Archive for Robert Plant

Robert Plant – “lullaby and…The Ceaseless Roar”

Posted in Music with tags , , on December 18, 2014 by David McInerny

Robert_Plant_Lullaby_and_the_Ceaseless_Roar_coverRobert Plant’s 2014 effort is arguably both subtly complex and quite listenable. His successful evolution from Zeppelin frontman to creative rock solo artist to now, within the course of his last three albums, creator of a new genre (Country & Welshtern?) is nothing short of astounding. Throughout all of his diversity, however, runs the common theme of roots music, whether it’s the Delta blues of Willie Dixon or the rural folk themes of his native England.

“Little Maggie,” a tradition tune, opens the disc and thematically sets the tone of a beautifully played, written and produced work. Each song pulses lightly and evenly from the last, making the album eminently enjoyed as a single work. The rhythms are set back in the mix but still drive each track soulfully. English pipes and fiddles are used sparingly and with intelligent effect. Guitar work is integrated into the melodies with passion but without bombast. But it’s Plant’s voice that is on display, and it’s an excellent voice this man has retained and developed over four decades and more.

At first listening, there are early moments when one feels a song or two might slide into something closer to Enya or even Gerry & the Pacemakers, but the fear is unwarranted. This is very good work, and my personal standouts are “Embrace Another Fall” and “Up on the Hollow Hill (understanding Arthur).” Images of fog clinging to castle ruins, ghosts of forlorn lovers, medieval milk maids at dawn and all sorts of cool English images flow through the songs and out of Robert’s mouth. In fact, the music is unquestionably folk, but there are deceptive and delicious layers to it that make me believe that “lullaby” has music awards coming in its very near future.

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My Top 10 All-Time Favorite Concerts (so far)

Posted in Music, Travel with tags , , , , , , , , , on September 10, 2012 by David McInerny

No preamble necessary:

1. BOSTON, March 28, 1979, Notre Dame, IN – My second concert. Boston played their first two albums straight through – without a flaw.

2. PETER GABRIEL, November 20, 1982, Ann Arbor, MI – Peter sang his encore, “Biko,” on his back being passed hand over hand by the audience.

3. R.E.M., September 29, 1989, Notre Dame, IN – Michael Stipe was able to face the audience and sing, unlike when I saw them in 1982.

4. TODD RUNDGREN, April 16, 1992, Chicago, IL – Todd played with his new “band,” a Mac computer – pretty revolutionary for the time.

5. RADIOHEAD, August 1, 2001, Chicago, IL – The first of many shows for me, this one on the shore of Lake Michigan.

6. DAVID BOWIE, August 8, 2002, Chicago, IL – Bowie played most of Low on this tour, as well as the new and excellent Heathen album.

7. ROBERT PLANT, November 25, 2005, Munich, Germany – Told the kids they would grow up proud that they saw this show. They are.

8. MORRISSEY, May 23, 2007, Kansas City, MO – Front row thanks to my neighbor, Jenn. He’s one talented kook.

9. ROLLING STONES, August 26, 2007, London, England – Flew to see the show, then flew home. Their final concert? Hope not.

10. THE DEAD, May 10, 2009, San Jose, CA – Last show of a run I followed that summer. Three and a-half hours of ecstasy.

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Led Zeppelin – Presence

Posted in Music with tags , , , , on July 30, 2012 by David McInerny

Even considering Zeppelin’s rather small catalog of studio recordings, Presence (1976) rarely makes it high on the list of even the most ardent fans. It should.

True, there are no hits from this album, no doubt due to the longer length of the best songs. Nonetheless, why this work didn’t get more FM airplay when it was released will forever be a mystery to me.

From the slinky rhythm changes of “For Your Life,” to the funky swagger of “Nobody’s Fault But Mine,” and the 50’s jukebox pop of “Candy Store Rock,” this is an album full of energy and rare tightness of playing for this band, particularly between Jimmy Page on guitar and John Henry Bonham on drums.

The gems on Presence, though, are the first and last songs. “Achilles Last Stand” is a fantastic opener, which fades in with a slow, melodic riff from Page, but after twenty seconds Bonham machine guns the song into a breathless pace that runs unabated for ten minutes. Page’s guitar playing is sharp and keeps up with Bonzo’s drumming virtuosity, yet also pleads beautifully but unheeded for the tempo to slacken during his solo. How Robert Plant managed to construct a lyrical melody that didn’t sound like he was trying to catch up to a runaway train is an accomplishment, but he succeeded, and his mystical Celtic muse breathes soul into the song.

Closing the album is “Tea For One,” nine minutes of classic, greasy blues that had been missing from Led Zeppelin’s studio work since III’s “Since I’ve Been Loving You.” It leaves you slightly sweaty and breathing heavy.

Despite the lack of popular appeal, I suspect the band was proud of the effort, because it’s next album, In Through The Out Door, is really Son of Presence in regard to tempo, style and even song order. The fact that that album became wildly popular had to please the band, particularly as it was the band’s last before Bonham died.

 

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