The Wake

March 3rd – Zep fans will rejoice and the spirits of Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham, and John Paul Jones will rock in full glory as the Minnesota Orchestra performs the music of Led Zeppelin at the Target Center. Whether or not the entire orchestra has been sentenced to an eternity in hell for playing devil’s music is yet to be determined. But we do know that this is not the first time that orchestra members are letting their hair loose, so to speak. The one-night-only, March 3rd show is actually an encore in response to enthusiastic feedback from the public during last year’s performances of a similar nature. According to publicist Gwen Pappas, the Zeppelin shows are a part of “a very successful series of pops concerts that feature orchestra arrangements from pop songs, frequently paired with pop artists.” Previous pops concerts have included music from groups such as Swedish quartet ABBA. Although pop, rock and classical may not strike us as compatible, Pappas assures that “the beauty of a symphony orchestra is that it can play a very wide range of music.”

In addition to a full orchestra, the concert will feature a rock band and lead singer by the name of Randy Jackson. The project is the brainchild of musician and conductor Brent Havens who wanted the orchestra supporting the band “to give the music a richness, a whole different feel, a whole different sense of power.” Indeed the assertion and power of Led Zeppelin’s songs are amplified by the orchestra in a way that would make Jimmy Page proud. Although the richness of the music is captured by the Minnesota Orchestra’s rendition, lead vocals by Randy Jackson sound somewhat different from Robert Plant’s original rendition. Jackson’s voice lacks some of the depth of Plant’s, but its lighter and eerier quality lends itself well to the heavier orchestral rendition. Although the Minnesota Orchestra’s renditions of Zeppelin songs may not be quite identical to the original recordings, homage is still paid to the original pilgrims of hard rock; the full orchestra and Jackson’s voice adds a twist to the original versions while still preserving the epic Zeppelin sense throughout.

Soloist Randy Jackson, (no relation to American Idol) is quite the legend himself. Frontman of ’80s rock band Zebra, Jackson is still going strong, having released his latest record with Zebra in 2003. In fact, Internet discussion boards are dedicated to comparing the guitar skill of Jackson and Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page. However, Pappas explains that in this particular performance Jackson’s aim is to capture, as much as is possible, the essence of Led Zeppelin.

Many recognize the sharp violins and syncopated drums of Zeppelin’s timeless songs “Kashmir.” However, as the violins multiply into dozens and the drums resonate through the crowd at the Target Center this March, we may remember again, or perhaps understand for the first time that the song is more than just a classic. As Jackson’s voice floats over the rhythm, it carries a personal message, one that has inspired individuals for generations: “Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream; I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been.” This March, these words will be for us, and the voice of Robert Plant will resound as strongly as ever.