It's been a hot summer, so you probably need coolin'. So you can cool your jets as I am kicking off the weekend with Led Zeppelin.
I'm kicking off the weekend with a twofer; Led Zeppelin's song The Ocean with it's catchy riff, and Beastie Boys sampling that riff in their song She's Crafty.
I’m kicking off the weekend by bringing it on home with Led Zeppelin.
The Current did their own music version of the NCAA basketball tournament for record albums released in 1969. A lot of good music that year. I like the championship match of The Beatles Abbey Road vs Led Zeppelin II. No doubt the two best albums of that year.
Source: thecurrent.org
I’m in South Dakota so I thought I’d find a famous Rock band from South Dakota to kick off the weekend. Except I couldn’t find one. So instead, let’s go with a famous Rock band from London!
Riot Fest begins three weeks from today. And while we are still waiting with bated breath for the release of the schedule and the second wave of bands, it’s not too early to enjoy some tunes from musicians that will be hitting the stage during the three day event. So I’m kicking off the weekend with one my fave Indie artists, Liz Phair and her song Jealousy. (Don’t miss the little Led Zeppelin tribute at the end of the song.)
I don’t want to look, but I’m already hooked on jealously
top500songs
75.
“Whole Lotta Love” was released by English hard rock band Led Zeppelin in 1969 as the first track on their second studio album “Led Zeppelin II” through Atlantic Records. It was written by the band (John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant) and Willie Dixon. The song peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
I bought he single in 1969 back when 45s were still a thing. It was a radio friendly version of the song without the psychedelic/noise rock part. The flip side was Living Loving Maid. Both songs blew me away. LZ II is still my favorite from their disography.
Blues producer Phil Chess died this week at the age of 95. Along with his brother Leonard, they started Chess Records in 1950 at 2120 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago. They recorded what became known as Chicago Blues with monumental artists such as Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Etta James. The Chicago Blues helped spawn Rock ‘N’ Roll in the 1950′s and Chuck Berry recorded many of his greatest songs for Chess Records. In the 1960′s, Rock ‘N’ Roll in turn created a new genre of Blues Rock based on Chicago Blues with bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, Fleetwood Mac and Led Zeppelin. The Rolling Stones made the pilgrimage to Chess studios early in their career and recorded several tracks that appeared on two of their albums.
So in memory of Phil Chess, I’m kicking off the weekend with a Chess label recording of a Willie Dixon composition performed by Muddy Waters in 1954, (I’m Your) Hoochie Coochie Man.
Clara Rockmore was born 105 years ago today (March 9, 1911). She was a theremin virtuoso. This video shows her playing the instrument and it appears as thought she is creating sounds out of mid air. The eerie sound of the instrument was used in some classic movies, including one of my favorites from my youth, the science fiction film, The Day The Earth Stood Still. It was used by Brian Jones on The Rolling Stones’ album Her Satanic Majesties Request and Jimmy Page also played in during Led Zeppelin concerts. Most notably, The Beach Boys played an electro-theremin on Good Vibrations. Robert Moog was also very impressed with the instrument and it influenced him to create the Moog synthesizer. Today’s Google Doodle allows you to “play” the theremin.
chaunceyandchumleysdad reblogged
I just found this is my basement
The Kinetic Playground! That is a name I had long forgotten until I saw this post. Back in the 60′s, when all we had was AM radio, I remember hearing ads for Kinetic Playground on WLS and WCFL, the two Rock radio stations in Chicago at the time. Located at the intersection of Clark and Lawrence, it was the venue in Chicago that attracted all of the big name rock bands of the day, including The Rolling Stones. I never saw a show there. However, Kinetic Playground was part of Rainbo, an entertainment center that included an ice arena where I played some hockey in the early 1970′s. The building was razed in 2003
I finally fired up the turntable my buddy Chris gave me for Christmas. Over the last several days, I knew that the first song I wanted to hear was Black Dog from Led Zeppelin IV. It was great to track that album all the way through (although the overplayed Stairway To Heaven was a bit tedious).
I then went to Frank Zappa's Hot Rats. What I tremendous record. One of my all time favorites. I've continued to listen to the CD version over the years. When CD's and new technology became available, Frank not only remixed Hot Rats, he altered some of the songs by adding in passages that were previously edited out. He noted that the new mix was the way the album was intended to be heard. Personally, I find it a bit difficult to get used to a new arrangement when I'm used to hearing it the old way. I never got on board with the new mix, and was thrilled to listen to the original recording and format.
On another note, check out the art work from both albums. It's fun to open up a vinyl album and peruse the artwork, something I've never really gotten into with CD's.