James Cook is Doing Amazing Work on Substack

If you’ve been listening to me for awhile you’ve heard me interview James Cook a couple of times, over the years. He’s a wonderful human being and a hell of a researcher. He’s also a ‘real’ journalist, in that he’s published all over, including Business Insider.

That professional expertise is apparent when reading his fantastic website/social media presence as Led Zep News. However, one can go deeper down the rabbit hole because Mr. Cook publishes very precise, source rich, and expanded in-depth articles for your pleasure and education, on Substack.

Substack is a site in which writers and journalists can publish directly to their audience without being throttled/limited by any kind of authority/boss. It’s a good thing. This in particular is wonderful.

Want to know everything about the $200,000 robbery at the Drake back in 1973 (seen in the Song Remains the Same movie)? Well strap in, because James got all the FBI files about the robbery, the case notes, etc. Super interesting.

It’s $5/month to get deep insightful, intelligent, content about the workings (and playings) of the best rock band in history.

This is a pure fan post. There has been no quid pro quo with James. This is something I’ve wanted to for awhile. Listen to the interviews and decide if you would like to hear more about this stuff.

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The Simple Cup of Truth will Change Your Life

Hey there, handsome! Do you love coffee, tea, hot cocoa, etc. but hate slurping scalding hot liquid from your blistered, cupped hands? Dude, I got you! I have a device which will revolutionize the liquid slurping experience.

Behold The Simple Cup of Truth! That’s right, “cup”. It holds the liquid you wish to consume for you, allowing you to use your hands for other things, like shooing away bears.

Allow me to explain. You’ll notice that the “cup” is comprised of two parts joined at two points. The first is the actual “cup” part of the “cup”, by which I mean the cylinder. The perceptive among you may have noted that if one were to pour liquid into a cylinder, it would simply fall through and soil the floor. Guess what, motherfucker? This cylinder has a bottom! The ‘bottom’ of the cup keeps the liquid from spilling out, bringing us to the showstopper.

Attached at two points to the outside of the cylinder you will see a thin hemisphere of baked clay perpendicular to the cylinder wall. Using your thumb and forefingers you can lift the “cup” to your lips and slurp like a gentleperson. Welcome to the aristocracy!

as an additional boon to humanity I have applied positive messages on the outer surface of the cylinder, intended to enlighten and inform. “Music is Good” is a truth both profound and sublime. The Heart of Markness podcast logo is a powerful talisman against nogoodniks and the occasional caribou.

Buy enough to make an igloo of truth in which to repose. Merch of Markness is the place.

Ep. 281 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

Robert Plant (right) and Jimmy Page playing together, for the second time since the break up of Led Zeppelin, during the encore of a concert by Plant and his band at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, 13th December 1983. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)

This is a good one. Robert Plant is in amazing voice with lots of oomph. Richie Hayward (from Little Feat) is killing it on drums, Robbie Blunt is a bloody virtuoso with his emotive playing. This is December 13, 1983 at the Hammersmith Odeon, on his Principle of Moments tour.

Jimmy Page had four days prior finished up with the ARMS Tour, and was aflame with renewed enthusiasm for his musical future. The energy and fun the pair are having is evident. Jimmy is playing his typical 1983/84 b-bender solo but with some crunch instead of chorus. It’s an amazing moment in time. These guys did not typically get along in the 1980’s.

I play an incendiary Burning Down One Side, and emotive and evocative Big Log, and the showstopper, Treat Her Right with Jimmy Page. What a night.

You can download this complete concert from Dario Romero’s excellent “low effort matrix” right here: https://mega.nz/file/fgcAXbBS#yVArrUl3uY4eOEpXiI8sqmZmIRiERDsF6dEW9_S1OO4

Ep. 280 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

For this episode we hear the thunderous John Paul Jones on tour for his Zooma album, at The Fubar in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on March, 10, 2000. This is a very well recorded show for around 200 people. The sound and vibe are incredible. Jonesy is very chatty and interactive with the audience.

I play Grind (from Zooma), Crackback (from the Scream for Help soundtrack), and B. Fingers (again from Zooma). Great musician and a great show.

You can download the complete concert right here: https://mega.nz/folder/P0MRXZqI#evYyPBK8n9I1WMRinlhdVQ

Ep. 279 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

Today we hear some music from Led Zeppelin playing San Diego, 5/28/73, on a soundboard recording remastered by DADGAD. This show has some towering highs and tumbling low points.

I play two of the highlights. First is a smokin’ Since I’ve Been Loving You with gorgeous, smooth cooooool jazz piano from Mr. Jones, and Jimmy delivers in spades. Then I play glorious Whole Lotta Love with a trillion medleys, played with abandon and joy, like it’s 1971. Some magic here for real.

You can download this complete soundboard recording right here: https://mega.nz/folder/zg1GWQiC#tvshDIU99jx9Js036jHiaw

Ep. 278 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

This is a good one! For this episode I have chosen Jimmy Page & Robert Plant on the last night of their huge Unledded US tour. May 27, 1995 at The Gorge Amphitheater in George, Washington. This is a great venue known for it’s beauty, not unlike Red Rocks in Colorado.

Page/Plant end their tour on a high note with tight performances in a 3rd Eye recording of insanely great quality (Millard level). I play an epic Shake My Tree sung with conviction by Robert, a Dancing Days for the ages, and Calling to You. All of these performances are out of this world and will make you glad you heard them.

If you would like the recording of this complete concert you can get it here: https://mega.nz/folder/H8U2DRxA#JEfWf5rK7nIKwlymfV6gPQ

Ep. 277 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

Jan. 18, 1973 – Led Zeppelin play Bradford UK on their tour of smaller UK venues, before launching on their epic European tour, which gave us all those great shows. This show is on par with those high water marks like Vienna or Essen.

I play a raucous and frenetic Whole Lotta Love with joyous medleys aplenty. The rhythm machine is in high gear here. I also play an unorthodox encore performance of the Immigrant Song.

This show is brilliant and so much fun. You can download the full soundboard recording, which has Dazed, Whole Lotta Love and the Immigrant Song, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/r8lXhSxZ#AzdvYiQ1Nj-kKFV-HptN7Q

Ep. 276 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast

In this episode we hear a recording of the opening date of Led Zeppelin’s 1971 UK Tour, in Newcastle on November 11, 1971. This is a distant but clear and good recording, and to no one’s surprise the band is in great form.

I play Heartbreaker, What Is And What Should Never Be, and a frenetic Communication Breakdown. This is a great show from a great tour. Don’t sleep on UK 71, there’s great stuff there!

You can download this show right here: https://mega.nz/folder/jgVEAB6Y#KGzXeAsyPn7nD_bbp9Pekw

Bonus Episode: The Heart of Markness Classic Rock Podcast

This is a fantastic recording of The Rolling Stones at the LA Forum, July 9, 1975. St. Michael Millard is the taper so the sound is out of this world. The Stones are also pretty darn great.

This is Ronnie Wood’s first tour with the Stones and he brings energy, fun, and a good bit of skill to the band. They sound revitalized. Billy Preston is with them as well, bringing a funkiness to the proceedings.

You can download this complete concert recording right here: https://mega.nz/folder/T8MiAR7B#LfBOih2VStRP6SgxB53PoQ