Monday, June 2, 2014

The hammer of the gods (Led Zeppelin) #196

Led Zeppelin Whole Lotta Love; Good Times Bad Times/ Immigrant Song; Hey Hey What Can I Do (Atlantic EP, EP A 220, 1973)

Led Zep were THE band to follow in the early seventies at my school. They were cool as heckfire.

They were an album band - they didn't rely on singles and they didn't need their name on albums (or even album names!). COOL!

This extended play is weird then - coming out in NZ in 1973 - the same year they were releasing Houses Of The Holy. It contains songs from the band's first three albums (1968 to 1970) and a B side from 1970 (the only non album song released during the band's existence).

The two A siders are stone cold classics. Good Times indeed!

Hidden gem: Hey Hey What Can I do began life as a B side to Immigrant Song so it's fitting that it's paired with that song here. 

Immigrant Song was the first Led Zeppelin song I heard and fell in love with (having bought Led Zeppelin III from a shop in Onehunga in 1970, IS is side one, track one).

Hey Hey... is a great track. It wouldn't have been out of place on LZ III so clearly it's a case of an embarrassment of riches. Bonham's drums, Jone's bass and Page's guitar are utterly distinctive and Plant's vocals are superb. 

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