Mine is the OG. When Heart sang it at the Kennedy center I believe honoring Led Zeppelin. Jon Bonhams son playing drums. Jack Black had the best intro. You can watch it on RU-vid
An album with no name, no singles, and still found the way to be part of rock history. I have to admit that even though it is the most cliche song, I absolutely love stairway to heaven.
What do you mean, "no singles"? Its single "Black Dog" was Top 40 in nine countries. Its "Rock and Roll" single charted in four countries. I think "Stairway To Heaven" is great, too. Have a nice day. :-)
@@bobdavis4848 sorry about that, I think the ideas just crossed my mind, I was thinking about Stairway to heaven was not a single and ended up writing no singles hehe
@@rodrilefou2091 I understand; that's OK, thanks for explaining. :-) I was hoping the "what do you mean" didn't sound rude. There was just a promotional only single of "Stairway To Heaven" but sent to DJs, not in a store's single section, so it doesn't really count.
I’m glad they finally found the identity of the man in the photo. His name is Lot Long he is from a small town in England and the photo it’s self was taken in 1892
1971 was an epic year for classic LPs. Sticky Fingers. Imagine, Hunky Dory, Who's Next, this masterpiece, among others. It doesn't get any better. You have great taste!
Led Zeppelin literally changed the course of music ! I was 15 when i bought Zep 1 in 68 and when i first heard Battle of Evermore it was so beautiful i instantly became a Sandy Denny devotee !
Did they roll it out early in some places? In most places Zeppelin 1 came out in '69, if you've got an early one that might be worth a pile of money these days!
@@SonofSethoitae Some of the U.S. radio stations and record stores had it by December '68, one of the reasons why the Boston Tea Party gig that month was packed out. Ironically, the U.K. was one of the last places to get a release. If you've got a copy with "Led Zeppelin" in blue on the sleeve instead of orange, that's worth something like $300. It took some time to come out because it was recorded before they'd signed a deal, the recording was paid for by Page himself. This was one of the things that gave them the confidence to release the fourth album without their name on it or even a title.
1. Love your college borne communications skills. Grammer, enunciation and presentation is top notch. 2. Your musings are based in an understanding of music i've not seen in a child your age. 3. You, with a personality of maturity, mixed with a curiousity that can only be attributed to small humans. Innocent yet honest. 4. Overall, as a album reviewer, (i've seen tons), you're a ten out of ten. Not to mention a natural beauty that leads me to listen and watch that much closer. 5. Sadly im old enough to be your grandpa lol, which allows me to step back and warmly; fondly and respectfully tell you, good job kiddo. Keep it up.
I’m 53, I didn’t care if I heard certain bands ever again having played them to death. Led Zeppelin being one. After your analysis I’m breaking them out again. Great review.
This is my favorite Zeppelin album. I know it may be a kind of lame choice, as this album is so iconic and quite overplayed, but to me it still represents all i love about Led Zeppelin best.
Some albums sell through the roof and achieve "classic" status because of sales and hype while others do the same simply because of their high quality, and Zeppelin IV is definitely because of the latter.
Joni Mitchell being the inspiration for Going to California makes perfect sense. The song fits her milieu, Jimmy’s strumming on the acoustic wouldn’t sound out of place on one of Joni’s albums, and I’ve heard that both Jimmy and Robert were huge fans of her work.
The first time I heard "the song", (yes, I'm that old) is when I bought the album and brought it home. FM radio was just coming of age when IV was released. 'Rock and Roll' was probably the only track most of us heard on the radio, until the mid to late 70's, when AOR became the thing. Yea, after that, "the song" got played to death.
First, thank you for this video. Great review! Second, I love Led Zeppelin. LZIV is fantastic! There is no weak song on it. STH is, IMHO, a masterpiece. When that album came out, no one could get enough of the entire album in general and of STH in particular. I remember the first time I ever heard the album. My friend played it on his very-high-quality stereo while a whole roomful of us sat and listened in awe. (His parents were rich; his system cost just over $4,000.00---a month before LZIV came out. That would be about $30,000.00 today. I, OTOH, was lucky to afford food, clothing, and shelter.) When I sit and listen to LZIV, I am transported back to the days of my youth. I am nineteen again, and LZ is rocking the whole world. Oh, to live just one more day in the early Seventies!
i love stories like these. for a long time you just didn’t get together with friends to all listen to an album together (but album release parties are coming back!)
