Robert Plant: Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page & The Solo Years Independent (Author: Neil Daniels) Whilst the great debate continues over whether Led Zeppelin will reform or not, amply fuelled by their reunion at the O2 Arena in December of 2007, Independent Music Press have published an unofficial and unauthorized book on Robert Plant. Entitled, “Robert Plant: Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page And The Solo Years”, the book seeks to unearth all that the ‘Golden God’ has done since the demise of Led Zeppelin. Indeed, the biography offers a hop through his childhood, a skip through pre-Led Zep bands and a small but important jump through his role in that seminal band, all of which assists the reader in understanding what makes this artist so successful as a solo act. It is also heartening to say that the writer has avoided the usual sex, drugs and rock approach, for there is hardly any mention of the crass antics that rock stars tend to relish in, and I believe the book, and Mr. Plant himself benefit from that approach. In fact, Plant emerges as an artist whose sole concerns are his family and his music. It is obvious that he does not intend to rest on his laurels, and sees the past as purely part of the journey towards getting where he is today, and where he wants to be tomorrow. It seems unlikely that he will ‘tell all’ himself, as he is set to look forward to the future, and this is where my only criticism lies, that the book is written from a perspective of those who know or who knew him, sadly none of it is from the great man himself. It is a joy to learn of his modern working approach, and those he chooses to work with, as well as the types of music he loves to play. James Halbert describes him as “…just another music fan who wants to force you to sit and listen to his favourite records”. He is still one of the lads, travelling in uncomfortable vans with the band, but with the knowledge that if it doesn’t work out he can disappear to Morocco to recharge and reappear with fresh impetus. This is a thoroughly enjoyable read about one of rock’s most enigmatic characters. Long may he continue to do as he wishes.

Merv Osborne

Delta Blues W. W. Norton (Author: Ted Gioia) If you already have the books published on Charley Patton, and a few more about Robert Johnson, Honeyboy Edwards’ autobiography, the biographies of Skip James, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Tommy Johnson, B.B. King and John Lee Hooker, plus maybe David Evans’ ‘Big Road Blues’, you don’t need this book. If not, then, subtitled “The Life And Times Of The Mississippi Masters Who Revolutionized American Music”, Ted’s book does just what it says on the jacket. Gioia relates how, as an accomplished jazz pianist at the age of 20, he felt he had a deep understanding of the Blues, though, as he grew older, he began to realise there was a lot more to the music than he initially thought. In the ‘90s, he undertook studies of various forms of American traditional music, but kept coming back to the Blues. This book is the result of his interest, and it is a reasonably comprehensive study, with a palpable sense of enjoyment in the music conveyed by a more subjective style than some who have written on the subject; Ted is not afraid to get excited about the music! Then again, he is not afraid to puncture myths; Robert Johnson and the ‘Crossroads’ story is, of course, a main target for this, but Gioia is also at pains to point out that it seems very likely that it was Johnson himself who propagated the tale. Ted begins the story of the Delta Blues by examining and then (rightly so, in my humble opinion) discounting any direct African influence on the emerging music, contrary to what some would have us believe these days. The careers of those major figures mentioned in the first paragraph are examined at length, based largely on their recorded legacies, whilst impressive artists like Geeshie Wiley and Garfield Akers are given as much detail as is available, and the likes of Big Boy Crudup and Big Joe Williams are also accorded a lot of respect. The author is also careful to note – more than once – that our knowledge of these early artists is largely dependent on the fact they recorded. We have no way of knowing who or what was missed; if Mississippi Fred McDowell had not been ‘discovered’ by Alan Lomax in 1959, just think of the wonderful music we would never have heard. The story of the Delta Blues is brought up-to-date with an account of the Blues revival from the ‘60s onwards, which in itself makes for fascinating reading. The trials and tribulations of Fat Possum Records are documented and The Black Keys are, perhaps a little surprisingly, sympathetically report-

Courtesy W. W. Norton Publishing, we have 2 copies of Delta Blues to giveaway. The critically acclaimed book, featuring in the end of year polls of The New York Times and The Economist, was written by Ted Gioia, founder and editor of jazz.com. “With original research and keen insights, Ted Gioia brings to life the stirring music of the Delta, evoking the legendary figures who shaped its sound and ethos.” For your chance to find out how the sounds of the Delta altered the course of popular music in America and in the world beyond, tell us: Which Delta Blues musician recorded the songs ’22-20 Blues’ and ‘Hard Time Killing Floor Blues’?

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ed. Better proof reading – Specialty Records' man Art Rupe becomes Art Rube, The Bihari Brothers' RPM label is referred to as RPB in the chapter on Howlin' Wolf, but correctly elsewhere as RPM, and Wolf’s ‘Smokestack Lightnin’’ is transcribed wrongly – might help a little, though. These – and a few others - are minor quibbles, however, and anyone who enjoys the deep Mississippi Blues should investigate this very useful and highly interesting book.

