JPJ did the job of this entire orchestra, just incredible!! The man doesn’t get enough credit. To me, Page’s masterpiece. He originally called it “The Seasons”, but ‘71-‘72, nobody was putting music like this out! I think we take it for granted today forgetting when this was composed & released. (Just my humble opinion 🤷🏼♂️)
Actually, I think there was quite a lot of music like this at the time. I remember it very fondly. The guitar playing had elements of Beatles, Genesis, Joni Mitchel, Fairport Convention and other folk artists - to name but a few. I think it was very productive period full stop, and Zep were very much part of it, not way ahead, but part of a fabulous era of creativity. We definitely thought of them as one of the top 3 "heavy" rock acts, (Sabbath, Purple, Zep) but not necessarily above other styles of music.
Came here to say this! JPJ wrote and played the string arrangement. The song also features a string arrangement via a Mellotron Mk.II. played by John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones to add to the orchestral effect, and an EMS VCS3 was also used for special overdubs. The straight piano performance was recorded using a Steinway grand piano. The Mellotron violins are strangely haunting, and have limited fidelity. They are also difficult to play smoothly, as the sounds begin and end instantly. To overcome this, Jones used a volume pedal to swell the entrances and exits of the string lines to make them more realistic. In an interview for Keyboard magazine, he describes his process for recording a simulated orchestra with a keyboard: ‘ The secret of successful keyboard string parts is to play only the parts that a real string section would play. That is, one line for the First Violins, one line for Second Violins, one for Violas, one for Cellos, one for Basses. Some divided parts [two or more notes to a line] are allowed, but keep them to a minimum. Think melodically. ’ The working title for this track was 'Slush,' a reference to its easy listening mock orchestral arrangement.
Exactly! As a teen,we didn't have youtube,ect.It took me forever to figure out the tuning! The Zep music book had the chords marked as if it was in standard tuning.Took me forever to decipher the tuning! But once I did, it was as if a giant light bulb went off in my head.Just a spectacular song!
I keep a guitar tuned to this tuning--so I can play this wonderful song when the mood strikes...I'm sure it's been said before...George Harrison allegedly criticized them (or one of the band) for not doing any ballads. Page responded with this gem.
@stevehartke it's a fun tuning to noodle about in too. Lovely open chord voicings. Just be careful of the B string when you're tuning up. It's always a one eye closed thing
Love the way Jimmy drops the pick near the end for the finger work, love the way Robert Nods at him on the last strum... What a masterpiece in composition and execution. Thanks for the review.
Led Zeppelin is one of the only bands whos every record is a greatest hits record!!!! All of them!!! No other band like them. And to Page's credit, he knew the industry by the time this band formed. 4 amazing artists who were/ are all masters of their craft!! And not even my favorite band, but credit is due where the truth lies. Thank you Doug for your analytical gift also!
Even though I never had the chance to watch Led Zeppelin live, being to young for that, I at least could be at a concert of them in 1998. It was special and among the top 3 musical events I've been to.
LZ came to the Northwest in 72, while I was a junior in HS, they were a scant 3.5 hours away in Pocatello, Id! A group of Seniors shared their experiences with us afterward. They were a bit condescending to us lowly Juniors!!
@@lordk8911 Yeah I saw that tour twice in Toronto and once in Osaka. Can't remember the years but it was around 94 or so... They were great concerts...
One of my very favorite Zepplin song during the dinner portion of my wedding we paid the guitar player to play some nice acoustic stuff during the bands bread and he played this I had at least ten people come up to me and say how awesome it was. I have my wife's cousin Jeff Silverstein to thank for it he asked him to play it so thank you again Jeff what a great idea and it really was it was perfect.
This is what got me to just love led Zeppelin and I know it's page and plant but this came out right in that teen age phase of my life when I was just in aw and wanted everything led Zeppelin.
Ahh, yes. I would sit in my car eating lunch while the 8track tape was belting this fantastic tune! I may have been a tiny bit high! (It was 1973, after all)
Fantastic, I still have this on double gatefold CD single! The performance of Since I've been loving you from this show is one of the best renditions of this song ever.
I also saw them in March 1995 at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, agree great show. JPJ was not with them, Jason Bonham was their drummer. We saw a good show lucifer73, cheers.
I would be very curious to get Doug's take on Heart's cover of "Stairway to Heaven" they performed for Led Zepplin's induction at the Kennedy Center Honors. Watch his reaction when they get "taken to church".......IYKYK.
