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THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME AT 40/ LZ NEWS/LAMPEDUSA TOUR/ NEW JIMMY PAGE BOOK/FREE/ DL DIARY BLOG UPDATE/CONGRATULATIONS MICHAELA AND BOB!

20 October 2016 2,398 views 4 Comments

song-vinyl

The Song Remains The Same Soundtrack at 40:

40 years ago,On the afternoon of Thursday October 21 1976, I anxiously tore open the box marked Warner/ Elektra/ Atlantic Records at the WH Smith record shop where I worked to reveal for the first time the gatefold sleeve of, as the label spine gloriously put it ‘’The Soundtrack To The Film The Song Remains The Same‘’.

Yes the only official live album released during the band’s life time is 40 years old.
I have much affection for that original double live album – it captures a certain era of innocence when we knew a lot less about the actual construction of such things and just enjoyed it for what it as – four sides of live Zep to accompany the release of their long awaited film The Song Remains The Same. Whilst the on stage experimentation of their 1972 US tour had levelled out, these New York ‘73 concerts a year later capture all the swagger and verve of a band in the throes of conquering the world.

In those innocent days I was completely immune to any criticism of the boy’s work. I was therefore absolutely incensed with Nick Kent’s less than complimentary review of the film in the  NME. So much so that I wrote a letter to the paper the next week pointing out an inaccuracy on his part. This was duly printed – I used the pseudonym ‘Ace Wallbanger’, a reference to the soccer team I played in, the infamous and much feared in a keystone cops sort of way Wallbangers FC.

nick-2

Left: Angry Ace Wallbanger of Bedford has the right of reply…

Thanks to the esteemed Eddie Edwards we now know a whole lot more of how the live set was assembled via Eddie’s amazing Garden Tapes analysis.
of a few years back

See link at http://www.thegardentapes.co.uk/tgt.html
I know Eddie was far from happy with the revised version of the album that was issued in 2007. It cooked up a lot healthy debate at the time.

I was actually ok with Kevin Shirley’s mix. He cleverly kept the excitable crowd reaction high in the mix which adds a real ‘right there’ front row authenticity heard to great effect on the opening blast of Rock And Roll, Celebration Day and Black Dog. In extending the original double album, the six previously unreleased performances included a very fluent Over The Hills And Far Away, the riotous The Ocean and of course it finally gave a home to the brilliantly sublime recording of Since I’ve Been Loving You –always a stand out performance in the film and one of their best ever live moments.

I’ll be  playing  through both versions of the album over the weekend –and there is much to admire – pull them out yourselves for a nostalgic blast of prime era Zep on this 40th anniversary.

DL

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Robert Plant Lampedusa Tour:

This one via The Boston Globe

Pic by Ben Stas for the Boston Globe.

Emmylou Harris, Robert Plant and more put on a spectacular refugee benefit
By Stuart Munro Globe Correspondent October 17, 2016

When it came time for the Milk Carton Kids to play their first song Sunday night, one of the Kids, Joey Ryan, remarked by way of preface, “You’ve already got your money’s worth.”

He was right. And the concert — one of several dates intended to raise awareness of the current refugee crisis, and funds for the programs offered by the Jesuit Refugee Service — was only four songs in.

We’d already heard Emmylou Harris render a piercing “Orphan Girl,” and Robert Plant go Elvis with a version of “Don’t” that featured an incredible gospel doo-wop chorus of his fellow performers. And those turned out to be mere table-setters.
The evening had an unassuming tone from the start. Harris walked out, sat down, and introduced her partners in music as each emerged in turn. Then, all sitting, they played, in-the-round style, for the better part of 2½ hours. It felt like an informal gathering of friends. Discussion of the concert’s purpose was brief and to the point, and came for the most part toward the end of the performance, its sentiment best summed up by Steve Earle simply averring that everyone has a right to a home.

It was an intentionally loose affair, too. Many of the songs were worked up just prior to the performance; Harris noted that she and her cohorts were changing things up every night, and at a couple of points she had a lyric sheet in hand.

