Customer Reviews

No Quarter: Jimmy Page & Robert Plant Unledded [Vinyl]

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The 1994 release of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant's "No Quarter" or "Unledded" was part of the MTV unplugged series. It is not a Led Zeppelin reunion, but there are plenty of guest musicians who shine, including Najma Akhtar on vocals and the Egyptian Ensemble, Musicians in Marrakech and the London Metropolitan Orchestra.
Rather than trot out the hits, Page and Plant chose lesser known and acoustic-based tunes, especially from LZIII, and did some significant reworking of songs like "Nodbody's Fault But Mine" and "Kashmir." The result is multi-textured and organic, with an outside feeling.
"Nobody's Fault But Mine" has a country flair, and although Plant's voice sounds strained, he makes up for it with effort.
"Thank You" is a love pledge ballad, and Plant's vocal in a lower register sounds better here.
"No Quarter" is really missing John Paul Jones. Page's guitar playing gets a bit creaky, but overall this song is effectively haunting.

"Friends" brings in some of the traditional North African instrumentation, along with acoustic guitar, and with this number the musicians start to sound more comfortable and relaxed.
"Yallah" is one of three new songs here, with soaring vocals by Plant, strong percussion and an exotic feel sounds like one staring into the desert at sunset.
"City Don't Cry" features more North African instrumentation, a one chord rhythm with strong percussion, and strong vocals from Plant and the backing singers.
"Since I've Been Loving You" seems kind of out of place as the only blues number on the disk, but Page's soloing is crisp and Plant shows some howl. Strings on the blues?
"The Battle of Evermore" is one of the standout tracks, with the instrumental backing, mandolins and outstanding female duet with Plant.
"Wonderful One" is ballad where Plant and Page weave their magic of vocals and guitars.
"That's the Way" is one of my all time favorite songs, and this version does not disappoint. Guitars and banjos and some of the most heartfelt lyrics Page and Plant ever wrote.
"Gallows Pole" is a great acoustic number from LZIII that gets a nice treatment here, especially when it picks up tempo and the other instruments join in.
"Four Sticks" also stands out in this set. It's one of the more obscure tunes from LZIV, but the rapidly strummed guitars, strings and especially the percussion make this an outstanding performance.
"Kashmir" fits the organic, exotic theme of this set perfectly, and while Bonham's physical presence is missed, he's there in spirit. The orchestra playing is excellent, and there are some nice surprises.

This album is amazing. When I first bought it I didnt expect much, just the same old songs Ive heard befor, but when I listened I was surprised. When I first got the album the first thing I did was look through the booklet. I could see by all the different weird and exotic istruments that this album was going to be great. The first song I listened to was 'Since Ive Been Loving You'. Straight away I could see 'Jimmy can still play'. This song is one of the greatest songs Led Zeppelin ever did but its still not one of the highlights on this album for me. From the oldies the songs which really grabed my attention were: 'The Battle of Evermore'. Its still a great song and the new percussion added to it sounds great and the extra vocals sang by the tradditional Indian singer (or something) are really beautiful; 'Four Sticks'. This new version sounds great played acousticly with bongos or something similar and the beautiful sound of the African vocal group singing harmony; 'Kashmir'. This version just blows my mind. The weird Indian instruments sound amazing, I have no idea how they create that sound. Its an extended and powerful arrangement with loads of different changes not on the original arrangement. The new songs are great. they managed to create a beautiful mystical sound to them. My particular favorate is 'Yallah'. My final verdict is: Page and Plant have created a beautiful and culturally diverse album. Any serious musician should have a copy because of the wide range of instruments and different cultural musical and vocal sounds. This album ranks among my favorate Led Zeppelin albums, and I have heard them all.

This is a wonderful live set that combines blues and Middle East sounds. I really enjoyed the traditional arrangement of "Nobody's Fault But Mine", stellar picking by Page. I have to admit that "No Quarter" was different, I really didn't care for it too much; it lacks Jones' personal touch. Three "new songs" complement this set: "Yallah", "Wonderful One" and "City Don't Cry". Page adds his signature style to these songs which sorta preview the "Clarksdale" project.

