Led Zeppelin
BBC Sessions

THE REVIEW

BBC Sessions, a collection of performances, live, in the BBC studios, recorded between 1969 and 1971, during the most bluesy phase of the Zeppelin phenomenon.

From Bonzo's aerial drum incursions to Plant's fiery vocals, from Page's elusive fingers to the "One Man Symphony Orchestra" of John Paul Jones, this double CD contains not only the most famous tracks of the Zeppelin's early musical flight but also a series of delightful blues covers, which the Led Zeppelin were great admirers of. Without delving into technical or "narrative" details of specific songs, it is immediately useful to say why buy this CD, or at least what makes it special.

In the first disc, you are immediately struck by Page's wrenching, dragging guitar that opens and closes the first disc in a perfectly circular manner with "You Shook Me" and "I Can't Quit You, Baby." The Zeppelin impresses with its ability to render the same song different, "Communication Breakdown," in three completely dissimilar executions. The two covers ("Somethin' Else" and "The Girl I Love She Has Black Hair") are beautiful and truly demonstrate Robert Plant's absolute class, both in rhythm and creativity. And then what to say about "Traveling Riverside Blues," a song that has become a symbol of Led Zeppelin. For their "hagiographers," in fact, this song is the true seal on the pact with the devil, an apparently simple song, but of underestimated malice and depth.

The second disc, on the other hand, presents the classic Zeppelin repertoire "on stage." From "Immigrant Song" to "Heartbreaker," from "Dazed And Confused" to "Since I've Been Loving You." Notice "Out On Tiles/Black Dog," as well as the inevitable, stunning "Stairway To Heaven." It ends with the great interpretation of "Whole Lotta Love," which, if in the first CD is limited to the famous song alone, in the second disc is enriched with blues repertoire pieces so dear to the Zeppelin like "That's Alright, Mama" or "A Mess Of Blues" and so on. Closing with "Thank You."

It is an excellent collection of live performances, absolutely a must-have, with no excuses or criticisms. It is excellently constructed, a must for fans, an "almost-must" for general enthusiasts, who, perhaps too critical of the more cryptic or "contaminated" repertoire of Led Zeppelin, will appreciate the sheer rock - blues of the English band. 5, obviously.