Throw Back Thursday • Led Zeppelin's "Stairway"

For Throw Back Thursday, I thought I would start with one of my all-time favorite bands, Led Zeppelin. They were part of the dichotomy of my youth, when I fell in love with all kinds of music. In my early teens, it was the music of Barbra Streisand that spoke directly to my heart. Later, I found I was enamored with the Rock of Led Zeppelin. In between, I found the great music of James Taylor, Carole King, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Joni Mitchell, The Band, and so many others. I decided to go with the music of Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham. In 1973, the band was filmed at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The film, 'The Song Remains The Same', was released in 1976. This is a clip from the film, of the band playing their big hit, "Stairway To Heaven".

"Stairway to Heaven" was first recorded for Led Zeppelin's untitled fourth album, usually referred to as 'Led Zeppelin IV'. The album was released almost 43 years ago on November 8, 1971. You can purchase the remastered version of album on iTunes and Amazon.

Robert Plant & Jimmy Page • The Rain Song

In 1994, the long-awaited reunion of Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, two of the four members of original members of Led Zeppelin. The band had broken up in 1980, leaving fans wanting more, not expecting it would take 14 years to get that done. When MTV approached the men, they agreed, and Plant and Page played a combination of acoustic versions of classic Led Zeppelin songs, as well as a few new songs. This was not a Led Zeppelin reunion, as former bassist John Paul Jones, the only other surviving member, was not even aware this was happening. Among the songs they performed was "The Rain Song", originally featured on the album 'The Houses of the Holy'. It was written by Page and Plant for the 1973 release.

You can find the 2004 reissue of the concert audio recording on iTunes and Amazon. You can find the DVD version of the show on Amazon.

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss • Raising Sand

In 2007, an album was released that is arguably the best release in the new millennium. 'Raising Sand' featured the vocal talents of Alison Krauss and Robert Plant, the iconic singer best known for his time with Led Zeppelin. Plant not only had roots in Hard Rock, he also recorded some of the great 1950s standards as frontman of the band The Honeydrippers. Krauss was known for her Bluegrass Roots music, both solo and with the band Union Station. The unlikely pairing as brought together seamlessly by producer T-Bone Burnett, whose career as a musician, songwriter, and producer has been nothing short of amazing. His work with Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, John Mellencamp, Counting Crows, Elton John & Leon Russell, and Elvis Costello, to just name a few, shows how well he works to make great music. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling about 112,000 copies in its first week, the highest chart position for either artists' solo work, although Plant had previously reached #1 several times with Led Zeppelin. 'Raising Sand' was certified platinum by the RIAA in 2008. On February 8, 2009, 'Raising Sand' won all five awards for which it was nominated at the 51st Grammy Awards: including 'Album of the Year'; 'Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album'; 'Record of the Year' for "Please Read the Letter".

First I will feature one of my favorite tracks on the album, "Rich Woman". The song was written by Dorothy LaBostrie and McKinley Millet, and recorded by McKinley "L'il" Millet and his Creoles in 1955. I just loved the sound of the song, and how incredible the voices sounded together. It just has such amazing depth and texture to it, which could be why it also was named 'Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals' at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

The second track on the album, "Killing The Blues" was written by Rowland "Roly" Salley. The songwriter is perhaps better known for playing the bass guitar as part of Chris Isaak's band Silvertone. Putting his beautiful song into the artful hands of Plant, Krauss and Burnett allowed the song to be shown at it's best, their voices taking a haunting feel that works to well. At the 2009 Grammy Awards, the song was named 'Best Country Collaboration with Vocals'. Here is a clip of the song being sung live on 'Later...With Jools Holland' in 2008.

I was also just insanely crazy about the song "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)". It was written by Don and Phil Everly and recorded by the Everly Brothers. Of course, it was written with themselves in mind, and their incredible harmonies that were the trademark of the duo. But Burnett mixed it up a bit, giving the song a timeless feel, and Plant and Krauss responded with amazing vocals. "Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On)" was released as a single, and it was also named 'Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals' at the 50th Grammy Awards. Enjoy this music video shot for the song.

Finally, I also loved "Fortune Teller", written by Naomi Neville. This was a pen name for Jazz great Allen Toussaint, when he was writing in the 1950s and 1960s, trying to work his way around publishing contracts. The song has a great feel to it, with interesting rhythms and a dark and brooding feel. I hope you enjoy "Fortune Teller".

You can purchase 'Raising Sand' on iTunes and Amazon.

New Milestone Hit

While I wasn't looking, the blog went by another milestone, passing half-million hits. Honestly, I am blown away, and never imagined when I started this thing 2 years ago that this day would come. I couldn't be more grateful for all the readers who come to this blog to read about the music of my youth, or the fantastic indie music I am listening to today. To celebrate the occasion, I am bringing out one from the vaults, from the famed 1973 show in Madison Square Garden in New York City. Personal favorites of mine, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham and John Paul Jones, better known as Led Zeppelin.

Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love

Today I am just going to post some random favorites of mine, so I would suggest buckling your seatbelts, cause it might take a crazy turn or two this weekend. I will start with one of my favorite Rock N' Roll Gods of all time, Led Zeppelin. No one could sing like Robert Plant, and no one could play like Jimmy Page. And John Bonham was a helluva drummer, and John Paul Jones was excellent on bass. Check them out on one of the greatest sex songs of all time, Whole Lotta Love from a show in Knebworth in 1979.



When it comes to my boys, I still think my all-time favorite song of theirs was the blues number, Since I've Been Loving You. This was recorded in 1973 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, as part of the film The Song Remains The Same, released in 1976

Worth Another Listen - The Honeydrippers

In the early 1980s, Ahmet Ertegün, founder and president of Atlantic Records, was aware how both he and former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant had an appreciation of the rock and soul music of the 50s, lead to the release of The Honeydrippers on and only EP, ironically entitled Volume One.



Robert put together an amazing list of musicians to work on the five-song EP. They were Plant, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Robbie Blunt, Brian Setzer, Andy Silvester, Wayne Terry, Jim Hickman, Kevin O'Neill, Ricky Cool, Keith Evans, Paul Shaffer and Nile Rodgers, some of the top names in music of the day. The album was released in 1984, and made it to #4 on the US Billboard Top 200. Two singles were released in total, and the first was Rockin' At Midnight, which reached #8 on the US Hot Rock Tracks chart. The song exemplifies the rockabilly/swing/rock sound the band was looking for.



The second release was the solid gold nugget, Sea Of Love. The video became a staple of MTV and video programs, as well as adult contemporary radio. It soared to #1 on the US AC chart, and #11 on the Hot Rock Tracks chart.



The Honeydrippers made a couple of appearances before they called it a day. Plant went on to his solo work, which had been interrupted for this project.

REPOST: Worth Another Listen - Led Zeppelin

As part of a year-end review, I will be putting up an occasional repost of the first 6 months of Soundtrack to my Day this week.

I love Led Zeppelin, and still listen all the time. My favorite song is Since I've Been Loving You. For me, the combination of Robert Plant and Jimmy Page were as close as I could get to a wet dream. They were my original Rock Gods.



Yes, they were the ones who started me on the dirty Brit boy kick, and it hasn't really abated. Even now, Robert Plant does things to me. He might be older, might weigh a little more, but when he sings, I get crazy. He recently did a CD with the queen of Bluegrass, Allison Krauss, called Raising The Sand,and it is spectacular. Check out Gone Gone Gone and Please Read The Letter.



Led Zeppelin loved to infuse blues and soul into their music. Robert's voice was made for the music they played, a perfect compliment to Jimmy's raging guitar. Listening to them makes me happy.



Rock Gods, I tell you.

Saturday Rocks - Led Zeppelin

I have mentioned in a previous post that Robert Plant and Jimmy Page were my own personal rock gods, and thought it was time I truly honored them with a mini-concert. Hell, I never managed to see them perform live, and I would guess I never shall at this point. So I went on to YouTube to make it happen. I chose the 1970 Royal Albert Hall concert, and decided to go with full songs, which automatically ruled out four of 12 songs because of the 10 minute limit. And since I love it when Led Zep does the blues, I knew I wanted to go with I Can't Quit You Baby. I follow that up with Whole Lotta Love, a complete classic. Then there is another great one, Communication Breakdown. I decided to end with Bring It On Home, the final song of the night.









To complete the Led Zep experience, you can go to the official website here. God, I just love them.

Happy Birthday Robert Plant

On August 20, 1948, Robert Plant was born in West Bromwich, England. He made a name for himself as the lead singer for Led Zeppelin, and went on to do solo work, as well as put together the group The Honeydrippers [and the hit song, a remake of Sea Of Love], and duet with Alison Krauss. For the last 4 decades, he has been the wet dream for countless girls and boys. To celebrate, here is a solo project, the song is Big Log from the album, The Principle of Moments.



Happy 61st birthday, Mr. Plant!

Worth Another Listen - Led Zeppelin

I love Led Zeppelin, and still listen all the time. My favorite song is "Since I've Been Loving You". For me, the combination of Robert Plant and Jimmy Page were as close as I could get to a wet dream. They were my original Rock Gods.



Yes, they were the ones who started me on the dirty Brit boy kick, and it hasn't really abated. Even now, Robert Plant does things to me. He might be older, might weigh a little more, but when he sings, I get crazy. He recently did a CD with the queen of Bluegrass, Allison Krauss, called Raising The Sand,and it is spectacular. Check out "Gone Gone Gone" and "Please Read The Letter".



Led Zeppelin loved to infuse blues and soul into their music. Robert's voice was made for the music they played, a perfect compliment to Jimmy's raging guitar. Listening to them makes me happy.



Rock Gods, I tell you.