Pic by John-David-Mercer-Press-Register

The internet is currently full of Robert Plant delights  including a continuing flow on YouTube of fan footage from the US shows including this excellent piece from Stubbs BBQ in Austin.

There’s also an  exclusive preview of Angel Dance ,the first single from the forthcoming Band Of Joy album.  To listen to this  follow the link to Rollingstone.com Angel Dance

Rounder Records have released a EPK with an interview with Robert and more exclusive preview cuts from the album including the superb “You Can’t By Me Love”. This can be viewed on Robert’s official site at www.robertplant.com   

Also worth checking out is the Miami New Times.com for an excellent interview with Robert.

Robert Plant is also this month’s featured artist on the cover of Mojo magazine. With a new interview inside and new photo shot. The tag line for the feature stating that “Led Zeppelin’s golden god comes clean to Keith Cameron about killing his past, reviving the Band Of Joy, Raising Sand II and how that “too heavy” 02 Reunion gig finally ended in an all-night kebab restaurant”.  More essential reading.

At www.mojo4music.com there is a nice compilation of clips  featuring many favourite cuts that Robert has covered in one form or another over the last few years including The Youngbloods, The Leaves, Tim Hardin, Bob Dylan, Phil Phillips, Moby Grape, Dillard & Clark, Tom Waits, Low and Uncle Tupelo.

It’s been reported in the NME that John Paul Jones along with Damon Albarn, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Nick Zinner are among the artists who have been announced for Africa Express’s first ever Spanish gig.
The collective, who stage collaborations between African and ‘western’ artists, will take over the Festia dos Mundos event on August 7. See Africaexpress.co.uk for more information.

More JPJ news, Manson’s Guitar Shop have announced the first John Paul Jones signature Bass guitar for sale. The exclusive Manson John Paul Jones E-Bass model is a replica of the bass that Hugh Manson made in the early ’90s and has become John’s first call four-string ever since. Featuring a maple through-neck construction, figured maple top, Aged Cherry Sunburst high gloss lacquer, ebony fingerboard, EMG pickups and active circuit, Hipshot D-Tuner, Schaller machine heads and Badass bridge. The specs reflect exactly the current upgraded hardware of the bass John is currently using on tour with Them Crooked Vultures. For further details go to Manson’s Guitar Shop

Black Country Communion, the new rock super group featuring Joe Bonamassa (guitar, vocals), Glenn Hughes (vocals, bass), Jason Bonham (drums) and Derek Sherinian (keyboards) will release their forthcoming self-titled debut album in the following 3 formats; Limited Edition 2-Disc CD/DVD, CD, and vinyl. The album will be released in the UK on September 20th by Mascot Records.
Format #1 – Limited Edition 2-Disc CD/DVD Features 12 album tracks on CD, plus a bonus DVD that features interviews with the band, exclusive studio and live images, Kevin Shirley’s (Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin) album production notes, “The Great Divide” music video, ‘Behind The Scenes’ in-studio footage, plus live tracks as performed by BCC at Riverside, California.
Format #2 – Single Disc CD
Single Disc CD edition
Format #3 – Vinyl
Double-sided 12” inch vinyl album
The Limited Edition 2-Disc CD/DVD edition is available for pre-order now at www.play.com, while all 3 of the above formats are available to pre-order from www.amazon.co.uk and www.hmv.com
Click on the links below to pre-order the album in the format that you desire.

If you can’t wait for the BCC planned appearances next year,  be sure to check out  Joe and Glenn’s forthcoming solo tours.Joe Bonamassa’s UK tour is;

Sat 09th Oct Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone

Sun 10th Oct Corn Exchange, Cambridge

Mon 11th Oct The Spa Bridlington, Bridlington

Wed 13th Oct Regent Theatre, Ipswich

Thu 14th Oct Colston Hall, Bristol

Fri 15th Oct Manchester Apollo, Manchester

Sun 17 Oct Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne

Mon 18 Oct Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow

Tue 19 Oct  De Montfort Hall, Leicester

Whilst Glenn Hughes UK tour is

23rd Sept Academy – Manchester

24th Sept Picturedrome – Holmfirth

25th Sept O2 ABC – Glasgow

27th Sept The Sage – Gateshead

28th Sept Robin 2 – Bilston

29th Sept Rescue Rooms – Nottingham

1st Oct Princess Pavilion – Falmouth

2nd Oct Phoenix – Exeter

3rd Oct Millennium Music Hall – Cardiff

5th Oct O2 Academy – Islington (London)

6th Oct Sub 89 – Reading

7th Oct The Assembly – Leamington Spa

9th Oct Spring & Airbrake – Belfast

10th Oct The Village – Dublin

12th Oct The Fleece – Bristol

13th Oct The Brook – Southampton