The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

The 1998 Walking Into Everywhere Tour is a goldmine for great music. The rhythm section of Michael Lee, and Charlie Jones, had really jelled with Jimmy Page, and were a formidable force live. This show is the penultimate show of the tour, December 1, 1998 in Ghent, Belgium. I play Tangerine, Babe I'm Gonna Leave You (great work from everyone on this one), and the final encores of Ramble On and Rock and Roll. Enjoy one of the last performances of the fabled Page/Plant reunion. We shan't see their like again.

This is one of Robert Plant's greatest shows. He's full blast and the rest of the band is right there with him. August 7, 1971 in Montreux, Switzerland right before heading the US for another amazing tour. You can't get better than 1971 Led Zeppelin, and it's so cool to hear them play Zep IV songs to an audience that had never heard them yet. I play what is possibly the first live performance of Celebration Day, an incredible Black Dog in which Robert may very well surpass his album vocals, and one of my favorite encore numbers of theirs, Eddie Cochran's Weekend.

I've been going through a bit of a Brussels period, with 1980 and now 1972 back to back. Led Zeppelin usually played well in Brussels, and this show is no exception. May 28, 1972 has the band in fine form as I play Immigrant Song/Heartbreaker and the entire acoustic set of Going to California, That's the Way, and Bron-y-Aur Stomp. Acoustic Zeppelin is always a treat and this is no different. This show captures a transition period as they become, and then embrace being, the biggest band in the world. I covered Dazed and Whole Lotta Love years and years ago, this is another view with different songs.

I was led to this show by a thread on Royal Orleans (a Zep fan site) in which someone wrote a brilliant essay about 1980 and how it deserves another look, as it's not all dysfunction, addiction, and flat performances. I've gotten to the point where I'd say at least half the 1980 Tour over Europe is pretty damn good, even great. June 20, 1980 the band played Brussels and they completely knocked it out of the park. It's interesting to hear Jimmy's newer 'vocabulary' in his playing. Trampled Underfoot is crazy good, Since I've Been Loving You (not often a high point on this tour) is brilliant, with some nice syncopation and interplay between Jonesy, Jimmy, and Bonzo. It's mature and intelligent and cogent. I am absolutely gobsmacked at how my 1980 bias kept me from hearing the beauty in these early 1980 shows. After SIBLY I play a rock solid version of Whole Lotta Love which brings the old and the new together in a flurry of improvisation. Lots of Jimmy/Robert back and forth. It's good. You'll like it.

We listen to a transfer of Joe Maloney's master mono reel of Led Zeppelin at the legendary Boston Garden, on Sept. 9, 1970. No surprise this is an incredible show with Robert in full power, and Jimmy, Bonzo, and Jonesy just perfectly locked in. I play Immigrant Song>Heartbreaker in all one chunk, and the mini acoustic set of That's the Way and a beautiful performance of the instrumental Bron-Y-Aur (5 years before it appeared on Physical Graffiti) also present in one chunk, to improve flow.

The 1973 UK tour is not to be slept on. Robert's voice is rough as he, as he always has in winter, the flu. So they cancelled and rescheduled to preserve the treasure that is Robert Plant's voice, right? Nope. He pushed himself as always and did his poor larynx no favors. This show is January 14, 1973 at the Empire in Liverpool. The show is a banger as Jimmy is ingenious, Bonzo is frenetic, and Jonesy just is. He stands rooted in the Tao while all around him is chaos. All hail Jonesy. I play Dancing Days, a ridiculous Dazed that has notes of Achilles Last Stand as well as some brilliant funk, and a rollicking Ocean, The.

This week we listen to a compilation put together by Led Zeppelin Boots, of Copenhagen and Odense (May 4 and 5 respectively). These are shows in which Led Zeppelin truly were exception. In addition to being on top of their game, with a ridiculously powerful Robert Plant at the fore, they played Gallows Pole and Four Sticks! These songs have only been played a small handful of times, and you're going to hear these amazing rarities, along with a stellar Whole Lotta Love. It's a great time to be a Zep fan.

This is an incredible tape of Led Zeppelin rehearsing at Headley Grange in preparation of their upcoming Physical Graffiti double album. From November 1973 through May 1974 the band convened at Headley Grange, the site of many a legendary recording session (Zep IV, Houses, etc) to work on their new album. The sessions were fruitful and the band was totally dialed in and focused. I play two incredible songs which haven't appeared on any album, but are incredibly badass. Along with the two almost jams, I play an early (and in my opinion superior) iteration of what would become In The Light, called Take Me Home. All of these songs are performed live in the rehearsal space of Headley Grange, with no overdubs or studio magic, and it is unreal.

I couldn't keep this one just to myself. It's too good. Sept. 21 1998 at the Cox Arena is San Diego is a truly magical night. Everyone is playing at 11 and they achieve that elusive synergy wherein the total equals more than the sum of their parts. In How Many More Times, I've never heard the rhythm section sound better or more locked in. Jimmy is 10/10 judged on a Zeppelin scale. He's precise, inventive, and just a demon with the bow solo, the medleys, and just overall on top of it. Better than the Bizarre Festival in my opinion. There's a brief Achilles reference played by Jimmy, a bit of Trampled Underfoot, some of the Isley Bros. It's Your Thing, all played with insane TIGHTNESS. I play Most High, a tight a modern Whole Lotta Love, and the best How Many More Times I've heard since the early 70's. I must say that Robert is an 11/10 hear both in range and in engagement. If you watch the video of this show (Dario Romero's YouTube channel) you will a borderline ecstatic Robert bouncing throughout the show. Just unreal.

