Wednesday, October 13, 2004

Ramble On: Let's Talk about Led Zeppelin

So I was getting the led out the other day and I says to myself, I says, "I like Led Zeppelin as much as REM and even more than I like the Doors, so why not blog about it?” I don’t claim to be an expert on Led Zeppelin; I’m just a fan. If you are like me you just like talking about them, referring to their songs, and watching things about them on VH1. So let’s do that. First, let me just set a couple of ground rules for this discussion.
1. Regarding John Bonham: Bonzo’s great and it’s sad that he died, but let’s not dwell on him too much.
2. John Paul Who? That’s right. We need to keep our discussion focused tightly on what’s really interesting and that is Jimmy Page, ROBERT PLANT, and Led Zeppelin as a whole.
3. I consider my blog rated PG so if you’ve read Hammer of the Gods and want to share some stories about the boys, please—for my sake, simmer down now. Let’s keep it clean. And light—like how they sold their souls to the devil in order to become wicked famous but which, sadly, brought a curse upon them all. You know, stuff like that.

Having said that, let’s proceed. If you are about my age your first time seeing Robert Plant was probably during the “Tall Cool One” era which, of course, made you say, “I’d like to see some more.” So when you rented The Song Remains the Same to see him in his full Led Zeppelin glory you might have been a little startled to see him prance on stage in a light blue, cap-sleeved shirt that Penelope Cruz would seriously wear today. (See photo link). I was lucky. My sister was there for me at this time. She gave me a reassuring look as if to say, “just go with it.” And so I did. I’m sure a lot of people will want to comment about the first time they saw Jimmy Page play the guitar with a bow so I won’t say anything about how AWESOME it is. People who are my age also feel a very strong link to Robert Plant because we are the same age as his son, Karac, who died. And Robert Plant feels a strong link to us too—I’m sure of it. I think that’s why it meant so much to him when I threw my bra on stage at one of his concerts.

Another thing about Robert Plant is that he loves Utah. More specifically, he loves Sundance. I got a job there hoping I would meet him. I never did. But I did see a lot of pictures of him riding on snow mobiles with the waiters I worked with. That’s how I know it’s true.

As far as favorite albums and songs, just off the top of my head I think Physical Graffiti is great. Out of I, II, III, and IV I would say I’m a III person (this is like saying whether I like John or Paul better—it’s very hard to commit. But I will, for the sake of this discussion.) But my all-time favorite album is (and I’m putting this out there without even googling anything for reviews or input) In Through the Out Door because I’m a sucker for songs that tell a story and “Fool in the Rain” is a very cute story. I also like it for a little gem called “Hot Dog.” And since I am basically Karac’s stand in now I consider “All of My Love” to be written just for me.

I hope this gets the ball rolling.

13 comments:

  1. If I called in an LZ block request (do they still have those?): Going to California, Fool in the Rain, Ramble On, D'yer Maker.

    Best "let's roll" music ever: First 15 seconds of The Immigrant Song, used to great effect in School of Rock.

    LZ song that has grown most tedious over the years: Whole Lotta Love (thanks, classic rock radio).

    LZ song I hope I never hear again: Black Dog.

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  2. Wow. That picture is disturbing, but hope remains while his son is so attractive. I discovered long ago that you can maintain love for a man while your attraction transfers to his younger and much better looking offspring (see Jakob and Bob Dylan). Now, about which album is my favorite. I agree that Physical Graffitti is fabulous. I also like III. It has something for everybody. But, like you, I have come to appreciate In Through the Out Door quite a bit. II was my original favorite, but I get a little tired of the drawn out drum solos. I is mighty good--raw, unadulterated rock. Too hard to choose a favorite. Depends on the season for me. Physical Graffitti is a winter album, while III is all about Spring. Most overrated song? Stairway to Heaven. Give me a break. It's good, but not that amazing. I'd rather hear Kashmir any day of the week.

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  3. Yes, Brian Wimmer was around--a real treat back in the China Beach days but (with all due respect) when you're hoping for Robert Plant: not much of a consolation prize.

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  4. This is a great blog because when you asked what our favorite Doors song was I almost replied Ramblin' On... but then realized. You know who I really love though? The Rolling Stones.. they are great, grand, the best!

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  5. Ok, you’ve ruled out just about anything of interest to discuss but I’ll do my darn-est to comply! Immigrant Song is by far and the best thundering metal barrage known to mankind and I still get chills whenever I hear it or maybe that’s just early male menopause setting in, who knows? And ya know if Page wants to dress like a sissy and on stage in public even, well what can we mere mortals say? Nice dove though, eh! I knew I had bookmarked your blog for a reason! Excellent read every time! But if you actually do listen to REM, which is a really scary thought, take a look a Stipe’s fashion ensemble sometimes and try not to shudder!

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  6. Dearest Fromage, It wouldn't kill you to listen to a little REM once in a while. In fact, it might do you some good.

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  7. I told my husband about this post (he loves "Led Zep") and he got out "In Through the Out Door." Now it's in the rotation in our car. Not bad (I say this as someone whose sole experience with Led Zeppelin is that Puff Daddy song from Godzilla "featuring Jimmy Page.")

    Look, I'm sorry. I'm just being honest.

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  8. You are lucky, young lady. What I wouldn't give to hear the surprise ending to Fool in the Rain for the first time again. And how 'bout that Hot Dog, eh? eh?

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  9. I hope you put Led Zeppelin III into the rotation soon, Eliza. Where does Matt stand on the I, II, III, or IV issue? It's a thorny one.

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  10. Anonymous10:00 PM

    I love Led Zeppelin. I can talk about different albums and what I appreciate about them. But for now it's all about Led Zeppelin I. I used to help a friend of mine years ago with his paper route. I had a boombox and a Led Zeppelin I tape ... and we'd put that sucker in and listen to "You Shook Me" over and over again.

    Let's not dwell on Bonzo much? Are you mad? When Bonzo died it was as if the engine fell out of the car. His monster drumming was an absolutely critical part of Led Zeppelin's power. No one's ever been able to fill that seat since.

    Danithew
    http://www.wump.info/wumpblog

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  11. Look Danithew, Bonzo is great. That is undisputed. I agree with you about the engine. But don't you think Robert Plant looks better in black levis?

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  12. Anonymous5:49 AM

    Heh ... I never was too worried about what the band looked like ... I just loved the music. But here's a picture that I liked of this band:

    http://www.rockstarcorp.com/led_zeppelin_-_group_in_field_-_promo_glossy.jpg

    There's a color version of this picture somewhere out there that I prefer.

    By the way, one of my favorite songs: "When the Levee Breaks"

    Danithew
    http://www.wump.info/wumpblog

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  13. Anonymous10:16 AM

    As much as LZ have been critized for "copying" other music, no other band has put forth so much orginality. If songs weren't influenced by other artists, then what's the point of ever listening to them? inspiration! wait..I'm supposed to keep it light... "If I say to you tomorrow, take my hand child, walk with me, it's to a castle I will take you, where what's to be, they say will be..." ok, yeah, that's light enough :)

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