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Rating:
Well, where to begin. Let's give a bit of historical background. This album, released in 1970, follows a very intense period for Led Zeppelin. Having fulfilled all contractual obligations under the name of the New Yardbirds, the band began to shine in its own right, mainly thanks to the second album. The younger generation, especially the American one, saw in the Dirigible an absolute synthesis of overcoming modesty, freedom of customs, that hippie philosophy with which Robert Plant's voice and Bonzo's drums were impregnated. For Page, a solid yet ingenious musician, doubts about Plant had subsided: the boy, younger than Page by a few years and without much experience, managed to be effective on stage, and his charm as a young Greek God, as a fascinating ephebe, convinced even the hard and perfectionist Page, who had softened his stance precisely because of the success that the exuberance of the Plant/Bonzo duo was achieving. The other half of the group (Pagey and Jonesy) were a pair of seasoned professionals who knew all the tricks of the trade very well, from recording an album to how to behave on that treacherous ring that is the stage of a concert.
After a 1969 spent riding the wave of success, Led Zeppelin found themselves at a crossroads. On the one hand, the press did not hesitate to point out that the Dirigible's repertoire unapologetically reinterpreted the blues discography (from Robert Johnson to Sonny Boy Williamson). On the other hand, the youngsters kept calling for their new album. Atlantic Records had found its golden goose. Plant, in his first real experience, nevertheless couldn't withstand the frantic pace of those days and had to forgo some dates. It was the first sign of fatigue: the band needed rest. Jonesy showed signs of dissent regarding the band's continuous precarious situation, Bonzo conveyed his frustration over being away from home by wrecking every hotel he ended up in, and Pagey (then the undisputed leader of the band) had no choice but to agree to a break. The chosen destination was a cottage in the Welsh countryside, at a place called Bron-Yr-Aur, which in Gaelic means "Golden Breast." Among the breasts of the Gaelic countryside, Plant and Pagey crafted an album absolutely unusual for the brief production of the Dirigible. They were influenced by the bucolic air of the countryside, the climate made of farms, fields, and silvery lakes. Thus was born the most controversial album in Led Zeppelin's history.
Pagey intended to immediately show that the "blues-rock'n'roll" atmosphere had not faded at all. "Immigrant Song" was a clear example of this. But regarding the lyrics and meanings, it was obvious something had changed. Page and Plant were already developing (Page especially) a particular love for Nordic mysticism or mystical literature. If Plant was a great fan of Nordic and Gaelic myths, Pagey was a huge admirer of the last great satanist, Alistair Crowley, whose objects Pagey was a great collector of. Thus, the rock atmospheres were not lost, and "Immigrant Song" was a hard ride of the Dirigible that was returning to be the "overlord" of the music of those times. The press would never understand. It continues with "Friends," a pleasant acoustic piece, with a text that is a product of Robert Plant's classic philosophy. A hymn to friendship, love towards others, an intense life to be lived with joy and hope. It continues with "Celebration Day," which is yet another different song from the previous two: a pure piece, without too many frills, that makes the technical wisdom of Jimmy Page and the carefulness of John Paul Jones as an excellent and experienced composer its best weapons. This leads to the best piece of this album: "Since I've Been Loving You." This song is extremely controversial: on one hand it might seem like a text by Jimmy Page, in the early part of his extremely misogynistic musical life (read the lyrics of Dazed and Confused for further explanations). On the other hand, it seems like a poignant and touching melancholic cry from Robert Plant, a master at passionately involving his listeners. The only flaw in this song is its being placed in the middle of the tracklist. This indeed is a considerable burden for the subsequent songs, which, although of good quality, do not, in my opinion, stand up to the comparison. "Since I've Been Loving You" is a cornerstone of the Dirigible's discography. No more words are needed.