As is with so many middle boomers, Led Zeppelin was and still is, to those who never grew up, so very very meaningful. It was perfect music to escape to far off places in our heads with, no hallucinogens or stimulants needed. They never let me down.
The big song for me on this one is When The Levee Breaks, mainly cause of Bonham's drums. I like Four Sticks a lot too, it helps it's not overplayed and Battle of Evermore cause of the great guest vocal from Sandy Denny.
Jimmy Page was meticulous in strategically placing the microphones for John Bonham in the stairway at the (allegedly haunted Grange) for ‘Levee’ … the result speaks for itself.
In the summer of 1972 when I was fifteen four friends and I got arrested for smoking weed in the woods at a baseball game. I was searched and the cops didn't find any weed on me because I had tossed it away after I hit the ground when the officers told us to at gunpoint. One friend ran back into the woods and got away so there had originally been six of us... three boys and three girls. When they searched my pockets, the only other thing I had with me was a piece of paper with the lyrics and chords to... a song. They had no idea what to make of it but they took it to mean I was on drugs. That's what the night sergeant asked me. He was sincerely concerned because his wife worked for my father. I said, "Do you mean am I high right now? Because after having a gun pointed at my head, no, I'm not." He said good and told me he never wanted to see me there again and let us all go free. None of us ever spoke a word about it until years later, I was home visiting my parents and their guests for dinner were to be my dad's office manager and her husband. I told my parents I would cook dinner. I made a great dinner for five--I think it was brisket--and when we sat down at the table, I said, "I have a story I want to tell." And I spilled all the beans, only I didn't reveal who I was with. That would have been even more shocking because let's just say I didn't have any track record as a ladies' man. I was as geeky a kid as you ever saw. My mom said she remembered that night when I came home and went straight up to my room and didn't come out until the next morning. She just thought I was drunk. The sergeant's wife turned to her husband with fire in her eyes and said, "You never told me about this!" He just smiled, sat back in his chair, and said, "He's a good kid." At my 40th high school reunion, one of the girls brought it up and then everybody knew what had happened more than 40 years before. Many were shocked, not that I had weed, but that I was smoking in the woods with three "good" girls. That's my Stairway story and I'm sticking to it. LOL
So I used to live in Reading home to very famous Reading festival that Led Zeppelin played at. I now live just outside. Anyway story has it that Robert Plant bought the painting on the cover in an antique shop in Reading. Jimmy Page also used to live in a village called Pangbourne that is just outside Reading. I pass his old house quite regularly.
'The Battle Of Evermore'. I have this sailboat that I built from aircraft lumber. I saved the wood, and materialsI in my apartment in Downtown Houston; ( that took 3 1/2 years). Then I lived on it for 9 1/2 years, in Key West. The name of the boat is: "Easting". Lyrics from that song. It's still central to my life. Pretty much one of the few things that I care about.
“That Song” got over-played for a reason. I submit that, even though we might see it as chichéd, if it comes on the radio it’s one of those songs that gets left on till it’s finished…
Every minute of the day, in a college dorm somewhere, a sophomore guitarist has her fingers jammed in the strings, on the fifth note of the Stairway intro.
I can't remember where I read it, but one of the reasons why, supousedly, Bonham chose the three circles symbol was because its similarity to the logo of a beer brand. Also, you didn't mention the hidden creepy face on the rock formation under The Hermit: put your vertically open gatefold on a mirror and you will see.
the three circles have a lot of overlapping meanings and there's a few reasons bonzo chose it, i just had to condense it down far because this video is long enough!
