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Tag: Led Zeppelin

  • Led Zeppelin… live on film

    Led Zeppelin… live on film

    Last night, I happened to catch Led Zeppelin… live on film. What a treat that was!

    I happened to be flipping channels last night and happened across AXS, a mysterious channel that seems to show a lot of concerts and such. Led Zeppelin circa December 2007 was playing. I didn’t know it at the time, but what I was watching was Celebration Day, a concert film that had the aging but still brilliant surviving rockers performing together for the first time in many years. There they were in living color. Lead singer Robert Plant is still sexy as ever with his wild mane of curly brown hair. Still boyishly handsome John Paul Jones was there, playing bass guitar and keyboards. Guitar god Jimmy Page was ministering to the crowd, masterfully playing lead guitar and appearing to enjoy every minute of the performance. Drummer John Bonham, who died in 1980, was replaced by his son, Jason, who was keeping up just fine.

    This concert film was made from footage taken at the Ahmet Ertegen Tribute Concert on December 10, 2007. It was filmed at London’s O2 arena to a packed and very enthusiastic crowd. While I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed being in that huge crowd myself, it was pretty cool to watch them react to the music, which was played in lower keys to suit Plant’s aging voice. I have to admit, Plant’s voice was in impressive shape for that concert. He doesn’t hit the notes he used to, but he comes close enough.

    I read some criticisms of Celebration Day on Amazon.com and some folks claimed that the band had gotten “sloppy”. Given the fact that three out of the four guys on stage were in their sixties at the time this show was filmed and were putting on an energetic show, I thought they did damn well. As of late 2007, it had been a long time since Led Zeppelin had worked together putting out fresh material, but I didn’t see any evidence that these guys had lose their mojo.


    Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir”…

    I’ve always loved Robert Plant’s charisma and vocals, but I have to admit that it was Jimmy Page who captured my attention as I watched this film last night. He looks like he’s having a blast as he effortlessly plays his guitar. John Paul Jones is also very impressive as he moves from bass to keyboards and back again. I may be wrong, but it seems to me that they don’t make bands like this anymore.


    I love this interview. Jimmy Page comes off as such a gent.

    Apparently, Jimmy Page broke his finger right before this concert was filmed, causing it to be postponed a couple of weeks. Knowing this, I am all the more impressed by how well he plays, since it takes time to recover from broken bones. If you are a fan of Led Zeppelin’s and haven’t seen this film yet, I highly recommend it.

  • Magnificent covers by women…

    Magnificent covers by women…

    A friend of mine introduced me to one of the most magnificent covers by women I have ever heard…

    And today’s post on PopRockNation is inspired by that discovery. The well-respected and long performing Seattle based band Heart is well-known for great original songs. But they’ve also done some great cover versions of classic songs. The other night, a Facebook friend posted a video from 2012, showing Ann and Nancy Wilson performing Led Zeppelin’s epic anthem, “Stairway to Heaven”. Listening to the Wilson sisters play Zeppelin made me think of all the women out there who have made magnificent cover versions of songs, turning them into something of their own.


    They were joined by John Bonham’s son, Jason, who played drums.

    This particular version of “Stairway to Heaven” brings tears to my eyes, just as it does the members of Led Zeppelin. And what a treat it is to watch the members of the audience react, too. I always knew Heart had a thing for Led Zeppelin’s music, having heard them cover “Rock and Roll” and “The Battle of Evermore”. They always do a wonderful job whenever they pay tribute to another band by covering a song. Heart has done some of the most magnificent covers I have ever heard.


    Heart performs “The Battle of Evermore” live.

    The other day, a YouTube friend in Scotland who makes musical videos sent me a video of him playing Sting’s “Fields of Gold” on acoustic guitar…


    YouTuber shargram plays “Fields of Gold”.

    That immediately made me think of the late Eva Cassidy, who performed her own magnificent cover version of Sting’s lovely “Fields of Gold”. I remember when figure skater Michelle Kwan turned this song into something truly inspiring when she skated to it years ago.

    In 1991, Sinead O’ Connor covered Elton John’s hit, “Sacrifice”. The song appeared on the tribute album, “Two Rooms: Celebrating the Music of Elton John and Bernie Taupin”. I have owned that album since it first came out and Sinead’s version of “Sacrifice” is the most magnificent cover, in my opinion.


    Sinead O’ Connor takes a song that was bordering on late 80s cheese and turns into something very meaningful and beautiful.

    No offense to Sir Elton John, whose music has brought me much joy over the years, but I think Sinead O’Connor’s version of “Sacrifice” is superior to his.

    Aretha Franklin’s magnificent cover of Carole King’s, Gerry Goffin’s, and Jerry Wexler’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” is still after decades the defining version of that song.


    Aretha Franklin performs in concert.

    This song was originally released in 1967 and Carole King later included it on her classic 1971 album, Tapestry. But if you were to ask someone whose song it is, it’s likely they’d tell you it belongs to Aretha. Frankly, as much as I respect Aretha Franklin and think her version of “Natural Woman” is one of many magnificent covers, I personally prefer Carole King’s more stripped down, intimate version.

    Joan Jett is also a great rock star who has done some great covers. I can think of a few right off the top of my head, but the one that immediately comes to mind is her magnificent version of “Crimson and Clover”, a song that was originally made popular by Tommy James and the Shondells.


