Retro Reviews: Led Zeppelin first album

I decided to launch a new series to imagine myself as a critic at the end of the 60s and start of the 70s, and to rectify certain reviews from Rolling Stone magazine and Crème. This not meant to be contrarian, but to offer a more balanced perspective. All the albums reviewed are indeed classic albums. 

Led Zeppelin (1969)

**** ½ stars.

Producer: Jimmy Page

Musicians: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, John Bonham, Viram Jasani on track six.

Songs: Good Times Bad Times, Babe I’m Gonna L:eave You, You Shook Me, Dazed and Confused, Your Time Is Gonna Come, Black Mountain Side, Communication Breakdown, How Many More Times

Review by Matthew Anthony Allair

Jimmy Page known for his recent work on The Yardbird’s 'Little Games' album has launched a new project with Bass and Keyboard player John Paul Jones, both had done session work for the likes of The Who, Donovan, The Jeff Beck Group and other’s. They are joined by two players from the Black Country, singer Robert Plant, whom has phenomenal range and power and is on par with contemporaries like Terry Ried, and drummer John Bonhan, a phenomenal player on par with Ginger Baker and Mitch Micthell. A number of peers are comparing them to The Jeff Beck Group, but this seems superficial for me, as this sounds like a very different band. It is also unescapable to compare this effort to the band Cream, but again there isn’t a comparison. This band might just be using the blues as a means to an end – it’s hard to tell at this early stage.

What separates this at first, before hearing a note, is the fact that Jimmy Page was the producer which gives the band greater control and freedom. The fact differs from a George Martin, Micky Most, Robert Stigwood, or Shel Talmy at the helm, and it really shows. There’s no Svengali controlling the material on this. The Engineer, Glyn Johns does an outstanding job indeed. There’s a wide-screen quality to the sonics of the album that envelops you quickly.

The album opens with the jackhammer thrust of “Good Times Bad Times”, a sort of hard rock, pop number with some phenomenal drumming work by John. Next up is the folk number “Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You”, a number that Joan Baez had performed in her early years. This acoustic number has a push and pull, loud and soft quality with nods to flamingo that leave it compelling. The next number is a song that Jeff Beck recorded, “You Shook Me’, but this has a very different feel. Beck’s track opened with s sick Wah pedal, and Page switches it up with a very fuzzed slide guitar, Jones throws in some fun electric piano and organ, and Plant throws in some fun harmonica. There are three fun solos that drive “You Shook Me” You start to see here that Zeppelin may be reinventing the blues for the next generation. Jones’s organ soloing is a delight, Plants Harmonica solo seems to channel Sonny Boy Williamson, and Page’s lead guitar is incendiary, plus, there’s some great interplay between Page and Bonham on that solo.  Side one closes with the ominous “Dazed and Confused”, the bass and drums hints at a laid-back feel until Rage kicks it in with heavy guitar.

Side two easily could have opened the album. The rich, gothic organ by Mr. Jones on “Your Time Is Gonna Come” pulls the listener in before the organ switches into pop riffing in this psychedelic folk number. Page is then introduced solo showcase with “Black Mountain Side” featuring a table player. The savage “Communication Breakdown” feels like something entirely new and fresh while keeping a tonally raw spirit. “I Can’t Quit You Babe”, the second Willie Dixon number on the album is the most live feeling number, stripped down to the essentials. The album closer “How Many More Times” opens with a bass and drums swing feel that shifts into the heavy guitar groove. This is some impressive work that morphs into a Bolero groove in the middle point on this song, the longest track, this is also a track that takes a nod to the Page written “Beck’s Bolero” from his ‘Truth’ album from 68.

The interplay between the band members feels rather magical, Plant seems to have unmistakable chemistry with the guitarist. Page's guitar work and Jones's bass work is outstanding throughout.  There’s already rumors that there’s high interest in America for the band and it’s no surprise. They are likely to be the most important band to launch at the start of 1969. Highly recommended.

A special P off to John Mendelsohn. 😏