19:15 This was not only one of the best Led IV reviews, but was one of the best When the Levee Breaks review i've heard Levee is my favorite song of all time, and i never get sick of either listening to the song or watching people talking about it And your review was freaking amazing Amazing channel and work
Enjoyed the analysis. I always find the cover art so enigmatic: the portrait of the reclusive hermit gathering sticks in the countryside; the decaying, derelict house walls; the overgrown suburb beyond, and the streamlined monolithic high-rise on the back. Seems to be a lament that all things are slowly passing into history? I'm still not sure. Cheers from London!
Hi Abby.Thanks for another brilliant review of a very good album although I do prefer Physical Graffiti.BTW if you open the gate fold cover and look at the front it makes more sense. Please keep up the good work.
This unassailable classic is Led Zeppelin's masterpiece. All their other albums contain fine, memorable music, but the untitled LP endures as their single most iconic outing. This album enshrines what may be my single favorite Zeppelin song, "Going to California", and even the overexposed "Stairway to Heaven" endures as a deserved classic, one of the all-time greats in the rock canon. Last but not least, this untitled 1971 beauty has my all-time favorite cover art of any music album. Congratulations, Abby, on another great, informative analysis. You don't simply offer your opinions, but go into detail about how they formed and why you hold them, demonstrating impressive research combined with considerable eloquence.
Have a couple US pressings one is a white label promo. Love When the Levee Breaks. Got into 78 collecting and have the Memphis Minnie Kansas Joe on Columbia. Stones, Zep, Cream etc. etc. got me into 78 collecting. Charley Patton, Robert Johnson, Barbecue Bob, Blind Gary Davis etc. Your videos are great and I love the attention to detail.
I have said it before, and it bears repeating; No matter what you have to say about LZ and especially “THAT SONG”, the fact of the matter is that they’ve been responsible for sooooo many people picking up and learning the guitar, every bit as much as Elvis Presley and The Beatles. And regardless of their mis-steps and such, I’d say that’s quite an accomplishment. And Abigail, once again, BRAVO on your presentation. College instructor-worthy!
I totally agree about Jimmy influencing gtr players. I consider him and the Beatles my guitar teachers. Without a doubt doubt learned the most from them. I’m a drummer first, and Bonzo, was my best drum teacher, along with Ringo. Learned so much from both those bands
This album was of course never titled Led Zeppelin Four. It may just be an industry/media rumour that the ‘unofficial’ name was ‘Four Runes’ (although if you count the late, lamented Sandy Denny it is five). As an album it is a masterpiece even if STH is overplayed and overhyped. ‘Levee’ is just unbelievable. This album is Zeppelin reaching full maturity and showing just what they were capable of. I think you did the ‘4’ album and the band full justice, Abigail in your as usual engaging way. One other note regarding ‘that’ song, is that allegedly you will be immediately stopped by music stores’ staff if you play so much as a note for a guitar try out (urban myth?). Love you, keep up the great work … Vinyl lives! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I struggle with IV nowadays. The hits are so played out for me. But the Battle of Evermore.....oh that song. Reminds me of my summer in the valleys and peaks of the Cape Breton highlands. There is magic there in the land of fairies.....the Angels of Avalon. These kind of memories will always never fade, and thats what marks an album like this truly great.....despite Rock'nRoll and Black Dog.
I think my favorite is When The Levee Breaks. It may not be the best song, but it really ends the album well. You did another great review, and your look is awesome! I believe this album is their biggest seller. It failed to hit the summit of the charts because Carole King was simply on fire with Tapestry, but it has become an enduring seller. The album is five stars out of five.
Great video, Abby! I look forward to these on Monday mornings. My mind is blown at the other examples of the chord progression of That song. The beginning part might be common, but that build-up to the dramatic ending was unique. I love the vibe of Misty Mountain Hop & Four Sticks. It was epic Stoner Rock for me in the '70s. I also loved Sandy Denny's beautiful vocals on Battle of Evermore. I have a lot of Zep bootlegs & it's kind of weird to hear it sung by Plant & John Bonham. When The Levee Breaks takes me back to the days of cranking up my first stereo. Still love that album.
