Led zeppelin IV (untitled)
The Band:
Jimmy Page- Electric and Acoustic guitars, pedal steel and slide guitars, Backing vocals (JPJ’s mandolin on Battle of evermore)
Robert Plant- Lead vocals, Harmonica
John Bonham- Drums, tympani, Backing vocals
John Paul-Jones- Bass, Piano, Organ, keyboards, Mellotron, synthesisers
What can I say? Led Zeppelin four or Zoso or untitled if you like, is one of the all-time classic rock albums. It remains a favorite among fans and the material is timelessly relevant.
Most of the album was recorded at Headley Grange in the Rolling Stones’ mobile studio
“We needed the sort of facilities where we could have a cup of tea and wander around the garden and then go in and do what we had to do” said Page after the albums release.
Many of the albums great tracks were made on the spot and committed to tape almost right there and then. “An advantage of having the mobile studio is that you experiment and work with different ideas, and are not restricted by time” Plant said.
After the mixed reception that greeted Led Zeppelin III, the band decided to deliberately downplay the albums release and instead of deciding on a set title for the album they decided to set a precedent by selecting four symbols, each representing a member of the band, to form the title. They didn’t stop there, to further throw the media, the music industry and their fans, they opted for a wordless album cover containing a painting of an old man at the front and of a decaying urban area on the back. This was seen as commercial suicide at the time but in some respects has created a mystique which surrounds the album and it’s contents to this day.
Upon it’s release on November 8th 1971, it scaled the charts and went to number one in the UK, Australia and Japan in it’s fist week and made it to number two on the US charts.
Black Dog- If Zeppelin III had aroused any doubt about the bands ability to rock, this song was the antidote. One of the most recognizable tracks in their entire catalogue, Black Dog kicks into gear with an impossible riff made by Jonesy played by Page and follows into a cappella vocal arrangement. The lyrics are tongue in cheek and don’t hide anything. Jimmy’s guitar solo is anything but conservative as he employs his Gibson Les Paul to construct four overdubbed fills.
The song is said to have taken it’s name from a stray dog that wondered around the Grange during the recording process.
Rock and Roll- A rocky roller as the name suggests. “It’s been a long time since I’ve rock and rolled” Plant shrieks as Bonzo delivers and admirable performance with his symbols. This is all resting precariously on a mammoth Page riff, which is followed by JPJ’s bubbling bass. Pagey’s guitar solo steps in and keeps the tempo steady as Bonzo closes with some lovely drum work.
The Battle of evermore- The tune was written for this by Page late one night while experimenting on Jones’ mandolin, Plant then contributed medieval lyrics based on a book he was reading about the Scottish wars. Sandy Denny was called in to sing the reply to Plants questioning lyrics. Overall a haunting tune and a nice warm up for “the big one.”
Stairway to Heaven- I don’t really know how to go about reviewing this track. It is one that has stood the test of time and one of the all-time greatest recordings, an epic of boundless proportions. “Stairway” started out as a fairly complete chord progression that Page brought to the table when recording commenced and evolved further around a log fire at the grange. Robert played his hand and contributed a set of lyrics full of hippy mysticism that told the tale of a search for spiritual perfection. Bonham enters as the track builds in to a crescendo, this is followed by the greatest guitar solo ever made and that will ever be made. As the track starts to fade out Plants lyrics start to explain themselves, both Jimmy and Bonzo conclude with rambling pieces and then it’s over. I could go on for quite a while about this track but there are still four more to go.
Misty Mountain Hop- A happy up Tempo outing, Plant delivers a lovely vocal arrangement with hippy styled lyrics, which is centered around Jones’ electric piano. Jimmy and bonzo work together nicely to create another classic.
Four Sticks- Steps in with a galloping guitar riff and drums to match. Plant again shows his ability and sings about “getting away from his baby.” JPJ’s bass is a little understated on this track but fulfills it’s purpose.(He later adds his fill with the moog synthesizer) The song got it’s name when Bonham used “four sticks” to create the relentless beat.
Going to California- Another acoustic beauty which was originally about the earthquakes in California, it also tells of an unrequited search for the perfect lady.
Slow and relaxed a real gem to straighten out any creases. This is the only acoustically inspired track on the album but it is pure gold.
When the Levee breaks- The spiraling finale to an epic album. It enters with Plant playing a nice tune on Harmonica with Bonzo adding a spacious fill in the background (a sound which he achieved with a new kit positioned under a stairwell with two microphones overhead) Page accompanies with a rampant slide guitar piece and an uncontrollable solo. The track can’t help but make you feel you’re in Mississippi, maybe it’s the plants harmonica?
What an absolutely brilliant album this is, it is a showing of the mighty Zeppelin at their very best. I, like many consider this to be their best work, a real masterpiece to be taken seriously.
Pros:
- Diversity of tracks
- Great musicianship
- Stairway to Heaven
- Showing of a band at their best
Cons:
- Some of the tracks may not appeal to all
