Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin

Formed in 1968 at the height of the War in Vietnam, Led Zeppelin’s first album was a true indication that the music scene was changing, moving into a more powerful, more textured and a more experimental phase. Led Zeppelin, it seemed, was truly one of those bands who exploded onto our radios and stereos fully loaded and fully formed. It was as if they’d never existed on this planet, and were now standing before us in all of their raw power and glory.

The image they used on their first two albums was that of an exploding Zeppelin. One can’t help but look back with wider eyes wondering if the album art they chose was a statement regarding the crashing of the music as we had come to know it, the explosion of Led Zeppelin onto the a new music scene, or the shaking off of previous modes of musical transportation for the new and modern age. Whatever it was, it wasn’t about ‘Peace, Love & Understanding.’

Their music was dark, sexual and deeply rooted in the blues. Having picked up on what the early Stones had done, continuing with Jimmy’s stint in the Yardbirds, and heavily influenced by the relentless lessons learned from the great Jimi Hendrix; this group came together to forever change the face of music. I want to say that they were ushering in a new era where society, the youth of the world, was more self absorbed [and I mean in a more selfish manner], marking the end of Flower Power and Hippies. True, The Grateful Dead would carry on the tradition, but no one could escape what Led Zeppelin was bringing to bare.

Led Zeppelin drew deeply from the past, the trippieness of Sgt. Pepper, the musical journeys of The Moody Blues, the rolling thunder of bigger and more powerful electronics and last but not least, they took full advantage of what The Recording Studio was capable of doing.

With all of this under their belts they stood there and quietly began ‘Babe I’m Gonna Leave You’ and finished it leaving you on the floor, trampled by sound. Music moved from one speaker to another, then back to the center, louder, softer, building, spiraling, soring...all so fresh and new, so wonderfully complex and simple. Every instrument is only as strong as Robert’s voice, which says something astounding, Jimmy’s guitar reasoning is alive to the point of vibration, John Bonham’s drumming ties it all together, and the fine fine bass of John Paul sets the presence of the music.

To say this is nothing short of an amazing album would only indicate my lack of verbiage, but what else is there to say. It’s a DEAD FINE, MINT PERFECT RECORD and if it’s not part of your collection or musical history then your time is gonna’ come, and you WILL have to reconcile with this piece of music, this moment in time.

*One a lighter side note, the first time Zeppelin appeared at Bill Graham’s Fillmore Concert Hall in San Francisco, the image used for the poster and handbill was that of a cute bright green pear with a smiling face...what could have been farther from the truth.

Review by Jenell Kesler