Led Zeppelin Finds Its Old Power
I bought Van Halen and Led Zeppelin II on tape from Columbia House when I was 12 or 13. Both albums blew me away, and both bands have recently reunited for live shows. I have heard good things about the Van Halen shows from friends who went, but I never have that craving to listen to Van Halen anymore. Zeppelin, on the other hand, is something that crawls out of the back of mind and starts kicking the synapses around; whether it be on the radio, in a commercial, or through one of the hundreds of bands they’ve influenced. Zeppelin II’s live, raunchy, loud feel appealed to me then and still does now. So far, everything I’ve read about the Zeppelin show in London on Dec 10 and the brief snippets I’ve seen have been great.
They were reportedly well-rehearsed. Plant can still wail, and although he may not have his highest register still available, he is “dignified” on stage and able to work the melodies to suit his purpose. Page’s guitar sounded thicker than ever. The NY Times said the riffs were “enormous, nasty and glorious” Monday night. John Paul Jones was tight with Jason Bonham, who filled in for his dad. The young Bonham is reported to be “an expert in his father’s beats.” By all reports, no one left the show disappointed.
Ah, if only I could have been there.
