I have always been a sucker for a cool cover and Robert Plants ’85 release “Shaken n Stirred” is one of those.
After skipping ’83s “Principle of Moments” outright that year come ’85 I actually bought “Shaken n Stirred” on cassette tape as I figured it would be a great wake up tape for the trusty Walkman when I was peddling to work at 6am everyday on my bike!
Once CDs became the rage I never sought this one out. It wasn’t of course until recently that as you know I ramped up my Rob collection of his solo stuff and decided to do a long overdue deep dive into the mans solo career.
Listening to Shaken n Stirred thirty six years later two things stand out to me.
1- Plant was trying to stay current with that overproduced rock sound of the day that was dominating the rock charts. He was not concerned whatsoever about maintaining any Zep influence on these albums by this point.
2- As a listener I can hear the direction on this albums sound with all the synth like action, crystal clear guitar and drums that he was headed into when he released ’88s brilliant (and I think Plant’s best) “Now And Zen” record.
I had caught the video of “Little By Little” on MuchMusic and being that I dug Roberts vocals (let’s face it, the man could sing the pages out of a history book and make it sound cool) I thought at the time I should take the plunge on tape which was cheaper than the vinyl. Cost cutting measures I was on back then.
I didn’t mind this album at the time and I like it more now as I can hear where Robert was headed as the ’80s rolled on.
Sure this album is laced with synth driven tunes. The guitars of Robbie Blunt shine throughout as his picking reminds me of Andy Summers of The Police at times.
Plant and band were always experimenting and this album continues that path. “Kallalou Kallalou” is one of those tracks as the synth and drums carry the track same as “Pink And Black”.
It’s so easy to judge in 2021 and for that matter even back in ’85 but Robert was on a mission and really at the end of the day he really didn’t give a shit what ya thought.
I’m sure the line of thinking was ‘You’re either with me or not” to keep changing with the times.
Now if you think the whole rock thing was ditched it was not. “Trouble Your Money” and “Pink and Black” are the rock tracks here but don’t think for a minute Zep like rock songs. Different vibe totally.
Some changes not many were made by solo album three. Phil Collins was busy at this time, so all the drums were done by Richie Hayward and Tim Palmer was brought into the production end of things as well.
Also of note this album has nine tracks not eight like the previous two and this would also be the final appearance of this band as Robert by the time 1988 rolled around had a whole new band in place.
Good stuff Sir Deke! I remember Little By Little, but never had this album. I always liked the fact that Robert didn’t rest on his Zep background and paved his own path. He has constantly changed with ever release and I respect that even if I didn’t like it all.
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True that John. Plant was always going down different avenues musically and those first four albums of his prove that point.
I appreciate these first three albums more in 2021 than when they originally came out. A lot of different textures.
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all of his album covers from the era scream 1980s. lol. another good one deke
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True that Andrew but this one seems to have stood the test of time.
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Little By Little is great…Again Blunt is really the co-star on these 80s albums with Plant.
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Plant has always worked with some stellar guitar players thats for sure!
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Yea his previous one was at least average…lol
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Hahaha!
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Yeah I didn’t like this one. It was too much New Wave and Pop for me. Like in the same style that Phil Collins and Sting were going in.
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Fair enough but when I listen to it now you can hear how he was headed towards that Now and Zen vibe.
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Cool revisits and like how the music is still grabbing you with renewed interest. I see by Max’s comment that Blunt is making some noise that folks dig.
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Blunt is fantastic with Plant. I wonder what went down between them.
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Yeah. Plant seems like a pretty down to earth guy guy. I think Ill go on a Blunt hunt also.
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A Blunt Hunt? Is that the name of the weed shop down in your neck of the woods? lol
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That works. There’s one by me with a big giant inflatable bong. Sets the cravings off every time I drive by.
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HAHAHA.. pick up a bag of Doritos before u head home as well Sir!
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Laughing!
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Score! I’m really loving this Plant series. Good to have ’em in the collection.
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Thanks. It was really one stop shopping. I got lucky lol
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You got a major SCORE, you mean!
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Enjoying the Plant write ups. Good work brother!
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Thanks T. I enjoyed getting these on vinyl at a decent price. Frigg I miss the ’80s
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