John Paul Jones to Unveil New Music

A Cambridge art gallery, the Kettle's Yard, announced it's 2112 new music series at Cambridge University. The series will feature one surprise, John Paul Jones:

With record sales of 300 million as the bass guitarist & keyboard player with Led Zeppelin, John Paul Jones is also a passionate collector of contemporary art and now writing his first opera. This dynamic composer/performer is at Kettle’s Yard for a one-off concert and informal interview with composer Stephen Montague.

Programme
John Paul Jones original works:
- Co Motion for strings & keyboard (commissioned by Stephen Montague)
- Co-Motion for winds & guitar (commissioned by Stephen Montague)
- Millennium work
- Black Dog
- New work

On Jones' own site, the program is called, " A Composer Portrait: With Cambridge New Music Ensemble and interview with Stephen Montague"

Jones will perform the new works, plus do an informal interview and perform some other pieces.

The concert is Sunday May 20 but, alas, at £7 this is already sold out.

BCC Live Over Europe CD Release

When Black Country Communion first announced the DVD release for Live Over Europe, it simultaneously announced a CD release (I seem to recall a LP release as well, but can't find that I reported on it). However, when the DVD/bluray was released in the fall, there was no sign of an audio release.

Today, Black Country Communion announced the CD of Live Over Europe will be released on February 28th. It can be pre-ordered now from the BCC website for $19.99 or Amazon.com:

Happy 50th Anniversary Ernie Ball

A bunch of guitar players offer 50th anniversary to Ernie Ball strings. Jimmy Page offers his greeting and tells a story at 3:56.



Look too for fellow Neil Christian and the Crusader guitarist Albert Lee at 3:30.

Bron-Yr-Aur Candles

Candlemaker and music fan Margo creates handmade candles in her Chicago loft which used to be a recording studio. Her favourite artists are The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page is listed on her site as her favourite guitarist.

Margo has created a candle for every Led Zeppelin lover, the Bron-Yr-Aur:

stone cottage in the welsh countryside.
rain drops + moss.
as we walk down country lanes in a landscape where magic fills the air

Tatine candles can be purchased from stores listed under the stockist heading at Tatine's website

Robert Plant wins 2 TEC awards

Robert Plant and the Band of Joy have won two Technical Excellence and Creativity (TEC) Awards for 2011:

OUTSTANDING CREATIVE ACHIEVEMENT
Record Production/Single or Track
“Angel Dance”, Robert Plant

Remote Production/Recording or Broadcast
Robert Plant and the Band of Joy,
Live in Concert, NPR Music

Congratulations to Plant and the Band of Joy

Gibson names John Paul Jones and John Bonham Rocks Best Rhythm Section

In a list of bassist/drummer that includes Geddy Lee/Neil Peart, John Entwistle and Kieth Moon and Jack and Meg White, John Paul Jones and John Bonham have topped Gibson.com's list of rocks best rhythm section ever.

Gibson has previously named Jimmy Page the second best guitarist (behind Jimi Hendrix), Robert Plant as rock's #3 frontman, and John Bonham the #1 rock drummer.

Here is Gibson.com's top ten rock rhythm sections:

10. P-Nut and Sexton, 311
9. Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool, Green Day
8. Jack and Meg White, The White Stripes
7. Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk, Rage Against the Machine
6. John Entwistle and Keith Moon, The Who
5. Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts, The Rolling Stones
4. Les Claypool and Jay Lane, Primus
3. Flea and Chad Smith, Red Hot Chili Peppers
2. Geddy Lee and Neil Peart, Rush
1. John Paul Jones and John Bonham, Led Zeppelin

Ramble On Radio Episode 11

Ramble On Radio passes the double digit mark with episode 11. On the shortest edition yet, timing in at 31:42, Ramble On Radio #11 covers Gibson.com naming John Paul Jones and John Bonham as the best rock rhythm section ever, Robert Plant and the Band of Joy winning two Tech awards, one new date for Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience, plus reviews of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Immigrant Song intro and Tight But Loose Edition #31.

And don't forget to order your Bron-Yr-Aur candles.

Download Ramble On Radio #11 here, or subscribe via iTunes

Tight But Loose Edition 31 Out Now

Dave Lewis' Tight But Loose has released edition 31 of his iconic magazine. If you are a subscriber, you should have already received your copy. If not, Dave is accepting subscriptions for 2012 right now. The current issue is jam packed with articles and stories.

Here's what's in Tight But Loose #31:

[caption id="attachment_1654" align="alignright" width="243" caption="Special Limited Edition 2nd Cover of TBL 31"][/caption]

Led Zeppelin 1971: Peaking in Japan – Electric Magic in the UK:

Mike Tremaglio tracks a remarkable period in their concert history – including full dissection of those Whole Lotta Love medleys. From bizarre song choices (Cliff Richard’s Bachelor Boy anyone?) to bizarre venues (a gig at a swimming baths – not a problem) this is a golden period of on the road Zep history re-told as it happened.

TBL Investigates 1: Just how much is the rare Led Zeppelin 1 UK turquoise sleeve pressing really worth?

A copy of the UK version of the debut Led Zeppelin album presented in the rare turquoise coloured sleeve recently sold for a staggering £2,000. Leading Zep vinyl authority Nick Anderson dissects the factors that has made this version of the first Led Zeppelin album item highly desirable and investigates if the astronomical price it commands is justified.

