Odds 'n'ends

[Jenzi C Silverman <coop0001@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi, everyone: First, thanks to those of you who've sent "welcome back"
messages -- unexpected and very kind! I always knew this list was 
filled
with cool people :)

Now, a few random thoughts on some earlier threads...
1. Dan Barron, glad you passed on that tidbit about Susan Fast's
upcoming book (although to me, the New Yorker's blurb sounded just a
little too condescending -- maybe I'm just oversensitive, but grrrrr)!
I'm eagerly awaiting its release in August (hopefully in time for
Robert's birthday if not mine:), not just because it sounds like one 
of
the most thoughtful and creative books on Zep ever, but because a 
number
of us are quoted in it! Those of you on FBO three years ago probably
remember that Susan posted her questionnaire here and kindly asked us 
to
tell her our impressions and feelings about the lads and their music.
When I was at Amazon's site about three weeks ago, I practically
hollered when I saw the book could be pre-ordered already, and I
actually emailed Susan to tell her how psyched about it I was. She not
only remembered me, but told me to get the paperback version rather 
than
the hardcover -- there's almost a $40 difference!! (Needless to say, 
I'm
passing on that advice. Not that a great book about Zep isn't worth
$55...but why, when you can get it for $19??)

Anyway, I see at least one discussion thread coming out of this in the
fall! And in case you want a preview, go to www.findarticles.com, 
where
there's a chapter from In the Houses, published as an article in
American Music in Fall '99. It's about the whole issue of sexuality in
Zep's music and image, and how male and female fans perceive it
differently. No, it's not as x-rated as it sounds -- pull your minds 
out
of the gutter (LOL :) It IS long, but interesting for sure.

2. Been enjoying all the concert review posts a LOT -- thanks to those
of you who've contributed, and keep them coming! Glad to see Robert 
and
SS probably will be back again later this year: after hearing about
their shows so far, I REALLY hope they come to Minneapolis/St. Paul, 
and
that they'll still be playing smallish venues. Our biggest arenas here
are absolutely horrendous (saw Jimmy and Robert at the worst of them 
in
'95 and '98, and wonderful as the boys were, the Target Center was NOT
the place to see them!), but we have a lot of great 5000-or-less 
halls,
so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

In fact, John C's review of RP and SS in New York, and his advice to 
NOT
give them a miss, reminded me of when I saw Robert on the FoN tour. I
wasn't even planning to go, but a friend came up with an extra ticket 
at
the last minute and I wound up being VERY glad I took her up on it! He
was playing Northrop Auditorium right on the U of M campus, which only
holds a few thousand, and we were in the 20th row of main floor, which
turned out to be some of the best seats I've ever had for a concert  
--
and a good thing, since Robert and his band came out and proceeded to
blow everyone away for the next two hours! FoN material sounded great,
AND they played a lot more Zep than I was expecting, INCLUDING WLL as
the encore which was a total, incredible surprise. I literally had no
voice left after that show (and I didn't even holler for Freebird or
Stairway...geez!:)

Anyway, the SS shows sound a lot like that, in terms of Robert's voice
and the band's tightness, and the overall energy level -- so even
without having seen them yet, I'd agree: don't miss them if you can 
help
it! And whenever anyone trees, although I have nothing of tradeable
quality, I'll STILL be a good leaf and provide PROPER B & P! Promise!

3. Speaking of Robert's birthday, are we doing any kind of group
present/card this year?

4. OK, so we SHOULD have played "Thank You" at our wedding after all!
Sorry -- we'll have to do it over, won't we? :)

5 -- and last -- Jeremy, I'm STILL laughing at the thought of your
reading the "Increase Your Size!" message on the air at 3 AM! Great
moments in live radio for sure. For those of us who don't know, what
station is that? We need MANY more like it, for the playlist if not 
the
overall spontaneity!

Cheers,
Jenzi