“Led Zeppelin II” by Led Zeppelin - album review

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TJR says

It's just over a year since The Yardbirds were dissolved and already this is the second long player from the newly emerged Led Zeppelin. Perhaps II isn't quite as strong as the debut, but it continues with some decent form, even if there are some flashes of hard-rock which are a bit too self-indulgent for my tastes. Their storming signature tune, “Whole Lotta Love”, opens the set, digging back to “You Need Love” (Muddy Waters, 1962) for some root inspiration, whilst adding their own lyrics and a whole lotta power rock to lift the original to even greater heights. Originally denied, Willie Dixon eventually got his co-credit legalized in 1985! Similarly controversial was “The Lemon Song” which was rooted in Howlin' Wolf's “Killing Floor” (1965). Again, legal intervention ensured that Chester Burnett was co-credited. As I alluded to earlier, perhaps more disturbing was the group's emerging penchant for the hard rock solos. More stylish was “Ramble On” on side two, where the acoustic guitars are free to roam, aided and abetted with some electric guitar crunch, a tough lip-curling sound which is pleasing to my ear. John Bonham's technically brilliant drumming cannot be denied on “Moby Dick” but it's a big turn off for me. A 3 minute solo in a 4 minute song? That's taking the piss. It had potential too. The album finishes well, once again digging into the recent blues catalogues, their “Bring It On Home” fusing with the piece originally released as “Gonna Bring It On Home” by Shakey Horton in 1964. I enjoy this aspect of Led-Zep-ism. Originally credited to Jimmy Page & Robert Plant only, the song was later solely credited to Willie Dixon. A tricky business…

The Jukebox Rebel
14–Sep–2008

Tracklist
A1 [05:34] 9.0.png Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love (Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, John Bonham, Willie Dixon) Blues Rock / Soul Rock
A2 [04:45] 5.4.png Led Zeppelin - What Is And What Should Never Be (Jimmy Page, Robert Plant) Rock
A3 [06:19] 5.3.png Led Zeppelin - The Lemon Song (Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, John Bonham, Chester Burnett) Blues Rock / Soul Rock
A4 [04:50] 5.6.png Led Zeppelin - Thank You (Jimmy Page, Robert Plant) Songwriter
B1 [04:14] 5.7.png Led Zeppelin - Heartbreaker (Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, John Bonham) Rock
B2 [02:39] 6.0.png Led Zeppelin - Living Loving Maid (She’s Just A Woman) (Jimmy Page, Robert Plant) Rock
B3 [04:24] 6.8.png Led Zeppelin - Ramble On (Jimmy Page, Robert Plant) Rock
B4 [04:22] 5.0.png Led Zeppelin - Moby Dick (Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham) Prog
B5 [04:20] 6.5.png Led Zeppelin - Bring It On Home (Willie Dixon) Blues Rock / Soul Rock

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