Music news, June 2010
Robert Plant's Band of Joy LP
Rounder Records announced that ROBERT PLANT is back with Band of Joy, his first album since 2007's six time Grammy® Award winning Raising Sand. Band of Joy was recorded in Nashville with a stellar cast of musicians and will be released on September 14.

A timeless plunge into authentic Americana, the album was co-produced by Plant and Nashville legend and guitarist Buddy Miller. "Buddy's integral to this album, you can hear his taste all over the instrumentation," enthuses Plant. "Buddy's zone is beautiful, with a lot of reflections going back into mid-Fifties rockabilly, the singing fishermen and all the great country stuff, along with the soul and R&B from Memphis."

As well as Miller, the Band of Joy is made up of multi-instrumentalist Darrell Scott, who provides the mandolin, guitar, accordion, pedal, lap steel and banjo lines, country singer-songwriter Patty Griffin who adds the main vocal foils to Plant's lead parts, while Byron House plays bass and percussion comes from Marco Giovino.

Band of Joy features intriguing new interpretations of songs from a wide range of sources. Opening with a throbbing rendition of Los Lobos's 'Angel Dance', the album encompasses the glittering drone-rock of Low's 'Silver Rider' and 'Monkey', the Fifties-style country-gospel harmonies which transform The Kelly Brothers' Sixties soul classic 'Falling In Love Again', the desolate banjo-driven interpretation of 'Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down', the transplanted English/Appalachian folk ballad 'Cindy I'll Marry You Some Day', and jangling blues imagery of 'Central Two-O-Nine'.

Plant's most eclectic work so far, in a career that has constantly embraced the unexpected, it's an album which takes in continents of influence and oceans of emotional depth. Plant seems to have an unquenchable thirst for music that moves him - whether it is to be found in Northern Africa or deepest Appalachia - Band of Joy takes us to all these places and more.

Band of Joy Track Listing:
1. Angel Dance
2. House of Cards
3. Central Two-O-Nine
4. Silver Rider
5. You Can't Buy My Love
6. I'm Falling In Love Again
7. The Only Sound That Matters
8. Monkey
9. Cindy I'll Marry You Someday
10. Harm's Swift Way
11. Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down
12. Even This Shall Pass Away

Robert Plant and the Band of Joy will be touring the U.S. in July in support of Band of Joy. A 12 city North American tour is confirmed, so far. Beginning in July, this 1st leg of shows which will be followed by further dates in the fall will preview material from a new album. Featuring a diverse group of musicians - Patty Griffin, vocals; Darrell Scott, multi instrumentalist/vocals; Byron House, Bass/Vocals; Marco Giovino, drums and percussion/vocals; including co-producer Buddy Miller, guitar/vocals.

Kicking off in Memphis on July 13th (see full tour schedule below) the tour will feature Plant and the ‘Band of Joy’ - the same musicians who also appear and play on the album.

Says Plant: “It’s been a blast working on these new songs…and I’m enjoying such creativity and vitality. It’s been a remarkable change of direction for all of us and as a group we all seem to have developed a new groove.”

Robert Plant and the Band Of Joy Tour Dates:
July
13 Memphis, TN The Orpheum Theater Information available in May
15 Little Rock, AR Robinson Center Music Hall
16 Tulsa, OK Brady Theater
18 Albuquerque, NM Sandia Casino Amphitheater
20 Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theater
21 Tucson, AZ Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater
23 Dallas, TX Meyerson Symphony Hall
24 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
26 Austin, TX Stubbs Waller Creek Amphitheater
28 Mobile, AL The Saenger Theatre
30 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
31 Miami, FL Bayfront Park Amphitheater

As far as LED ZEPPELIN is concerned, Robert is still not touring with Jimmy Page in the foreseeable future. But, to experience a cool interview with Page, an unheard interview with the Led Zeppelin guitarist, taped during this successful period for the group, will be heard for the first time, all this week.

The interview was conducted by one of his peers, singer Long John Baldry, who along with Page had been a member of the Cyril Davies R&B All Stars in 1963.

It is being played on the nationally syndicated "Get the Led Out" radio show hosted by Carol Miller. "Get the Led Out" airs on about 70 radio markets in the United States, including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and Indianapolis. Local airdates for this episode vary by station but should take place between Monday, June 14, and Sunday, June 20. Check your local listings or call your local classic rock station for more information.

In other Zeppelin-related news: JASON BONHAM’S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE will celebrate the life and music of his father — the legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham — in true epic fashion with a limited engagement of 30 concert dates in North America this fall.
"This is a personal trip through my life with the music of Led Zeppelin,” explains Jason, "and how the music influenced me."

Jason played with Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones at Led Zeppelin's "final" show at London's O2 Arena in 2007, which was heralded as the most powerful Led Zeppelin performance since the group’s disbandment. The band received uniformly rave reviews and Jason didn’t want to stop after that magical and memorable night.

"When I was offered to put this together over a year ago, it wasn’t right,” notes Jason. “This September 25th is the 30th anniversary of my father's passing--I thought, what better way to celebrate his life than to do 30 shows for the 30 years he's been gone?"
Bonham has partnered with Annerin Productions--the critically acclaimed producers of "The Pink Floyd Experience" and "Rain, A Tribute to the Beatles"-- to create a once-in-a-lifetime concert. As Bonham and his band rock through Led Zeppelin's hallowed catalog, a state-of-the-art sound system and light show will enhance their live performance onstage. Behind them, giant screens will display futuristic art and mood-setting home movies and photos. All this will take you though a personal journey into Jason’s past and put you at the center of this multimedia event.

After Jason saw "Rain, A Tribute to the Beatles" he put together his own show with himself in his father's coveted seat behind the kit.

"I loved ‘Rain’ and its take on The Beatles,” notes JASON. “The way they used a timeline and news reel to create a mood, and crafted set changes throughout, it was stunning.”
JASON BONHAM’S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE will offer an epic and intimate evening--an unforgettable night of rock 'n' roll.

“I remember when I went to see Led Zeppelin live in 1979 at Knebworth, there were certain songs that stood out to me and will stay with me forever,” Jason recalls. “I will also share other big moments in my life, time with my Dad and my relationship with the band. The show is far from being ‘just another tribute band.’ I want to make the show as personal as I can and show how much Led Zeppelin means to me."