Robert Plant's
" Blue Note DVD "
Chrome Dreams UK Import MVD Visual

Blueswax Rating 7
"Robert Putignano says that the DVD "Robert Plant’s Blue Note” is “one heck of a tribute to Mr. Plant, and a treat for his fans,” but it may take several viewings to get through the five decades it covers."  Chip Eagle for Bluewax.com & Blues Revue

Five Decades In Two and a Half Hours

This lengthy (one hundred and fifty-five minutes) DVD chronicles Robert Plant's well known historic career, covering his earliest influences and performances. Just so you know, this was not Plant's doings as the video is not authorized by Plant nor his record company or management.

It's not all about Led Zeppelin either, as there is footage of Son House, Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, the Yardbirds (with Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page), where we learn how he was influenced by Elvis, Muddy, and San Francisco groups like the Jefferson Airplane and the Moby Grape. There's also a recent interview clip of Plant from 2010, and post-Zep collaborators guitarist Robbie Blunt, producer Phil Johnstone, and the Egyptian singer Hossam Ramzy. Also not left on the cutting room floor there's time spent on Plant's solo work; 1983's The Principle of Moments, 1988's Now and Zen, 2006's Mighty Rearranger, and 2007's Raising Sand, with Allison Krauss. Also bantered about are Plant-related bands like Band of Joy, his reuniting with Jimmy Page (who did not want another updated version of Led Zep,) and his work with Allison Krauss and T Bone Burnett. Speaking of Page, there's an interview with Jimmy, as well as several others.

All in all this is a full representation of Plant's life story that also (at times) portrays his non-performing look at life as well. Additionally I found that learning about his influences was quite interesting as it enabled me to understand more fully about what Plant is all about. It also depicts how Plant has moved on from Zeppelin, while insinuating that Jimmy Page has not, where it's obvious that Plant's lusting for all kinds of musical genre's are much more far-reaching than the guitar god Page.

So if you need a heaping helping of Robert Plant, this documentary is it. But long story short, I found this video to be too long to endure in one viewing. Then again, fully covering five decades on anyone's career would have to make for an extensive project, and when you factor in all of the interesting rare footage, interview segments with his musical collaboratorations, as well as music critics segments, I would have to say that the hard work compiling all of material for Robert Plant's Blue Note created a compelling piece of work. That (when watched in several sittings) is one heck of a tribute to Mr. Plant, and a treat for his fans.

Bob Putignano a senior contributing editor at BluesWax. He is also the heart of Sounds of Blues at www.SoundsofBlue.com. Bob maybe contacted at: bob8003@yahoo.com

Bob Putignano: www.SoundsofBlue.com