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Monday, October 23, 2017

Robert Plant - Album Review - Carry Fire


Robert Plant: Album Review - "Carry Fire"

The voice that launched ten million singers, carries a wiser man that still sings with the spirit of youth. Robert Plant just released his new album called “Carry Fire” on Oct 13th, 2017 on Nonesuch/Warner Bros. Records…and indeed, the fire still burns in Robert Plant’s poetically passionate lyrics delivered perfectly by a cast of great musicians and the wide range of Plant’s creative voice.

Robert Plant has created a very memorable Album, as “Carry Fire” will do just that, and for a very long time. A solid high five from the Minstral Show!

My passion for good music compelled me to write a review of Robert Plant’s new album “Carry Fire”, but also because I love poetry, and I have to say the depth of the lyrics on this album really struck me, so I just had to do it.

The lyrics are provided after each song with a full playlist of the album at the end of the review for streaming purposes. Be sure to subscribe to Robert Plants Official website and / or his Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages to keep up to date with music, tours and everything else.

First, a little about Robert Plant and what he’s been up to:

Robert Plant made his first commercial recordings in 1966. In 1967, he had also formed a group called the Band of Joy, with drummer John Bonham. Soon, Bonham, Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, and bassist John Paul Jones assembled to become The New Yardbirds which became Led Zeppelin. The Led Zeppelin era ended in 1980 when John Bonham died. Since that time, Plant has put his wide-ranging musical fascination to good use on solo albums, with Jimmy Page, and in recordings with bands like The Honeydrippers, Priory of Brion, and Strange Sensation. His performances have reflected his embrace of West Coast psychedelic rock, roots blues, African music, and traditional folk.

Before his recent projects in Nashville with Alison Krauss and Band of Joy, Plant worked alongside the very interesting force, “Strange Sensation”, recording the critically acclaimed, multi-Grammy nominated albums – “Dreamland” and “Mighty Rearranger”. From this platform, Sensational Space Shifters has developed. Now together these confederates and conspirators dig deeper and more intensely, always twisting and turning, bringing the past into a brilliant technicolour present. It is impressive company:

Band Members:

Robert Plant – Vocals, Production
John Baggott - Keyboards, Moog, Loops, Percussion, Drums, Bass arrangement, T’Bal, Snare Drum, Slide Guitar, Piano, Electric Piano, Bendir
Justin Adams – Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Oud, E-Bow Quartet, percussion, Snare Drum, Tambourine
Billy Fuller – Bass, Keyboards, Drum Programming
Liam “Skin” Tyson – Dobro, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Pedal Steel, 12 String
Dave Smith – Bendir, Tambourine, Djembe, Drum Kit

Guests on “Carry Fire”

Richard ashton – Drums on “Bluebirds Over the Mountain”
Redi Hasa – Cello on “A Way with Words”, “Carry Fire”, “Bluebirds Over the Mountain”
Chrissie Hynde – Vocals on “Bluebirds Over the Mountain”
Seth Lakeman – Viola on “The May Queen”, “Carry Fire”, “Bluebirds Over the Mountain”

Robert Plant – “Carry Fire” - Album Review

SONGS                         

01 The May Queen
02 New World...
03 Season's Song
04 Dance With You Tonight
05 Carving Up the World Again...a wall and not a fence
06 A Way With Words
07 Carry Fire
08 Bones of Saints
09 Keep It Hid
10 Bluebirds Over the Mountain
11 Heaven Sent

Song # 01: The May Queen:
(Plant, Adams, Baggott, Fuller Tyson)

“The May Queen” starts off with a tease and then the royal show begins with an acoustic wall of sound carried by a beat that then turns into a golden voice from the past. The opening track of the “Carry Fire” album “The May Queen” is an energetic and captivating song from the first note to the last. A song well received that is unmistakably a classic tune that reminds of earlier days with Led Zeppelin. “The May Queen” is a Fantastic song, long anticipated by fans around the World.


Lyrics: The May Queen

Lay down in sweet surrender
Your love so warm and tender

Oh, sweet surrender, now
So warm and tender, now

Oh-oh-oh
Ohhh

Inside my waves are breaking
Oh! Light of my salvation

Oh, my waves are breaking now
Ooh, sweet salvation now

Oh-oh-oh
Ohhh

I'm seeking love and glory just like I always do
The bosom of the freedom I very rarely choose

Out here the fire's still burning
So long into my night...
Still captive and still yearning
Surrender to your light...