TBL Investigates 2: Exactly where and when did Led Zeppelin perform their first ever gig under that name?
Mike Tremaglio attempts to separate fact from fiction and Dave Lewis puts in some leg work in darkest Surrey all in the name of accurate research.

IV at 40 – A Celebration 1

The Flood Gallery Art Prints Exhibition –full report an interviews from the recent Led Zeppelin IV art prints launch.

IV At 40: A Celebration 2

Comment, feedback and analysis past and present on an album that still emits a freshness that belies its age –with quotes form Lemmy,Thunder’s Danny Bowes and Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson.

Howard Mylett 1947 – 2011 – A Tribute

The Final Interview – Part 2

This second part of the interview with Howard looks back at his brush with fame on Southern TV, the writing of his various books, the lost projects, the lost scrapbooks, his involvement with the Jimmy Page By Jimmy Page book, thoughts on the 02 reunion and more. It paints a final picture of the esteemed author and chronicler whose passion for Led Zeppelin remained undimmed to the end.

Maggie Bell: The TBL Interview - The first lady of Swan Song and still the Queen of the night

Maggie Bell has enjoyed a long association within the Zep camp stretching back to the days of Stone The Crows. The Scottish born singer’s unique raw edged vocals are still being deployed to good effect. Dave Lewis catches up with the first lady of Swan Song for this TBL interview.

Jimmy Page: Back on stage with Roy Harper for The Same Old Rock

Full Report and photos for the Royal Festival Hall plus

Exclusive: Roy Harper talks to TBL about that gig

Labour Of Love From The Keeper of The Flame

The ‘’On this day’’ feature on jimmypage.com is already proving to be an essential part of every Led Zeppelin fan’s life, TBL’s Simon Cadman summarises some recent postings

CD & Book Reviews
Gerard Sparaco rounds up the latest underground titles including the Shepperton Rehearsals plus focus on the new George case book Led Zeppelin FAQ and the new Baron Wolman Rolling Stone years photo book with comments from both authors.
Plus latest Robert Plant, John Paul Jones news, latest Black Country Communion & Jason Bonham updates and more

As well, there is a special, limited edition second cover of TBL 31 (shown above) that can be ordered here. However, there are only 150 copies of this cover, and according to Dave Lewis, they are going fast.

Ramble On Radio Episode # 10

I hit double digits on podcast episodes this week, with Ramble On Radio Episode #10.

Episode 10 has news from the world of Led Zeppelin, including a new Black Country Communion album and possible, a new Them Crooked Vultures album (which you would have heard first at Ramble On Radio...)

Also reviewed Bob Carruthers' e-book Led Zeppelin - Uncensored On the Record.

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Links

John Paul Jones speaks about what Led Zeppelin might have been, and did they let slip a new Them Crooked Vultures album?

Achilles Last Stand's top ten Led Zeppelin stories of 2011.

Cameron Crowe talks Led Zeppelin:

Jimmy Page 68 for his 68th

Instead of the usual platitudes, since Jimmy Page is turning 68 today, here he is from 1968.



Happy Birthday, Jimmy Page.

Happy Birthday John Paul Jones

The last couple of years I have wished John Paul Jones a happy birthday, and a year full of music and friends, both old and new - prefereably music with old friends. On Boxing day a report emerged that Them Crooked Vultures are back in the studio recording their second album, and I must say I'll gladly take music with new friends.

Either way, happy 66th birthday John Paul Jones.

The Led Zeppelin Olympics

In August 2008 Jimmy Page and singer Leona Lewis rode atop a double decker bus playing Whole Lotta Love during the closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics.



Of the performance, Page wrote on his website last year:

On this day in 2008, I performed at the Olympic closing ceremony at Beijing, where the baton was passed on, so to speak, to London 2012. The cast members had been secretly rehearsing in London and Beijing. Armed with the double-decker bus, ballet, hip hop dancers and David Beckham, Leona Lewis and I performed ‘Whole Lotta Love’, augmented by Phillip Shepherd’s string arrangement and Prenderescki-like swoops. Along with many, I had been intoxicated by Leona’s performances on The X Factor and I was curious as to how she would approach ‘Whole Lotta Love’. Her classy delivery was sultry and impeccable, and her visual performance, dazzling to say the least! This was without doubt, one of the high points of my career, and it was one happy man who performed with such a remarkable talent.

As Page accepted the proverbial baton on behalf of London's 2012 Olympic Games, rumours of Led Zeppelin reuniting for the opening ceremonies on July 27th have been circulating. Last week, Jason Bonham told The Sun newspaper that it was unlikely Led Zeppelin would perform the ceremonies, as he hadn't even talked to Robert Plant in six months:

If you ask me today is it gonna happen immediately, well no, there is no talk of it...

Jimmy Page concurs, noting in a September interview that is making the rounds:

If they asked, it would be an honour.

They have not been asked, however, according to Page.

It seems entirely unlikely that Robert Plant would do the gig, it being the kind of performance that is likely to create as much criticism as praise for the band. As Page himself noted in the above mentioned interview:

We got so much criticism and I really don't know why. I think we did a great job - it was an honour to be there... we only had 10 minutes - what did people expect?

Page suggests if asked to reprise his role, he would be willing, but it certainly sounds like anyone trying to get tickets to the opening ceremonies based on a possible Led Zeppelin reunion should probably save their money and watch at home on TV, just in case Jimmy Page shows in a London taxi cab with Adele.