This Album is timeless, came out in 1976 and continues to get even better over time, can only imagine if this album came out today 2022 how much social media attention this would get around the world, the musical talent these 4 members had is unmatched, the GOATS!!!
Never played live by Zeppelin, but Page and Plant gave it a live premiere in Feb 1996 during the run of shows in Japan. Check out the third eye production video from 8th Feb. Brilliant stuff.
Tea For One is so freaking MOODY! I adore it! Jimmy's guitar is speaking as plain as day; you can literally "hear" the words of anguish. As I said before, this album was very direct; it didn't have lots of guitar solos, interwoven tapestries of sound and super lush instrumentation. It was purposefully stripped to brass tacks, so to speak. They had something to say and they were going to say it without the sugar coating. You may consider it as being Jimmy's "chill" but rest assured, he worked extremely hard, in more ways than one, to make it all sound as perfect and effortless as it did.
I've thought for a while now that, besides all the oodles of sheer talent, the one thing that unites every Zep member equally is an exquisite sense of musical TASTE. Knowing what to do, when, and what not to do, then. "Tea For One" is a great example. At the outset, you laughingly noted that even Bonham doing a simple beat is impressive. Now, COULD he have come out of the gates running, with fireworks, and even not sound TOO out of place? Yes! He's John Henry Bonham, FFS! But he kept it restrained. Same of course for Plant, Page, and John Paul Jones. Plant PROBABLY could have gotten away with doing a scat run during this deliciously slow bloozy number, but of course it's better that he didn't. Thus the whole mood of the song is, like, depressing in such a satisfying way. One of the few Zep songs that can--largely due to Jimmy's atmospheric, heart-caressing licks--bring a literal tear to my eye. Which wouldn't happen if so-and-so was showing off over there in the bloody corner. JPJ once made what I think is one of the coolest thing a guy in a band ever COULD say (paraphrasing): "I don't go out on stage thinking, I'm gonna show everyone how good **I** am: Instead I think: I'm gonna go out and show everyone how good THIS BAND is." Fuck's sake--did he, and they, EVER!
Favorite Led Zeppelin album or song is the one you're listening to at the moment that's the greatest compliment any band could ever get think about it they're that good and all the bragging we do on bottom plant and page and as well deserved John Paul Jones is so great when you're at a search of the word or phrase to describe something just say oh yeah John Paul Jones will explain about three quarters of the times you do that great reaction man needed
Roberts voice was pretty torn up by 1975. he ended up getting throat surgery, and thats why I think his voice is isn't as raspy. but by in through the out door, his voice really mellows out. in through the out door divides fans. it's very different, as john paul jones took control and worked with robert on it.
I like In Through The Out Door a lot! Sometimes I think which direction they'd go if Bonzo hadn't passed away. How long would they be playing? I like the style of In the Evening and Carouselabra. I'm definitely in the half of fans who's for YES regarding this album
I think if you listen to this album again, you will realise that Jimmy Page is all over it, maybe not as many solo's, but the riffs, groove and layering of his guitar parts, is in itself a masterclass..... Achilles last stand has at least 6/7 guitar layers on it and ,imo one of Page's best solo's, but because there is so much going on in the song, it kind of gets overlooked. Truly entertaining reaction as usual ✌️