A heart that never falters
A love that never dies
I linger in the shadows
The dimming of my light...

(Oh!)

The dimming of my light...
The dimming of my light...
The dimming of my light...
The dimming of my light...

SONG # 02: New World:
(Plant, Baggott, Fuller, Smith, Tyson)

“New World” is a cleverly worded song about hypocrisy and conflict…A very important song with a sobering conscious message. Both my thumbs are up for this song in its lyrical meaning and its musical content.


Lyrics: New World

With songs of praise
A happy landing
On yet another virgin shore
Escape the old world
Embrace the new world
Out here the immigrant takes all

Across the plains and over mountains
Put flight to all who came before
they're barely human, It's time to move them
Let them kneel before the sword

Educate the "noble savage"
The great white father's word is law
Subjugate them to liberate them
The poison pen the bloody sword.

SONG # 03: Season’s Song:
(Plant, Adams, Baggott, Fuller Tyson)

A very poetic song that speaks of life and love; written and sung with a longing passion and empathy for one lost, and yet held immortal within.


Lyrics: Season’s Song

Oh my love, what is there left to do
The youth that slept inside me
ran away when I found you…
Oh my love, what is there to be done
My senses have escaped me,
My mind is on the run…
Oh my love…Oh my love…

The nights grow long,
There’s snow upon the hill…
The taste upon your lips
of summer’s slow farewell…
No time my love
The bird is on the wing…
Who stole the pretty songbird/
Who no longer for me sings…
Oh my love…Oh my love…

Crazy Love
Ah-ah oh season’s song

To dream my love,
The desert in my soul…
Of peace along the wayside
On this solitary road…

Oh my love when all is said and done…
I hear the sounds of heaven in
your wondrous season’s song…

Oh my love, Oh my love
Oh crazy, crazy love

SONG # 04: Dance with You Tonight:
(Plant, Adams, Baggott, Fuller, Smith Tyson)

The love and spotlight of days gone by will never truly be gone while memory is sung from the heart. “Dance with You Tonight” is a poetic dance with youth, love and memory, in eternity. Simply wonderful.


Lyrics: Dance with You Tonight

And now the carnival is over
Someone turned out the light
Our fields of plenty filled with clover
So long ago and out of sight
This little light that keeps on shining
All through the darkness through the night
That ever more will keep reminding
The road is long the flame is bright

And if there's one more time I can dance with you
Let me dance with you tonight
Maybe the last chance our hearts
Will dance into the lovers night

Out in the land of never ending
The rich parade the roar of life
We shared a world forever changing
Through dancing days and wondrous nights
I offered up the secret places
Reveal the magic of the land
All bound by blood and lipstick traces
Till time conspired to steal our crown

And if there's one more time I can dance with you
Let me dance with you tonight
Maybe the last chance our hearts
Will dance into the lovers night

And if there's one more time I can dance with you
Let me dance with you tonight
Maybe the last chance our hearts
Will dance into the lovers night

Come on and dance another mile
Come on and wear your late, late smile
The flame still burning bright
Across the days. Across the years

If there's one more, only one more
Only one more night
Come, come, come on and dance with
Me baby make me feel alright

If there's one more, only one more
Only one more night
Come, come, come on and dance with
Me baby make me feel alright

SONG # 05: Carving Up the World Again...a wall and not a fence: (Plant, Adams, Baggott, Fuller, Smith)

“Carving up the World Again…a Wall not a Fence” is Political poetry sung by the master. Robert Plant reaches down into the depths of political hubris and pulls out the truth in a heart beating rhythm that paints a picture of what drives our world. Two thumbs up from this humanitarian activist. 😉


Lyrics: Carving Up the World Again...a wall and not a fence

The Russians, the Americans, the British and the French
They're carving up the world again, it's getting kind of tense
A whole lotta posture and very little sense
It's no surprise they hide behind a wall and not a fence

The Irish and the English and the Scottish and the Welsh
A damp and misty history they keep it to themselves
All lost in dark antiquity and smouldering descent
Invisible divisions "behind a wall and not a fence"

Trouble at the border. In the eleventh hour
Ditch and wire and palisade in the line of fire
Call up the cavalry and double up the guard
Preparing for catastrophe inside the house of cards

