47 years of Led Zeppelin's IV album

On November 8th rock music fans around the world celebrated 47th anniversary of Led Zeppelin's fourth studio, untitled album release. These eight tracks became a real milestones for rock music's evolution. Nowadays, years later a piece of music created by Page, Plant, Jones and Bonham still sounds fresh and modern. But how it everything started?

After release of the Led Zeppelin III album in late 1970 musicians returned to Bron-Yr-Aur, where they wanted to write new material. Soon the group has started recording session at Basing Street Studios, but after few weeks they moved to Headley Grange and used The Rolling Stones' mobile studio. Album includes eight various tracks inspired by folk, blues and early music.

Black Dog, named after a dog who lived nearby Headley Grange, written by Jones and Page is a groovy song with catchy guitar riff and amazing guitar solo by Page. Rock and Roll recorded with The Rolling Stones' pianist Ian Stewart started by Bonham's drum intro came out of a jam session at Headley Grange. This song opened a lot of Zeppelin shows. Inspired by early music The Battle of Evermore with great mandolin line wrote by Page and guest vocal by Sandy Denny of Fairport Convention turned us back in time to the times of medieval's battles.

Going to California, romantic ballad with also amazing mandolin's line wrote and played by John Paul Jones is an example of Joni Mitchell's influence, who was an music oracle to Robert Plant. And this lyric about lost love with a woman unkind - another magic moments in Zeppelin's IV album. Tolkien's inspiration in Misty Mountain Hop, another groovy song with great electric piano by Jones and a bit stoned lyrics. Four Sticks, where Bonzo played drum pattern with four drum sticks. This song was played live only once. Last song When the Levee Breaks about The Great Mississipi Flood in 1927 is Zeppelin's version of old blues by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy. It started with famous and spacious drum pattern by Bonham, sampled in many many songs later in history, especially in hip-hop music.

During sessions in Headley Grange band recorded also few tracks - Down by a Seaside, Night Fling and Boogie with Stu, released on Physical Graffiti album in 1975. Also at the sessions an early version of No Quarter was recorded. Cheers!

Source: amazon.com

Szymon Pęczalski

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