Customer Reviews

Volume One

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I think Smokey Robinson first sang that line in "Second That Emotion." That's true here, because after you listen to this one you'll want more than five songs, and you'll want Volume II. Whether you're a Led Zep fanatic intrigued by another Plant/Page pet project, or a nostalgic type attracted to the crooning vocals and big band sound, this is a keeper. I'm the former, and I have to say Robert Plant's vocals are transcending. Yes, it's the guy who sang "Whole Lotta Love" leading the Spectoresque wall of duop sound in the first track here, "I Get a Thrill." The Phil Phillips classic, "Sea of Love," is covered nicely, minus the bouncy strumming: It sounds like Page & Co. took an iron to the Phillips track and the resulting radio hit is smoother than, well, dripping honey. "Rockin' at Midnight" is unleashed big band fun, and "I Got A Woman" does fine justice to the Ray Charles effort. And on "Young Boy Blues," Robert's voice is ethereal, matching his "Sea" try and reminiscent of earlier croons with and without Led Zeppelin, like "I'm Gonna Crawl" and "Big Log." Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and company show that great rock musicians are great musicians, period. The string sections, big band sound, beautiful arrangements, and gorgeous guitar solos underscore the tremendous talent that recreated this music. It's true that Volume I was intended to be released without the artists' identities, but fat chance with such a fine ensemble. The CD is lush, well produced, and easy to listen to. My only gripe here is that I wanted more, and indeed Volume II was never to be. Still, I must recommend it -- if you don't like it, I assure you that someone else you know will.

Honeydrippers vol. 1 might also be known as "Robert Plant in a Swinging Mood"...

In the middle of 2nd and 3rd solo efforts that saw him trying to define his solo career, Robert Plant returned to his roots, with this sojourn or detour into the rock and roll that started his career.

That's the point of the Honeydrippers. Most people don't get it - why did Plant do a Wayne Newton? one asks. He didn't - he was merely paying tribute to the music that turned him on.

But the Honeydrippers is too short. This was an EP - not a LP - and it is somewhat too short of an experience. I can't believe that Plant didn't record more tracks. He sounds quite relaxed, happy and bright - instead of trying to force himself in a zep mode.

For the follow up to this - buy Brian Setzer's big band albums - which continue the trend...

I'll never forget the first time I heard "Sea of Love" from this album. Completely blown away! I always wished Plant would do a second cover album like this. Getting it recently, on CD, was almost as good as discovering it the first time. Robert Plant has made many good and great records but this one is tops.

I had noticed that the previous reviews all focused on Plant as the inspiration for this album when in fact he collaborated on this project with Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck.

The album was suppose to be released "in cognito", but it was hard to miss Plant's unmistakable voice. So he got the attention for it and even made a couple of music videos.

With that said and done this is a very fun album to listen to and Robert Plant's singing is great. The remake of Sea of Love blew me away when I first heard it. Only complaint really is at eighteen minutes in length it is to short.

Any Led Zeppelin fanatic like myself knows that, for all the bands heaviness, Zep never strayed far from the folk and ol' rhythmn & blues that originally inspired them. Here is some evidence of that in the form of five covers recorded by The Honeydrippers. Five years after the death of John Bonham, Page and Plant reunited for half an albums worth of big-band with a swing-twist sounding material. Some of the other prominent musicians here include Brian Setzer, Jeff Beck, and Nile Rogers. So how did they do?

"Sea Of Love" on here - wow, THIS is the way that song was supposed to be (no disrespect to Phil Phillips intended). A full orchestra with Plant's vocals and a perfectly accompanying guitar solo in the middle. This is one of the best ballads ever recorded by anyone. Plant's vocals are not at all restricted to the Led Zeppelin rockers we all know - he can croon with the best of 'em. No greater evidence than this song.

"Rockin' At Midnight" was the other single here to go top ten. The original artist was the late Roy Brown. If we listen to stuff from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Brian Setzer Orchestra - I really believe "Rockin' At Midnight" could have been a primary source of inspiration for some of those retro-swingers out there. This song has the horns, the piano, and another guitar solo reminiscent of the beginning of rock and roll (1950's). That is a real swinger with an upbeat tempo - FABULOUS song and great tribute to Roy Brown.

Does anyone remember the videos to these two songs? I'd love to get my hands on them if possible!

"Young Boy Blues" is another slowed down song with a full orchestra A perfect accompaniment for the lyrics of a guy downtrodden by love. Almost as good as "Sea Of Love".

The other two song are good too - Ray Charles revisited on "I Got A Woman" and an almost rock-a-billy "I Get A Thrill" reminiscent of 1950's Elvis with different vocals.