It continues with "Out on the tiles," a pleasant little song that contains an intro dear to the late Bonzo, who would often use it especially as an attack to "Black Dog" from 1971 onwards. A good rhythm, but it is essentially Bonzo who shines here. The next piece is "Gallows Pole": this song is quite underrated. It is a reinterpretation of an old Gaelic nursery rhyme, masterfully interpreted by Robert Plant, especially in the final section. Personally, it drives me crazy, but it's not a classic Zeppelin song. We come to "Tangerine," another piece, this one, highly snubbed by critics and (I'm sorry to say) by some fans. This is the best fusion of the whole band in the entire discography of the Dirigible. Ladies and gentlemen, we're facing a masterpiece by Jimmy Page, who here is truly the conductor of an orchestra capable of infusing in these 3 minutes all the possible empathy, every drop of the group's alchemy. A must-have piece. "That's The Way" is an interesting ballad, with a slightly melancholic theme, which fits the album. It's a piece that Led Zeppelin used a lot in their tour setlists because it can spread a strong sense of harmony, especially thanks to Jimmy Page's acoustic guitar, a constant in this record.
It continues with "Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp," a really nice song. It’s a joyful song, dedicated to Plant's dog, talking about how simple and beautiful life can be if lived with simplicity, enjoying the little things, smiles and games, good times spent with one's life companion. Aside from the semantic discussions, Bonzo's participation in this song is also interesting. Not for the drumming, but for the voice and tambourine. I've always thought the troublemaker dog of Plant was him. It ends with "Hats off to (Roy) Harper." To me, the song doesn’t seem exceptional, but I will say one thing. I don't know how informed you are, but the song is dedicated to a "minstrel" that Pagey and Percy (Plant) especially carried with them because he cheered them up and they found him funny. There are various rumors about this Roy Harper. The first probable one is that Bonzo, Richard Cole, and Peter Grant (the drummer and lead managers of the band) wanted to break his bones, as they disliked him quite a bit. It is wrongly rumored that Harper was Page's lover (a huge falsehood). It is rumored—and this is hearsay—that it was this "petty poet" who wrote the music for "Stairway To Heaven." Sticking to the facts, Harper composed two albums with the "Swan Song" label. Anyone with more information, please step forward.
Back on topic, the album is among the best Zeppelin production. I wouldn't discard any Dirigible CD, but III is the most atypical within their production. This CD, especially at the level of lyrics, is entirely attributable to Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. The others worked on it in post-production, recording the instrumental parts. Rating: 4 It is a must-have CD, but it might not please those who are attached to Zeppelin's more rock-blues soul.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Immigrant Song (02:24)
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore.
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
How soft your fields so green, can whisper tales of gore,
Of how we calmed the tides of war. We are your overlords.
On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore.
So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins,
For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing.
02 Friends (03:52)
Bright light, almost blinding
Black night, still there shining
I can't stop, keep on climbing
Looking for what I knew
Had a friend, she once told me
"You got love, you ain't lonely"
Now she's gone and left me only
Looking for what I knew
Mmm, I'm telling you now
The greatest thing you ever can do now
Is trade a smile with someone who's blue now
It's very easy just
Met a man on the roadside crying
Without a friend there's no denying
You're incomplete, they'll be no finding
Looking for what you knew
So anytime somebody needs you
Don't let them down, although it grieves you
Someday you'll need someone like they do
Looking for what you knew
Mmm mmm, I'm telling you now
The greatest thing you ever can do now
Is trade a smile with someone who's blue now
It's very easy just
Ohh, yeah
I'm telling you now
The greatest thing you ever can do now
Is trade a smile with someone who's blue now
It's very easy
It's very easy
It's very easy
It's easy, yeah
03 Celebration Day (03:25)
Her face is cracked from smiling, all the fears that she's been hiding
And it seems pretty soon everybody's gonna know
And her voice is sore from shouting, cheering winners who are losing
And she worries if their days are few and soon they'll have to go
My my my, I'm so happy
I'm gonna join the band
We gonna dance and sing in celebration
We're in the promised land
She hears them talk of new ways to protect the home she lives in
Then she wonders what it's all about when they break down the door
Her name is Brown or White or Black, you know her very well
You hear her cries of mercy as the winners toll the bell
My my my, I'm so happy
I'm gonna join the band
We gonna dance and sing in celebration
We're in the promised land
There is a train that leaves the station, heading for your destination
But the price you pay to nowhere has increased a dollar more
Yes, it has!