In my personal opinion "Since I've Been Loving You", "Gallows Pole", and "That's The Way" are the best tracks. Page/Plant really shine on this track; both are playing their guts out! My personal favorite is "Battle Of Evermore", I think it instead of "Kashmir" should have been nominated for a Grammy - but who am I?

I liked the arrangement of "Kashmir" until the "Black Dog" reprise at the end - sorta seems out of place. A good arrangement overall.

This set is a redemption of sorts for "The Song Remains The Same", the intensity through out the whole set is constant. A good addition to your collection. I would give it 6 stars if Jones (John Paul that is) had appeared on it.

This CD is awesome. It totally blew me away. Robert Plant can still sing amazingly and Jimmy Page is plays the guitar so well, possibly the best... If you like Led Zeppelin, then get this CD. "Battle of Evermore" was fantastic with the duet and instruments, "Four Sticks" was also an instant classic. But of course, you cannot forget "Kashmir" possibly the best song by Led Zeppelin ever, one of the top ten best songs for sure. BUY THIS CD! You will not be disappointed!!!!!!!

I remember the first time I watched the Unledded Special...Absolutely stunning. I bought the tape as soon as it was in stores and I am trying to get a hold of a bootleg copy of the more complete European release.

Folks, this is NOT a Led Zeppelin reunion. Anybody who is expecting that will be disappointed by the songs in this collection. John Bonham is long gone and nobody could ever bring that visceral energy he brought to every Zep track ever recorded or played. Also, Page and Plant have mellowed out and their chops are more like lambchops these days. Plant's voice is hoarser, Page misses more notes...

But when that mandolin starts up "Battle of Evermore" I dare you not to reach for a hankie. What more, they've actually improved on it. You'll have to hear it to believe it.

Some of their "straight" interpretations of their older material ("Nobody's Fault but Mine") fall flat, but listen to what they've done to "Kashmir", it sounds absolutely wonderful.

The original song "Wonderful One" is a great ballad that will have you reaching for the...oh hell, I already said that.

Try and get a hold of the European release with that Moroccan song on it. It is one of those songs you just need to hear to believe.

This album is a wonderous journey into a land of eastern mysticism mixed with the usual Led Zeppelin celtic middle ages influences. This album is truly remarkable. It has an overall effect that is stunning. It is a live album of Zep classics with several new tracks added. Battle of Evermore is one of the most amazing pieces of music I have ever heard. It is head and shoulders above the studio cut and that one is considered a classic!! Jimmy Page's playing is the most expressive he has ever recorded. Even though the songs are all slightly changed with a slant towards the east, the album retains the Zep sound. Too bad this isn't out on DVD.

This is an excelent cd i would recomend to anyone who likes zepplin, folk, blues or world music. The reworkings of zepplin tunes are fresh and demonstrate how a great tune can be reinterpeted. Of the now tunes Wonderfull one stands out as a touching ballad

When I first bought this, I must admit that I wasn't expecting much. I doubted Plant could still do anything, and Page probably hadn't practiced since his gig with Coverdale. Oops... This cd kicks off with a terrific version of "Nobody's Fault But Mine", and the tracks only get better. While "Yallah" and "City Don't Cry" aren't really up to par with the rest of the tracks, they'll work. While you may have to adjust to Plant's voice (as always), I would still strongly recommend this cd to any hardcore Led Zeppelin fans. Newcomers would be advised to stay away, and purchase "Led Zeppelin" or "Led Zeppelin IV" first.

I heard the live version of Kashmir from this album on Pandora and first checked for it on iTunes via the buy link, but they didn't have this version, just the normal one that I already had. Amazon didn't have it for download either, but this album was available for an incredibly low price. It game brand new still in the wrapping and sounds great. Great music just for chilling to, the Egyptian ensemble and London Symphony Orchestras add a refreshing new sound to the classic songs. Page and Plant are great as usual.

robert plant and jimmy page unledded no quarter cd with a great backing band featuring african instruments and a eastern favour to many led zeppelin classics this album is needed in any zeppelin fans collection just for the version of kashmir classic

robert's voice may sound a bit croaky he still rocks and page hasn't lost his talent both playing with their full alblities

i love this cd a new light to led zeppelin songs and you thought robert plant and jimmy page would never play together again

well they did and it was superb