Led Zeppelin: Classic Or Dud?

I generally think music copyright is way too broad and really should not protect artists' right to not have songs that sound kinda like their songs, or even pretty strikingly similar (cf "My Sweet Lord"/"He's So Fine"). It really should only be for literally stealing someone's song or very close to it.

Man, Spirit's version of the progression is so much worse too - the way it clumsily drops to that d-minor, like it doesn't know where the fuck to go, whereas Stairway has the guts to hang on the Fmaj7 for as long as it can before returning to the Am.

er sorry that's misexplained, they stay both stay on the fmaj7 for the same amount of time, but nonetheless zep did it better, w/e

I finally heard the remasters of the first three albums this weekend. Bonus tracks (even the live stuff) totally inessential, but holy shit, the albums really do are improved. I may wind up buying these fucking things and selling my 1993 box after all. But I'll wait till the whole series is out; there'll probably be a price drop.

not to excuses actual rip-offs committed by Zep but I hate nebulous music copyright lawsuits like this one.

Still pissed that Men At Work ended up owing millions for quoting "Kookaburra" in "Land Down Under".

So given his range, why are there so many instances c. "Houses" that Robert Plant seems to be pitch shifted even higher? "Song Remains the Same," "The Ocean" ...

Zep messed around with tape speed and vocal processing all the time, didn't they? "No Quarter" was slowed down, I thought? Isn't there some varispeed fuckery on "Four Sticks" as well? In the case of the songs you mention, I'm not sure if it was just sonic experimentation or if Plant was losing his highest register a little already.

Plant was losing his range pretty early on; I don't think he ever sang "Rock & Roll" live with the same melody as on the record.

It's mostly all that one album, though, isn't it? Those two tracks and "The Crunge" sped up, "No Quarter" slowed down? Do they mess with tape speed much on "Physical Graffiti?"

I'm totally rooting for Spirit, even though I don't think they have a case. I just like to see Page squirm.

― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Tuesday, October 21, 2014 4:25 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

OTM, im totally on Spirit's side in this. Page is one of the all time ripoff artists.

Thanks for weighing in.

Anytime

I'm just glad all those Spirit tribute bands now have another song besides "I Got A Line On You" that audiences might recognize. Finally!

Hahaha

Personally, I'm waiting for Brahms' descendants to sue Rick Wakeman.

I don't care what y'all say, "Fresh Garbage" is classic.

yeah that's *the Spirit song I like*, but I mean it's not exactly a shoulda-been-#1

"Nature's Way" people.

12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus owns

I've just listened to the remastered "Houses of the Holy" and damn does it sound fantastic !
Somehow it strikes me much more than all the other remasters so far.
"Rain song" sounds pristine.

New Page interview:
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/jimmy-page-led-zeppelin-was-an-affair-of-the-heart-20141028?page=4

he is more coy about curious omissions amid the bonus tracks so far, including the Led Zeppelin III-era B-side, "Hey, Hey, What Can I Do" and unreleased Indo-symphonic versions of III's "Friends" and IV's "Four Sticks," recorded by Page and singer Robert Plant in 1972 in what was then Bombay, India, with sitars, tabla drums and a local orchestra. "Can't comment on that, really," Page says with a sly grin. "I can't tell you what's coming, can I?"

so are they saving the actual good outtakes and unreleased stuff for some kinda new odds n' sods thing? or a new Coda?

That's so stupid. "Hey, buy our definitive remasters with their bonus discs of stuff, but keep in mind ... they may not be definitive, save some cash, wink wink." In another life Jimmy Page made "Friday the 13th" sequels.

"I can't tell you what's coming, can I?"

YES YOU CAN, YOU DOUBLENECK MORON.

I know the answer: more Zeppelin stuff.

Goddamm, that rough mix of "No Quarter"

I've heard the plans for the Coda reissue are spectacular, suggesting they knew no one would buy it unless they saved a load of good unreleased stuff for it.

