Top 10 Albums of 2012
8. Led Zeppelin- Celebration Day
Led Zeppelin is my favorite band, so it is difficult for me to not place them the top of every Top 10 list I come up with. I also lamented whether I should include a live album, composed of music that was written before 1980, for a 2012 best of list. And then I am sure everybody is asking the same question, "Does the world need another live Led Zeppelin album?"
My answer is an unequivocal "Yes!" I had great trepidation when I heard this concert was going to happen. Part of me was very excited because of the hope for the three remaining members to make everybody's day by announcing a World Tour. But then I was concerned with Robert Plant's vocals, as he is not a young man anymore, and the songs were sung at such a high register.
I was pleasantly surprised to find his pipes in perfect working order on this album. He didn't push himself into the ranges that a young Robert Plant would, but there were some added benefits to his change in style. I for one love "Whole Lotta Love," but was happy to see him avoid the orgasmic sounds featured so prominently in the original recording. His other band mates were also up to the task.
I gained an even greater respect for John Paul Jones after seeing his work in Them Crooked Vultures. And Jimmy Page arguably sounds better than his heroin addled 70's self. Much like Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin has seemed to discover that discarding the drugs, is a fountain of youth of sorts.
The sixteen song set is a perfect blend of the Mighty Zeppelin covering their entire career. The crunching blues of "Since I've Been Loving You" is played splendidly. Jason Bonham will never replace his father Bonzo, but he does a serviceable job on the drums. And in spite of the knock it gets for it's popularity, there is still something magical about hearing those first notes played on "Stairway to Heaven."
Perhaps the albums best gem, from Physical Graffiti, is "Kashmir." Although I was never able to see the original band all together, I did get to see Page & Plant on their tour, and they played this song with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. The song epitomes what is so unique about Led Zeppelin. A predominant blues band not afraid to bring in an orchestra, to weave in the classic folk inspired lyrics of Robert Plant, and the best rhythm section in the world.
If you are a Zeppelin fan, pick it up and you'll be glad you did. If you aren't a Led Zeppelin fan, this album just might change your mind.
Brian Richardson
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