Jimmy Page Interview On BBC world

That was a very nice interview with Jimmy Page on BBC World an hour ago.  Loved it.

The first part of the interview focused mainly on the O2 show in London back in 2007, which was filmed and released last month on CD/DVD, under the name Celebration Day.

Jimmy Page said that the intention was from the beginning to do one night show, and the band rehearsals were based on that concept. He also said that the show was not meant to be recorded or filmed, and it was two or three years later when the three remaining band members decided to put it on CD/DVD after watching the footage.
 
The preparation and rehearsals for the show took six weeks to complete. The band was keen to put up a strong set list - which they did. According to Page, Jason Bonham has the hardest job in the band, because he was filling in his late father's work.

When asked if there were any particular song played on stage different from the way it has been rehearsed? Page answered that "Since I've been loving you" was played slightly different from rehearsal. 

Page had one regret about the show that there was no chance to play acoustic sets. Other than that the show was perfect. According to Page, "In spite of that monitors didn't work properly during the first couple of songs", the songs have been presented in an excellent way, in my opinion - if the monitors were working properly, I wonder how the sound will be!  

The second part of the interview had questions about different things, such as teen years, playing style, influences... etc

Jimmy Page said it is not correct that he picked up the guitar for the first time after listening to Elvis, and he agreed with the thought that Led Zeppelin is the British version of American Blues.

By the way, I have seen Jimmy Page playing different instruments with strings, like Sitar or Mandolin, but I was surprised when he mentioned that during his teen years he tried to access other areas such as Oud too.

When asked about the future, he mentions that he has already a lot of material to record but yet to "pull in all the musicians". 

Finally, Jimmy Page did not say Yes or No to future Led Zeppelin plans.

Heart Covers Stairway To Heaven

Asked myself to what level would it be good for a certain musician or a band to cover "Stairway To Heaven" by Led Zeppelin? I have seen live many artists playing the song and heard the song by different musicians, pros as well as amateur, but no one put it like the way Heart did at the Kennedy Center Honors on December, 2nd - broadcast two days ago on CBS television channel.

This event is an annual ceremony to recognize celebrities in the United States and honor them for their contribution to the culture and art. Honorees this year included actor Dustin Hoffmann, late night host David Letterman, Russian Natalia Makarova, music legend Buddy Guy, and the three surviving members of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones.

In addition to Ann and Nancy Wilson, drummer Jason Bonham joined and played the song on stage, accompanied by a big number of musicians on strings and horns sections, as well as vocal choir.
 
It was fantastic performance, Ann's singing was wondrous from the first beginning of the song. You can see a big smile on the faces of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Johns while they were watching the performance. nodding with approval to what they were seeing. It was a sensational and an emotional. The way they arranged the song was like adding a religious touch to it. It was so good that It was so good that t almost brought Robert Planet into tears. 

New Live Albums Coming Your Way

In one week news came out about three heavy weight acts in music releasing live albums.

One of the bands that I regret not going to their live concert is AC/DC. I have problems with big arenas, maybe that's the reason.

Their new album 's Live At River Plate is taken from three shows they did in Argentina and came out on previous DVD released last year. However, the new live CD will include extra songs.

I have seen different live DVD's of this great Australian band, but the their 1990's LIVE album still in mind as my favorite. Nevertheless, this band still deliver one of the best shows on earth every year, the proof is obvious in reviews and by people I talked to who has been to their concerts.

The song listing of the album will be:
1. Rock N Roll Train
2. Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be
3. Back In Black
4. Big Jack
5. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
6. Shot Down In Flames
7. Thunderstruck
8. Black Ice
9. The Jack
10. Hells Bells
11. Shoot To Thrill
12. War Machine
13. Dog Eat Dog
14. You Shook Me All Night Long
15. T.N.T.
16. Whole Lotta Rosie
17. Let There Be Rock
18. Highway To Hell
19. For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

Paul Simon, Live in New York City is not only a CD, it is a DVD and CD set loaded with songs from this magnificent musician career.

Last week I was watching a documentary on him during the recording with a number of African artists.

Without doubt, Simon is a great musician, and that is obvious from his diversity in musical elements he put in his music - whether that is disputed or not, it is not our discussion here, but the humbleness and coolness this man has during the recording session is outstanding.

I don't think anyone would argue of joy such a concert would bring to fans everywhere.

Live in New York City’ track listing is:
1. The Obvious Child
2. Dazzling Blue
3. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
4. So Beautiful Or So What
5. Mother And Child Reunion
6. That Was Your Mother
7. Hearts And Bones
8. Crazy Love, Vol. II
9. Slip Slidin’ Away
10. Rewrite
11. The Boy In The Bubble
12. The Only Living Boy In New York
13. The Afterlife
14 Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes
15. Gumboots
16. The Sound Of Silence
17. Kodachrome
18. Gone At Last
19. Late In The Evening
20. Still Crazy After All These Years

The third live album coming out soon is by the band that is considered as one of the three pillars created hard rock: Led Zeppelin. It is from their live performance in 2007 at the O2 Arena in London. The album is called "Celebration Day". Not known yet if the album will only be on DVD or CD/DVD.
Many people, including me waited for a long time for this, and can't describe my happiness of the news.

It started when the band's Facebook page showed a FIVE on its main page and started with a countdown prior to the official announcement. The obscurity of the event triggered a lot of speculations. Some thought that the band is recording a new album and launching a big tour. These speculations were ruled out, especially seeing Robert Plant's commitment to two bands at the same time. Even with that, people's imagination went too far by saying that Plant has been replaced by Glenn Hughes.
That was the funniest thing I ever heard. I love Glenn Hughes, but seeing him with Zeppelin is difficult to imagine (like seeing David Coverdale singing with Black Sabbath). Besides, Glenn is touring now promoting Black Country Communion new album coming out next month, Afterglow.

Zeppelin never had another vocalist but Plant and it is very difficult to imagine anyone else taking the helm.

Celebration Day tracklist:

1. Good Times Bad Times
2. Ramble On
3. Black Dog
4. In My Time Of Dying
5. For Your Life
6. Trampled Under Foot
7. Nobody’s Fault But Mine
8. No Quarter
9. Since I’ve Been Loving You
10. Dazed And Confused
11. Stairway To Heaven
12. The Song Remains The Same
13. Misty Mountain Hop
14. Kashmir
15. Whole Lotta Love
16. Rock And Roll