[unknown]

[young.529@xxxxxxx]

Hello fellow badgeholders,
        I've been reading and absorbing all of the comments in general made
about Led Zeppelin, Page/Plant, John Paul Jones, Walking Into Clasrksdale,
etc. and it is about time I threw out my opinions on some of these topics.
I know I've only been on here two weeks, but I think it's about time I start
voicing my opinion and setting a few VERY outspoken people straight.

1)      I wish everyone would take a step back and realize that Page/Plant
is in fact NOT Led Zeppelin.  Once you've accepted this, please read on.
The two got together in 94 to see how they sounded together and to
experiment with some ideas.  The following tour in 95 was mostly Zep stuff.
This is only logical.  Who is going to go see two supposedly washed up
musicians that have not proven themselves to be able to work together again?
They needed to prove to their fans, and more importantly themselves, that
they could still rock and work together on a daily basis.  It obviously
worked out.

2)      Now they are coming out with WIC containing all new material with a
tour to follow.  The pre-tour shows are mostly Zep stuff, but lets remember
again that the album is not out yet, so who would go see a show (except die
hard fans) not knowing any of the songs that were going to be played?  They
need to attract the people first and then intoduce the new style/songs.
Again, just as a reminder, they are NOT led zeppelin.  

3)      In my opinion, they are slowly shedding their Led Zep roots, but
doing at a pace as to not discourage all of their Zep fans.  They need to
work the new material in slowly.  It will help once the new Album FINALLY
reaches stores. I project them ultimatley having a 1/2 new stuff, 1/2 zep
stuff show, with maybe even a few songs not even on the new album. but
reserved for their next one.  They are getting into a groove together and
starting to move forward, but change takes time.  You can't just get
together after 15 years and think a new style and awesome sound will result
immediately.  Give the guys a break!

4)      Hopefully and most likely, after this tour they will release another
album with all new stuff.  This will probably be quicker than WIC was after
No Quarter.  Knowing Jimmy and Robert, they will be writing on the road just
like half of the Zep albums were made.  It will build off the songs/styles
they like best off of WIC or maybe even be a completely new direction with
more Jimmy contribution and less of "the band" they have working with them
now.  Just let the future/and someday history take its course.

5)      Lets remember they again are NOT led zeppelin.  The guys are in ther
50's, not their 20's.  The style is obviously going to be different and
bound to evolve into something much more develped than any of us can
comprehend.  These guys have been around a long time and KNOW what they are
doing.  Like someone said, this album is to convince the artists they can
still write and like what they do (like Zep III which is AMAZING!).  Who's
to say another album with the status of Led Zeppelin's fourth may not erupt
after this one?  The critics hated 3!

6)      Sit back accept that the guys are Page/Plant, experimenting and
trying to find a direction to go in.  They play zep stuff right now, so
what!  They wrote the stuff and lived the tours, I think they have a right
to!  IF someone out there doesn't want to hear the old songs that
evolutionized rock, then stay home!  The new stuff will slowly work in, and
eventually with another new album or two, the Zep stuff will only be played
periodically for their sake, not ours.  You can't expect them to completely
ignore their past glory.  I firmly believe that they love some of the pieces
they've written together in the past.  Just give it some time and stop
comparing them to ZEP because they are different in to many ways to even
point out now!

7)      JPJ-  I think he's great, but if they asked him to play along with
them, they could never move on and experiment with new ideas.  It would be
ZEP over again forever.  Can't anyone see that?  I am very much anticipating
his solo album (anyone have the release date yet?).  HE would compound the
problem all of you see with the P/P thing now by a billion times!
Critiquing everything in comparison to Zeppelin is wrong.  Maybe in the
future after both of them establish their new sounds and directions they can
get together again and then move forward, but the time is not right.  Again,
just wait and see how time evolves.

Key point review:
1) P/P are NOT Led Zeppelin  (if you are having a problem with this look in
the    mirror and repeat it 20 times daily!)
2) It takes a while to phase out new material, build a fan base, and find a
new    direction to move in.
3) These guys have been in the business for years, they know what they are
doing    much more than any of us.  
4) Eventually, the P/P will completely repleace the Zep stuff in shows (after 
   hopefully a whole slew of new albums and musical statements!) and they meay 
   hook up with JPJ again.
5) Let nature take its course, everything happens for a reason.  Stop griping
   and accept it or be left behind in the dust!


Thankyou for enduring my very long post, but I just wanted to tell it like
it is!
And remember, at least these guys aren't getting back together for the money
and glory of old like all the other bands getting back together today
playing all the same old songs and no new material!!!

Scott
young.529@xxxxxxx





*
Tangerine, tangerine
Living reflections from a dream
I was her love, she was my queen
And now a thousand years between...

- -Led Zeppelin