Ranking the Studio Albums: Robert Plant solo (w/Martin Popoff) 

Robert Plant isn’t just a ‘singer’, he’s a vocalist - his voice is like an instrument and he’s not afraid to take musical risks ... the first two albums are the best ones for me too :)

I know we’re talking album’s but “Ship of Fool’s” what a performance!

Some of Plant's solo albums are rockin'. The others are Moroccan.

I do admire Plant sailing out in different musical directions. I didn't like all of his choices, but he did his own thing. He didn't get stuck in the Zaeppelin mold and just do watered down Zeppelin tunes. He is a rock pioneer and has my utmost respect.

I`m one Zeppelin fan who loves most of what Plant has done with his solo work.

I'm in the big fan of Shaken N Stirred album group. Little By Little is just amazing. Everything from Pictures to Manic are must haves for me. I applaud his output and still having a good voice after all these years.

Robbie Blunt was in a great band called Silverhead with Michael Des Barres. Did 2 albums in the early 70's. Sixteen and Savaged was a great album. Dirty sleazy Rock n Roll!

His work with Allison Krauss is Fantastic " Americana"...

I came to Robert Plant’s solo catalog later in life. I love the back half of catalog. I saw him live in the fall of 2019 and he was great.

Those first two LPs saved my life in middle school. Slow Dancer, Wreckless Love... Robbie Blunt was incredible.

“In the Mood” is sublime.

“Now and Zen” is a great album.

1 Pictures At Eleven 2 Principle Of Moments 3 Manic Nirvana 4 Now & Zen 5 Fate Of Nations

The videos for "Tall Cool One" and "Heaven Knows" are what really pushed Now & Zen.

Pictures at Eleven - I was really impressed when it came out, especially with that sparkling clean guitar sound. And it still stands up.

I met Plant once, he's a lovely guy.

I love everything that Robert Plant has come out with post Zep!

Is used to be salty for Robert never doing a true Zeppelin reunion, but have now come to appreciate his stance. He’s put out some great solo stuff. He’s adamant about not reliving the past or trying to recreate the same stuff from 50 years ago. While a Zeppelin reunion would be fantastic to watch just think of all the bands who’ve continued on far too long essentially becoming a greatest hits reunion tour over and over again.

I agree with Martin, Principle Of Moments is my fave of the Plant Catalogue. It was so fresh in 1983 and sort of defined that summer in my mind. I got to see Robert at MSG that tour.

There’s a song by Robert Plant that’s not on any of his albums but is (as far as I know) only on an EP that was released around the time pictures at eleven was released. The song is called “Far Post” and if you haven’t heard it you need to look this one up. It is by far my favorite Plant solo song!

I love when you put out videos on my favourite bands like Overkill or the one about thrash metal... but I really adore the ones where you touch on bands I either didn't pay enough attention, or artist I just don't have the background to have fully appreciated on my own. You've given me so much ground to cover while backtracking on what I have missed. This is one of them, will watch religiously and explore. Thanks Pete.

Principal of Moments is an amazing album!

To me, Pictures at Eleven is a complete classic. I saw him live on this tour in Newcastle on Tyne (England) in 1982 and I still rate it as one of my favourite ever gigs. On "Pictures" Cozy's drumming is awesome, as is Phil Collins'. Love it.....one of my top 10 ever albums.

This was awesome, thank you!!! Saw him in 91 for Manic Nirvana. Black Crowes opened!!!!

Fate of Nations is Robert Plant’s best album for me and comfortably so too.

What a great topic. I live Robert. I’ve been lucky enough to see him all 13 times he’s played Toronto. My favourite vocalist hands down and so many great solo records. ✌️❤️🇨🇦🎸

The song Ship of Fools from the Now and Zen album has got to be one of his loveliest most well written tunes.

Manic Nirvana is the last album where Robert still sounded like his old self (at least the In Through the Out Door era old self). Starting with Fate of Nations his voice had deepened even more and the overall music sounded more mature/classy.

I’m surprised that Manic Nirvana doesn’t get more love. I absolutely love that album! But we’ll get to that later.

I would of loved to have been a part of this episode. I for one love everything he has done. Really enjoyed your ranking and views Pete, I had a lot I disagreed with a lot of what Martin thoughts and list but still enjoyed hearing what he had to offer. Thanks for doing this.

Martin, I'm so glad you mentioned the CRIMINALLY underrated band "The Tea Party"!! They are the Rival Sons of Canada but have been around since 1990!!! I've seen them live so many times being a Canadian myself and have met the boys on several occasions. I wish you would rank their albums! The world needs to be exposed to this insanely amazing power trio from Windsor, Ontario, Canada (just North of Detroit, Michigan).