I find this to be my favorite of the 5 nights at Earls Court. Jimmy is playing with passion and dexterity. One of his best 1975 shows, imo. I'm playing source mix making an excellent, complete recording. These excellent audience tapes allow us to hear Tangerine with the four part harmony, unlike on the videos which only had Robert's voice. That alone makes this show pretty dang okey dokey, but I've included a white hot Over The Hills And Far Way (Jimmy is spectacular), and one of the best No Quarters I've heard in a bit. Again, Jimmy is rolling 20's throughout and sticking every landing, solo-wise. His inspiration and his dexterity were both at their best. Three songs. One great podcast. It's a good thing.

On November 28, 1983 Jimmy Page walked onstage in Dallas, Texas for his first American appearance in more than 7 years. He was newly free of the chains that heroin addiction had weighing him down, and he was working on getting back to fighting fettle. Paul Rodgers is joining him for this tour, as Steve Winwood was in the studio and couldn't reprise his Royal Albert Hall performances. We have the gestation of The Firm as Jimmy and Paul debut Midnight Moonlight, for the first live performance ever.

This is one of the canonical 'best of' shows for Led Zeppelin. April 26, 1969 at the Winterland in San Francisco is a high water mark for a band with very... high water. Robert Plant is beyond belief and the rest of the band meets that level, just run with it. I have covered this show in the long long ago, but I have not repeated any songs, so we have fresh tunes to enjoy. I play Communication Breakdown (the show opener), a How Many More Times that can't get any better, and a psychedelic cacophony which is As Long As I Have You. This is among the best of the telecaster days. You'll like it.

This is a fun one! April 2, 1980 at My Father's Place in Roslyn, NY from an FM broadcast on WLIR. The sound and the performances are stellar. Nice, short, story songs sung impeccably... kinda in a Kinks vein. If you're like me you'll be reminded of a whole bunch of great songs that had slid over the horizon over the years, overshadowed by the fame of "Tempted". You'll enjoy this one.

Bonzo is the star of this show. Led Zeppelin in St. Paul, Minnesota July, 9, 1973 is a top tier NA 1973 show. Jimmy and Jonesy are on fire, but John Bonham is head and shoulders above them this night. He plays stuff I've not heard before, adding complexity to Heartbreaker and ingenuity to No Quarter and, and bombastic fire to Whole Lotta Love. The band playing at full tilt reminds one of a cheetah running at top speed in pursuit of prey. Absolute beauty and grace. I must confess, I have covered this show before (Ep. 206) but this recording is a brand new remaster by Dario Romero, and it's totally worth the repeat performance. The only repeated song is No Quarter, and it's totally worth the additional listen.

This is a good one. Robert Plant is in amazing voice with lots of oomph. Richie Hayward (from Little Feat) is killing it on drums, Robbie Blunt is a bloody virtuoso with his emotive playing. This is December 13, 1983 at the Hammersmith Odeon, on his Principle of Moments tour. Jimmy Page had four days prior finished up with the ARMS Tour, and was aflame with renewed enthusiasm for his musical future. The energy and fun the pair are having is evident. Jimmy is playing his typical 1983/84 b-bender solo but with some crunch instead of chorus. It's an amazing moment in time. These guys did not typically get along in the 1980's. I play an incendiary Burning Down One Side, and emotive and evocative Big Log, and the showstopper, Treat Her Right with Jimmy Page. What a night.

For this episode we hear the thunderous John Paul Jones on tour for his Zooma album, at The Fubar in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on March, 10, 2000. This is a very well recorded show for around 200 people. The sound and vibe are incredible. Jonesy is very chatty and interactive with the audience. I play Grind (from Zooma), Crackback (from the Scream for Help soundtrack), and B. Fingers (again from Zooma). Great musician and a great show.

Today we hear some music from Led Zeppelin playing San Diego, 5/28/73, on a soundboard recording remastered by DADGAD. This show has some towering highs and tumbling low points. I play two of the highlights. First is a smokin' Since I've Been Loving You with gorgeous, smooth cooooool jazz piano from Mr. Jones, and Jimmy delivers in spades. Then I play glorious Whole Lotta Love with a trillion medleys, played with abandon and joy, like it's 1971. Some magic here for real.

This is a good one! For this episode I have chosen Jimmy Page & Robert Plant on the last night of their huge Unledded US tour. May 27, 1995 at The Gorge Amphitheater in George, Washington. This is a great venue known for it's beauty, not unlike Red Rocks in Colorado. Page/Plant end their tour on a high note with tight performances in a 3rd Eye recording of insanely great quality (Millard level). I play an epic Shake My Tree sung with conviction by Robert, a Dancing Days for the ages, and Calling to You. All of these performances are out of this world and will make you glad you heard them.

Jan. 18, 1973 - Led Zeppelin play Bradford UK on their tour of smaller UK venues, before launching on their epic European tour, which gave us all those great shows. This show is on par with those high water marks like Vienna or Essen. I play a raucous and frenetic Whole Lotta Love with joyous medleys aplenty. The rhythm machine is in high gear here. I also play an unorthodox encore performance of the Immigrant Song.

In this episode we hear a recording of the opening date of Led Zeppelin's 1971 UK Tour, in Newcastle on November 11, 1971. This is a distant but clear and good recording, and to no one's surprise the band is in great form. I play Heartbreaker, What Is And What Should Never Be, and a frenetic Communication Breakdown. This is a great show from a great tour. Don't sleep on UK 71, there's great stuff there!