    Watch Joan Jett flirt with the camera here… talk about a natural!

    Alison Krauss has done her share of covers. One song that she and her band, Union Station, did that I really enjoy is her version of a song made famous by Dolly Parton, “But You Know I Love You”, a song that was originally a pop hit for The First Edition, a band that featured Kenny Rogers and the song’s author, Mike Settle.


    As much as I love Dolly, I love what Alison Krauss has done with her hit.

    Another artist who has paid tribute to Dolly Parton in a great way is Rhonda Vincent, who covered Parton’s monster hit, “Jolene”.


    Rhonda Vincent is a bluegrass artist, but I think she’s got serious chops.

    What about Dolly Parton herself? Well, like Heart, she’s also done a cover of “Stairway to Heaven”. The jury is out on whether or not this qualifies as a “magnificent cover”. In fact, months ago, I included this in my post about “horrible covers“. I actually like it, but then I like Dolly Parton and I like bluegrass. Led Zeppelin purists may not enjoy this song as much as I do…


    Dolly Parton sings at Dollywood.

    There are certainly other masterful, magnificent covers out there which I will eventually write about. For now, I just want to bask in the excellence that is Heart doing most any cover of Led Zeppelin. I think they get the prize today!

  • Road trip tunes

    Road trip tunes

    I’m about to take the longest road trip I’ve ever done… so I’m looking for road trip tunes!

    Okay, so I was technically on a longer road trip a couple of times. The first time was when I was a tot and my parents drove the family cross country in a Winnebago. I don’t remember that drive because I was too young, but I’m told I swung on a bar the whole way and stunk up the trailer by repeatedly filling my diapers. The second time was in 1996, when I went by bus from Yerevan, Armenia to Istanbul, Turkey. It took three days straight, but I wasn’t driving.

    This time, I will be driving alone in my car while my husband drives our other car with our dogs. That means I’m gonna need some good driving songs. Here are a few road trip tunes that come to mind in advance of our three or four day trek from North Carolina to Texas.

    Truckin’, by the Grateful Dead

    Of course, I had to start with “Truckin’”, a classic Grateful Dead song that is all about moving down the highway. It’s got a beat you can nod your head to and some irreverent lyrics that one can sing along to. I can’t say I’m the biggest Deadhead out there, but I like this song. I think it will get things off to a good start.

    Rockin’ Down The Highway by The Doobie Brothers

    This song literally spells out “rockin’ down the highway”, so of course it’s an excellent road song. I imagine I’d better watch it with this song, though. Wouldn’t want to get a speeding ticket while rockin’ down the highway.

    On The Road Again by Willie Nelson

    I have always loved this classic road tune by Willie Nelson. Yeah, I know Willie is not necessarily a rock star, but he’s pretty damn cool. And this is a great song to drive to as you watch the countryside fly past.

    You Can Sleep While I Drive by Melissa Etheridge or Trisha Yearwood


    Melissa Etheridge


    Trisha Yearwood

    I’m kind of partial to Trisha Yearwood’s version of Melissa Etheridge’s edgy hit, “You Can Sleep While I Drive”. I don’t know why… there’s sort of a raw, earthy, passion to Melissa’s original, but I like Trisha’s vocals. But yeah, I can see putting the top down on my convertible as I drive to this song… Either version rocks!

    Hot Dog by Led Zeppelin

    This may seem an unconventional choice, but I found it to be great travel music when I took a train trip through Europe in 1997. It’s got a nice upbeat tempo and some lyrics you can sing to if you manage to understand them.

    Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

    This song is the ultimate let’s get the hell out of Dodge song. When I was a kid in high school, I fell in love with this song for its romantic lyrics and hard driving beat. Most of Bruce Springsteen’s rockin’ songs are great songs to drive to. And I intend to be rockin’ on this trip so I don’t fall asleep at the wheel.

    Pride and Joy by Stevie Ray Vaughan

    My earliest memory of hearing this epic blues number is when I was riding in a car, lying down in the back seat, and hanging my bare feet out the window as my sister drove us to Virginia Beach. Ever since then, this song has been one of my favorite road tunes.

    Something To Talk About by Bonnie Raitt

    I dare you not to sing along to this road tune, girls. I know I will be singing at the top of my lungs to “Something To Talk About”… though, if it’s too late in the drive, I might change the lyrics to “Something To Cry About”.

    Hit the Road Jack by Ray Charles

    Yup… another one you can sing to… and seat dance to… and watch your speed to. I look forward to cranking up this and many other road tunes. Cuz I’m hitting the road, Jack.

    The March by Robert Randolph & The Family Band

    I freakin’ love this song! Actually, I love most of what Robert Randolph & The Family Band does. Their music kicks serious ass, especially when you’re driving. I plan to kill about eight great minutes playing this glorious track. I will also be playing Robert Randolph & The Family Band’s latest album, “Lickety Split”, reviewed here on Pop Rock Nation a week ago!

    Robert Randolph’s “I Don’t Know What You Come To Do” is an easy follow up…

    This song kicks serious ass! It’s an epic road tune if I’ve ever heard one!

    Well, with that, I think I shall continue packing and see y’all on the flip side… when I am an official Texas resident!