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