Music review: Robert Plant – 鈥楥arry Fire鈥�
As the legendary voice for one of rock鈥檚 greatest groups, Robert Plant had a difficult decision to make after the band dissolved.
Plant could either carry on as an aging rock star and attempt to continue the majestic magic he created with his Led Zeppelin bandmates Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham or he could simply move on to another musical canvas.
Surprisingly, one of the greatest voices in rock decided to pursue different styles of music. Whether it was joining up with Page and Jeff Beck to form the Honeydrippers, collaborating with bluegrass icon Alison Krauss or pairing with singer Patty Griffin for Band of Joy, Plant continues to impress by creating music that possesses an eloquent fluidity that is authentic and engaging.
For his 11th solo effort, Plant continues to amaze by delivering another collection of lush and comforting tracks. Following the successful blueprint for his last three releases 鈥淩aising Sand,鈥� 鈥淏and of Joy鈥� and 鈥渓ullaby and 鈥� The Ceaseless Roar,鈥� the 69-year-old singer鈥檚 distinctive voice still contains the power to command your attention, even if it is now a more subtle draw from the classic days of 鈥淲hole Lotta Love,鈥� 鈥淏lack Dog鈥� and 鈥淜ashmir.鈥� Although, much of the new material does remind me a lot of the classic Led Zeppelin track 鈥淕oing to California,鈥� one of my personal Led Zeppelin favorites.
鈥淐arry Fire鈥� once again brings together Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters from his last album.
As if to remind fans that he hasn鈥檛 completely forgotten his past, Plant cleverly interjects some references to his former band in the new material.
鈥淭he May Queen,鈥� with its title lifted from a line to one of the finest rock tracks ever written in 鈥淪tairway to Heaven,鈥� opens the album in the form of a tender love ballad. No need to be alarmed about a bustle in your hedgerow because it鈥檚 just a mild spring clean with Plant reminiscing about a love that never falters and never dies.
On 鈥淒ance with You Tonight,鈥� Plant evokes the dancing days from 1973鈥檚 鈥淗ouses of the Holy鈥� as he sings, 鈥淲e saw the world forever changing/Through dancing days and wondrous nights.鈥� Indeed the dancing days are here again. Plant has his flower, power and a woman who knows.
The lone cover track on the album consists of a melodic reworking of the Ersel Hickey number 鈥淏luebirds Over the Mountain.鈥� The Beach Boys cut a spirited version of this track back in 1968 and it鈥檚 wonderful to hear Plant do it justice once again with a little help from guest vocalist Chrissie Hynde.
Plant continues to impress with his enchanting soundscapes of life and love as he firmly stays focused on the future while still staying connected with the past.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.