once you hear That Song's chord progression once, you never un-hear it! blows my mind all the time. of all those songs, i'd say gentle giant's is closest to the full stairway effect
Another great video. I've never been a big Zep fan, but I did get this LP years ago so that if someone came over and asked to hear them, I'd have something to play. Now, I've got all their albums digitally, but that's still the only physical media I own. I'm so not into Zeppelin that my favorite tracks are still "Black Dog" and "Rock and Roll." But I think I can answer your question as to why "Stairway" got so much radio play that people thought it must be the greatest song ever recorded. As a radio DJ myself from the late '70s-mid-'80s, that was the #1 song on the DJ bathroom list. If you needed to go and it was going to take longer than a three-minute single (or maybe some of them wanted to smoke a joint or have sex), you put on "Stairway to Heaven" and slipped out of the studio. It had various "movements" (sorry!), so it didn't get too annoying to play it very often, unlike the Beatles' "Hey Jude," which was the #2 (sorry again!) bathroom song. So my theory is that it became so iconic because it was #1 on radio's literal s**t list. As for Zeppelin claiming authorship of other people's old blues songs, they reminded me of the Kingston Trio, who openly joked on one live LP about traveling around "with our portable copyright machine." BTW, couldn't agree more on Christgau, who also never got the greatness of the Kinks.
i've heard that from more than one former DJ here, that's the beauty of the comments section! but your account will by far be the most memorable for "radio's literal s**t list," that gave me a good laugh. i'm opening up the convo for zeppelin and the blues in the LZI video soon. i'm both excited and terrified.
One of your best ever episodes of Vinyl Monday. It helps of course when I'm actually into the album. I always have to watch twice because I never hear anything the first time.
I looove this album Abby!!!! I have no words to say... All the songs are fantastic!!!! I don't have favorite, because all the tracks are best of the best .. I can't wait for Bod Dylans' album... Have a nice week Abby, a lot of love...
There were times in the eighties and early nineties when if you were listening to fm radio you would here Stairway three or four times a day. I remember a particular day when it came on, I immediately flipped the station, and sure as shit they were playing it too. Madness.
The very first album i ever bought with my own money! I was a freshman high school student in an all boys catholic school in Manila where everything seemed to rock insofar as music was cocerned. Led Zeppelin was (and still is) my favorite band, and Led Zep 4 was my favorite Led Zeppelin album for as long as i can remember. Not long after when i started buying all of their records, i suddenly replaced Led Zeppelin 4 with Zeppelin 2 as my favorite record by the band. I was already in college when i started to really appreciate John Paul Jones as a musician and how he partnered with John Bonham to create what was in my opinion, the best kiss-ass rhythm section the rock genre has ever produced! Needless to say, Led Zeppelin 4 has become my second favorite Led Zep album next to Led Zeppelin 2 (a close second at that) with Physical Graffitti at the third spot. Thank You for including Led Zeppelin in your vinyl collection. Your program is very informative and entertaining and you are so pretty and intelligent and fun to watch. You remind me of a young and better (more intelligent) version of Goldie Hawn. Peace and Love be with you always! 😊
Joni M was referenced in interviews with Mr Plant as the "Queen" in "Going to Cali," so I'd say that the tribute to her is definitive... Further, he sez that Zepp's song is also a reference to her then-recently released lp Blue, and especially the Joni track "California"! The source of your reluctance to spell out the song "Stairway" is understandable (radio overplay is putting it mildly!), but I still love the MSG live version of the anthem with Page's ruthlessly unhinged solo and Plant's elfin hand signaling of the lyrics.
Fine stuff! I think LZ4 was one of those suitcase records for me. It was already an oldie by the time one of my sisters introduced me to it but once I'd heard it it really put the hook in. As for THAT song, I think playing it would be a good AI/Human differentiation test. I can't imagine anyone not liking it the first time. But yes it wears thin soon. My favourite track is Levee and it joins other epics like Kashmir, Achilles or In the Evening for that extra serve of wow that can take someone indifferent to the band and, if not change their mind, at least open a window. It's hard to know what some of the songs are about which only adds to the mystique which adds to the adventure of listening to it. Of all the bands I cast off with the advent o' punk LZ were one of the first I took up again (after giving away all the US pressed studio albums I'd bought). Thanks for another great ep.
