Jimmy Page / Robert Plant

Introduction

Jimmy Page and Robert Plant need no introduction of course, being 50% of Led Zeppelin, the greatest of them all.  I have tried various solo albums by these two and have often been disappointed.  I got shot of Outrider by Page and have had limited success with Plant's solo efforts, although I do really like Now And Zen.  I'm not over-impressed with the other Page/Plant album No Quarter which features re-makes of some classic tracks with an Egyptian orchestra.  Some liked it I didn't.

[ Album Cover ]

Walking Into Clarksdale

by Jimmy Page / Robert Plant

Released 1998
Label: Mercury Records
Catalogue: 558 025-2

[ Reviewed July 2002 ]

Having read the above you'll see that I was taking a bit of risk getting this album but it has turned out to be one of my all-time favourites.  So what have they done? For a start off they've got two excellent musicians with them - Charlie Jones on bass and Michael Lee on drums.  Also the songs are very good, they have joint writing credits for the whole band.

On first impressions this is the closest thing you'll get to a new Led Zeppelin album, I can't put it any stronger than that.  The playing and the production give this such an authentic feel that you could be fooled into thinking you're back in the glorious 70s.  The first track even has what sounds like mellotron on it.  The combination of Jones' bass and Lee's drums provide the perfect backing for the two super-heroes.  Jones could be John Paul Jones, and Lee could be John Bonham the way he gets those big fat whacking sounds.  On the subject of production, some may be put off by the sound as it's certainly not bright and the bass guitar and drums could be described as murky.  It suits my taste though as it gives it atmosphere.

The style of songs is pretty relaxed in the main so don't expect a full-on thrash with Plant wailing his head off.  He's probably past the point where he wants to do that sort of thing anymore, although Sons Of Freedom comes close.  I guess some might be frustrated that it doesn't get into top gear but what I love is the way the album is thoughtful and contemplative.  One good point is that the tracks are long enough to allow for a bit of instrumental playing around.  One of the best tracks is Blue Train, it starts with slow deep bass and drums then Page starts twanging around as Plant croons over the top.  Page seems to meander and slither around the vocals and music, doing things that could sound out of time but somehow it just works.  He gets a fair bit of action in this track bringing it to a healthy almost 7 minutes.  Other standouts are the title track, which is a more typical Led Zeppelin song with Page's monster guitar, and When I Was A Child which has Plant in full emotional form against the backdrop of Page's poignant heavily reverbed playing, neatly dissected by a fantastic chorus.  By the way, if you're looking for another Led Zeppelin album then this isn't quite it, you may be better trying the well-reviewed Coverdale/Page album although I find it too AOR.  Some of the Coverdale vocals on it are uncannily like Plant.

Strangely, the only sign of this album coming from the 90's is a small amount drum'n'bass backing on the last couple of tracks.  Obviously some tracks are better than others, but there aren't any bad ones here, something that can't usually be said of Led Zeppelin albums.  It's mid-price by now, often seen in sales and a must-have.

Tracks:
1.Shining In The Light4:01
2.When The World Was Young6:13
3.Upon The Golden Horse3:52
4.Blue Train6:45
5.Please Read The Letter4:21
6.Most High5:36
7.Heart In Your Hand3:50
8.Walking Into Clarksdale5:45
9.Burning Up5:21
10.When I Was A Child5:45
11.House Of Love5:35
12.Sons Of Freedom4:08
total time 60:45

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Copyright Steve Bachini