News Exclusive: Tina Turner records with Led Zeppelin

Tina Turner has recorded an album of American blues and folk classics, as well as one original song, with the remaining members of Led Zeppelin. theartsdesk can exclusively reveal that the 74-year-old pop star and soul-funk legend met Led Zep guitarist Jimmy Page through her husband, the German music executive Erwin Bach, and that recording took place last November near her home in Küsnacht, Switzerland.

The new album, as yet untitled, was recorded over a fortnight with Page, and included sessions involving Zep singer Robert Plant, bassist John Paul Jones and drummer Jason Bonham, son of deceased sticksman John Bonham. The last time this formation of Led Zeppelin played together was in December 2007 at the O2 Arena in London, a concert in honour of Ahmet Ertegün, the late president of Atlantic records. It is the first time they have recorded together.

Her interest in recording was rekindled when she met Page at a party in the south of France

Songs thus far revealed include an original duet between Turner and Plant entitled “Saltflower”, alongside versions of the Nineteenth century negro spiritual “Wade in the Water”, the folk song ‘Jack O’Diamonds”, covered by everyone from Blind Lemon Jefferson to Nick Cave, and Etta James’ “Something’s Got A Hold On Me”. theartsdesk were permitted only to hear a two minute segment of “Wade in the Water”. Based very much on Big Mama Thornton’s very secular 1968 blues-rock version, Robert Plant is absent but Turner’s raw, almost hoarse vocals, ride a scorching distorted Page riff that will satisfy Zep fans.

Turner has been in self-pronounced semi-retirement since her 10th solo album, Twenty Four Seven, and accompanying tour in 2000, but her interest in recording was rekindled when she met Page at a party in the south of France whilst on honeymoon last summer after marrying Bach, her partner of 27 years. The project then came to life when Page suggested bringing his mobile recording studio to the couple’s lakeside Swiss home.

Turner recorded a version of Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” for her second solo album, Acid Queen, in 1975 but it’s not known if she will be tackling the song again. A release date has not yet been fixed but Atlantic Records told theartsdesk that new material will be made available during April.