Robert Plant | Now & Zen | CD

Personnel: Robert Plant (vocals); Phil Johnstone (vocals, keyboards); Doug Boyle (guitar); Phil Scragg (bass); Chris Blackwell (drums).
Producers: Robert Plant, Tim Palmer, Phil Johnstone.
Personnel: Robert Plant (vocals); Phil Scragg (bass guitar); Dristy MacColl, Kirsty MacColl (background vocals); Doug Boyle, Jimmy Page (guitar); Phil Johnstone (keyboards); Chris Blackwell (drums, percussion); Marie Pierre, Toni Halliday (background vocals).
Recording information: Marcus Studios, London, England; Swanyard Studios, London, England.
With his fourth solo release, 1988's NOW & ZEN, Robert Plant finally began to let the influence of his former band Led Zeppelin seep into his current songwriting. While his first three solo albums had a more modern production and were keyboard or synth-based, NOW & ZEN signaled Plant's return to a more direct sound.
It's dominated by guitar (comparable at times to U2)--no doubt due to the fact that a whole new line-up is backing him. Highlights include the uptempo hit "Tall Cool One" (which features a cameo by his old buddy Jimmy Page, as well as several samples from past Zep classics), the majestic rock of "Heaven Knows," and the grand ballad "Ship of Fools."

• Format: CD
• Genre: Rock and Pop
• Released: 01/01/1988
• Released: 1/1/1988