But loose never meant sloppy or stumbling. The Milk Carton Kids, who held their own while working their new-kids-on-the-block status to great comic effect, spoke of discovering the “traditional” music of the British Isles, and then launched into a gorgeous, delicate version of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here.” Harris offered a beautiful acoustic rendition of Merle Haggard’s “Kern River,” Plant a jawdropping cover of Tom Rush’s “No Regrets” and later, a take on the ancient “Little Maggie” that started spectral and morphed into full-blown roar. Buddy Miller then matched that with an anguished “Don’t Tell Me” that twined his and Harris’s singing around his stinging, searing guitar work.

By the time the evening came to a perfectly appropriate close with a repurposed version of Steve Earle’s “Pilgrim,” what had resulted was something quite spectacular: good works begetting great art.

See link at:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2016/10/17/emmylou-harris-robert-plant-and-more-put-spectacular-refugee-benefit/0Uyp8C1w7XOriBgfyldBWL/story.html

See great YouTube clip below.

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LZ News:
Led Zeppelin News Update:
In conjunction with the Led Zep news site, each week I will be re- producing highlights from their weekly email update news summary. This goes out every Sunday. Sign up details are below. Many thanks to James Cook.
Jimmy Page
Three new magazine interviews with Jimmy Page have been released in Japan. He sat down for an interview with BURRN magazine for its November issue, including some new photos. There’s also a new interview with Page in the November issue of Rockin’ On magazine, again including new photos. And he’s interviewed in the latest issue of Shukan Asahi, with the interview conducted by Masa Ito.
Robert Plant

Robert Plant performed four shows this week as part of the Lampedusa tour. He made a surprise appearance in Missouri on October 11, sitting in to replace Patty Griffin, who is ill. You can see photos of that show here. After that, Plant performed in Milwaukee on October 12, which was originally scheduled to be his first night with the tour. From there the tour travelled to Chicago, where they performed on October 13. And after that, the tour travelled to Canada, where they performed in Toronto on October 14.  As we type, Plant is backstage in Boston preparing for his performance there tonight as part of the Lampedusa tour. See our full breakdown of the dates and known songs performed below.
October 11 – Missouri
Going To California
Your Long Journey
Gone, Gone, Gone
———
City Of Immigrants

October 12 – Milwaukee
Don’t

October 13 – Chicago
Going To California

October 14 – Toronto
Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down
Gone, Gone, Gone
Robert Plant’s “Austin City Limits” performance aired this week. To promote it the show released an interview with him, as well as pro-shot footage of him performing “Black Dog,” “Whole Lotta Love,” “Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You,” and “No Place To Go” (which was a web exclusive).
A video of Robert Plant’s full performance at the Festival of Disruption in Los Angeles on October 8 has been released online.

Upcoming events:
October 16 – Robert Plant will perform as part of the Lampedusa tour in Boston.
October 18 – Robert Plant will perform as part of the Lampedusa tour in New York.
October 19 – Robert Plant will perform as part of the Lampedusa tour in Philadelphia.
October 21 – Robert Plant will perform as part of the Lampedusa tour in Washington, D.C.
October 28 – Robert Plant will perform at Bill Wyman’s 80th birthday celebration in London.
November 11 – Jimmy Page will attend the Classic Rock Awards in Tokyo.

The Led Zeppelin News email goes out every weekend. To receive it each week sign up here: http://tinyletter.com/LedZepNews

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martin-book

Jimmy Page Book: No Quarter – The Three Lives of Jimmy Page by Martin Power:

A big read ahead…

I’ve just got a copy of the above book which is published by Omnibus Press. It’s an impressively weighty affair clocking in at some 650 plus pages. This is the first really extensive Jimmy Page biography – initial impressions: there’s a strong empathy for the music coupled with a detailed telling of the story – more on this to follow.

