The 1985 Listening Post - Robert Plant - Shaken n Stirred

Robert Plant - Shaken n Stirred

#166

May 20 1985

Robert Plant

Shaken n’ Stirred

4.25 out of 5

Highlights:

Hip to Hoo

Kallalou Kallalou

Pink and Black

Little By Little

In what sounds like a desperate attempt to undo the croonerism of The Honeydrippers, Plant seems to have doubled down on “pop” and aimed directly for the New Wave radio heart. But it’s not just that…he’s dancing in various tropes, from world music influence to dance to pop and, whoever is handling the production is taking Plant into the late 20th century. This is the most interesting he’s been to me in…well…ever.

In a way, this is what Robert Palmer has been trying to do for a decade and failing at most of the time. 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/shaken-n-stirred-remastered/254185309

The 1984 Listening Post - The Honeydrippers - The Honeydrippers Vol. 1

The Honeydrippers - The Honeydrippers Vol. 1

#304
November 12 1984
The Honeydrippers
The Honeydrippers Vol. 1
3.5 out of 5

Highlights:
Young Boy Blues

Exception time.
I know I said, "No Eps!" but this one had a huge impact on radio and MTV at the time and I don't think I can avoid it.
I, like many, have only heard the Big Single! which, I had no idea, was the B-Side and when it became a huge success, mortified Plant.
I'm glad. I can't stand the Zeppelin adoration. I've gone on record as saying that, while they did amazing stuff with it, they were basically a covers band who didn't give credit and proceeded to make millions off the work of others. It took over 2-3 decades for amends to be made to the original bluesmen from whom they stole.
This is compounded for me because I think Greta Van Fleet got a bad rap for echoing Zep's sound and yet, their songs were all originals.
If those same reviewers were either reviewing in 1969 or Zeppelin came out today, they would be lambasting Page and Plant for ripping off others.
Add to that, Plant's offering of "Innuendo" at the Freddie Mercury Concert for Life, blending into "Kashmir" was atrocious.
And that I really didn't care for his Principle of Moments record last year I was really glad to read that he was worried that he would suddenly be perceived as not a "rock singer" because of this ep.
I don't want him to suffer, just be annoyed. Cuz he and they annoy me.
Is this any good?
It's fine. It's as good as Los Lobos. And it's short. It exists. I'm so happy there was never a Vol. 2.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-honeydrippers-vol-1-expanded-ep/254160559

The 1983 Listening Post - Robert Plant - The Principle of Moments

Robert Plant - The Principle of Moments

July 11, 1983
Robert Plant
The Principle of Moments
3 out of 5

Ok, Imma just come out with it. I don’t care about Led Zeppelin. I did a relisten of the 1st 4 albums when all the backlash on Greta Van Fleet was happening and, to be honest, while I could appreciate it, I didn’t find much joy in it. Pomposity, yes. Musicianship, definitely. But, all I could think of was that time about 20 years ago when a radio station decided to go Led Zep 24/7 only to realize that…um…there really wasn’t much to support it in terms of music or audience.
I thought Pictures at Eleven was fine. Not great. I gave it 3/5.
This album starts out very strong. I have always loved “In the Mood” and never gave thought to it being a Robert Plant song.
After that, the album makes a beeline to overwrought self-importance. I would bet Plant doesn’t remember most of these songs. (I’m probably wrong, but I’ve forgotten them and they were just playing) He does manage to push bits of nothing like “Wreckless Love” over the finish line, though.
And I don’t know who thought “Big Dookie”, er, “Big Log” was the best choice for a single. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

https://itunes.apple.com/…/the-principle-of-momen…/254162739