Don‘t forget sixes and sevens on Shakin...wonderul drums , awsome vocals, Perfect atmosphere.....especialllyy in the End of the Song...

I’ve been looking forward to this feature for some time. For me, Robert Plant’s career in music has been second to none. What I admire most is how he has incorporated so many diverse influences into his solo career, whilst consciously avoiding the temptation to rehash his previous work with Led Zeppelin. In my view, he has only released one poor album and the other 10 are all in the good to excellent range. Even his Raising Sand collaboration with Alison Krauss, whilst not my favourite style of music, is still a fabulous recording. My preferences are currently: 1. Fate of Nations 2. Mighty Rearranger 3. Lullaby and... The Ceaseless Roar 4. The Principle of Moments 5. Dreamland 6. Carry Fire 7. Pictures at Eleven 8. Now and Zen 9. Manic Nirvana 10. Band of Joy 11. Shaken ‘N’ Stirred

funny, I love " shaken and stirred " what i love about these vids is, it get me listening to these lp,s. that i haven't played in years.

Wow!! Thank you guys soooo much for your Ranking and opinions of Robert Plant!! Robert Plant is one of my favorite rock singers/vocalist of all time!! I love how Robert Plant sings covers and originals!! Robert puts his personality and own style in covers!! That’s what makes legendary musicians so outstanding!! Some of the best covers are better than the originals or have personality and their own style, in the song!! Robert Plant is so much older than me but is an inspiration to a lot of musicians, including me!! I love Led Zeppelin, too!! I own all of Led Zeppelin and Robert Plant releases. My picks are: 1. Now & Zen 2. Fate of Nations 3. The Principle of Moments 4. Pictures at Eleven 5.Manic Nirvana 6. Lullaby and...The Ceaseless Road 7. Mighty ReArranger 8. Dreamland 9. Carry Fire 10. Shaken ‘ N Stirred 11. Raising Sand 12. Digging Deep: Subterranen 13. Band of Joy 14. Sixty Six To Timbuktu 🎼🎤🎸🎵🥁

Hello… thank you for the great compliment on my brother, Kevin Scott Macmichael… sadly, he passed away Dec 31, 2002… however I try to keep his music alive!!! He lived his dream and toured the world.

I agree with most of what you guys say, however for me "Lullaby and the ceaseless roar" is my absolute favourite. It just gets better and better with every listen. Just an absolute masterpiece.

Fantastic show as usual guys. Many thanks.

I was present at the Principle of Moments tour with Phil on drums at the Houston Summit, the very same indoor arena that I witnessed the mighty Zeppelin band six years earlier on their last North American tour. And I was able to acquire much better seats, during that incredible album and tour for Robert and company! I am astonished that Principle was selected as his all time favorite albums at one time. I like your comment about the Zeppelin fans ending up this one! Looking forward to some more obscure metal like say maybe , All them Witches. Thank You!

Great show guys. Leads up nicely to Zeppelin show on Wednesday. Cheers

1) Pictures at Eleven 2) Principle of Moments ... these are two very good albums that I have owned since their release but I haven't been enthused enough to purchase any of his other albums. Robbie Blunt wrote and played really great guitar on these first two albums and the drumming of Cozy Powell and Phil Collins is also superb on Pictures at Eleven. I have always felt that Robbie never received the plaudits that he fully deserved .

Great video , such an electic catalogue , and special mention love the way Pete sits back and really listens to his guests. Rather rare these days.

I've enjoyed pretty much all of Robert Plant's solo career. Dreamland is superb and seeing him at Glasgow Barrowland with Strange Sensation was a real high. The excitement on the night was palpable. He has always moved forward but with the occasional nod to the fabulous catalogue of LZ! Consumate vocalist and interpreter of music. Good on him.

Like I've never been gone (Pictures at Eleven) - Put that sucker on repeat folks!

The song "Far Post" was a non-album track first released on the B-side of the UK 12" single for "Burning Down One Side" then it was also a B-side on the single for "Big Log" . It was not on a "album" until the soundtrack for the film White Nights.

Robert Plant has been going through a remarkable solo carrer for the last 15 years, much more interesting than the corrosive '80s. "Raising Sand" with Alison Krauss is also amazing.