When Robert does that emotive "HUUUUUUH," it has always made the hairs on my neck stand up. But I can see why you told him not to overdo it. Thankfully, he does't there.
The one here is from the MTV special then after they decided to go ahead and tour as the band without the orchestra, that’s when they added more zeppelin songs , there’s also some good live bootleg shows one from Japan I had on VHS great show , I saw them on tour at the old Boston garden , one one of the last concerts if not the last , as for JPJ Plant said it wasn’t anything against him , He originally didn’t want it to be seen as a Led Zeppelin return Something like that. Plant thought of it as an independent project, at first anyway, something like that .
The Rain Song has always been a favorite of mine. I saw Page & Plant with the wife in Philly. The audience was so stoked the excitement was palpable. It was a great show but I wish John Paul Jones was there. But no one asked my advice. ;)
It was a conscious decision to exclude John Paul Jones to avoid the collaboration being a Led Zeppelin reunion, which at they point had been terrible. To reinforce that decision the opening sequence of the concert video is Page playing No Quarter on the guitar, with effects, which rankled Jones because he said the song was written for piano and organ. The use of the string section, an Egyptian orchestra and hurdy-gurdy meant the roles played by Jones on keyboard in Zeppelin were shared. Yes, there were keyboards on the MTV stage but their presence were not as apparent as they were in Zeppelin. Plant's then son in law played bass but by and large his presence was reduced by the other musicians that made up the Plant and Page rhythm section . In fact, the need for JPJ to fulfill the same role he had in Zeppelin might have been an impediment to the Plant and Page project. Only a proper Led Zeppelin reunion was going to work for the three of them to be on stage together and finally we got that in 2007.
Without John Paul Jones on keyboards and Bass Pedal, they needed a double bass and an orchestra (2 separate orchestras for the finale!) to replace him.
A well known fact. He used to start fights and then bugger of into safety and let the roadies sort out the fighting. I don’t think that he liked touring. A sad person living a luxory life he didn’t really like.
Could you make a reaction/analysis of prodigy Matteo Mancuso's solo album The Journey ? The whole piece is very rich and each track has its own world. I think that there's a lot of interesting things you could find about the harmony
Hi Doug, have you heard Ren's new peice? It's a piano instrumental. Would love to hear your thoughts on it. I've not heard this led zeplin song on a while. It's awesome!
Hi Doug, i wonder why you never got in touch with ROXY MUSIC. The most innovative band late 70. Crazy work ( with a exceptionnal voice of Brian Ferry ) that influenced many bands. One of the most Beautifull song at all : If there is Something.really, this is ICONIC ! Take a while for REMAKE REMODEL, and one of the most crazy VIOLIN solo on INTO THE BLUE( siren Album ) . really One of the best Band and Fully underrated. Greetings .-)
Could you react to 'A little piece of heaven' from Avenged Sevenfold please? There's a whole lot going on in this song and it just might be one of the best songs they've ever written. they've also made lots of other awesome songs, in lots of different styles. They have so much good stuff. Thanks!
Funnily enough, the live version from 1975 with electric guitar and without strings makes a third, epic version of the rain song (and my favourite). Hope you get around to it some time!
The look and nod Jimmy gets from Robert at the end of the song is enough reason to watch this live version.
It’s like ‘yeah, we bad.’
JPJ did the job of this entire orchestra, just incredible!! The man doesn’t get enough credit.
To me, Page’s masterpiece. He originally called it “The Seasons”, but ‘71-‘72, nobody was putting music like this out! I think we take it for granted today forgetting when this was composed & released. (Just my humble opinion 🤷🏼♂️)
JPJ doesn't get enough recognition at all. He had to keep the beat while Bonham and Page soloed around each other.
@@Hujtir9I know, JPJ
was in many ways the backbone of LZ!
Actually, I think there was quite a lot of music like this at the time. I remember it very fondly. The guitar playing had elements of Beatles, Genesis, Joni Mitchel, Fairport Convention and other folk artists - to name but a few. I think it was very productive period full stop, and Zep were very much part of it, not way ahead, but part of a fabulous era of creativity. We definitely thought of them as one of the top 3 "heavy" rock acts, (Sabbath, Purple, Zep) but not necessarily above other styles of music.
Came here to say this! JPJ wrote and played the string arrangement.
