Led Zeppelin IV

Excellent album

What more can you say about this fourth album from Led Zeppelin? It is by no doubt a classic. In fact it was the first Zeppelin album I bought on vinyl once I started high school as the seventies drew to a close. But of course I first this album back in the early seventies when my sister borrowed it from a friend not to mention hearing the songs "Black Dog", "Rock And Roll" and, of course, "Stairway To Heaven" on the radio constantly back in the day. Originally I was going to get the deluxe CD copy of this but then upon discovering the second disc was merely the same set of songs but with different mixes involved as part of head Zep man Jimmy Page's remasters not to mention the altering of the cover so I decided to stick with the standard version as I know it. You have eight great songs on here which is just right[That's four songs per side on vinyl] and much of them classic in their own right. Half of these selections are credited to guitarist Jimmy Page and lead vocalist Robert Plant. Two songs("Black Dog" and "Misty Mountain Hop")has Page and Plant co-credited with bassist John Paul Jones. All four members of the group[The fourth member being drummer John Bonham]collaborate on "Rock And Roll", which is considered a drummer's favorite amongst aspiring rock drummers everywhere. The album's concluding track "When The Levee Breaks" find the entire band co-credited to Memphis Minnie(!) when in actually the song dates back to 1927 as recorded by the artist herself with the help of another blues guitarist. This version makes it a rock classic within itself with its recorded set-up involving a single mike for Bonham's drums, the fantastic harmonica wailing from Robert Plant and Jimmy Page's use of slide guitar with John Paul Jones' bass anchoring the bottom. There are two guest appearances on this album. The first is the piano playing talents of original Rolling Stones co-founder Ian Stewart on "Rock And Roll"[The Zeppelin song "Boogie With Stu" from Physical Graffiti was recorded in the same session reportedly. "Stu" was the nickname of Stewart for those who still don't know]. The second is Fairport Convention vocalist Sandy Denny on "The Battle Of Evermore", the first of two acoustic songs on the album. The other acoustic song is "Going To California" in homage to the Joni Mitchell song "California". Both of these acoustic songs feature mandolin playing by either Jimmy Page or John Paul Jones. The only other track featured on this fourth Zeppelin effort is "Four Sticks" with its barrage of riffs any guitarist and bassist could use. Supposedly the title was literally due to the use of four drumsticks used by John Bonham when recording the piece. Arguably, the best song on here is "Stairway To Heaven" and is considered an anthem for AOR[Album Oriented Rock]and always tends to top the lists of various FM station countdowns with Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Freebird" coming in second. The arrangement itself is crafted out well-the acoustic beginning supplied with double-tracked recorders by John Paul Jones; the middle section half acoustic/half electric featuring electric piano, 12-string electric guitar, bass guitar and drums; the electrifying conclusion including a guitar solo that has force to be reckoned with. Finally, the title of this album has many people puzzled. Even though this was Led Zeppelin's fourth album they never had an appropriate title for it and each member of the band chose his own symbol or rune and they each appeared on the label next to their group name. Many people assumed it was titled after Page's rune Zoso[A 1527 meaning for Saturn reportedly], while Plant's was the feather within a circle, Jones' was the trilateral interlocking within a circle and Bonham's was the interlocking circles meaning man, woman and child which bears striking resemblance to the Ballentine beer logo. Sandy Denny also had a rune for herself which was the three downpointing triangles that looked almost similar to the Fallout Shelter design. Other nicknames for this album were: The Hermit[The front cover design], Runes, The Stairway To Heaven Album[The songs' lyrics were printed inside the inner sleeve plus it showed an illustration of a man carrying a lantern atop of a high hill], The Fourth Album and, of course, Zoso. If you don't have this album in your collection, then you don't know what you're missing. This is one Led Zeppelin album no one should be without. If you want to get the Led out, get it out with this one and you won't go wrong. Rock And Roll!

This is the one we all had to have growing up. Zep at their best. Essential for the hard rock fan

This is Led Zeppelin's best album and the sound quality is very good.

Real Music Purchased as a gift for the electric guitar sounds for a music oriented High School family member. This music came out when bands Had to Be Great to survive. Led Zeppelin survived and his music is iconic to an era.

Good music. It’s funny how music can take you back in time just for a moment. Music can also allow you to get lost in your thoughts. Zeppelin has always been good for that for me. My only complaint is it came in a cardboard sleeve instead of a jewel case. Not a deal breaker. Record albums use to come in cardboard jackets. There is something special about picking up a CD or a LP and playing what you want to hear. I do stream my music. That is not the same. It’s alright, good music.

This famous album is here offered a a pure analogue remaster with better detail than other editions. Every string is clear and the beat pounds tightly.

Came in good condition

Great album, as described. A must have for any classic rock vinyl collection!

Ein einzigartiges Album und die Platte hat eine wirklich tolle Qualität. Würde ich jedem weiterempfehlen.

Top demais

This is superb album by superb group. This kind of genius and beauty happens not so often in the history of humankind. There are variety of music genres on this album, songs are rooted in blues (When the levee breaks), folk (Going to California) or classic Elvis-inspired Rock&Roll. And masterpiece Stairway to Heaven. There are so many stories behind each track regarding production, titles or live performances. For example, Black Dog title is inspired by the dog that used to come to recording studio. "When the levee breaks" was played only once live by Led Zeppelin. The same with Four Sticks, that became too complex even for those genius musicians. So great to have this album in deluxe edition with beautiful book containing historical pictures and info. I am so glad to have it! As Jack White said, and I fully agree: I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t like Led Zeppelin!

Great records...In a good condition...love it!!!