Achilles Last Stand 3/26

Playlist:

- Led Zeppelin, "Communication Breakdown", BBC Sessions
- Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation, "Tin Pan Valley", Mighty Rearranger
- Led Zeppelin, "The Song Remains the Same", Houses of the Holy
- Roy Harper and Jimmy Page, "Nineteen Forty-Eightish", What Ever Happened to Jugula?
- Led Zeppelin, "Nobody's Fault But Mine", Led Zeppelin DVD
- Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, "Sons of Freedom", Walking Into Clarksdale
- Led Zeppelin, "Whole Lotta Love", The Song Remains the Same (1976)
- The Firm, "Dreaming", Mean Business
- Led Zeppelin, "Immigrant Song", How the West Was Won
- Robert Plant, "Last Time I Saw Her (Remix)", Dreamland
- Robert Plant, "Worse Than Detroit", Pictures at Eleven
- Led Zeppelin, "We're Gonna Groove", Coda
- Robert Plant, "Black Dog", Sounds Eclectic
- Led Zeppelin, "Hots on For Nowhere", Presence
- Led Zeppelin, "Kashmir", Physical Graffiti
- Led Zeppelin, "Gallows Pole", Led Zeppelin III
- Robert Plant, "Skip's Song", Dreamland
- Bob Marley and the Wailers, "Lively Up Yourself"

Not much excitement on today's show. I talked about how Jimmy will be inducting Jeff Beck into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Robert's son Logan and his band going to SXSW. I'm thinking of having another special show in a few weeks. This time I want to do an entire show without playing one true Led Zeppelin track. It'll be hard but I think it can be done.

Any requests? Don't forget you can leave a comment or call during the show (617-824-8852).

Robert Plant's Son at SXSW

This week is the annual South By Southwest Festival and a certain someone's son will be making his US debut. Logan Plant, son of Robert, will be introducing America to his band Sons of Albion. Robert already has a history at the festival when he was the main speaker back in 2005 right before he released his new album Mighty Rearranger.

Sons of Albion does have a Myspace and you can download their new single from their website. I listened to it and to tell you the truth it's not that special. You can hear a bit of Robert in Logan's voice but I think he avoids trying to sound like his father. The name also seems to have connections to Robert's father (I believe the first son's name, Karac, was somehow related to Albion). The band plays cookie cutter alternative grunge rock and isn't anything new and exciting. I'm sure they're all talented artists but it's just not my cup of tea.

Listen on Thursday for a taste of what Sons of Albion has to offer and decide what you think about the band. As always, comment for any requests.

Achilles Last Stand 3/19

Playlist:

- Led Zeppelin, "Immigrant Song", Led Zeppelin III
- Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, "Shining in the Light", Walking Into Clarksdale
- Led Zeppelin, "Over the Hills and Far Away", The Song Remains the Same (2007)
- Robert Plant, "Life Beings Again", Sixty-Six to Timbuktu
- Led Zeppelin, "Tangerine", Led Zeppelin III
- Robert Plant, "Last Time I Saw Her", Dreamland
- Led Zeppelin, "Communication Breakdown", Led Zeppelin I
- Led Zeppelin, "In My Time of Dying", Physical Graffiti
- Led Zeppelin, "When the Levee Breaks", IV
- Jimmy Page, "City Sirens", Death Wish II
- Led Zeppelin, "Stairway to Heaven", Led Zeppelin DVD
- The Yardbirds, "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago", Ultimate!
- Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, "Killing the Blues", Raising Sand
- Robert Plant, "Louie Louie", Sixty-Six to Timbuktu
- Led Zeppelin, "Rock and Roll", How the West Was Won
- The Jeff Beck Group, "Beck's Bolero", Truth
- Led Zeppelin, "Heartbreaker", Led Zeppelin II
- Led Zeppelin, "Livin' Lovin' Maid (She's Just a Woman)", Led Zeppelin II
- Led Zeppelin, "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp", Led Zeppelin III
- Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, "Please Read the Letter", Walking Into Clarksdale
- The Doors, "LA Woman"

I took a chance to go over my great Icelandic adventure and I think "Immigrant Song" was stuck in my head the whole trip. I'm a bit addicted to Robert Plant's band Strange Sensation from 2001 to 2006. Too bad they weren't able to stick together longer and release another album. Then again, Robert wouldn't have released the album he did with Alison Krauss. This is possibly a bit of foreshadowing for April's album of the month (maybe).

The next show is a week away on Thursday, same time, same place. Any requests? Let me know by commenting or calling in during the show (617-824-8852).