And if you walk you're gonna get there, although it takes a little longer
When you see it in the distance you will wring your hands and moan
05 Out on the Tiles (04:01)
As I walk down the highway, all I do is sing this song
And a train that's passin' my way, helps the rhythm move along
There is no doubt about the words are clear
The voice is strong, is oh so strong
I'm just a simple guy, I live from day to day
A ray of sunshine melts my frown, and blows my blues away
There's nothing more that I can say, but on a day like today
I pass the time away, and walk a quiet mile with you
All I need from you, is all your love
All you got to give to me, is all your love
All I need from you, is all your love
All you got to give to me, is all your love
Ooh yeah, ooh yeah
Ooh yeah, ooh yeah
I'm so glad I'm living, and gonna tell the world I am
I got me a fine woman, and she says that I'm her man
One thing that I know for sure, gonna give her all the loving
Like nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody can
Standing in the noonday sun, trying to flag a ride
People go and people come, see my rider right by my side
It's a total disgrace, they set the pace, it must be a race
And the best thing I can do is run
All I need from you, is all your love
All you got to give to me, is all your love
All I need from you, is all your love
All you got to give to me, is all your love
Ooh yeah, ooh yeah
Ooh yeah, ooh yeah
06 Gallows Pole (04:51)
Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while
Think I see my friends coming, riding a many mile
Friends, did you get some silver?
Did you get a little gold?
What did you bring me, my dear friends, to keep me from the gallows pole?
What did you bring me, to keep me from the gallows pole?
I couldn't get no silver, I couldn't get no gold
You know that we're too damn poor to keep you from the gallows pole
Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while
I think I see my brother coming, riding a many mile
Brother, did you get me some silver?
Did you get a little gold?
What did you bring me, my brother, to keep me from the gallows pole?
Brother, I brought you some silver, yeah, I brought a little gold
I brought a little of everything to keep you from the gallows pole
Yes, I brought you, to keep you from the gallows pole
Hangman, hangman, turn your head awhile
I think I see my sister coming, riding a many mile, mile, mile, mile
Sister, I implore you, take him by the hand
Take him to some shady bower, save me from the wrath of this man
Please take him, save me from the wrath of this man, man
Hangman, hangman, upon your face a smile
Tell me that I'm free to ride
And ride for many mile, mile, mile
Oh, yes, you got a fine sister, she warmed my blood from cold
She brought my blood to boiling hot to keep you from the gallows pole
Your brother brought me silver, and your sister warmed my soul
But now I laugh and pull so hard, see you swinging on the gallows pole, yeah
But now I laugh and pull so hard, see you swinging on the gallows pole, pole, pole
Swingin' on the gallows pole
Swingin' on the gallows pole
Swingin' on the gallows pole
Swingin' on the gallows pole, pole, pole, pole, pole, pole, pole
07 Tangerine (03:09)
Measuring a summer's day
I only find it slips away to grey
The hours, they bring me pain
Tangerine, Tangerine
Living reflections from a dream
I was her love, she was my queen
And now a thousand years between
Thinking how it used to be
Does she still remember times like these?
To think of us again, and I do
Tangerine, Tangerine
Living reflections from a dream
I was her love, she was my queen
And now a thousand years between
08 That's the Way (05:36)
I don't know how I'm gonna tell you
I can't play with you no more
I don't know how I'm gonna do what mama told me
My friend, the boy next door
I can't believe what people saying
You're gonna let your hair hang down
I'm satisfied to sit here working all day long
You're in the darker side of town
And when I'm out I see you walking
Why don't your eyes see me?
Could it be you've found another game to play?
What did mama say to me?
That's the way, oh, that's the way it oughta be, yeah yeah
Mama say that's the way it oughta stay, yeah yeah
And yesterday I saw you standing by the river
And weren't those tears that filled your eyes?
