Posted on 04/29/2021 6:14:24 PM PDT by simpson96
"When the Levee Breaks" is a country blues song written and first recorded by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie in 1929. The lyrics reflect experiences during the upheaval caused by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.
"When the Levee Breaks" was re-worked by English rock group Led Zeppelin as the last song on their untitled fourth album. Singer Robert Plant used many of the original lyrics and the songwriting is credited to Memphis Minnie and the individual members of Led Zeppelin. Many other artists have performed and recorded versions of the song.
Led Zeppelin - "When the Levee Breaks" (1971)
(Excerpt) Read more at youtube.com ...
I always thought that he and Jones were the best rhythm section in rock & roll.
JPJ was basically the Brit version of “The Wrecking Crew” he played on a lot of songs before joining Zep.
For me the definitive song about The Louisiana Flood
Randy Newman - Louisiana 1927
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB0I6uxRglY
This by far was not the only great Led Zeppelin track. Though I do really hate "Stairway to Heaven."
In Through The Out Door was the greatest Led Zeppelin album in my opinion - only marred by the awful "Hot Dog". Had that track been substituted by something like "Ozone Baby" from Coda, it would have been the perfect album.
My favorite. Then Nobody’s Fault, Dazed and Confused
I group Levee and Kashmir together too. Heavy, dark, otherworldly, repetitive in a good way cathartic dirges with especially great drums.
I group other Zep songs together too although I’d need to think about it some to define the groups. Off the top of my head I see Since I’ve Been Loving You and I’m Gonna Crawl in a similar way, sort of enhanced blues songs with sophisticated progressions and great solos.
Hot Dog and Gallows Pole would probably go in the annoying list. There are a few others that are repetitive *not* in a good way that wind up dragging on a bit...In My Time Of Dying comes to mind.
Overall I see most Zep albums almost as mini greatest hits albums, each with its own flavor and very little filler.
I beg to differ. I love Stairway to Heaven. In the second verse, "over the rainbow...way up high where the bluebirds fly" is a reference to the 1939 hit Over the Rainbow.
“Are you suggesting Zeppelin plagiarized that song?”
What song did they not plagiarize?
60’s hippie scum stole everything.
Here’s another.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w1xBwWm46ug
Bull Doze Blues. Henry Thomas.
Bobby Chouinard was no John Bonham, but he and Squier made a good duo. IIRC, The Big Beat is still one of the most sampled drum beats in history. A bass drum kick like an asteroid strike. If Squier just hadn’t gone and done that damn gay video later........Rock Me Tonight. *ugh*
I had never seen that video. Not a bad song, but the video is gay indeed! What was he thinking?
Were the drums set up in the stairwell or was the stairwell used as a chamber with a speaker microphone set up?
My favorite Zeppelin song is Ten Years Gone.
If you like Led Zeppelin played by a Elvis-fronted reggae band.
I think some of Dread's works are as good, if not better, than the originals.
perfect analysis, tks!
I believe that the drums were set up in the foyer - at the base of the stairs. This was a mansion they were at..
Bonham down in the foyer and the mics were up the stairwell. I don’t recall exactly how many feet or floors up they were placed. I’m sure there’s video or interviews with John’s or Nevison about the details.
Yeah, they’re a parody band but their musicianship is no joke.
Their reworking of Kashmir is fantastic:
https://youtu.be/0gJZ3zaJ_88?t=205
only marred by the awful “Hot Dog”
I understand your feeling but that song shows a great rock and roll band actually had a sense of humor. The band would warm up using that type of rockabilly music. Also I read it was kind of a tribute to Elvis and American rockabilly music. John Paul Jones playing ragtime piano? Come on Man!
They looked like they were having a lot of fun when they played it live.
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