The legendary guitarist has had some difficulty finding a band that can equal the enchantment of his last one. Who wouldn’t, nevertheless, struggle? It would be hard for just about anybody to match the chemistry and combined abilities of Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham, whose untimely death put an end to Led Zeppelin’s rule over the rock world. But if you believe Page hasn’t produced any new music worth your attention, you’re mistaken. These tunes, perhaps, will sway your opinion.
‘Radioactive’ – ‘The Firm’ (1985)
It took Page five years to form a new band and release a full-fledged rock album after Led Zeppelin disbanded, in part because he worked on the Death Wish II soundtrack and put together the 1982 Led Zeppelin oddities collection Coda. He collaborated with Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers on the album The Firm, and while this first single may have been a little too clean, slick, and poppy for some hardcore fans, it was undeniably catchy and demonstrated that their guitar hero had options outside of Zeppelin.
‘Easy Does It’ – ‘Coverdale and Page’ (1993)
When the guitarist paired up with Whitesnake frontman David Coverdale for this 1993 record, a few people (including Page’s old bandmate Robert Plant) made jokes. The album does sometimes get a little too true to the Led Zeppelin sound, but without achieving the same charm or grandeur. But there are a few songs as well, most especially this whirling, irresistibly mesmerizing little stunner, that offer something fresh and thrilling.
‘The Only One’ – ‘Outrider’ (1988)
In retrospect, Page may have made a mistake by asking Plant to sing on just one track for the guitarist’s debut (and, ahem, only) solo album. His six-string playing is still almost as good as ever on tracks like “Prison Blues,” the instrumental “Liquid Mercury,” and “Blues Anthem,” but no other song on the record is as vibrant or as energetic as his collab with his old buddy.
‘Someone to Love’ – ‘The Firm’ (1985)
This joyfully energetic song, which boasts a delightfully ragged-but-right guitar riff and dashing, complimentary fretless bass performance by Tony Franklin, amplifies the synergy between Jimmy Page and Paul Rodgers. One thing to keep in mind: Make sure to listen to it on The Firm with the song that comes before it, “Make or Break,” for the full effect.
‘Blue Train’ – Page and Plant, ‘Walking Into Clarksdale’ (1998)
Page and Plant collaborated on a brand-new studio album after reforming (without fellow Zep member John Paul Jones) for the ‘No Quarter’ MTV special and a lengthy tour. In contrast to what some people had hoped, Page adds richness and subtle accents as frequently as he merely stands in the spotlight and riffs. Even so, his lengthy soloing on this sensual, slow-burning song merits considerably more praise than it did at the time of its initial release.
‘Midnight Moonlight’ – ‘The Firm’ (1985)
Led Zeppelin’s most infamous unfinished composition, “Swan Song,” served as the inspiration for the dramatic finale number of Page’s new band’s debut album, despite his efforts to avoid performing Led Zeppelin songs live with the Firm. “Midnight Moonlight” performs its history justice, from the lovely acoustic introduction to the tremendous wall of distorted guitars and deep backing vocals of the final raveup.
‘Pride and Joy’ – ‘Coverdale and Page’ (1993)
However, if you’re appealing enough, you don’t have to come up with anything entirely new every time, especially when establishing a fresh combination as Page and Coverdale were doing here. It’s always good when musicians push themselves in new directions. Even while devoted followers could pretty much predict each chord change and dramatic flourish on this metallic delta blues mashup, it wasn’t any less enjoyable for those prepared to let down their guard just a little bit.
‘The Truth Explodes’ (a.k.a. ‘Yallah’) – Page and Plant, ‘No Quarter’ (1994)
The song is so good that it has two names: “Yallah” on the 1994 original of the heavily Zep-revisiting live album No Quarter, and “The Truth Explodes” on the 2010 reissue. There are four brand-new songs on this album; “Wonderful One,” “Wah Wah,” and in particular “City Don’t Cry” are exquisite, exotic, and experimental, but they’re also rather gentle and leave Page with little to do other than play acoustic guitar. But don’t worry, he throws down some rough, fuzzed-up riffs on this song before going full mad scientist with an effects box.
‘Satisfaction Guaranteed’ – ‘The Firm’ (1985)
Only a fool would want Page to abandon the characteristics that made Led Zeppelin’s music so great, but occasionally by treading too closely on the same revered terrain – notably in the singers he selects – his new music seems to fall short of his amazing history. but not right here. Even though Page employs his well-known violin bow and the same types of soaring guitar orchestrations that made “Kashmir” and related songs so magnificent, “Satisfaction Guaranteed” deserves its high ranking on our list.
‘Please Read the Letter’ – Page and Plant, ‘Walking Into Clarksdale’ (1998)
As shown by Plant’s involvement on four of these 10 songs, Page obviously (and rather reasonably, for a guitarist) produces his best work when collaborating with artists like Plant or Paul Rodgers. The former members of Zeppelin combine their youthful aural ferocity with feelings of sadness and loss on this song, and Page’s guitar effectively tells the story in the same way that Plant’s vocals do.