The Honeydrippers (Robert Plant): The Honeydrippers Vol. 1 - 1984

This was a surprise experiment between Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Nile Rodgers - a brief, five track EP of bluesy-early rock 'n' roll done to present Atlantic Records' President Ahmet Ertegun with recordings of some of his favourite late fifties songs. 

Apparently, Plant was appalled that the crooning Sea Of Love became a hit, instead of the upbeat Rockin' At Midnight, thinking it would ruin his solo career. He needn't have worried, people just enjoyed it for what it was. The EP is only a short blast, but it is a pleasure from the first note to the last. 

I Get A Thrill is a lively, infectious piece of jazzy, shuffling rockabilly. Very sort of Stray Cats-ish in its big rubbery bass line. Robert Plant does his best late fifties Elvis and there is a killer guitar solo in the middle too. I have to say I really like this. The classic ballad Sea Of Love is orchestrated with sweeping strings and backing vocals Plant's vocal is surprisingly good and, of course there is also some great guitar. 

Ray Charles' I Got A Woman is a delight as well, with another addictive rhythm and some strong horns and saxophone driving it along. It rocks from beginning to end, superbly. Young Boy Blues is packed full of fifties romantic strings. Plant sounds vaguely like Freddie Mercury in places. 

Rockin' At Midnight is excellent, the sort of thing you wouldn't be surprised to hear Plant doing on the Jools Holland Show. It is powered by pumping horns and stand up, deep bass. Great stuff. The live version, from Birmingham NEC in 1985, of the same track included as a bonus is as good as you would expect it to be. As I said at the beginning, this short collection is just very enjoyable - loose, fun and immaculately executed. 

 

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