In China they got worried they built themselves a wall
They built it big and long and tall. To keep away the hoard
A hundred years of blood and toil. A million lives expend
The steely grip of dynasty "behind a wall and not a fence"

Trouble at the border. In the eleventh hour
Ditch and wire and palisade in the line of fire
Call up the cavalry and double up the guard
Preparing for catastrophe inside the house of cards

Trouble at the border. In the eleventh hour
Ditch and wire and palisade in the line of fire
Call up the cavalry and double up the guard
Preparing for catastrophe inside the house of cards

Emperors and Sultans, Kings and Presidents
Dictators and ambassadors engaged in our defence
A lifetime of great service, of selfless good intent
Guaranteed immunity "behind a wall and not a fence"

Trouble at the border. In the eleventh hour
Ditch and wire and palisade in the line of fire
Call up the cavalry and double up the guard
Preparing for catastrophe inside the house of cards

Trouble at the border. In the eleventh hour
Ditch and wire and palisade in the line of fire
Call up the cavalry and double up the guard
Preparing for catastrophe inside the house of cards

SONG # 06: A Way With Words:
(Plant, Adams, Baggott)

Robert Plant delivers a Hauntingly Beautiful blues number of return, in his “A Way of Words”…it’s hard not to recognize the talented voice that graced the passionate Led Zeppelin songs from earlier days. A very well received song that holds reflection, forgiveness and understanding.


Lyrics: A Way With Words

Leave me here alone
For just as long as it takes
The seasons turn
Waiting for the weather to break
Blowing up a storm now
Many times I fell from grace
The seasons turn
Once again our world will change

Reaching out to find you
I put it all behind you
I'm back again, I know
Across the miles I find you
I put it all behind you
I'm back again, I know

Coming from the cold
Reaching for your sweet embrace
The seasons turn
Hit beyond your world I wait
Is your heart still warm?
A little flame, a special place
The seasons turn
And once again our world will change

Reaching out to find you
Put it all behind you
I'm back again, I know
Crossing miles to find you
Put it all behind you
I'm back again, I know

All we built but falling down
Holding you and hit the ground
I know
Blaming tears, the lonesome sound
Hopes and tears will burn the ground
I know

Reaching out to find you
I put it all behind you
I'm back again, I know
Across the miles I find you
I put it all behind you
I'm back again, back again
I've...

I'm reaching out to find you
I put it all behind you
'Cause I'm back, I'm back, I'm back, I'm back, I'm back

Reaching out to find you
I put it all behind you
I'm back again, I know
Back again, I know

(Mmmm, Mmmm, mmmm)
(Mmmm, Mmmm, mmmm)

Song # 07: Carry Fire:
(Plant, Adams, Baggott, Fuller, Smith, Tyson)

The vocals and music of the title track “Carry Fire” are simply brilliant! Robert Plant’s voice breaths life and passion into the song which carries an infectious Middle Eastern dream-like mystique. The song is very hypnotic that effortlessly gathers the imagination and consciousness into a Trance. “Carry Fire” does just that, like a voice calling from across the distance of time to launch a million poets. The vocals and music are simply brilliant!


Lyrics: Carry Fire

I sit and wait for you
Like so many others do
Just like they do for me
Well so I do for you

I'd carry fire for you
Here in my naked hands
I'd bare my heart to you
If you will understand

I was a stranger there
Inside your promised land
That turned me inside out
And turned me upside down

I'd carry fire for you
Here in my naked hands
I'd bare my heart to you
If you will understand

Just like
Just like
Just like I scarred you
Just like
Just like
Just like I scarred you

I'm reaching out for you
Across the broken gate
I feel the gathering years
Beyond these lonely wastes

I'd carry fire for you
Here in my naked hands
I'd bare my heart to you
If you will understand

Just like
Just like
Just like I scarred you
Just like
Just like
Just like I scarred you


SONG #08: Bones of Saints:
(Plant, Adams, Fuller, Smith, Tyson)

Outspoken, poetic and not afraid to say how things are in the World, Robert Plant expresses the madness that has gripped the world, as it always has, on the “Bones of Saints”. I love the play on words here. There is so much depth and truth in the lyrics as so much is said in very few words. A solid rock tune through and through. Both thumbs up again. 😉


Lyrics: Bones of Saints

They're loading up the ships
They're loading up the planes
There's madness in the sky
Above the bones of saints

So much of me is broken
The servants of a lie
Now everything is burning
There's a fire up in the sky

And I said, no no no no no no no no no

We're up against the bench
While all the walls fall down
I hear the children scream
But then the fear abound

And that's the leading question
Where all the money comes
I'll say who makes the bullets
If you tell me who sells the guns

And I said, no no no no no no no no no
No no no no no no no no no

In the Garden of Eden
And the wheels go round and round
The sight of an angel
When the best fair deals come down

In the Garden of Eden
And the wheels go round and round
The sight of an angel
When the best fair deals come down

No no no no no no no no no
No no no no no no no no no

No...
No...
No...
No...