'Looping' back in Vinyl Monday time when you couldn't see the wood for the Zeppelin's. You created a great look, so another time another place. What an opener. Love the way Page's guitar sounds, crunchy or munchy can't decide. This band the sound of humans playing together sometimes dragging sometimes pushing. I do listening for 'my Vinyl Monday's'. I do. Before watching this I would have said that II was my thing but listening tonight I was blown away. Power. Pleasure. Positivity. Your review did it proud and I totally caught the earlier VM enthusiasm for Zeppelin. B-Roll Abby Accidentally Starts Inter Galactic War: only if she did summat like this would I say she'd been stupid. She's built up so much credit. Two Abby's play nice!
Another amazing album from my favorite rock year, 1971. The Battle Of Evermore is my favorite on this album, very Ethereal, takes me to a completely different world with every listen. The drum sound Bonzo got on When The Levee Breaks is one of the greatest sounds ever.
I used to hang out at KTBA FM when I was a teenager - this album had a note on the front ordering DJ's to NOT play this song every time they wanted to but only half that many times.
This album (along with "Houses of The Holy") were in the house when I was growing up in the 70' s and 80s. A few years back I was given a collection of cassettes and Zep 4 was included. Faves include " Black Dog", "Rock and Roll and " Going To California." Another fine video Abby. 🙂
I got a UK second pressing of this recently for £17, so was well chuffed with that! Like you I also have the 2014 remaster but play this old copy a lot more, there's something more lovable about a musty pre-owned copy! 🙂
I couldn't agree more with you on Christgau, I don't believe he even listens to music and instead rates how he felt when he woke up that morning and it seems he woke up in a good mood that day. Anyway, I really love the second side of this album after hearing the first side to death and I think it's the unsung (or unplayed) hero of the album and I particularly love Four Sticks, the VSC3 synthesiser makes that song in my opinion.
This is my fave vinyl Monday! I saw Robert Plant in concert back in 2005 from the 5th row on the floor! After the show he said " I Hope you enjoyed the show see you soon Victoria! I still have my ticket and my "Robert Plant and the strange sensation t shirt!
Funniest thing I ever saw. In Adelaide (where I'm from) there was this music shop with a downstairs section that sold musical instruments, especially guitars. Over the doorway was a sign: ''Anyone playing Stairway To Heaven or Smoke On The Water will be immediately shown the door''.
I used to have a copy I bought when I lived in South Africa in 82 and it had a really different album sleeve when you opened it up it had the lyrics for Stairway To Heaven in big print. I wish I'd kept it now.
The only time I got an opportunity to see Zeppelin (and took it of course) was 16th February 1972 in Perth Western Australia 3 months after this album came out. I was 15. It was fun.
My first experience of LZ was hearing this album. The vocalist in my band played it to me and I instantly fell in love. As a drummer, I will always love and respect Levee, but also like Battle (for mandolin and Sandy) and of course, that song - we never heard it on the radio in UK. Always enjoy hearing your views and reviews, lovely lady. Love the fashions, too (old enough to remember them first time round).
This was my "gateway drug" to Zeppelin: specifically Misty Mountain Hop. When I first heard that one, it blew my fucking head off!. Check again: I believe that Memphis Minnie-who did the original version-gets a writing credit on Levee Breaks. The drum sound on that number was Bonzo playing in the foyer of Headley Grange with 2 mic's above him. I also heard that JPJ pinched a musical idea for Black Dog from the Electric Mud album by Muddy Waters.
I was going to ask you what you thought of 'Presence', but then you mentioned 'Achilles Last Stand', and that being where Page claimed his crown, and nothing more needs to be said. 'Achilles Last Stand' and 'Nobody's Fault But Mine' are two of my favorite LZ songs. As for LZ 'IV', 'Black Dog' and ' Rock N Roll' are my favs. Excellent video, and as always very informative.
