Bill's worst Top Ten....

["David" <davidp@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Good day to the Led Zeppelin list,

First of all, thanks to Bill O'Neil for bringing me out of my seemingly
endless lurking mode on this list.  I may not agree with all of your
selections, but I do agree that your post was quite thought-provoking. 
Here is my take on Bill's selections:

>>10. Thank You --<<

This song had its moments.  I point to 6/3/73 as an example--a truly epic
performance of this song.  I though that at its best, it was an exceptional
display of the band's ability to develop a dramatic imagery from a soft
love song.  I would not include this in my "ten worst".

>>9.  The Crunge -- <<

Again, I have to disagree.  This song is an example of Zeppelin's talent
for playing intriguing and entertaining rhythms.  I love Page's chord
progression and the dynamic rhythm delivery of John Paul and Bonham.  An
exciting song?.

>>8.  I'm Gonna Crawl --<<  

I feel that this Blues tune was one of Zeppelin's finest, and especially
considering the era it was written in against an album that generally was
one of the weakest Zeppelin produced.  I think this song is made even more
powerful by the events that would take place in the year that would follow
the album.  Page's solo in this one wreaks with sadness and turmoil, while
Plant's vocals are some of the most emotional in his career.  A great one
by the group.

>>7.  Boogie With Stu --<<

We agree here, Bill.  This one is okay to listen to when you don't feel
like "skipping" or FF the cassette, but I never thought it was worthy
within an otherwise legendary album.

>>6.  South Bound Suarez --<<

Well, I like this one.  I feel what saves it is Bonzo.  Exceptional drum
treatment.  A pretty wild Page solo, also.  Would I put it in my list??if I
was struggling to pick the next worst, perhaps.

>>5. Hats Off to Roy Harper --<<

Originally, I wasn't a huge fan of this song, but perhaps my advancing age
has given me a new appreciation for this song.  I think I've grown to like
the effects more than anything.  I like the "hanger to the string" sound
that Page achieves and I like the way Robert's voice impersonates the
artists they are clearly ripping off.  I also love the last few lines "Gave
my baby a twenty dollar bill/If that don't get my baby, I'm sure my shotgun
will, yeah, yeah?.".  Not one of the worst in my opinion, but it's all
subjective, isn't it?

>>4-3-2.  What I call the "Presence Suite": Royal Orleans, Candy Store
Rock,
and Hots on for Nowhere<<

Of the three mentioned, I would not include "Candy Store Rock", because it
simply rocks--perhaps not in the same vain of other Zeppelin tunes, but I
love JPJ and Bonzo's work in this one.  I think Bill makes a good case for
the others he mentions here.  Not up to Zeppelin standards, but acceptable
considering the tumultuous times in which they were created.  "Hots?"
contains, in my opinion, one of Page's worst solos.

>>1.  Hot Dog<< 

Bill hits this one right on the money.  I've posted about it before.  This
IS Led Zeppelin's worst cut.  For someone like myself who despises country
music, this one was a real soul ripper.  I still cannot fathom to this day
how the band came to the conclusion that this was a legitimate Zeppelin
song that should have been included on an album.  This was the song that
convinced me that given the opportunity to cut another album, Zeppelin may
have really disappointed us all.  This song was a sure indication that
things were running dry without Page's complete attention to the music.  I
like John Paul, but he often went into areas that the others feared to
tread--and rightfully so (at least back then).  A miserable, miserable,
miserable song. 

If there's one thing I've learned from Bill's top ten, it's that if
everyone on this list took the time to think before they post, we can
actually have some enlightened discussions about Led Zeppelin.  And we can
spend less time talking about Robert's chest hair, his sexiness at his
advanced age and the publicized flame wars between other list members. 

Thanks again, Bill?



"Ladies and gentlemen, Lindsey De Paul...On drums, John Bonham--Moby
Dick!l"  (Plant,  9/6/70)

David