Back from the Land of the Ice and Snow (and New Show Thursday)

That's right, I'm back from my journey of Iceland!! Definitely a place that Robert Plant would love. Lots of Nordic and Viking history and the landscape is outstanding. Waterfalls blanket the mountains, volcanic activity dominates the countryside, and the geography is so unique. I didn't have time to visit a geothermal pool, but all the hot water comes from them so showers start instantly hot. By the way, the pics are courtesy my friend Josh who came along. He's pretty damn good. Here's one of his pictures of the Gullfoss waterfall, which was treturous as hell getting to:

My return also signals the end of spring break and the return of regular DJs to WECB along with Achilles Last Stand. Over a couple of plane rides I reviewed some Zeppelin literature so I should be sharper than ever and I'll keep the facts coming. Any requests? Either leave a comment or call during the show (617-824-8852).

Album for the Month for March: Houses of the Holy

Led Zeppelin were at the top of their game. IV brought the band to higher places than they could ever imagine so they decided to go in a newer direction. They experimented more with rock sounds and different equipment to create their most unique work to date. The first album either not named after the band or to be left without a name all together, Houses of the Holy holds some of Led Zeppelin's best pure rock songs and is one of the more underrated albums in their catalog.

Release Date: March 28, 1973
Highest Billboard Chart Position: 1
Sales Status: 11x Platinum
Other Distinctions: #149 on Rolling Stones' 500 Greatest Albums

Track Listing
1. The Song Remains the Same
One of the other songs that Jimmy used the double neck guitar in concert, it was originally an instrumental track that eventually got vocals from Robert. He wrote lyrics based on the idea that there is a universal need for music in the world. This song exemplifies Jimmy's use of guitar overdubs and his ability to create multiple layers in a song. The title of the song also ended up being the title for the concert film released in 1976. Both on the album and in concert it acts as an intro to...

2. The Rain Song
This track is one of the most underrated songs in Led Zeppelin history. Jimmy combines his electric guitar with some fantastic acoustic guitar overdubs throughout the song. Robert's vocals start very soft and soothing but he turns up the power near the end when he punches the final verse for a powerful effect. Jones adds in a fine synth background that carries the song through the lengthy instrumental middle portion. The song is best known as Robert's dream sequence from The Song Remains the Same where he gets to act as the epic hero from the middle ages.

3. Over the Hills and Far Away
My personal favorite Led Zeppelin song hands down. Each member plays a vital role and completely dominates in this song. Robert's vocals start soft once again but quickly rise to prominence to get the song moving. Jimmy's guitar parts are outstanding from start to finish and he adds in a great solo that is somewhat outside the box for his work. Jones' bassline and Bonzo's intense drums bring the song together. Somehow each extremely complex part came together to create a powerful song that I can't get enough of. Later, when Robert's voice could no longer hit the high notes, he had to sing an octave lower and switched the beginning to more of a spoken part. The studio version, however, is definitely a highlight of the album.

4. The Crunge
One of the stranger songs Zeppelin ever wrote, it brings in a heavy funk influence from Jones' bassline. Robert gets to have fun as he dances through the lyrics and strains his voice in just the right way for added effect. It was mostly used live in "Whole Lotta Love" and "Dazed and Confused" medleys.

5. Dancing Days
Live, Robert said that this song is about "summer time and good things". It is more of a standard tune with no particular identifying features that would jump out however the band was so happy with the outcome that they were dancing to it after they recorded it successfully.

6. D'Yer Maker
It's pronounced JA-maker. Just getting that out of the way. It's best remembered as being Zeppelin's reggae track. Robert and the band was influenced by reggae sounds (he would later cover Bob Marley's "Lively Up Yourself" during solo concerts). The song actually started as a 50's doo-wop beat from Bonzo that was shifted more into a reggae sound. It wasn't received well by fans and never found its way on stage.

7. No Quarter
This is John Paul Jones' song. He claimed very few songs in his Zeppelin days but this certainly has his name written all over it. Outside the box, deep, dark, and moody all show how Jones put his stamp on the song. It begins with a slow syth that sets the depressing mood and Bonzo's drum pattern along with Jimmy's guitar only add on to the despair. Since the song's title is based on a military ritual of fighting to the death, Robert's lyrics reflect the emotions of the situation and speak of "walking side by side with death/the devil mocks at every step". One of the more unique songs Zeppelin recorded, Robert still uses it frequently today and the band played it regularly during live performances. One version of the song lasted a grand total of 36 minutes, which exceeds the regular length of the live "Dazed and Confused" on both and How the West Was Won and The Song Remains the Same by almost ten minutes.