Thank you to Martin Popoff and yourself for a wonderful show! I’m listening for a second time as I write. It inspired me to go to Robert Plant page and listen to Principle Of Moments and the 1983 concert (I believe it is The second album tour) he has posted. Ronnie Blunt is great live! I liked the Manic Nirvana, Now and Zen, and Fate of Nations... ... and that was more getting familiar with the material before going to the concert. Robert Plant is SO Robert Plant live in whatever he does.(compliment !) The collaboration with Alison Kraus was amazing as well. I got Carrie Fire but only listened to it once... although I enjoyed it. I’ll definitely fill in my gaps in the catalogue now that I know what you both think of each one. Cheers guys.

Martin, I’d be curious to know if Pete is familiar with the tea party being an American. The tea party did well in Germany and Australia and a couple other places but they didn’t really break in America in any way. And Pete if you’re not familiar with the tea party, you should really listen to the edges of twilight and the inter-zone mantras Albums. So incredible. Transmission is quite good as well. Canada’s second best power trio. 4 multi platinum albums in Canada. Headlines festivals in Canada over Foo Fighters and Green Day. That’s how big they were here throughout the 90’s. Guitarist Jeff Martin is friends with Jimmy Page apparently and has even worked on music with him. Sort of modern Zeppelin with a lot of Celtic and middle eastern instrumentation and influence. The Edges of Twilight is a masterpiece.

"Sixes and Sevens" is an underrated gem from "Shaken 'n' Stirred". I think it is even better than "Little by Little".

Keep on the great work guys!!

Great episode....here's my list....love Plant solo.... 1. Now & Zen (1988) 2. The Principle of Moments (1983) 3. Pictures at Eleven (1982) 4. Manic Nirvana (1990) 5. Fate of Nations (1993) 6. Shaken and Stirred (1985) 7. Mighty Rearranger (2005) 8. Lullaby and... The Ceaseless Roar 9. Carry Fire (2017) 10. Dreamland (2002) 11. Band of Joy (2010)

So how come you didn't include Raising Sand?

Great subject and great show - thanks guys! Now, please (please, please, please!), do an episode on the amazing post Zeppelin music of John Paul Jones. I've always thought that Plant or Page would have been better served doing a collaboration with Jones than each other.

I used to know a guy who loved James Bond films but didn't like Sean Connery. Liking 'The Principle of Moments' more than Led Zeppelin reminds me of that guy.

I have seen every tour of Robert Plant from 1988 and on including Page/Plant...Yes There are albums stronger than others. Here is my ranking: (1) Picture At Eleven (2) Fate Of Nations (3) Principle Of Moments (4) Now And Zen (5) The Mighty Re-arranger (6) Manic Nirvana (7) Lullaby and Ceaseless Roar (8) Shaken N Stirred (9) Carry Fire (10) Band Of Joy (11) Dreamland Thanks for doing this show. It was nice to see Martin plugged in about The Tea Party (they are my friends and Canadians too) I am impressed that you gave Robert Plant discography some love. Another great show!!

Popoff and Pardo on Plant. Entertaining show, gents, with a great discussion of what does and does not hold with you from the solo catalogue. My last listen was to Band of Joy but will say that your show at least fired up enough enthusiasm for me to listen to Carry Fire and lullaby and...The Ceaseless Roar. Strong preference for the first two as each of you ranked them but strong props to Robert Plant for keeping his inner artist alive and well with hopes that listeners can enjoy the ride. Thanks again, gents. Looking forward to your ranking of The T(y)ubes.

Shaken 'n' Stirred was just VERY experimental and unique at the time it came out. It was so OUTLANDISH and Robert was into Laurie Anderson at the time, so what do you expect... High up on my list for being unique.

"Little By Little" always sounded like it could have been a song by THE FIXX

Great video mate

Wow. I really do like Principle of Moments - a great album. His best. But never heard anyone say it was their favorite album of all time AND better than most of the Zeppelin albums. I bet Plant would love to hear that. :)

A few months ago I went back and revisited Plant's early catalog. Unlike a lot of music from the '80s, his early stuff has held up quite well over time IMO. Good vid. Thanks, Pete (and Martin).

Great video review..Saw Plant & Zeppelin both 3x times each ..Agree with your album picks....Thanks...

I appreciate Plant doing what he wants to do. He's earned that right. It would be nice if other artist followed their muse. We never know what we're gonna get with Plant. Let's just enjoy whatever he puts out.

Tea Party shout out Martin 👍

Saw Plant live 2 years ago, amazing musicians, extraordinary show! "Principle of Moments" is my favorite album.

