Bonus Episode of The Heart of Markness Classic Rock Podcast

“It’s not the side effects from the cocaine. I’m thinking that it must be love”

David Bowie struggled a bit in the late 80’s/90’s, in a comparative sense, after the stratospheric success of Let’s Dance with the MTV generation. In the tour he is partnered with King Crimson/Zappa alum Adrian Belew, with whom Bowie had recorded Pretty Pink Rose (a minor hit and an awesome song).

On July 23, 1990 the band played Hartford, CT. This is the show we’re listening to in this bonus episode. I play Ashes to Ashes, Pretty Pink Rose, & Station to Station. It’s a very high energy gig and Belew’s signature sound really suits the material.

You can download this complete recording, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/GlFnwJaJ#FqAhZ-ZAOYemw04h4-mldw

Ep. 297 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

Led Zeppelin played Kyoto, Japan on October 10, 1972 on their second (and last) tour of the country. This is a merge of two excellent sources, put together and speed corrected by Dario Romero. The sound is very good as is the performance. You’ll like it. Where else are you gonna hear The Rain Song played with a wah wah?

The band are now the biggest band in the world and were set on making sure everyone knew it. They play songs from the as yet unreleased Houses of the Holy album. I love hearing audiences hear Zep songs for the first, and this doesn’t disappoint. I play The Song Remains the Same (called The Campaign at this point), The Rain Song, and an Over the Hills and Far Away in which Robert sings the original higher melody for one of, if not the last time.

This is a great gig which you can download, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/z48DTSKQ#03aiYJqYseCPcIuRke8IDg

Ep. 296 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

1995 was a great year for Zep fans. Jimmy Page and Robert Plant had finally reunited, and were touring with a huge ensemble including (not one, but) two orchestras, and the guitarist for the Cure…. and a hurdy gurdy. It worked out splendidly.

This is October 26, 1995 at Madison Square Garden, where Jimmy and Robert played a smashing gig. I play No Quarter (Unledded version), In the Evening/Carouselambra (unreal how good it is), and an incendiary Kashmir, with real strings and not synth or mellotron. It’s good stuff, people.

If you would like to download this show you may do so, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/qxdD3CSJ#hfzFqBkDBwxGHHy8BNrB5Q

Ep. 295 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

I play Misty Mountain Hop and a 30 minute, everything but the kitchen sink, rendition of Whole Lotta Love. So many medleys!

You can download this complete recording, courtesy of my Patrons, for free right here: https://mega.nz/folder/a8NkCYiB#_hp0j6bXpl4Bzr4FnkVE-g

Ep. 294 – 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.

You can download this complete show, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/j8VGmZob#RcuB8_YtAl_p7DllFjh8rQ

Ep. 293 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

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 exceed his album vocals, and one of my favorite encore numbers of theirs, Eddie Cochran’s Weekend.

It’s a great show and I hope you enjoy it. You can download the complete performance, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/GhtDiCCC#Xydj3ZKqurTfsQq_qCpHqQ

Ep. 292 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

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.

You can download this recording, courtesy of the support from my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/LgkjxCBb#jdNVmmBgCmcRzgLzRbLKkw

Ep. 191 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

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 on Whole Lotta Love which brings the old and the new together in a flurry of improvisation. It’s good. You’ll like it.

If you would like to hear the complete concert you can do so, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/PklzlbRb#9niBfQQQ4KUSF8ko5EeATQ

The Heart of Markness Podcast is Banned on Spotify

Take your stupid podcast right out of here! AND DON’T COME BACK!

Howdy, folks. As the title says Spotify has removed this podcast from their platform. At first they used copyright infringement as the reason. When I pointed out that nothing I’ve published has been officially released, and is shared freely, they changed their reasoning to “We get paid to play songs. You play songs without paying us. You can’t play songs anymore on Spotify unless you submit them as an artist, not a podcast.

So… adios, Spotify. It was fun while it lasted.

Ep. 290 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

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.

You can download this complete concert recording, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/6oVzxAQD#Awep-YtJhevWC1SxXh_ONA