Led Zeppelin 1974 Physical Graffiti Rehearsals

Posted by Mark on October 27, 2024
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Ep. 287 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

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.

You can download this complete recording, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/K1N0yRqS#v4j8oMlr2w1EFfNasg-j9w

Page/Plant San Diego 1998 A Truly Magical Night

Posted by Mark on October 20, 2024
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Ep. 286: The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

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 see a borderline ecstatic Robert bouncing throughout the show. Just unreal.

You can download this complete concert recording, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/ThtEDIhJ#zeJx-8GXpMtFT4LfwDTykA

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Led Zeppelin: Earl’s Court May 18, 1975

Posted by Mark on October 13, 2024
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Ep. 285 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

I find this to be my favorite of the 5 nights at Freddy’s Earls Court. Jimmy is playing with passion and dexterity. One of his best 1975 shows, imo. I’m playing a 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.

Consider becoming a Patron and get extra shows others don’t. You can download this complete concert recording right here: https://mega.nz/folder/us9HxL5Z#4ShPuzymK7WJDK4LTkSYFQ

ARMS Tour Opening Night Dallas Nov. 28 1983

Posted by Mark on October 6, 2024
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Ep. 284 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

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.

Overall Jimmy seems ok throughout most of the show. It’s obvious he had practiced with the band as the songs were tight and solid, especially Midnight Moonlight. Paul obviously hadn’t gotten the lyrics committed to memory, as City Sirens has some hilariously mumbled lines. His passionate singing makes up for any flubs.

The recording has the full show with sets by Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, and the ensemble jams at the end, finishing up with Goodnight Irene by Ronnie Lane himself.

You can download this full show, and the next night as well right here: https://mega.nz/folder/H8diQRbJ#GYMdDstm3upK0GBQF2pfOw

Led Zeppelin Winterland 4/26/69 DADGAD

Posted by Mark on September 29, 2024
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Ep. 283 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

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.

You can download the whole recording (both sets) right here: https://mega.nz/folder/S5MD3Z5K#TxbA4fnlNVBJobm6F41Jsg

Or consider becoming a Patron.

Squeeze: My Father’s Place 1980 FM Broadcast

Posted by Mark on September 28, 2024
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Bonus – The Heart of Markness Classic Rock Podcast

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.

You can download this complete recording here: https://mega.nz/folder/S41HGa5Z#YkWSWVcbb-thxvDrp6KucA

Amazing Vienna 1973 Footage

Posted by Mark on September 27, 2024
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How a 50yr Old 8mm Film Found New Life

A few months ago the prolific and miraculous Eric Levy, aka LedZepFilm released the above incredible super 8 footage of Led Zeppelin playing their legendary show in Vienna in 1973. I’ve done a couple of episodes on this show, because it is so amazingly badass, but having film, wonderful film, to match the audio, was never even a secret wish.

The story of how this footage came to be, and then came to be digitized, color corrected, and synced to the existing audio is fascinating. Led Zeppelin News‘ own James Cook (who I’ve interviewed a couple of times) published a story about the process, which includes an interview with the filmer, Mead Eblan, about that magical night, and how that film survived for 5 decades before seeing the light of day.

This is just one of the myriad films, and audio recordings, which Levy has brought to light, with the occasional help of the Dogs of Doom crew. Eric Levy is arguably the most influential, and consequential, fan in the Led Zeppelin community, at least for the last ten years. His video syncs are amazing.

Take a moment to watch the footage, groove to the amazing music, and read the article James wrote about this amazing find, and how it came to be publicly released. Good stuff, I promise.

Led Zeppelin: St Paul July 9, 1973 Dario Remaster

Posted by Mark on September 22, 2024
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Ep. 282 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

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.

You can download this complete remastered recording right here, courtesy of my Patrons, upon whose shoulders rests this humble, yet mighty, podcast: https://mega.nz/folder/WpdR1IIC#0fSV49X3t5XPIPcUMUrPKQ

The Best Kinks Album You’ve Never Heard

Posted by Mark on September 20, 2024
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To The Bone is A Live/Unplugged Album from 1996

I don’t remember how I found this album. I know I did a deep dive into The Kinks about 5 years ago and grabbed this (digitally) but when Google Play went tits up, I lost it (I probably got it from Google Play, then. Mystery solved) and I’ve been looking for it on streaming services ever since.

I will buy the cd to ensure that I don’t lose out on To The Bone ever again. It’s a double live album (One Album only on the UK release) a live performance, at their KONK studios part electric and part unplugged, and it’s 100% awesome.

The Village Green Preservation Society is absolute effervescent beauty (hands down my favorite). Celluloid Heroes gets new life as an unplugged elegy for lost Hollywood. So many great performances! If it wasn’t an official release I’d do an episode about it.

All the songs you know are on it, including a whole bunch you’ve forgotten about, or never heard. It’s fantastic. You can listen to it on YouTube but you can’t find it on Spotify or Apple Music. It’s either hard copy or this. You should listen to this. I’m just posting the live album (CD2) because that’s what won my heart. I hope you enjoy it as much as I.

If You Love Zep You’ll Love Led Zeppelin News

Posted by Mark on September 19, 2024
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James Cook is Doing Amazing Work on Substack

If you’ve been listening to me for awhile you’ve heard me interview James Cook a couple of times, over the years. He’s a wonderful human being and a hell of a researcher. He’s also a ‘real’ journalist, in that he’s published all over, including Business Insider.

That professional expertise is apparent when reading his fantastic website/social media presence as Led Zep News. However, one can go deeper down the rabbit hole because Mr. Cook publishes very precise, source rich, and expanded in-depth articles for your pleasure and education, on Substack.

Substack is a site in which writers and journalists can publish directly to their audience without being throttled/limited by any kind of authority/boss. It’s a good thing. This in particular is wonderful.

Want to know everything about the $200,000 robbery at the Drake back in 1973 (seen in the Song Remains the Same movie)? Well strap in, because James got all the FBI files about the robbery, the case notes, etc. Super interesting.

It’s $5/month to get deep insightful, intelligent, content about the workings (and playings) of the best rock band in history.

This is a pure fan post. There has been no quid pro quo with James. This is something I’ve wanted to for awhile. Listen to the interviews and decide if you would like to hear more about this stuff.

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