Led Zep Remasters Review (part 1)

Source/Album

Led Zeppelin - Remasters

Must Listen Track List

 (Part 1)

1.   Achilles Last Stand
2.   All of My love
3.   Babe Im Gonna Leave you
4.   Dyer Maker
5.   Dazed and Confused
6.   In the evening
7.   Kashmir
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( Part 2 )

8.   No Quarter
9.   Nobodys fault but mine
10. Ramble On
11. The Song Remains the same
12. Stairway to Heaven
13. Trampled Underfoot
14. Whole Lotta Love



This is an absolutely rollicking list of 14 top songs in this album..yes , right ! 14 top songs ! This album/compilation is an absolute worth an absolute go get ! I am not sure if this was an official release by Led Zeppelin or not , but if you are someone who has heard of the band and is looking for some of their best, then this is the right place to start ! The quality of the mastering is also good , and really shows through in some of the songs like Dyer Maker.

Before i review the tracks , I would like to thank my college friend Manjunath for intro-ing me to Led Zepps music.I am so not regretting it! I hope you dont (or arent ) too. If you are , then god save you.

The Remasters compilation brings together a whole array of songs , composed diversely, under different arrangements,and most importantly in different times.It gives an insight into how the music of Led Zeppelin jumps from their earlier guitar heavy /vocal heavy nature to more eclectic/subtle composition oriented numbers (say , like Kashmir)

1.Achilles Last Stand - This is more of an instrumental/bass and guitar driven number that you can only see led zeppelin do.Why you ask ? Coz only robert plant can sing like jimmy paiges guitar ! The incredible bass lines, stellar guitaring and the grooviest drumming by John Bonham takes this song to super-grooviness , and then Robert Plant takes over and transforms the trance into nirvana in ways only he can do with his sound box :).

2.All Of My Love - This  boy burns down to the synthesizers .. Its all John Paul Jones and Plant here.The drum has not been overplayed (and very cleverly avoided to preserve the feel of the song).Jimmy paige pitches in with those guitars that can turn any song into nirvana.Must be heard to be appreciated.In my book , its one of Led Zeps best works for sure

3.Babe Im Gonna Leave You - There are only a few songs in this world that will grab you like no other.This song is one of them.It makes you realize that someone like Plant was destined to meet Jimmy Paige.And thank god that Jimmy Paige knew about John Bonham and oh thank god that John Paul Jones had decided not to choose studio sessions over band jam sessions.This song is it .This song has led zeppelin all over it.Every note from the guitar , every improvised phrase from Plant.Every thumping snare beat from Bonham and every carefully played bass note from Jones.This is led zepp at its best.So effortlessly conveying it through a very tough to replicate music.Music that is Led Zepp ,and will remain so.

4.   Dyer Maker - This one is a very soft number by the band,in the lines of other numbers like Fool in the Rain and All Of My Love.The rendition by plant is top notch and he makes you believe that no else can even have an attempt at the subtle attempt at the nuances and highs that he takes us through this song.The song is Plant himslef and as you keep listening , you might start wondering whether Led Zepp songs can be covered by anyone else at all , with the same ferocity and emotions.Paige plays on this track like a master craftsman, performing a similar role to a jazz drummer who lets the leading instrumentalists take stage and covers the subtle nuances.Subtle, yet brilliant.
5.   Dazed and Confused - This is a percussionists melody.And Plant butts in as well.Its kinda hard to stop Plant from butting in at any place in any song, coz that boys got some voice.The whole melody and the feel of the song is carried by plant , and John Bonham drives the slow,painful feel with some brilliant wrist work and intelligent rolls on the drums.Jimmy paige takes over at the end with the most soul tearing guitar licks that you would ever hear.The song starts slowly and to a fitting end that would leave you with just one single agenda..Repeat !
6.   In the evening - This is by far my favourite led zeppelin song.Through this song , I have learnt that Rock and roll neednt always be loud,there neednt be a structure to the vocals , and no stanzas ! Plant is a master here.he knows when the riffs are moving , when the rolls are coming adn when the drummer is going to break .I am not sure if its all improvisation, but even if programmed that way , it would take some creativity to keep a song like this going on one single riff (Jimmy ? how ? ) , and still keep it interesting.John Bonham needs no mention.Hes a hero already, and he keeps upto his legendary standards.
7.   Kashmir - Time to thank Jones again ( pianist/ and almost every other non-guitar and non-drum instrumentalist) for the arrangement.The song starts of with a rollicking score to start with and thumping percussions.Haunting vocals by Plant and the orchestra like arrangement makes this song a very sumptous listening experience.More dynamic than any of the older led zepp counterparts.The song also has a very indianish feel to it , although i suspect that it could be any other local folk flavour as well.The experimental nature of the song,renders itself beautifully ,given the fact that most other led zeppelin songs are nothing like it.You will definitely enjoy this one.

Will there be peace on earth ?

This question , among a million other trillion vicious circle creating problems ( like say the chicken-egg-chicken-egg-chicken-egg..) has been asked and analysed by a million jobless philosophers ,students,politicians ( analysis courtesy their personal secretaries mostly),scientists,jobless retards after a drink,man trying to show off his la-passion to the country to impress a woman and countless more...most of em ending up in a diplomatic  "GOD KNOWS " , "IT IS POSSIBLE IF PEOPLE TRY" and " IF AMERICA TRIES" and "IF THE SUN SETS IN THE EAST" etc...

But for me , the  answer is a blatant  " NO "

Before u slam this window shut ! I got reasons too !

1. EGO - we are an egoistic kind.We like to defend ourselves.If you are saying "NO" ..well then  , holy art thou..but then , i DO have an EGO.I like to defend myself , and so do many others..SO well established..WE all like to stick to our opinions.
2.Pseudo Nationalism Disorder - This i tell you, though very admirable and innocent and going for the right causes included, is a stupid emotion that most people would rather not introspect on.Coz , if they love their country , they think that its enuf that its left there.No one wants to go deeper into why they love it..Well fucking obviously u love it for the people and the places u have there , and not for the statistics on " how many pakis did indian soldiers grill last weekend at the LOC".So , people who will fucking kill themselves / pakistanis for upkeeping nationalism ratings will play the "LOSERS" or spoilsport.Mind you, they are very passionate and true to what they think.They are not wrong to do so.But just coz something is right doesnt mean that it serves the bigger purpose.Stupidity shall prevail here forever coz non-rationalistic emotions will always dominate introspection and abstaining from an over-reacton (like AAHH..all those pakki terrorists !!! - even if u knew that they werent all terrorists :)) .
3.Ignorance - Enuf said, we are most definitely unaware of our ignorance..Like not believing / in fact ignoring facts like a terrorist having a mom and a daughter who they love very much.A man who has lost everything and is ready to do anything to get it back.Or confusing muslim preachings to ethical cleansing.Killing out christianity in the name of the prophet.Killing muslims in the name of "Hindutva" etc.
4.Confusing personal vengeance for a nationalist agenda - If an army man gets killed , and army man can get another one killed.If an innocent gets killed,an innocent can kill another...But why kill a million innocent for the sake of one ? Y kill a million innocent for the sake of a million army men ? Y kill a million army men for the sake of 10 dictators ? Are we blind ? When will we wake up ?
5.Restlessness - We cant subside to the fact that war breeds war.Vengeance breeds vengeance.Everyone has the right for it . Every terrorist , every innocent.Still why dont we stop killing ?
6.Nascence - We as humans are a million years old.But as a civilization we are very nascent.Hopefully in a million years , we would either wipe ourselves out completely or act like we were born as a civilization and not like we are playing " survival of the fittest"

Adios :)