And all the fish that lay in dirty water dying
Had they got you hypnotized?
And yesterday I saw you kissing tiny flowers
But all that lives is born to die
And so I say to you that nothing really matters
And all you do is stand and cry
I don't know what to say about it
When all your ears have turned away
But now's the time to look and look again at what you see
Is that the way it oughta stay?
That's the way, that's the way it oughta be, oh don't you know now
Mama said, mama said that's the way it's gonna stay, yeah
09 Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp (04:17)
I caught you smiling at me,
That's the way it should be,
Like a leaf is to a tree so fine.
Ah all the good times we had,
I sang love songs so glad,
Always smiling never sad so fine.
As we walk down a country lane,
I'll be singing a song,
Hear me calling your name.
Hear the whisper in the trees,
Telling mother nature bout you and me.
Well, if the sunshines so bright,
Or on our way it's darkest night,
The road we choose is always right so fine.
Ah can your love be so strong,
When so many loves go wrong,
Will our love go on and on and on and on and on and on.
As we walk down a country lane,
I'll be singing a song,
Hear me calling your name.
Hear the whisper in the trees,
Telling mother nature bout you and me.
My my, la de la, come on now it ain't too far,
Tell your friends all around the world,
Ain't no companion like a blue eyed merle.
Come on now well let me tell you,
What you're missing missing round them brick walls.
So, of one thing I am sure,
It's a friendship so pure,
Angels singing all around my door so fine.
Yeah, ain't but one thing to do
Spend my natural life with you,
You're the finest dog I knew so fine.
When you're old and your eyes are dim,
There ain't no old Shep gonna happen again.
We'll still go walking down country lanes,
I'll sing the same old songs,
Hear me call your name.
10 Hats Off to (Roy) Harper (03:40)
When I done quit hollerin' baby
I believe I'll shake 'em on down
Get me baby, won't be late
You know by that I mean seconds late
Ah, must I holler, must I shake 'em on down?
When I done quit hollerin' baby
I believe I'll shake 'em on down
Well I ain't no monkey
I can't climb no tree
No brown skin woman gonna make no monkey out of me, yeah yeah
I ain't no monkey
Sure can't climb no tree
I been mistreated babe
I believe I'll shake 'em on down
Well I've been mistreated babe
I believe I'll shake 'em on down
Listen mama, put on your mornin' gown
Put in your nightshirt mama, we gonna shake 'em on down
Must I holler?
Must I, must I, must I shake 'em on down?
Ooh well, I been mistreated baby
I believe I'll shake 'em on down
Gave my baby
Twenty dollar bill
If that don't get her
I'm sure my shot-shot-shotgun will
Yeah, I gave my baby
A twenty dollar bill
If that don't get that woman
I'm sure my shotgun will
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Other reviews
By ROCKER88
Page achieved his dream: to make the listener compare the sound of the guitar to the relentless advance of an army.
'Since I've Been Loving You' is a blues masterpiece with Plant's voice erupting thundering after the initial sweetness.
By macciopiccio
"Among the top ten most badass riffs in the history of Rock."
"'Since I've Been Loving You' is a piece to fall in love with, like becoming enamored with a woman or a man and remaining indissolubly tied for eternity."
By claudio carpentieri
Immigrant Song, a musical monolith in which Plant’s cries of invasion propel an invincible shock wave.
Gallows Pole intensifies the narrative of the condemned prisoner escaping his unhappy fate with an ingenious blend of instruments.
By James Patrick
"Immigrant Song" is an indescribable bomb that will inspire more than half of Heavy Metal.
From this album onwards, there will be a turning point: new melodic choices, new rides, different ways of interpreting rock.
By paolofreddie
"Since I've been loving you, a magnificent and sublime blues piece, is my favorite Led Zeppelin song."
"The album is certainly not on par with masterpieces like Led Zeppelin I and IV, but it has a nice sound, and the listening is very pleasant."
