live music

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Ep. 299 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

On August 19, 1971 Led Zeppelin began their North American tour in Vancouver, BC and we have the pleasure of hearing peak Zep, thanks to an intrepid taper. Last time I touched upon this show we featured the first few songs; this time we’re back for more. I play a scorching Black Dog (sung like the record), a powerful (better than the European ones, imo) Gallows Pole (on the doubleneck 12 string), and a raucous and frenzied cover of Eddie Cochran’s Weekend. Each performance is pure fire, as is the rest of the show. Truly awesome.

You can download this show, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/rt9GlbBB#7C1T7-AGVsyJeeCgZd8evQ

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. 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

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

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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