^^30 minute "Bonzo's Montreux" megamix.

feat Puffy

WE INVENTED THE MEGAMIX

bought the III remaster & am enjoying it immensely

that is all

Klosterman interviews Page in GQ, in which Jimmy is up to his usual hyper-defensive antics, but I thought this was interesting (and overdue):

CK: I was surprised that in the recent documentary on [Cream drummer] Ginger Baker [Beware of Mr. Baker], he takes some shots at Bonham's musical ability. You just never hear other drummers making that criticism. He's usually so untouchable.

JP: That's an interesting film, because of the way the film starts. Doesn't it start with Ginger hitting the director with a cane? I did see the film, and I know what you're talking about. I was a bit disappointed by that. His criticism was that Bonham didn't swing. I was like, "Oh, Ginger. That's the only thing that's undeniable about Bonham." I thought that was stupid. That was a really silly thing of him to say.

"Oh Ginger(paws)

I mean, Ginger is a dick...though I guess I do get where he's coming from in terms of how he views music...(and I say this as a huge Bonham fan), but I'm sure Baker doesn't really rate Bonham or Moon because from what I could tell he doesn't really respect rock musicians or rock music at all...he's a jazz dude ultimately and he had proven that he could hang with serious jazz dudes in a way that I doubt Bonham or Moon could have, so to him they don't have a lot of respect

that said the who and zeppelin are both 10x better than cream so who cares

Ginger is a funny/cantankerous dude but matt otm re: Zeppelin and the Who >>>>>> Cream

he had proven that he could hang with serious jazz dudes in a way that I doubt Bonham or Moon could have

This is true, but neither Bonham nor Moon had those aspirations like Baker did. And Baker couldn't have hung with Zep or the Who.

(and Elvin Jones once said of Baker, "They should make him an astronaut and lose his ass," while praising Moon's playing in the same interview. Baker probably wasn't too happy about that.)

Classic rock, nice.

"(Elvin) Jones expressed satisfaction with the work of Keith Moon with the simple words, “The man is a drummer.” That must have been like having God part the clouds, look down at you and nod, “This one I like.” (On the other hand, exposed to some jackass — i.e., Cream’s Ginger Baker — dishonoring his beloved instrument of choice, Jones shifted about painfully before offering the lost soul some much-needed career advice: “They should make him an astronaut and lose his ass.”)"

Were the members of Cream interested in being the best rock band they could be, like Who and Zep? Their composition dynamics and what they were after seems very different to the other two

Lol at that Elvin Jones quote
In fairness, Ginger on the Masters of Reality album wasn't a million miles away from Zep, or some of the heavier Baker Gurvitz Army stuff

Were the members of Cream interested in being the best rock band they could be, like Who and Zep?

I think Cream thought they already were the best (hence the name). It's not that they didn't work hard, but they seemed to have a less-agitated, more casual attitude. They didn't think they had as much to prove as Zep or the Who did.

Love the part in A True Testimonial where every one talks about the MC5 mopping the floor with the conquering English rock gods

Did anybody here listen to Baker's 2014 album, Why? (punctuation in original)? I got it in the mail on Monday and checked it out this morning. It's pretty good; it's him, Pee Wee Ellis on saxophone, Alec Dankworth on bass, and Abass Dodoo on percussion. Some old jazz pieces, some re-recordings of tunes from earlier Baker albums, one tune by Ellis...very laid back, a totally non-showboaty blues-jazz album. Definitely worth hearing.

I like his album with Fela (and his documentary about the period). Cream has always bored me for the most part.

can anyone confirm or deny that there are audio issues on the 'houses of the holy' vinyl pressing? the reviews on amazon are alarming:

http://www.amazon.com/Houses-Holy-Remastered-Original-Vinyl/dp/B00M30VKWM/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1418244690&sr=1-1&keywords=led+zeppelin+houses+of+the+holy+vinyl

Hmmmmm. Almost bought that. I hope there aren't issues. II sounds great.

ginger baker's jazz drumming is so leaden and heavy-handed compared to any jazz dude though

I like his Laswell album on axiom.

Oh, and the one with Frisell.