Music

Led Zeppelin – Montreux 1971

Posted by Mark on December 15, 2024
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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

Led Zeppelin – Brussels 1980

Posted by Mark on November 24, 2024
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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

Led Zeppelin – Boston 1970 Joe Malone Master

Posted by Mark on November 17, 2024
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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

Led Zeppelin – Liverpool Jan. 14, 1973

Posted by Mark on November 10, 2024
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Ep. 289 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

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. You can download this full recording, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/rkEEnApI#6pvgrZLG_CO38NoOeWhbNQ

Led Zeppelin Denmark 1971 Compilation

Posted by Mark on November 3, 2024
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Ep. 288 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

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.

You can download this complete compilation, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/T5kBhYIb#FRHr8fSXAfHG7oA6L8A7cA

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.