Here’s a pic of the arrival of the book at the TB Hub here today…

And here’s the press blurb on the book from Omnibus Press:

A genuine musical legend, Jimmy Page is best known as the mastermind behind Led Zeppelin, one of the most successful bands in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. As their leader, producer, principal songwriter and guitarist, Page not only shaped the sound of seventies hard rock but also created a musical and artistic legacy that stands him proudly to this day.

No Quarter: The Three Lives Of Jimmy Page explores the life, times and music of the man behind one of the 20th century’s greatest bands. Using new and exclusive interviews Martin Power tells the full story of Jimmy Page’s long career, starting with the early sixties session scene before exploring Page’s time in the Yardbirds, the band that would metamorphose into the legendary Led Zeppelin, who in turn dominated the rock world for 12 astounding years until breaking up in 1980.

Unstoppable, Jimmy Page began again, with film soundtracks and various collaborations, before striking out as a solo artist with 1988’s underrated Outrider.

By the mid-nineties he had reunited with Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant, twisting the blues into new, exotic shapes on albums like Unledded and 1998’s Walking Into Clarksdale. A never to be forgotten one-night-only Led Zeppelin reformation in 2007 and his memorable appearance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics brought the Jimmy Page phenomenon into the 21st century.

Researched through candid conversations with Jimmy Page’s friends, managers and musical collaborators, author Martin Power’s No Quarter: The Three Lives Of Jimmy Page represents the most comprehensive and up-to-date biography yet written about Jimmy Page – a “one man Guitar army”.

More info at:

http://www.omnibuspress.com/Product.aspx?ProductId=1126671

UK Amazon ordering link:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Quarter-Three-Lives-Jimmy/dp/1783058218/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476963295&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=jimmy+page+book+no+quurter

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fas-one

Free Appreciation Society magzine:

A few days back, I received the latest issue of the Free Appreciation Society magazine (FAS).

Edited and run my David Clayton, it’s been a source of much inspiration for me for many years. He does an excellent job and is now up to an impressive 137 issues.

Whenever I read a new issue of the FAS, it always takes me back to the music and that great compilation The Free Story has been on all week.

For ordering details check out

http://freeappreciationsociety.blogspot.co.uk/

You can also email Dave at  fasarticle@aol.com and he will provide a ‘money request’

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DL Diary Blog Update:

barn-oct-14

Friday Vinyl Treats at the Vinyl Barn: Last Friday’s rather splendid pickings alongside a Shadows Hits import album purchased from WH Smiths way back and still in the original bag with receipt (£6.49! hey I may have sold it!) there was a crop of great coloured vinyl and picture disc singles to be had -Hawkwind, Dave Edmunds on Swan Song, Pink Floyd, Animals, Foreigner etc – top stuff indeed.

On Saturday I ventured over to nearby Rushden to see my childhood friend Dave Corp. It was a hugely nostalgic meet – talk of the Dave Clark Five and many a childhood memory proved heartwarmingly cathartic.

On the player here, the aforementioned Free Story compilation plus Blonde On Blonde – proof (as if it was needed ) that Bob Dylan is much deserving of the title Nobel Prize Winner for Literature 2016. I also waded through some James Taylor back catalogue including the very fine 1968 debut album on Apple. Zep wise, it will be the soundtrack to The Song Remains The Same as discussed above.

Also on: The Rolling Stones It’s Only Rock’n’ Roll album sounding just as good as it did when I purchased it 42 years ago on October 18, 1974 –the day it was released in the UK…

mott-saturday-gigs
Another great record released on that day in 1974 was the final Mott The Hoople single Saturday Gigs featuring the late great Mick Ronson –I bought that at the time as well and recently acquired this UK demo copy with lyric sheet a couple of weeks back – what a beauty…

The new Ian Hunter single Dandy is brilliant too and oh so poignant…Ian knows there will always be a Starman waiting in the sky… thanks to Russell Clarke for pointing me to this one…see YouTube clip below…

There’s been progress on the initial design of the forthcoming TBL issue 42 – Mick and I have been working on the second part of Paul Sheppard’s excellent feature on the history of the Tarantula bootleg label. I also did a radio interview this week for a forthcoming documentary on Led Zeppelin IV – more on all that soon.