Great show guys . Great I spoke to Robert Plant in JUne 2018 about the parallel of side on of His debut lp and Side one of the debut Led Zeppelin and also about how he stayed true to finding his muse for 3 years respecting the Zeppelin notice that they would not go on without John. We also spoke about fave lps from the 60s Once i had him going the lp names flew. Cheers

Martin is so awesome when he's cranky 😁😁😁 "I hate Morning Dew, I don't ever want anybody to cover it again" And just lol @ when he went in on U2! I love it! "My brain is telling me I need to love this stuff and take it more seriously but I just never get around to it" 😁😁😁

Now and Zen, Manic Nirvana and Fate of Nations are three brilliant albums. Nothing better before or since.

I reckon it’s a pity Plant and Page didn’t hook back up a couple of years earlier. The best elements of Fate of Nations and Coverdale /Page combined could’ve made for a monster album, IMO

Havent heard any of his solo albums, so thanks for this 👌🏻

I love his first 4 solo albums: Pictures at Eleven (1982), The Principle of Moments (1983), Shaken 'n' Stirred (1985), and Now and Zen (1988)............after that ....I don't know

Busy man Pete

I've always rather liked "29 Palms"

First time listener. Just a polite suggestion: Martin might wish to wear a headset microphone: Whenever he is not speaking directly into the mic/camera his voice trails off like he’s swallowing his words and he becomes unintelligible, which I’m sure it not what he wants. Your comment about Zeppelin fans not running out to buy Robert’s later works is no doubt true. However, I was 22 when Zeppelin I was released in The States. I was not a huge Zep-head at the time. However, I’ve been rediscovering them during the past year through these RU-vid reaction channels and become a HUGE fan. But I have also delved into Robert’s solo career....and yes, some I like and some I don’t so much. But I love Lullaby and the Ceaseless Roar...no doubt because of it’s rather melancholy Celtic feel which speaks to my heart. It comes from a life fully lived, with periods of joy and times of great tragedy and sadness, and it’s all there in his emotive voice. He has always been on a quest to learn about all forms of music....from North Africa to Appalachia with an unquenchable curiosity and a restless soul. I respect his choice to always try new things and to take chances and to live his life for himself and not for his Zeppelin fans who wanted him to be a jukebox and fulfill their expectations. Too many have tried that and ended up dead. So yeah....he started all over again after being THE rock god, made it back to multi-platinum status....didn’t chase it but changed direction to keep himself interested and creative. His son’s death and that of Bonzo really made him think about life and he came out of it with almost an obsessive need to always move forward and chase the new. Lullaby was his final acceptance of aging..returning home to live once again to England and the Welsh borders where his Celtic heart was calling him. These are not my thoughts but are all things that he has said in interviews the past couple of decades. Robert Plant has my upmost respect and I wish him nothing but the best.

Shaken and Stirred has actually gotten better in my mind over the years. It is a strange album though. Neither of you mentioned Sixes and Sevens. That may be the best song on the album. Far Post was also the b side of Big Log but I think recorded for Pictures at Eleven.

The Principle of Moments is one of my favorite albums of all time.

Growing up, I loved Robbie Blunt's playing. One of my biggest inspirations learning guitar as a young kid. I had no idea who he was til much later. One of the most unsung, tasteful players of that decade.

Band of Joy he was in previously early in his career and he resurrected it.

I had recently done Robert's catalogue and I've really came to love and respect his discography. For me: 1. Pictures at Eleven 2. Principle of Moments 3. Dreamland (I guess I'm not as familiar with Morning Dew as much but I dug his spin on the covers) 4. Carry Fire 5. Fate of Nations 6. Mighty Re-Arranger 7. Lullaby and the Ceaseless Roar 8. Band of Joy 9. Manic Nirvana 10. Now And Zen 11. Shaken N Stirred

Great show Pete, thanks for doing this one, been asking for it for a while. 11. Shaken n Stirred 10. Band of Joy 09. Carry Fire 08. Lullaby... 07. Dreamland 06. The Principle... 05. Mighty ReArranger 04. Now and Zen 03. Fate of Nations 02. Pictures at Eleven 01. Manic Nirvana 👍

Really great video and has inspired me to dig out the Nine Lives box and listen again. The first two albums were always my favourite but I thought Carry Fire was a gorgeous and hypnotic listen throughout, and is probably my number three. Fascinating insights, thank you.

I liked a lot 'Now and Zen' when it was released about 35 yrs ago and I still like it.

Lullaby and the Ceaseless Roar intrigued me to become more familiar with Plant's post-Zeppelin work, right after being gifted with a copy of that album and personal blessings from Plantie himself. (My stepfather and him are friends.) I immediately thought it sounded impressively hip and fresh. About a year later, after being invited to see him live and actually meet him face to face, I thought I should probably respectfully listen through his discography beforehand. As a longtime Genesis fan, I recall liking the first two records with Phil Collins in particular. After those two records, the '80s vibe started getting a bit strong for a few albums... But once he finally got through that phase, I found that his world/traditional-folk-influenced work really begins to resonate with me. Very glad to have had the chance to connect with the guy! Such a down-to-earth genius!

