Ignored Obscured Restored
Today’s SotW post was written by frequent guest contributor and long-time friend, Michael Paquette.
Robert Plant’s solo career has been a bit uneven, but he has always sought fulfillment with his musical efforts and has produced a wide range of material in following that path. His most highly acclaimed work outside of Led Zeppelin is his collaboration with Allison Krauss which resulted in the landmark Americana album Raising Sand (2007). Led Zeppelin was not much of a singles band. Plant’s solo works have not climbed the charts but consistently produced compelling music. Led Zeppelin called it a day after the death of John Bonham in 1980. Many fans felt that the band would reunite with a different drummer. However, that never happened partly because Robert Plant was so engaged in his solo career.
Plant’s second solo release was called The Principle of Moments. Released in 1983, it fits in with the works of many bands that used synths for bold and splashy sounds at that time. But Plant and his bandmates used synths to construct an evocative and more subtle mood. The guitar work on this album by Robbie Blunt conjures up a similar sound to what Mark Knopfler was playing with Dire Straits.
When “Big Log” was released, it snuck into the top 20 in 1983 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and #6 on Billboard’s Top Tracks. It was Plant’s first solo release to chart. The album would continue to gain recognition and was ultimately certified gold with two other songs that also made the charts.
Plant uses a more restrained vocal on this song cutting loose with some wails as the song progresses. Phil Collins is on the drums. The title appears to be a little suggestive but is just a reference to a log blazing in a fireplace while Plant and Blunt were laying down the track. This song still burns bright when revisited over 40 years later. It is a fine solo work constructed by a leader of one of the all-time greatest bands.
A remastered edition of the album was released in 2007. It included live renditions of two songs from the original release, and an unreleased live version of Plant and Bob Marley performing “Lively Up Yourself” recorded in September 1983.
The Principle of Moments is a fine addition to any record collection that also includes Led Zeppelin material.
Enjoy… until next week.