Rocking to Led Zepplin: Windborne Music and the Houston Symphony Meld Seamlessly at Cynthia Woods

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- For those who appreciate Rock and Roll, and ditto those who love Symphony performances, fans at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, were treated to an exceptional and energized concert last Wednesday night, where the Huntsman Corporation treated fans to Windborne’s ‘Music of Led Zeppelin.’ Windborne teamed up with the Houston Symphony in presenting the music of the legendary band. It was an awesome gathering of seasoned rock fans, along with some newbies who weren’t even born when Zeppelin performed their last concert. Then you have those that enjoy the Symphonic arts, with the strings and woodwinds, coming together to take our teenage memories of perfection in the Art of Rock and Roll, and mixing it with age-old instruments that enhances the memories past with a new element in the music, creating new recollections that incorporate two completely different disciplines in the arena of music. It was awesome.

Windborne Music, it doesn’t have to be said, is where, ‘Rock meets Bach;’ and they’ve been at the game for, well, since before the band started greying. Vocalist Randy Jackson is well versed in the music of not only Led Zeppelin, but other legendary bands as well, and is joined with Conductor/Arranger Brent Havens; George Cintron on Guitar, Dan Clemens on Bass, and Powell Randolph on Drums. And that’s just one crew under the Windborne Music umbrella.

The show is full of excitement, highly-energetic, coupled with talent worth seeing, making the music of days gone by, but with a new angle that invites new storages of data to the memory bank, for recollections dating back from 1968 to 1980. Randy Jackson is a master at engaging the fans, pointing the microphone to them to finish meaningful verses. And the crowd ate it up, jumping at the chance to relive their younger days; now as grandmas and grandpas, when they were singing those same lyrics as teenagers, when the original Led Zeppelin band of Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham, and John Paul Jones headlined the day.

Playing in front of 15,000 plus fans is nothing unusual for the Windborne team, but for the Houston Symphony, with their near 3K venue, the additional numbers didn’t phase them one bit, and their professionalism shined throughout the performance. With ‘All of My Love,’ the symphony strings replaced the synthesizer, dropping jaws in how easily the transition enhanced the song’s presentation; and essentially offering another idea to make something better. For some it may have asked, “Where have you been all my life?” The crowd loved it, and rightfully so.

Randy Jackson’s exceptional vocals, at times, if you had your eyes closed, had you feeling like a kid again, and for those who attended the Houston concerts in 1970s at The Summit, or the now gone Sam Houston Coliseum dating back to ‘71, it was a real treat. YouTube has a channel ‘@ledzeppelinboots770,’ that has the raw soundboard of not only the Houston show of May 21st, 1977, but tons of other Zep concerts around the nation. Jackson played the acoustic guitar in the touching ‘Thank You,’ and the audience was moved by the well meaning song that represents an incredibly strong bond of love between Robert Plant and his then wife Maureen. Jackson also played the guitar for ‘Going to California,’ and ‘Stairway to Heaven,” which concluded the evening, but not before bubbling the skin just as in the old days when the OGs played.

George Cintron was spectacular on the guitar, and his solos were representative of the spirit of Jimmy Page. He and Jackson have known each other for 47 years, and their teamwork on stage is nothing short of amazing. Cintron’s talent amped up the audience, begging him to reach ever higher in his string tweaking adventures, and it was a sight to hear, and watch. George is 68, and shows no signs of even slowing down in the communicating of his talent to concert goers.

For ‘Dancing Days,’ Windborne brought in a ‘Mini-Maestro,’ Dimitri Whitney, a local 6 year-old boy, ushered out by Conductor Brent Havens to lead the players. Dimitri was perfect in keeping the band and symphony in tune and key. At times, the young maestro would even turn and wave, to great applause and cheers, with his proud parents in the crowd.

‘Moby Dick,’ was drummer Powell Randolph’s time to shine, and had the pit's wooden floor literally bouncing. His drums were the loudest instrument of the evening. Powell was Zen-like in channeling John Bonham’s way with the sticks, and shined on his own with his drum solo. His performance garnered another standing ovation, which was truly deserved. Dan Clemens on Bass, although not singled out for a solo, was heavily praised by Randy Jackson near the end to the appreciation of the crowd.

The evening would have not been as well received without the input from the Houston Symphony, whose performance in the ensemble was exemplary. They offered a perspective that many do not anticipate when it comes to rock concerts. Jackson, recognized their expertise to the concert goers numerous times, and granted most came to Windborne’s Led Zeppelin’s crew in performance of timeless classics, the symphony in their ensemble performance was just as enjoyable, and after a successful Mahler 3 conclusion to their 2024-25 season, a little summer camp of Led Zeppelin for the strings and woods does not hurt.

It can be safely said that Windborne Music and the Houston Symphony made for a wonderful concert that those who attended will remember for a long time. The memories of the old music being renewed again, with a symphonic twist that makes one feel young again. At least for the evening.

Websites: windbornemusic.com and houstonsymphony.org

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