AA.VV.
A Tribute To Led Zeppelin

The approach towards a tribute album is always difficult: the songs of the artist or group one loves always seem inferior, one might even come to hate them when they are performed by another interpreter. It must also be said that there have been quite happy episodes such as, the first that comes to mind, Tom Waits' "I Don’t Want to Grow Up" covered by the Ramones, but, returning to the previous discussion, the approach of a fan's eardrums towards a tribute album is always wary and much more critical.

The album I am about to discuss does not pay homage to just any group, but to Led Zeppelin, a band that, perhaps along with Pink Floyd, Queen, and especially the Beatles-Who-Rolling Stones triad, is the most famous rock group in history. This "A tribute to Led Zeppelin" is not one of those tribute albums containing only and exclusively the most famous tracks of the artist in question recreated in the same manner as the original, but it contains covers that dare more, as it ranges across genres like country and reggae, particularly the latter, very distant from the Zeppelin work. Therefore, excuse me if I refer you back to the introduction, it is advisable to change the approach to this type of album, at least in this case: one must approach listening to these tracks not as "better" or "worse", but as "different", as an alternative version of a song that one may have loved for years, pleasant or unpleasant depending upon taste. And, in this way, one can listen to this album without cursing the unfortunate re-interpreters of the situation and, consequently, one can even tolerate a Jamaican version of “Starway to Heaven” with upstroke chords, Hammond organ, and tribal instruments attached and still listen with interest to how the big riff of "Kashmir" transforms from a "Pageian" mystical impetus to a carefree reggae melody by the ever so delightful Dread Zeppelin, already known for other reggae covers of the legendary British band.

But do not fear, dear Led Zeppelin fans, the work reviewed here does not contain only potential causes of heart attack like the aforementioned versions of "Stairway…" and "Kashmir" but also includes more canonical and conforming, but not too much, renditions in line with the style of the 'Led Zeppelin' such as the gritty "Immigrant Song" by Gotthard or the sensual "Rock and Roll" by the Red Star Rebels. The voice and guitar of Zakk Wylde perfectly populate the version of "In My Time of Dying" by Black Label Society, while other episodes that struck me, both positively and negatively, (and led me to write the "listening warnings" above), were "Black Dog" in country style by Hayseed Dixie, (already famous for other Led Zeppelin reggae covers) and Blonde on Blonde rearranging "Whole Lotta Love" in a Bee Gees style. Finally, before veering into a dull track-by-track, it is necessary to highlight the beautiful cover, once again of "Stairway to Heaven", by the fabulous Mexican duo of classical guitarists Rodrigo y Gabriela.

Lastly, the necessary tracklist, as I have not cited all the tracks:

1. American Dog – Hot Dog

2. Pig Iron – When The Levee Breaks

3. Hayseed Dixie – Black Dog

4. Blackbud – Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You

5. Red Star Rebels – Rock and Roll

6. The Dickies – Communication Breakdown

7. Joe Bonamassa – Tea for One

8. Rodrigo y Gabriela – Starway to Heaven

9. Blonde on Blonde – Whole Lotta Love

10. Dread Zeppelin – Kashmir

11. Black Label Society – In My Time of Dying

12. Gotthard – Immigrant Song

13. Vegimite Reggae – Stairway to Heaven

Nothing more to say. Surprising and alternative. For the most curious Zep fans.

If the purpose of a tribute album is to experiment and propose in different tastes the songs of the honored artist, this one deserves the highest grades.