SONG # 09: Keep It Hid:
(Plant, Adams, Baggott)

“Keep it Hid” is an infectious funky electro Blues number driven by Robert Plants iconic voice, a percussion backdrop and buffet of tasty music pieces delivered in a nicely crafted package.  


Lyrics: Keep It Hid

What you gonna do when it's cold outside?
And who'll keep you warm when the sun won't shine?
And who you gonna call when the day is done?
And who you gonna rock when your man has gone?

Now baby take the wine from the loving cup
Mamma, take your time, don't you spill a drop
Fine little mamma, let me be your kid
Keep it to yourself, baby keep it hid
To yourself, baby keep it hid
Keep it to yourself, baby keep it hid
To yourself, baby keep it hid

Baby takes her time, likes to walk by the sea
She's got some trouble in mind, life in a minor key
At the end of the world when the sun comes up
There's a silver key and a golden cup
Silver key and a golden cup
Silver key and a golden cup
Silver key and a golden cup

Silver key and a golden cup
Silver key and a golden cup

SONG # 10: Bluebirds Over the Mountain:
(Ernest Hickey)

“Bluebirds Over the Mountain” is a remake of Rockabilly singer Ersel Hickey’s song featuring a feast of music delicacies to make your soul dance including the amazing Cello work of Redi Hasa, the drums of Richard Ashton and the vocals of Chrissie Hynde, and Seth Lakeman.


Lyrics: Bluebirds Over the Mountain

"Bluebirds Over The Mountain"

Bluebirds over the mountain, seagulls over the sea
Bluebirds over the mountain, bring my baby back to me

Boy and girl they fell in love, each was like the hands above
He looked in the eyes of blue, she vowed to him that she'd be true

Bluebirds over the mountain, seagulls over the sea
Bluebirds over the mountain, bring my baby back to me

(Well, well, well, well)

I miss you, oh, can't you see? You're the only one for me
Since you've gone, I'm all alone, c'mon, baby, come back home

Bluebirds over the mountain, seagulls over the sea
Bluebirds over the mountain, come on and bring my baby back to me
Bring my baby back to me
Bring my baby...

Bring her back to me
Bring her back to me
Bring her back to me

SONG # 11: Heaven Sent:
(Plant, Adams, Baggott, Fuller, Smith, Tyson)

“Heaven Sent” casts a mysterious ambience, held by the vision of an angel at the gates who’s lost his immortality. A very good experimental composition that borders on Progressive rock with a hint of psychedelia to enhance the mystique and ambience of the song. “Heaven sent” is another poetic reflection for all of us to ponder and was well chosen to close out a very poetic and reflective album that surely does “Carry Fire.” 

Carry Fire receives a 5 on 5, Full marks from the Minstral Show


Lyrics: Heaven Sent

There's an angel at the gate singing
A stolen kiss, a fall from grace, singing out
He's heaven sent, he feeds the flame of everlasting love

His empire falls, his spell will break
Once cast aside, his song awakes
He's heaven sent, he rides the waves of freedom's golden flood

Now shadows fall, the hour is late
Still hear your song, but time won't wait
Once heaven sent above the world
The eagle and the dove

All that's worth the doing
Is seldom easy done
All that's worth the winning
Is never easy won
All the long goodbyes
All the goodbye songs
All the love for giving
Never really gone

All that's worth the doing
Is seldom easy done
All that's worth the winning
Is never easy won
All the long goodbyes
All the goodbye songs
Spend the time forgiving
Never really done
Never really done

Carry Fire - Full Album:


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1 comment:

  1. Oh I love it! The voice is beautiful, the sounds exquisite, the words with their meanings, fascinating. What a masterpiece of a composition. I love it!

    ReplyDelete