The song also features a string arrangement via a Mellotron Mk.II. played by John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones to add to the orchestral effect, and an EMS VCS3 was also used for special overdubs. The straight piano performance was recorded using a Steinway grand piano.
The Mellotron violins are strangely haunting, and have limited fidelity. They are also difficult to play smoothly, as the sounds begin and end instantly. To overcome this, Jones used a volume pedal to swell the entrances and exits of the string lines to make them more realistic. In an interview for Keyboard magazine, he describes his process for recording a simulated orchestra with a keyboard:
‘ The secret of successful keyboard string parts is to play only the parts that a real string section would play. That is, one line for the First Violins, one line for Second Violins, one for Violas, one for Cellos, one for Basses. Some divided parts [two or more notes to a line] are allowed, but keep them to a minimum. Think melodically. ’
The working title for this track was 'Slush,' a reference to its easy listening mock orchestral arrangement.
Yes! Jonesy never ever gets enough credit. And that is a gross miscarriage of music.
The key to unlocking this song is the alternate tuning. The chord progression is a tribute/response to 'Something' by George Harrison
When Plant was in his prime his voice was just another instrument in the ensemble and he used it almost better than anyone.
Jimmy's guitar is tuned to an open Gsus4. D-G-C-G-C-D. This gave him all the open string voicing to get the (Jimmy Page) sound.
Exactly! As a teen,we didn't have youtube,ect.It took me forever to figure out the tuning! The Zep music book had the chords marked as if it was in standard tuning.Took me forever to decipher the tuning! But once I did, it was as if a giant light bulb went off in my head.Just a spectacular song!
I keep a guitar tuned to this tuning--so I can play this wonderful song when the mood strikes...I'm sure it's been said before...George Harrison allegedly criticized them (or one of the band) for not doing any ballads. Page responded with this gem.
Any tabs you know of with the open tuning version? I learned it, and play it in standard tuning…
It works well on a Bouzouki in Irish tuning (G D A D) too 😊
@@stevehartke There's a good one on Ultimate Guitar. The tuning is D G C G C D
Cool, thanks, will check that out… I know there are a few Zep songs in that tuning, as well as other tunings… ✌️
@stevehartke it's a fun tuning to noodle about in too. Lovely open chord voicings. Just be careful of the B string when you're tuning up. It's always a one eye closed thing
Jimmy's guitar playing goes straight to your soul. Everything he plays is beautiful. 😎
Love the way Jimmy drops the pick near the end for the finger work, love the way Robert Nods at him on the last strum...
What a masterpiece in composition and execution.
Thanks for the review.
The Rain Song is one of my favorites. Just delicious.
Led Zeppelin is one of the only bands whos every record is a greatest hits record!!!! All of them!!! No other band like them. And to Page's credit, he knew the industry by the time this band formed. 4 amazing artists who were/ are all masters of their craft!! And not even my favorite band, but credit is due where the truth lies. Thank you Doug for your analytical gift also!
Even though I never had the chance to watch Led Zeppelin live, being to young for that, I at least could be at a concert of them in 1998. It was special and among the top 3 musical events I've been to.
LZ came to the Northwest in 72, while I was a junior in HS, they were a scant 3.5 hours away in Pocatello, Id! A group of Seniors shared their experiences with us afterward. They were a bit condescending to us lowly Juniors!!
That entire Page & Plant Unleaded concert was other worldly. It was possibly the greatest 75 minutes of music ever experienced.
Saw that 95 tour at MSG 5TH Row ORCH. ALSO AT THE MEADOWLANDS.
@@lordk8911 Yeah I saw that tour twice in Toronto and once in Osaka. Can't remember the years but it was around 94 or so... They were great concerts...
Jimmy has such great touch. Can anyone even hear his pick? It sounds like he's using a feather.
Doug, you have to listen the The song Remains the same/The rain song from their MSG73 live record.
One of my very favorite Zepplin song during the dinner portion of my wedding we paid the guitar player to play some nice acoustic stuff during the bands bread and he played this I had at least ten people come up to me and say how awesome it was. I have my wife's cousin Jeff Silverstein to thank for it he asked him to play it so thank you again Jeff what a great idea and it really was it was perfect.
John Paul Jones should be there...
This is one of my favorite songs of all time
song came about as george harrison said not doing ballads let them down. hence why the song has a similar start to something. by the beatles
This is why I love reaction channels I still can't believe I have never seen this wow.
Yes, without RUclips, I would have missed so much greatness!
