Robert Plant Meets Lady Parts (and Malala)

Plus a dozen hot cartoons.

Jun 12, 2024

Greg Mitchell is the author of more than a dozen books (see link) and now writer/director of three award-winning films aired via PBS, including “Atomic Cover-up” and “Memorial Day Massacre” (recently nominated for an Emmy). You can still subscribe to this newsletter for free.

Some new music and the usual hot cartooning today.

First, the surprising but enduring duo of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss are back touring again and they’ve released a new single, which they have been doing live for awhile, a re-make of the Zep’s cover of the Memphis Minnie classic “When the Levee Breaks.” It’s got a little bit of something for everyone (though my old Crawdaddy colleague Jon Pareles complains that the guitar at the end fades out too quickly):

Next, we have enjoyed catching up with the under-the-radar but Peabody- winning series with the winning title about a Muslim punk band in London, “We Are Lady Parts.” The second season just arrived via Peacock so we just finished that after finding season 1. It’s a unique subject, and a lot fun, but makes numerous musical/cultural points. Just six episodes each season which run about 24 minutes. Most of the young women had to learn their instruments in a hurry and did so admirably. The songs have titles like “Voldemort Under My Head Scarf,” “Bashir With the Good Beard,” and “Ain’t No One Gonna Honor Kill My Sister But Me.” They also cover “Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” and “Oops, I Said It Again,” among others.

Below, the quiet (but Ph.D) lead guitarist finally speaks her mind on “Villain Era.” Then a more countryish (pre-Beyonce’s latest, by the way) “Malala Made Me Do It,” with a guest appearance by…Malala.