Led Zeppelin

[cx]

although I can stand it to a degree, what I don't understand is the huge fuss. They may have been (very) influential in the development of popular music in general, but I don't see much in their music that is as revolutionary as say Led Zeppelin. What I hear in them more than anything else in is some catchy tunes. It is fair for me  to say that I respect them (Lennon in particular) for what they stood for more than for what they achieved in their music 

Ok, so I took this post as an initiative to start a Led Zeppelin thread, now assured that there are other fans out there (thanks orbital ). So, just to start off, I'll state that they are possibly my favorite band and one of the few non-classical groups I listen to.

My favorite album is probably Physical Graffiti, though when I consider a runner-up I end up juggling between 3 or 4 albums. Ten Years Gone, The Song Remains The Same, Stairway to Heaven, Achilles Last Stand, What Is and What Should Never Be, and Dazed and Confused are just a few favorites. As rock musicians, I respected every member of the band, and they were all necessary components to creating the Led Zep "sound" (sorry, I can't say the same for the Beatles, as Ringo was replaceable  ).

So go ahead and vote/discuss!

[karlhenning]

My favorite album is probably Physical Graffiti, though when I consider a runner-up I end up juggling between 3 or 4 albums.

Likewise. (Though I admit, it is many years since I owned any of them :-)

[Steve]

Likewise. (Though I admit, it is many years since I owned any of them :-)

I've been told that this might be one of the few popular acts that could arouse my attention, but I really never knew where to begin. How would you describe this group? Any introductory pieces?

[karlhenning]

Well, with the usual caveats about generalizations . . . generally loud, generally punchy, generally fuzzy (sometimes 'warmly', sometimes harshly), often hingeing on the blues.

To suggest right off a track which I do not think generally gets a lot of airplay:  they do a delightfully drawn out cover of "In My Time of Dying" (not technically a cover of Dylan, I don't think, though I wonder if Dylan's recording brought that tune to their attention) on Physical Graffiti.

[Sergeant Rock]

I've been told that this might be one of the few popular acts that could arouse my attention, but I really never knew where to begin. How would you describe this group?

Here was a band that, when not busy totally demolishing classic blues songs, was making a kind of music apparently designed to be enjoyable only when the listener was drugged to the point of senselessness. Jimmy Page, a young veteran of the 60s guitar wars, had somehow made two very important discoveries: spaced-out heavy rock drove barely pubescent boys crazy; the Sixties were over. And so with virtually no critical support Led Zeppelin was soon the biggest new band on earth --Rolling Stone

What does the music sound like? Take a old blues 78 and play it at 33rpm with a singer that sounds like a goosed vacuum cleaner...that'll give you the idea 

Being a child of the 60s, my favorites are the first and second albums (Whole Lotta Love, etc).

Sarge

[George]

This is the most sadistic poll ever. [Re: Beatles poll]

No, Sarge this is the most sadistic poll ever. Two choices?

Anyway, I chose Physical Graffiti and Houses of the Holy.

...but I have worked out differential equations that were easier.   

[BachQ]

Physical Graffiti rocks . . . . . . in particular, Kashmir is an absolute masterpiece . . . . . .  0:)

[orbital]

Though I opted for Led Zeppelin 1 and Physical Graffiti, I think that what they are all about can best be appreciated in the BBC Sessions Live Set.
The raw energy coupled with Plant's extraordinary vocals and Page's blues-y guitar jams can hardly be matched, even by the band themselves. Plus the fact that such early songs such as Travelling Riverside Blues can only be found here I think. It's amazing how  could reinvent the same songs over  and over  
For me Led Zeppelin is the greatest rock band -bar none (but I have not heard them all  ).

[Sergeant Rock]

No, Sarge this is the most sadistic poll ever. Two choices?

Yeah, this one wasn't easy either, I have to admit. I'm listening to Houses of the Holy right now and wondering if I didn't make the wrong choice.

Sarge

[bwv 1080]

Where is the love for III?  Its a great album

[Josquin des Prez]

in particular, Kashmir is an absolute masterpiece . . . . . .  0:)

If you like minimalism, that is.

[bwv 1080]

If you like minimalism, that is.

Yeah, not crazy about Kashmir, too Spinal-Tapish.  The rest of PG is great though

[George]

Where is the love for III?  Its a great album

It is but somebody only gave us two choices. 

[cx]

It is but somebody only gave us two choices. 

I figured I'd keep things proportional, since the Beatles poll had more choices. I'm all about pedantry  .

[George]

I figured I'd keep things proportional, since the Beatles poll had more choices. I'm all about pedantry  .

Yeah, I figured that. 

[DavidW]

To suggest right off a track which I do not think generally gets a lot of airplay:  they do a delightfully drawn out cover of "In My Time of Dying" (not technically a cover of Dylan, I don't think, though I wonder if Dylan's recording brought that tune to their attention) on Physical Graffiti.

I hate that song, it's two minutes of material stretched out to 13.  I'm talking about Zeppelin here, don't know Dylan's song.

[DavidW]

If you like minimalism, that is.

The usual pop music formula, take one melody repeat without variation.  The only time I like the song is their different approaches live since they lighten it up with spontaneity.

[DavidW]

I'm with bwv, show III the love!  I love that album. 

Anyway alot of people are saying Physical Graffiti, and I can't help but think that half the songs I really like, half the songs I don't care for, it would be better as a single album instead of a double album.  Also I like their earlier style better.  But I'm not a fan of the first album, which is just one cover after another.  My favorites are II-IV.

[karlhenning]

I hate that song, it's two minutes of material stretched out to 13.  I'm talking about Zeppelin here, don't know Dylan's song.

Well, there is an aspect of Morton Feldman meets Bob Dylan at work there . . . .

[bwv 1080]

Well, there is an aspect of Morton Feldman meets Bob Dylan at work there . . . .

Actually it was Blind Willie Johnson who also wrote Nobody's Fault But Mine

hmm wonder if there is any credit given in the Album notes, far be it for Led Zeppelin to rip off material from an old bluesman