I've always loved this version and the live version from 'The Song Remains The Same' remains my favorite all-time Zeppelin song.
This is what got me to just love led Zeppelin and I know it's page and plant but this came out right in that teen age phase of my life when I was just in aw and wanted everything led Zeppelin.
This is one of those songs that makes me grateful to be alive 🧡
An amazing version of my all time favorite Led Zeppelin song. It hits my heart every time. ❤
In a catalogue brimming with epic and amazing songs, Zeppelin's 'The Rain Song' stands out as a masterpiece of reflection, restraint, and passion.
Ahh, yes. I would sit in my car eating lunch while the 8track tape was belting this fantastic tune! I may have been a tiny bit high!
(It was 1973, after all)
The Rain Song & What Is And What Should Never Be were released shortly after the album on a 2-disc CD single of Gallows pole.
I ended up buying both CD versions of "No Quarter" and making my own master mix including all unique tracks from both.
Peak Plant and Page.. Awesome song..
Thanks for repping the Zep
This entire performance was absolutely incredible. Kashmir and thank you are two other highlights
I got to see Plant and Page on that tour. It was an incredible concert.
the greatest song of all time
Fantastic, I still have this on double gatefold CD single! The performance of Since I've been loving you from this show is one of the best renditions of this song ever.
Gotta hear the one on TSRTS .Zeppelin was a one time only deal. Talk about leaving evidence of your existence here on earth.
Fusion of classical and rock: classic rock.
Hands down one of the most beautiful songs ever written.
I saw them in Knoxville, March 1995. Great show!
I also saw them in March 1995 at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, agree great show. JPJ was not with them, Jason Bonham was their drummer. We saw a good show lucifer73, cheers.
Please make a video for Kashmir from the same gig. The version with the Egyptian ensemble is my favorite for that song.
Here's an even better version of Kashmir live, imo: ruclips.net/video/4BZD2sysLUU/видео.htmlsi=gXsB2iO07tEUNc1Q
Agree
I would be very curious to get Doug's take on Heart's cover of "Stairway to Heaven" they performed for Led Zepplin's induction at the Kennedy Center Honors. Watch his reaction when they get "taken to church".......IYKYK.
That was beautiful. Keep Reacting!
By far, as an old pop balladeer -this has always been my very favorite ‘ZEPP SONG!!!!thanx for sharing and reacting to it , DOUG!!!!!!!!
I couldn't choose a better song to react! A great tune, a great gig.
Page's tuning for Rain Song: D G C G C D
Saw both Page/Plant tours. Incredible shows!
Awesome reaction video loved your analysis!
You are an absolute master of the air drums!!
I love how they psyched you out a couple times on the drum drop
A great version of the best song about a relationship .
Led Zeppelin is an impossible band to put on as background music. Their sound will always grab your attention!
Great one to share Dr. D... Safe travels... Cheers and Thanks
Part of RP’s setlist with Saving Grace , which I saw a couple of weeks ago , amazing, at 75 he still rocks 🤘
Look at Robert's nod to Jimmy at the end. Wow.
Thank you that was great. I have to say I prefer the mellotron to the strings though.
I hear you got Tim Waurick to sing a theme diddy for you! Good job!
When Robert does that emotive "HUUUUUUH," it has always made the hairs on my neck stand up. But I can see why you told him not to overdo it. Thankfully, he does't there.
Magnificent! I've got to find an arrangement that I can play on lever harp
Thanks for this post!
Wonderful 1 from this gig is stunning. And afaiik the only time they ever did it
UnLedded is one of my go-to Zep albums
I love this song so very much. This was the first I've seen this particular performance. Gorgeous!!!
A fantastic song ❤
The one here is from the MTV special then after they decided to go ahead and tour as the band without the orchestra, that’s when they added more zeppelin songs , there’s also some good live bootleg shows one from Japan I had on VHS great show , I saw them on tour at the old Boston garden , one one of the last concerts if not the last , as for JPJ Plant said it wasn’t anything against him , He originally didn’t want it to be seen as a Led Zeppelin return Something like that. Plant thought of it as an independent project, at first anyway, something like that .
The Rain Song has always been a favorite of mine.
I saw Page & Plant with the wife in Philly. The audience was so stoked the excitement was palpable.
