LED ZEPPELIN IV

But, to start talking, this is the classic of classics. Led Zeppelin produced this at the height of their power, taking their commercial morale up after the not so well-suceeded in sales Led Zeppelin III.

Put this disc in your player, sit down, close your eyes, and you'll soon hear Plant's screaming the bluesy-fashioned lyrics. Page's provides one of his most classic riffs. The song keeps alternating between Plant's solo singing and the guitar, and then it gains even more energy, and is driven with a great solo, in a great mood. Perfect.

Rock and Roll starts with a furious drumming, louder than the guitar, which stays in the background while Plant sings. The instrumentation is powerful, in another bluesy number.

Battle of Evermore is one of Led's most innovative songs. A folk-rock played by the mandolin, where Plant shares the vocals with the guest singer Sandy Denny. The choirs and the songwriting where made masterfully.

And...do I really, really need to say anything about Stairway to Heaven? oh, come on, it's an absolute joy of men, a highlight of our contemporany culture. Almost all guitarrists in the world can play the first bars of this song, soon after learning the first chords. Jone's flute arrangement is superb, driving a mystic, even folk atmosphere, while Plant sings the misterious lyrics counterpointed by the guitar arpeggios. The song proceeds in the slow mood, with superb licks and riffs by Page's guitar, until the percussion gets in. The song keeps going until Plant is done with the lyrics and gives his classic scream. Then, the most famous guitar solo of rock takes place. The masterful blues scale divings with plenty of bends and slides, fulfilled by Jone's arrangement can only bring delight. Plant gets back with the rest of the lyrics, accompanied by a swingy guitar. The song is now really rocking, but the mood soon falls to its final chords. Not a masterpiece, THE masterpiece.

Side B keeps the scheme: two rocky tunes, a acoustic and a masterpiece to close. Misty Mountain Hop is a beautiful melodic blues, driven by a violent drumming by Bonham.

Four Sticks got its name from the fact that Bonham use two sets of sticks to play. The song develops in odd time signature, going from 5/4 to 6/8. Plant sings gently.

Going to California is an acoustic ballad, with John Paul Jones fulfilling the guitars with the mandolin. When the Levee Breaks is a cover of Memphis Minnie, which got a new version with Bonham sounding like a giant smashing the drum set, driving guitars and harmonica section. A must-have.

All in All, although not prog, it helps us understanding the way music creativity worked in the seventies.

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