC said:

    Best regards as you reach 58.

    I find great commonality with your list of artists (we are close in age) but I must reserve a special place in the pantheon for Van Morrison. I simply cannot get enough of his vast catalogue.

  • Lori Smith said:

    Happy Birthday Mr. Dave! I had no idea you were even in your 50’s! Thanks for the diligent updates on the members of Led Zeppelin! My your year be filled with health, joy and love!

  • Jeff said:

    Happy Birthday Dave

    I am not a gamer…but I happened upon this trailer from Youtube, does anyone recognize the featured ditty?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZyQK6kUdWQ

    Cheers
    Jeff

  • Ian in New Zealand said:

    You know you’re getting old when your fav band’s riff tops a poll … on Radio 2!

    Oh well. Growing old may not be great, but it’s better than the alternative.

  • James said:

    FYI – “Poor Howard” is not the only cover song on Plant’s new album. “Little Maggie” is a song originally written and recorded by Ralph Stanley in 1948. Here’s a link to Mr. Stanley’s original:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vXTTWZPXkw

  • Wools said:

    Dave,
    Birthday wishes from Las Vegas and a great thank you for your efforts for keeping Led Zep relevant to this day! I would love to know your top 10 Led Zep encounters with the band and members of the Zep family.
    Happy Birthday mate!

    Wools
    Las Vegas, NV. USA

  • MARK WILLIAMS said:

    I listened to this whole album yesterday on NPR. Have to say I was musically moved -it is one of,if not, his best (certainly up there alongside Fate of Nations).

    I guess I only just wish an album of such quality and depth had come from a collective RP/JPJ/JP but this just further proves Robert’s musical dexterity and full credit to the SSS for an exceptional contribution. RP has indeed moved on and on the strength of this it’s hard to believe he would ever go back to replicating LZ with JPJ/JP & Jason.

  • Steve Phillips said:

    Nice one Dave, Great list , I’d struggle to make a list that concise I’m sure you did as well, (What to leave out!) Keep up the good work See you at the Roundhouse….

  • Andrew r said:

    Ps where is Quadrophenia??

  • Andrew r said:

    A very happy birthday to you Dave,it seems to come around faster and faster!
    Always a pleasure to hear your musings on Zep and all points in -between.
    Have a good one.

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