Aberfan:

aberfan

Tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster – on the morning of Friday October 21 1966 a colliery spoil coal tip collapsed on Pentglas Junior School killing 116 children and 28 adults.

I vividly remember this at the time as a ten year old -not least because my Dad was raised in an area just over the valley from Aberfan in Ystrad Mynach. Two years after the disaster , in August 1968, whilst visiting my Dad’s family, we went to Aberfan to see the memorial and pay due respects. It remains an incredibly moving memory for me to have been in the vicinity of where this terrible tragedy occurred.

Here’s a poignant photo from that time when I was on holiday in Wales with my Mum and Dad aged nearly 12 in August 1968. Taken on top of a mountain in the Ystrad Mynach area – Aberfan is further down the valley…

wales-one

Tomorrow morning at 9.15 I will be pausing for thought to remember the loss of that day in an area I have much affinity with – and I’ll also be thinking of my Dad who passed away 25 years ago last August.

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On a brighter note…

Tomorrow night (Friday) we will be in Milton Keynes at the evening reception celebrating the wedding of long time TBL supporter Michaela Finegan to her fiancé Bob Tait.

michaela-and-bob

My friendship with Michaela is one of many that formed out of support and interest for TBL and all things Led Zep. I have enjoyed many a gig and TBL related event in her company and it will be a joy for the good lady Janet and I to be part of her and Bob’s big day.

Congratulations Michaela and Bob!

Dave Lewis – October 20, 2016

Until next time – have a great weekend…

TBL Website updates compiled by Dave Lewis
with thanks to Gary Foy and James Cook

Follow TBL/DL on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/tightbutloose

The TBL/DL Facebook page has regular updates and photos – be sure to check it out.
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And finally…

YouTube clips:

Robert Plant – great performance here:

Ian Hunter – Dandy David Bowie tribute:

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4 Comments »

  • Hiroshi said:

    Dave,

    Being a foreigner, I didn’t know of the disaster, but I assume it must have been a national trauma for the whole British citizens and still remains so. I made a quick check on google, saw a lot of pictures — just horrible. My sincere condolences to those who suffered, albeit fifty years from then.
    Surely 1966 was a year for both glory and tragedy for Britain; i.e. the victory for The World Cup and Aberfan Disaster.

    Coincidentally, 1966 is remembered as the year of the series of air disasters for the Japanese — three big plane crashes happened over the country that year in a time span of just one month (Feb. 4-Mar. 5). Of them, a couple in two consecutive days, Mar. 4 and 5! The last one was BOAC by the way.
    On the other hand, 1966 is also remembered for many Japanese as the year The Beatles played at the Budokan, their one and only visit to this land as a group. But that’s another story…

    I remember I saw and had a chat with Michaela at the TBL fan meeting at the pub in Wolverhampton, Sept. 2013, before Robert Plant show at the Civic. A nice lady indeed. Congratulations to you both from the farthest shore…

  • Byron Lewis said:

    Thanks Dave for including the Aberfan tradgedy in your updates.Recently saw “The Revlon Girl” play in Aberdare, written by Neil Docking. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house, it’s too difficult a subject to try to mix comedy and tradgedy.
    The Small Faces headlined a disaster fund concert in the Royal Albert Hall in Dec 66 including Cat Stevens amongst others. They are on me playlist but the overiding injustice by those in authority does play heavy on our hearts.

  • Mike Wilkinson said:

    Anybody care to speculate on the chances of a Lampedusa CD box set?

  • Mark Williams said:

    Nice commentary & recognition there Dave of the Aberfan tragedy. I too have Welsh lineage and one of my formative memories was watching BBC coverage on our black & white telly.
    On a happier note it was great to see Jimmy in attendance at Roy’s Festival Hall gig recently (sat 6 rows in front of us by the mixing desk). Remain optimistic for some Jimmy action early in the New Year !

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