Acoustic guitar was there from the beginning. just more dominant on number 3. Jimmy Pages acoustic work is fantastic. The fourth album had a great vibe, and you can tell they had fun while creating it. Well done Abbey
Hi Abby great talk! of course I love this album ,Led Zeppelin are my favorite band , if I have to choose favs , I prefer a little more all the song of the side one. for me this album is fascinating also for the esoteric symbols and figures, and for the Tolkien inspired song , as the title "Misty mountain hope" and "The battle of evermore"; I like that stuff
That was the first LZ I bought when it came out, and it's still my favorite. It was during the golden age of FM radio (at least in L A). Every song from that album got airplay back then, some more than others. Black Dog and RockNRoll probably the most in the first year. The unmentioned song didn't reach the obnoxious level of airplay in the first year (if I remember right), like it did in subsequent years. I enjoyed your thoughtful thesis about the album, I never thought of looking at it in some of those ways. Looking forward to the next video.
Great review, Abigail! Zeppelin 4 is the ultimate rock album IMO. My thoughts on Stairway... I always go back to the very first time I heard it and how it made me feel. Yes, it has been played to death, but the song is an absolute masterpiece. The guitar solo alone is probably the best guitar solo ever recorded (along with comfortably numb).
You are such a brilliant, creative thinker! I’d enthusiastically attend your college course. I love how you diss cristgau (sp?). I’d be interested to hear what you think of Lester Bangs .
lester bangs has come up a few times on my channel! while i don't always agree with his opinions - hell i think he could be kind of a brat - i recognize he championed authenticity above all else and wasn't interested in pleasing anyone. for that, i deeply respect him
@@abigaildevoe thank you for your response. The authenticity cred really shines through in the way he championed The Stooges and Black Sabbath when everyone else thought they were crap. He saw it as the genius it was, and was always out to discover and champion authentic rock and roll. His evolving opinions on Jim Morrison over the years, I think, are quite telling of his ability to first admit bias and “right” those “wrongs.” Yes, truly an enfant Terrible (as was Morrison). He most often, I think, used that as a device that helped him really go out on limbs for those who passed his authenticity tests. Example: he chastised himself publicly for his early dismissal of Exile on Main St by admitting he hadn’t given the album a proper listen (there’s SO MUCH underneath all that murk!). Above all, as a writer, I’ll go out on a limb and say that - love him or not - Lester Bangs is one of the Great American Writers. He influenced my own stream-of-consciousness, manic rock ‘n’ roll narrative style quite a bit. He was kinda like Lenny Bruce in some ways. Your opinion sounds spot-on.
The Rolling Stones Mobile was set up outside Headley Grange. The band would play in the house with the Rolling Stones mobile truck recording everything.
Dang, that's a really good find! Really good condish, and I never realised that Sandy Denny got her own symbol too! I love the forest nymph/song remains the same look you're going for, it's a definite vibe. One of my favourite rock albums of the first half of the '70s, luckily for me I don't listen to very much rock radio so I've never really been over-exposed to the *song we must not mention*. And as similar as many of the songs are (like most Zeppy albums) I wouldn't want to miss a single one.
Sandy Denny is pretty much the most underrated artist London UK has ever produced. Led Zeppelin's song The Battle Of Evermore really comes to life with her singing with Robert Plant.
I love taking two pairs of drum sticks together, and playing Bonzo’s beat from FOUR STICKS. It is challenging to do, and when you start to get it, it’s never ending joy, to jam around with the concept.
Love your series! I’m 52, and basically worship recordings, and I’ve learn some great stuff from this and the Zep I video, I just watched it, oh and Layla. All great, and thank you!
You're so blonde (on blonde). Hi @bbygirl. Hi. Hats Off To Roy Harper is simply marvelous. Zep IV is fab. Good review. In 1991 (or was it 94) I boght a CD wot is called 'Stairways To Heaven' which was a bunch if tribute acts covering the song. B52s tribute, Beatles tribute, Doors tribute. Very quirky. My comment isn't as involved as I'm recording new music of my own. I'm distracted. Visions of Johanna.
When I first heard Zeppelin, I thought it sounded like noise. It wasn't until a couple years later, that I suddenly could hear all the notes. Certain substances may or may not have been involved. Before, I thought hard rock/metal banks were just hitting random notes really fast. Which, admittedly, some do. But not Page or Hendrix. I was like, ooooh sh-----