This 5-song release is a winner. Oh, why did the Honeydrippers stall after only five tunes? I would have LOVED to hear what they could have come up with next. But I think The Brian Setzer Orchestra can give us an idea of where The Honeydrippers could have gone, so check out their stuff too as it is EXCELLENT. Brian Setzer really has had a fine string of musical releases similar to the Honeydrippers with his big band orchestra backing him up. Be sure to give them a listen too - they are arguable the best of the neo-swing bands around.

I remember this album from its debut. I didn't get it. I was way beyond the whole rockabilly sound. Swing didn't swing. But since it was a Zep side project I thought I would check it out. Nope, I didn't get it. So what changed? Not the Honeydrippers...

Anyone who doesn't get this album -- or, more specifically, it's place in Zep history -- needs to check out the Whole Lotta Love medley on "How the West was Won." This live version segues through several blues standards and sounds, at times, like a mini-concert of the Honeydrippers. It doesn't have the whole Big Band thing going on, but it's definitely got the rockabilly/blues/swing thing working. That entire CD (HTWWW) made me appreciate the breadth and depth of Plant's and Page's (and Bonham's) abilities more than ever.

Now I appreciate the Honeydrippers. I think I "get" what this was all about. It's an homage to their roots. It's another side to their musicianship. It's a Whole Lotta Fun.

Led Zeppelin's breadth and depth of virtuosity arguably is without peer in the rock & roll world. The number of stylistic variations present in their albums (successfully present in their albums I might add) truly is a joy to behold & arguably hasn't been seen again. The Honeydrippers shows off yet *another* side of Robert Plant's considerable talents. Don't be dismayed by an album with but 5 songs - the album is priceless imho.

The Honeydrippers consisted of two members of the collapsed band called Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. After Page and Plant added some new faces they had a new band, The Honeydrippers. Their new band does some great covers some of their songs. Unfortunately, this CD is rather short--and that disappoints me. What we do get, though, is excellent quality!

The track set begins with "I Get A Thrill." The band gives the arrangement a big band/swing/50s rock and roll flavor to this number; and the band harmonizes to perfection! Listen for some great piano playing; and the drums and percussion bolster "I Get A Thrill" very well. Love that electric guitar, too! "Sea Of Love" opens with a grand musical flourish from the violins; and when the band comes in they play and sing without a superfluous note! "Sea Of Love" gives us The Honeydrippers delivering one of their strongest, most enchanting love ballads ever. They harmonize well as they sing this nostalgic song to celebrate the joys of being in love. The musical interlude uses the electric guitar very well, too.

"I Got A Woman" is a song written by the late great Ray Charles; The Honeydrippers pick up the tempo to perform this song at a faster than normal clip. The tempo helps to emphasize the joyfulness of this number that has a man celebrating his love for his woman. The band delivers this flawlessly; and the horn solo during the musical interlude impresses me very much. "Young Boy Blues" uses some great chord changes to make this number special, too.

The CD ends with the awesome track entitled "Rockin' At Midnight." If you really want to hear rock mixed with both big band and swing, listen for THIS ballad. The band celebrates being out on the town with their girlfriends; and the musical arrangement pulls out all the stops to make this number stun you with its power! The guitar solo bolsters the number as the horns play during the musical interlude; and the overall effect of "Rockin' At Midnight" packs a strong punch!

The liner notes include some great artwork and we get the song credits, too.

The Honeydrippers never developed to the extent I hoped they would; but this CD gives us excellent material from a band that lacked nothing. I only wish there were more than the paltry five songs on this CD! I have to take off a star because of this disappointment.

Overall, you can't go wrong with this playful, energetic CD put out by The Honeydrippers. Led Zeppelin fans will at the very least be intrigued by this CD; and people who thirst for that big band sound with those crooning vocals will love this one. Pop it in your CD player and enjoy!

Great job, guys! Thank you!

Robert Plant is a god. Whether in my cups or talking to my Percy-suspicious wife, he is a deity. Here is a man who can turn his lion's roar to 'Sea of Love' and make it onto any self-repsecting lovers list of essential listening.
There is also lots of styles of him to love and if you prefer his rock and roll tinged thang, this is the CD for you. Yes, it's a little 80's(pretending to be 50's)produced sounding and, yes, it doesn't fill in any gaps in your record collection between 'In through the out door' and his present opus 'Mighty Rearranger.' But it is a worthwhile purchase for anyone interested in the man's original passions before the blue-note got him baaad.
It's a lot of fun.

i bought the s cd with no expectations in any way shape or form. it was recomended to me by amazon.com and i looked at the price, decided it was cheep and i could affordit and orderd it the same day. i must admit i'm not a big led zeppilin fan, nor have i herd and of robert plants solo work. i did love this album, it's fathful to the originals. my only comeplaint is that this album is much to short and that the Honeydrippers only made one album. if i may i would like to recomend Brian Setzer's Guitar Slinger album.