It was a great show but I wish John Paul Jones was there. But no one asked my advice. ;)
It was a conscious decision to exclude John Paul Jones to avoid the collaboration being a Led Zeppelin reunion, which at they point had been terrible. To reinforce that decision the opening sequence of the concert video is Page playing No Quarter on the guitar, with effects, which rankled Jones because he said the song was written for piano and organ. The use of the string section, an Egyptian orchestra and hurdy-gurdy meant the roles played by Jones on keyboard in Zeppelin were shared. Yes, there were keyboards on the MTV stage but their presence were not as apparent as they were in Zeppelin. Plant's then son in law played bass but by and large his presence was reduced by the other musicians that made up the Plant and Page rhythm section . In fact, the need for JPJ to fulfill the same role he had in Zeppelin might have been an impediment to the Plant and Page project. Only a proper Led Zeppelin reunion was going to work for the three of them to be on stage together and finally we got that in 2007.
Loved Doug's final vignette
Masterpiece.
Great one Doug.So Good.
Without John Paul Jones on keyboards and Bass Pedal, they needed a double bass and an orchestra (2 separate orchestras for the finale!) to replace him.
Graceful beauty. 😊❤
I once asked Johnny Marr if he took the Rain Song as inspiration for The Smiths - How soon is now riff. He said No. I think hes lying.
Sublime! I love the nod of recognition from Plant to Page at the end.
I can't find the CD/DVD of this gig to buy, crazy!
Beautiful. 💙🎵🎶🎶
My Doug drinking game: However many minutes it takes Doug to start ragging on Robert Plant in a video is the number of drinks I have
Worked on the corporate jet they used on USA tour. Drummer was an a hole.
A well known fact. He used to start fights and then bugger of into safety and let the roadies sort out the fighting.
I don’t think that he liked touring. A sad person living a luxory life he didn’t really like.
Doug, please do react to the band Jellyfish and their song Joining a Fan Club.
Pretty darn good ballad if you ask me George…
untouchable Band Zep. JPJ the mastermind...
Unledded is great!
When it comes to moody enchanting music, Robert really has his finger on the pulse of that in recordings he'd make after this
im shockeed that your fans didnt request "apocalipsis noctis" by yoko shimamora" amazing composer and an amazing track
And to think they wrote this on their 20s.
This song is still me and my brother's favourite ballad song since we first heard it years ago 😊
This song takes me to a very somber and melancholy place every time. I have to be in the mood. Today, I am in the mood.
Robert Plant is a great vocalist.
How jimmy wrote this song I’ll never know
Good, but Studio is the best version and live from "The Song Remains the Same" soundtrack is pretty good too!
Could you make a reaction/analysis of prodigy Matteo Mancuso's solo album The Journey ? The whole piece is very rich and each track has its own world. I think that there's a lot of interesting things you could find about the harmony
This is the concert where they do the crazy epic amazing version of Kashmir!! Doug you must watch!!
What brand of guitar is Jimmy playing?
Hi Doug, have you heard Ren's new peice? It's a piano instrumental. Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
I've not heard this led zeplin song on a while. It's awesome!
Sorry I'm late. Was at Powell's Book Store, and found a great Jazz Chord Voicing book. 🎹🎼🎶
Do SKY OVERTURE by Uli Jon Roth!!!!!!🎸🎸🎸🎸
Hi Doug, i wonder why you never got in touch with ROXY
MUSIC. The most innovative band late 70. Crazy work ( with a exceptionnal voice of Brian Ferry ) that influenced many bands.
One of the most Beautifull song at all : If there is Something.really, this is ICONIC !
Take a while for REMAKE REMODEL, and one of the most crazy VIOLIN solo on INTO THE BLUE( siren Album ) . really One of the best Band and Fully underrated.
Greetings .-)
should try a reaction to Wagakki Band - 焔 (Homura) + 暁ノ糸 (Akatsuki no Ito)
Incubus, anti gravity from science album
Friday end of the work week is it? So you consider making snow angels work😂
How much did that guitar cost?
Could you react to 'A little piece of heaven' from Avenged Sevenfold please? There's a whole lot going on in this song and it just might be one of the best songs they've ever written. they've also made lots of other awesome songs, in lots of different styles. They have so much good stuff. Thanks!
Funnily enough, the live version from 1975 with electric guitar and without strings makes a third, epic version of the rain song (and my favourite). Hope you get around to it some time!
JPJ deserved a phone call.
C'mon Page & Plant.
You don't know your history clearly... It was a Page Plant Solo tour they were performing at. No need for John Paul Jones.
ZEPPELIN ! What else?