Led Zeppelin, Blues Rock

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    "Since I've Been Loving You" on Zeppelin's third album, Led Zeppelin III, is a masterpiece of hard rock blues. Some say Zeppelin is early metal, but to me, they are a hard rock blues band. The only songs that "hint" at metal are "Whole Lotta Love" and "The Immigrant Song." On "Whole Lotta Love," it's because of the chug-like hook and the E power chords. The Immigrant Song's subject matter (Vikings) and the staccato guitar chord riff also hint at metal. Nevertheless, they are much more blues rock to me as a whole.

    Take "Since I've Been Loving You" for instance. Wow. It's my favorite electric blues rock song. Robert Plant's vocals are so authentic in this. He's at his best. Between Bonzo's colossal sound and Jimmy Page's playing on this song, it's pure blues rock bliss in phrasing, intensity, sound, and feel. 

    The Stones may have loved the blues but couldn't play them like Zeppelin. Keith Richards apparently wasn't a fan of Zeppelin. Somehow, when Mick Jagger sang blues, he didn't come close to Plant's blues vocals. It wasn't nearly as organic, natural, or authentic to me.

Check this masterpiece out on Spotify: Since I've Been Loving You.

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