8. The Ocean
The start to the song is a bit of a joke that carried over to live shows. Bonzo can be faintly heard saying, "We've done 4 already, but now we're steady, and then they went 1,2,3,4". It referred to the fact they kept messing it up so he wanted it to come out right. He took it onstage with him later and can be seen saying it on the Led Zeppelin DVD. It's one of the Jimmy's more straightforward but better known guitar riffs. Robert's lyrics at one point refer to a girl who took his heart at 3 years old. He speaks of his daughter who was three years old at the time of recording. When they played it live he always used her current age. In the studio version you can hear a phone ringing in the background around 2 minutes in that never seemed to be taken out. Also the lyrics printed for the album cover are incorrect because the phrase "the hellhound" was changed to a nonsense lyric.

Interesting fact: The album release was pushed back various times due to issues with the album sleeve. First, the photo shoot went poorly after weather conditions did not permit the correct pictures to be taken. Second, many thought the use of children (a naked brother and sister were used) was in poor taste. Spain and some parts of the Southern US banned the album due to the questionable cover content that clearly showed children's buttocks. This album was also the second time the band kept their name off the cover although the wrapping was permitted to include the name in some places.

Achilles Last Stand 3/5

Playlist:

- Led Zeppelin, "Kashmir", Led Zeppelin DVD
- The Who, "Pinball Wizard", Tommy
- Robert Plant, "Calling to You", Fate of Nations
- Led Zeppelin, "Royal Orleans", Presence
- The Honeydrippers, "Sea of Love", The Honeydrippers Vol. 1
- Led Zeppelin, "Your Time is Gonna Come/Black Mountain Side", Led Zeppelin
- Led Zeppelin, "Since I've Been Loving You", Led Zeppelin III
- Led Zeppelin, "Bring It On Home", How The West Was Won
- Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation, "Anther Tribe", Mighty Rearranger
- Delta Spirit, "People C'Mon", Ode to Sunshine
- Led Zeppelin, "Rock and Roll", IV
- John Paul Jones, "Nosumi Blues", Zooma
- Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, "The Truth Explodes", No Quarter
- Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation, "The Enchanter (Unkle Reconstruction)", Nine Lives
- Led Zeppelin, "The Ocean", Houses of the Holy
- Robert Plant, "Like I've Never Been Gone", Nine Lives
- Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, "Rich Woman", Raising Sand
- Led Zeppelin, "In the Evening", Led Zeppelin DVD
- Led Zeppelin, "Ramble On", Led Zeppelin II

It's a new month so that means a new album of the month Houses of the Holy. I can't promise that the post will be up anytime soon, however, because Spring Break is upon us here at WECB! I'll be heading over to the land of ice and snow Iceland. Well some ice and snow. That means no show next week but it will be back March 19th for more Zeppelin fun.

Expect some more changes this month. Priority #1: loading breaks from the show. If you missed it, you'll be able to hear what I said about the songs and any Zeppelin news. Any requests for the next show can be left as a comment and as always you can call me during the show at 617-824-8852.

This Month in Zeppelin for March

Every month I have a monthly update on what happened in Zeppelin history. The first show of the month will include a This Month in Zeppelin feature where all of the important events of the month are announced. If there's an extremely important date (i.e. big album releases, deaths, births, ect.), I will talk about it as close to the date as possible. So, without further ado, this month in Led Zeppelin...

• March 1969: The band performs for TV audiences. After many issues with the studio setups the band decides to never perform on TV again.
• March 5, 1971: The first live performance of "Stairway to Heaven" is in Belfast, Ireland.
  
• March 25, 1973: Houses of the Holy, the band's 5th album, is released.
• March 15, 1975: The Earls Court shows sells out in four hours
• March 31, 1976: Presence, the band's 7th album, is released.
• March 4, 1985: Jimmy Page's album with Roy Harper "Whatever Happened to Jugula" is released.
• March 22, 1985: Plant releases his first single from Shaken N' Stirred "Pink and Black" and John Paul Jones releases the soundtrack for the movie Scream for Help.
  
• March 14, 1986: The Firm begins their second tour.
• March 17, 2005: Plant is the speaker for the SXSW Convention and performs with the Strange Sensation later that night.
  

Listen for more info on these events along with the same great Zeppelin goodies only on Achilles Last Stand 2-4pm Thursdays on WECB (wecb.emerson.edu).

Achilles Last Stand Tomorrow!!!

Just a reminder to listen to Achilles Last Stand tomorrow on WECB (wecb.emerson.edu) 2-4 pm. The new album of the month for March will be revealed along with This Month in Led Zeppelin. Don't forget to comment for any requests or you can call in at 617-824-8852 during the show. Here's a preview of one of the songs on the playlist:

Talk to you tomorrow!!