Saw Robert Plant in 1988, opener was Stevie Ray Vaughn, he did 4 Led Zeppelin songs. Great show!

Upon revisiting "Little By Little", it now occurs to me that the song sounds like nothing so much as Robert Plant backed by SAGA. Very cool track.

Outrider .. until Martin mentioned it I'd forgotten that it existed! Bought that record when it came out, I suppose it must be with the rest of the vinyl in the loft.

Saw Plant in 85 at Warwick University and it was the loudest and best sounding gig I've been to. Like listening to playback on huge studio monitors. His material sounded much better live than in the studio for me in the eighties.

I saw the Now and Zen tour in 1988 - Charlotte, NC. - Cheap Trick opened...what a show!

An entertaining instalment on an interesting if erratic solo career. But I have a technical note: whenever Martin isn't directly facing the screen--and that's quite often--his voice tends to cut out. It's very frustrating.

Mighty Rearranger is the most underrated record in his collection. It’s the closest he’s come I feel to recapturing that Zeppelin sound throughout a large part of an album.

1) Walking Into Clarksdale (Jimmy Page-Robert Plant LP) 2) The Principle of Moments 3) Pictures at Eleven 4) Now and Zen 5) Fate of Nations 6) Mighty ReArranger (RP and the Strange Sensation LP) 7) Manic Nirvana 8) Shaken ‘n’ Stirred 9) Dreamland 10) Lullaby and… The Ceaseless Roar 11) Raising Sand (Robert Plant - Alison Krauss LP) 12) Band of Joy

1. Pictures at Eleven 2. Principle of Moments 3. The Honeydrippers volume one 4. Shaken n Stirred 5. Now and Zen 6. Manic Nirvana 7. Fate of Nations 8. Walking into Clarkesdale 9. Dreamland 10. Mighty Rearranger 11. Raising Sand 12. Band of Joy 13. Lullaby and the Ceaseless Roar 14. Carry Fire 15. Raise the Roof

I like the fact that on his first two solo albums that despite the idea that they are his albums and that he is the star of the show he lets the instrumentalists that accompany him to stretch out, it is not only gracious of him but makes for a great listening experience as well.

I know Shaken N Stirred gins up a lot of controversy, but I must say that it was one the THE soundtracks of the summer of 85 for me. Combined as it did with the Honeydrippers EP. I find Sixes and Sevens to be one of Plant's finest post-Zep moments, and Hip to Hoo and Kallalou Kallalou are still in the rotation for me.

My 1 is Principle and my 2 is Pictures, a great show on a tough catalog for sure.

Seems to me that classic rock/basic fans like the early stuff, more progressive fans like the later stuff. People talk about him moving away from the Zeppelin stuff but think about it, LZ 3 was very acoustic/world sounding and LZ 4 had it's fare share of acoustic stuff, then In Through the Out Door stuff has appeared on a few of his mid period albums. So I personally don't think so, Zeppelin probably would have gone in a similar direction had they continued.

All of these have some saving points. It was a tough list to put together, though I knew what my number one would be. 11) Mighty ReArranger (I don't know this one real well. Kinda missed out on it, for some reason.) 10) Dreamland 9) Band of Joy 8) Carry Fire 7) Shaken 'n' Stirred 6) Manic Nirvana (This & Now & Zen almost seem like the same album to me., but I like the production a bit more on this one. Less '80s... stuff.) 5) Now and Zen 4) Lullaby and... The Ceaseless Roar 3) Pictures at Eleven 2) The Principle of Moments 1) Fate of Nations I need to mention that I really like the record with Alison Krauss (his best "Americana" work, IMO) and the Honeydrippers album, too. Thanks, guys!

FATE OF NATIONS is without any shadow of a doubt Robert Plant’s BEST ALBUM 👍😀👍 I couldn’t stand him in Led Zeppelin too bombastic but Roberts solo albums are all interesting listens

12) Shaken and Stirred 11) Carry Fire 10) Band Of Joy 09) Raising Sand 08) Manic Nirvana 07) Now and Zen 06) Fate Of Nations 05) Lullaby & the Ceaseless Roar 04) Dreamland 03) The Principle Of Moments 02) Pictures At Eleven 01) Mighty Rearranger

I bought RobertPlant / Principle of Moments for $4.00,last year.Gonna have to give it another listen.