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Every so often, a band comes along who, through astounding talent and
genius, is able to captivate a generation and provide millions with a reason
to live. Unfortunately for us, the last time such a band came around was in
the late 60's/early 70's, when Led Zeppelin emerged from the English pop
scene to win the hearts and more importantly the pockets of adoring fans
worldwide. Guitarist Jimmy Page was in his early 20's when the band put out
their first album, quaintly referred to as "Led Zeppelin 1." The
rest of the band, comprised of singer Robert Plant, bassist/organist/backing
vocalist John Paul Jones, and drummer/backing vocalist John Bonham, were also
in their late teens and early 20s at the time.
How any group of such young musicians could play with such inspirational
skill is truly amazing. Listening to their music, I am constantly reminded of
my own inept guitar playing, compared to the talent they displayed by the
time they were little more than legal adults. My friend Cassa summed up the
godly skills of Led Zeppelin quite aptly when she quipped, "I feel
hella inadequate compared to them!"
However, aside from instilling untold numbers of youngsters with the urge
to engage in sometimes less than flattering introspection, Led Zeppelin has
also given folks musical ecstasy for over 30 years. Their first album was
probably the greatest and most heartfelt album they ever cut. Zeppelin 1,
as the fans often refer to it as, features songs both spawned purely from the
unique, brilliant minds of Led Zeppelin, and adaptations of bluesy hits such
as "You Shook Me" and "I Can't Quit You Baby", by blues
legend Willie Dixon- the inspiration of a different, earlier generation.
Every song is sung with such feeling by Robert Plant that one can't help but
squint up their eyes in pain and empathy when Plant cries out immortal lines
such as, "Lyin'... Cheatin'... Hurtin'... that's ALL you seem to
do!" Later, in the same song (Your Time Is Gonna Come, the fifth track
of the album), Plant drops the line "Messin' around every guy in
town!" with such raw, savage passion, that the listener clenches their
fist and jaw with enough brutality to scare a police officer! How a man of
only 19 could sound so righteously pained about a situation he probably could
have only been in once, if ever at all in his short life, is very
awe-inspiring. One would almost think Plant to be an elderly blues musician
who had already lived a long life replete with pain and betrayal, when in
fact, at the time of Zeppelin 1's release, Plant was a blue-eyed pup with
curly frocks of blonde hair and a boyish, friendly smile. Guitarist Jimmy
Page, whose talent has led to many discussions with topics like "Who was
the greatest guitarist of this century?" and "Who was the greatest
guitarist ever?" plays with a soulful rythym equal or greater to Plant's
own. His licks and riffs pound deep, throbbing rythym into the music, and
when he plays "Black Mountain Side", a piece featuring himself on
guitar and guest musician Viram Jasani on Tabla drums, the sound is as
rapturous as a prayer is to a devout monk. John Paul Jones, whose skill on
the bass is illustrated in hits such as "Dazed and Confused" and
"How Many More Times", comes across as a dedicated, professional
young musician with as much love for his instrument as the rest of Zeppelin
displays for theirs. Finally, John Bonham's legendary drumming defies
description- the listener must form their own opinion about his perfectly
crafted, never-off beats. Listen to "Good Times Bad Times", the
first track on the album, to hear his original, avant-garde style at it's
finest.
Led Zeppelin's first album is their best for a myriad of reasons. The
members all share a love for the music that most musicians, including
Zeppelin, lose in their later compositions. There is an energetic idealism
that reflects the fiery passions of youth from any generation- a kid today
can pick up an album, listen to it, and instantly connect with the four
artists who sing and play without restraint, who demonstrate their love for
the blues and for rock as purely as possible, and who truly illustrate the
truth in youth by representing love, passion, idealism, and a penchant for
playing rock that carried them from obscurity into undying fame, where they
will remain forever- etched into the history of civilization like acid into
granite.
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