Norman Darwen

The No-Nonsense Guide To World Music New Internationalist (Author: Louise Gray) There aren't many books that quote disco divas Sister Sledge to open a chapter examining the open-air music scene of Marrakech, or that shift from Greek hash smokers of the ‘30s to

the role of music in the Rwandan genocide of the ‘90s – and probably even fewer such that will get a review in Blues Matters! This short book – 167 pages – looks at the evolution of the category

'world music', how music under this umbrella term is perceived, presented and packaged, and why. The author also examines why such styles as Greek rembetika and Portuguese fado are sometimes defined in Blues

terms, detailing similarities and differences, but perhaps of most immediate interest to readers is the fact that there is a chapter on the Blues itself, containing a short overview of

how the Blues is interpreted and a concise,

but thankfully accurate, look at the 'African/desert Blues' movement of the last couple of decades. That in itself may not be enough to tempt the solidly traditional Blues enthusiast, but those with a more open point of view will recognise that many of the statements the author makes in this thought-provoking book are just as relevant to the Blues as to world music.

Norman Darwen

Haynes Gibson Les Paul Manual J H Haynes (Author: Paul Balmer) It's many a long year since I picked up a guitar in anger, but after some time drooling over this fabulous manual, I've caught myself taking detours via music shops, staring longingly at the wonders therein. Publishers Haynes are well known for their range of car manuals, but after an earlier book on the Fender Stratocaster was issued to rave reviews, they've turned their attentions to the Gibson Les Paul. The book is gloriously presented, as it holds your hand through all the stages of buying, owning, setting up, maintaining, repairing and making sweet, sweet love to your guitar. The photographs alone will keep many a frethead happy for days, as they pore over every detail of your new (or old) beloved. There's a range of case studies, covering every type of budget, so don't be scared if you think it's only for the top range guitars out there. The foreword is by Les Paul himself, and the body of the text by Paul Balmer is presented in a very readable and easy to understand style. At the end, there are a series of featurettes on some of the better known Gibson Les Paul players, including Freddie King, Mike Bloomfield, Peter Green and Gary Moore, as well as some 'Tech Tips' scattered throughout the book from well regarded guitar technicians. I can't think of a single thing that would make this book better, so if Gibson Les Pauls cause you to tense up at inopportune moments, then this is definitely the book for you.

Stuart A Hamilton

Last Shop Standing: Whatever Happened To Record Shops? Proper (Author: Graham Jones) Lovers and collectors of Blues music will delight at this book and despair at its story. This genre that we love now finds itself in the corner pocket of the karaoke megastores, slowly being extinguished by the top ten and the commercial destruction of choice. Graham Jones knows this, and has spent the last five years researching the demise of the genuine record shop, where choice and discovery reach a synergy that is now only seen in nostalgia. His book is both full of facts and fun stories from all around the United Kingdom, as he has entered into the world of literally hundreds of independent record shops and privately owned small chains. During the summer of 2008, Graham set out to do one last tour of the fifty stores that he considered to be the last of their type. It’s difficult not to weep with personal loss, as anecdote after anecdote is mirrored across the land. In the introduction alone, Graham lists over two hundred record shops that have gone since he decided to write the book. From Lizard in Norwich to Scorpion in High Wycombe, from Big Pink Music in Manchester to Pink Panther Records in Carlisle, from Atom Records in Bridgend to Quantum in Liverpool, from Mole Jazz in London to Retro Blue in Aberdeen, they’ve gone - all of them. The book immediately becomes something tangible and something to passionately identify with, even though it is an intimate autobiography of both the author and the people he meets on his journey. The concept may be reflective of Nick Hornby (that too was derivative), yet being provincial, there are many more topsy-turvy excursions with which to enjoy. It’s the depth of detail that intrigues and attracts, as Jones highlights trivial conversation with counter staff by raising them to moments of genius. This is particularly perfunctory when concerning the inept assistant who doesn’t know the difference between Bill Haley and the Halle Orchestra. Tales extend beyond the shop floor, and the book is punctuated with insights into piracy, download markets, and chart-hyping. Musical references vary from David Essex to Elvis, from Hendrix to Gomez, as well as the excesses of bands that no-one has heard of - until now! There are plenty of metrics, but it’s not a scientific expose of the decline of the record shop, but more a consideration of our great British community, and that this just may be a milestone in a disintegrating history now lost in electronic communication. Putting the moral curve to one side, it’s impossible not to laugh out loud at the patter that Jones delivers and the revelation about Kylie visiting Avalanche in Edinburgh is a great example of our world gone mad. The prose never ventures into grumpy old man status and is strangely optimistic.

Gareth Hayes

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