Ep. 294 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast
The 1998 Walking Into Everywhere Tour is a goldmine for great music. The rhythm section of Michael Lee, and Charlie Jones, had really jelled with Jimmy Page, and were a formidable force live. This show is the penultimate show of the tour, December 1, 1998 in Ghent, Belgium.
I play Tangerine, Babe I’m Gonna Leave You (great work from everyone on this one), and the final encores of Ramble On and Rock and Roll. Enjoy one of the last performances of the fabled Page/Plant reunion. We shan’t see their like again.
You can download this complete show, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/j8VGmZob#RcuB8_YtAl_p7DllFjh8rQ
This particular show is as good or better than most Zep shows imho. They’re both playing as if possessed and the rhythm section is right there with Page throughout.
I can’t help but wonder if Page didn’t visit Bruges before the show to take in Van Eyke’s masterpiece. Van Eyke was famously into the occult and seeing the absolute genius and wonder of his Ghent Alterpiece in person would certainly have provided inspiration.
Additionally, 12+1+98 (the date) = 111. In a lot of occult practices (not just Thelema), that number has significance. In traditional Kabbalah, it’s connected with Aleph and therefore Keter.
Apparently, it’s all over the place in Joyce’s Kabbalistic masterpiece Finnegan’s Wake (which I have yet to read as I know it will be a commitment requiring several months lol. I have many other projects to complete before diving in).
That whole tour is amazing. The longer it went the better it got. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jimmy visited the Van Eyke. From the Crown to the Kingdom Mr. Page is at least 93% aligned w/ the occult. 🙂
I see what you did there. 🙂
The vibe I get from Jimmy (don’t know him personally) is that he moved well past his Crowley phase probably in the 80s but is and always has been into the occult. I think he might be a little embarrassed by the Crowley stuff as now his name is almost intrinsically linked with Crowley’s. Castles, record inscriptions, bookstores, etc.
I would imagine he still has a respect for Thelema/Crowley writings but has his moved his practice forward, if that makes any sense. This is just going off specific things he’s said about this exact subject in interviews from the 80s and beyond. I know that he’s been an extremely generous donator to the OTO in the past (not publicized, obviously) although not an actual member himself.
I personally can relate as I went through a Crowley phase myself and then was kind of over it while still respecting some of th guy’s writing which is fantastic if occasionally misguided/deranged.
We sound similar. I agree in that I think he moved his practice forward but I think he’s still practicing/studying Crowley’s systems. His girlfriend. 100% his Scarlet Woman. The spoken word album she released, and he produced, was limited to 156 copies (the number of Babalon in Thelemic Gematria), and she’s a dead ringer for Leila Waddel (in vibe as well as general appearance). I went through a Crowley phase myself. Thanks for your very cool and erudite comment. I hope you keep listening.
Holy crap, she really does look like Leila Waddel! That’s so interesting. And I didn’t know that about the 156 copies – also interesting. Perhaps, like a lot of older Thelemites who have practiced Crowley’s system for many years, he’s sort of kept the basic architecture but tweaked it to make it his own system.
Thanks for sharing that and for the kind words. I will for sure keep listening.