Ticket 2 Ride

Five favorites by Robert Plant, former Led Zeppelin vocalist. These are taken from his solo albums; sorry, no collaborations with Jimmy Page, Alison Krauss or Patty Griffin allowed here. I have to admit, I loved his early solo material, and although he’s changed gears numerous times, and done some amazing things, I still prefer the early albums.

I sifted through many of his albums and I pushed myself to listen to more recent material in comprising this list. I resisted picking two songs from any one album, which I could have, but let’s spread around the joy.

“Little By Little” – From Shaken ‘n’ Stirred (1985). “Little By Little” was a top 40 hit, but just barely. It’s a heavy rock song that deserved to chart higher. Written by written by Plant and keyboardist Jezz Woodroffe. The entire album signals a change of direction for Plant’s sound, downshifting into different patterns, rhythms, textures and grooves.

“29 Palms” – From Fate of Nations (1993). Written on tour, credited to Plant, Charlie Jones, Doug Boyle, Chris Blackwell and Phil Johnstone.

“Slow Dancer” – From the first solo album, Pictures at Eleven (1982). “Slow Dancer” is the most Led Zeppelin-like song Plant has recorded. Bluesy, raw guitar riffs by Robbie Blunt and Plant howling vocals. Pictures at Eleven was Plant getting his solo feet on the ground.

“Morning Dew”- From Dreamland (2002). Plant has a talent for constructing soundscapes of layers of instruments that take you somewhere new and dreamlike. This song sounds 1960s trippy, with a hint of old world psychedelia, but with a contemporary vibe. The song is a Bonnie Dobson cover, of a folk song she wrote in the 1960s, which Plant has freshened slightly, but retains the heart and soul.

“Shine it All Around” – From the Mighty ReArranger (2005). Slow and hypnotic at first, then it lets go. Another great example of Plant incorporating different sounds and rhythms, that sound mysterious, swampy and irresistible. Written by written by Justin Adams, John Baggott, Clive Deamer, Billy Fuller, Robert Plant, and Skin Tyson. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Solo Performance.