SOD: Robert Plant & The Strange Sensation "The Enchanter"

I respect Robert Plants diversity. Since Led Zeppelin disbanded after the death of Jon Bonham, Robert Plant has had the most diverse career. Granted, John Paul Jones plays with the supergroup "Them Crooked Vultures," and he too stays intertwined in many music communities, and Jimmy Page has had his fare share of collaborations (i.e. The Black Crowes). But Robert Plant has definitely had the broadest scope to date. Besides playing with Page in the mid-late 90's, he's had projects such as Priory of Brion, Band of Joy and Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation, as well as recording/touring with Alison Krauss (they won a grammy together). It seems that he retains an interest in music as an art, not being genre specific. At one point, I was personally growing impatient with him because it seemed as though a Led Zeppelin reunion of the surviving three, was imminent. But he chose to stick with his commitment to Krauss. In retrospect, it was probably a good move for him as he continued to successfully make new and sought after music. 

Another interesting thing I find about Plant, is that he doesn't fight age. It's the one thing nobody can beat, but everyone has their own way of trying anyway. Be it cosmetic surgeries or procedures, or just trying to live like a teenager again. Plant seems to have accepted his wrinkles, and his slower pace in life. His voice is still magnificent, that much is clear. But he's kind of like the anti-Mick Jagger. Not that Mick shouldn't be commended for keeping up the high energy antics, but Robert Plants' take is different. He's content with the time that has past, and doesn't really see the need to try and recreate his younger persona. It would seem kind of ridiculous to, I suppose. In a 2008 interview about the chances of a Zep reunion, he explained that he doesn't want to "tour like a bunch of bored old men following the Rolling Stones around." I don't necessarily take that as a dig to the Stones, but more a statement as to the fact that he does not want to go that route. Personally, I wish they would, but I understand and respect his position on the matter. 

I saw RP and the Strange Sensation at my favorite venue, The Beacon Theater, right after graduating college. We sat in the last row of the balcony, and it was worth every penny. The crowd was mainly older Led Heads, but there were some younger bucks like ourselves. They sounded exceptional, and even covered a couple old Zep tunes in a fresh way. It was very inspiring to see Robert Plant up there performing brand new material still. And we're not talking Van Halen kind of new material, his stuff was legitimate. It wasn't a regurgitation of his past, it showed growth and progress into a new age of music and technology, while still remaning rooted in his folk and rock traditions. 

I still listen to this album, The Mighty ReArranger. It came out in 2005, and I can't believe that was seven years ago. It seems like just yesterday, really. But the subject and style of the album are still relevant today. From his political commentary in "Freedom Fries," to his take on destiny and the search for answers in "The Enchanter." And the music is pretty eclectic, while still retaining a rhyme and reason from first track to last. I do believe it's a well conceived album, that any Zeppelin fan should give a chance to. I mean, Zep isn't going to release anything new for you, and I personally always find it interesting to see what route my musical heroes take, later in their careers. As mentioned before, John Paul Jones teamed up with Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) and Josh Homme (Kyuss, Queens of the Stoneage) to create Them Crooked Vultures. Their self titled debut was really heavy hitting, as was the show I went to in NYC. I was blown away by the direction JPJ decided to go in, playing with a new kind of hard rock/hard blues outfit. I'll absolutely buy their second album when it comes out.

In the end, nothing lasts forever. Groups like the Rolling Stones may still be together, but they have gone through many incarnations, and histories. At this point, they're more of a nostalgic act than anything. And groups like Pearl Jam, who have been playing together for twenty years and still make legitimate new music, well, they're rare. So in the grand scheme of things, no matter how much you love a group or an act, you have to suspect that it will ultimately end. But the individual performers will still play, and hopefully make new music with or without all of their old bandmates. And as hard as it is to deal with at first, that's the nature of the beast. Some doors shut, only to open new ones. It's the same thing in sports. The Derek Jeters and Jorge Posada Yankee lifers are the rarity. More likely is the great player to play on multiple teams, bringing his experience and gift to different lineups or rosters. And while his style of play may be the same, it meshes differently with the new surrounding players. And sometimes, a whole new kind of magic is made this way. A second or third wind in a career that was already credible.