2 comments about Led Zeppelin (Acoustic Classics, Volume 2).

1. Good book if your a Led Zepellin fan and want 2 learn the songs that are in this book I own both volumes but your gonna need the c.d.s 2 very important .& a Whole Lotta Practice lol get it!



2. I purchased Vol I (not on amazon right now) of this two volume series. This series is done very well. When a 12 string, 6 string and mandolin are all playing simultaneously, this series will give you all the notes (mandolin transcribed for guitar) along with the vocals. The accuracy will leave you wondering if Page really intended each of the tabulated notes, or is the guitar scribe showing off his tabulation talent. Very well done for the songs included in the series, but where are the other acoustic classics like Traveling Riverside Blues, Bron Y Aur, Hey Hey What Can I Do...? Surely the discriminating artists who prepared this series are not just going to quit their talent before tabulating all of Zeppelin's acoustic songs. And the electric tunes should be included in a sister series.

5 comments about Led Zeppelin IV (Rock of Ages).

1. There are a lot of interesting things in this book; it's definitely worthwhile. Frankly, this thing is close to a 5, but it falls a tad short of its epic target. There is a good amount of information about the recording: the process, various permutations that occurred in realizing the individual tracks, the various roles the different members played.
   
   Of course the typical subjects come up: Page's devil worship, Plant's accident, Bonzo's drinking. Believe it or not, these topics are swiftly, and judiciously dealt with. Big credit on that front.
   
   On the whole, very balanced account, full of lots of interesting details, and a good sense of the genius of these characters, and how it melded and held together so long.



2. Interested though I am in the subject, I came to this book with low expectations. As anyone who has suffered through HAMMER OF THE GODS (the seminal work on Led Zeppelin) can attest, the group hasn't attracted the best writing over the years.
   
   Thus, author Barney Hoskyns is a pleasant surprise. He has done an excellent job of placing the band in the context of its time and in doing so, is able to show how much they have mattered ever since. And despite the modesty of this volume's size, Hoskyns scrupulously portrays all four band members, not just Page and Plant. This even-handed approach to the material carries over to the book as a whole. So what I'm saying is, this is NOT a tossed-off pamplet about one of the great albums of all time.
   
   But it is a well-done biography of the band's history, from inception to interment. While particular attention is paid to the legendary "Zoso" album, one feels that this is done so without slighting most of Led Zeppelin's other accomplishments. Nice job, Hoskyns!



3. This is a fun and interesting read in a slim volume. Mr. Hoskyns often focuses on Zep's creative process.
   
   His discussion of their 4th album renewed my interest in it and gave me a more informed perspective on the creation of it.



4. I pretty much buy anything this author writes. He never disappoints me on any level about any subject. This included.
   Buy it. A nice addition to any music book lovers.



5. If you're like me, and your basement swallowed up your miriad of rock magazines dated from 1970-1980, then you will appreciate the time and effort Barney Hoskyns puts into compliling choice Led Zeppelin interviews for this book from various first-hand sources. The book is a great read- fast, compelling, funny, and smart. The sections on Page and Plant's time at Headley Grange easily transplant you to the English countryside as you, too, experience the damp surroundings of their session stays, made possible with interviews from Jimmy Page, Andy Johns, Richard Cole, and John Paul Jones. I gave this book a 4 instead of a 5 star because it could use some photos, an index, polishing on the time line, and removal of the Jack White interviews altogether. Who needs the opinion of a self-proclaimed Jimmy Page rip-off? Besides that, any hard-core Zeppelin fan will not be unhappy with this book; it will not turn you off like Hammer. Led Zeppelin IV will definitely turn you on in an intimate, up close and (gulp) nostalgic level. Buy it for your Zeppelin library, if only for it's trip back to The Grange.

2 comments about The Rough Guide to Led Zeppelin (Rough Guide Reference).

1. I'll admit that I'm a huge Led Zeppelin fan. I'll also admit that there's probably not a whole lot in this book that I probably hadn't read about or heard about already. Finally, I'll admit that I bought this to read and peruse in the crapper. And lo, what a fateful decision that was.
   
   Not that this book is total crap. It does a very good job of covering the rise and demise of the Hammer without all the hype. The discography alone makes the book worth having. It is informative and entertaining, with lots of pictures, sidebars and other nifty inserts. Perfect for those brief to not so brief reading sessions.
   
   If you're not familiar with Rough Guides, they are generally considered an "authoritative resource" to just about anything these days. However, the dubious nature of this book lies in the fact that, apparently, no one at all bothered to simply -read- the text before publishing the book.
   
   "What's so crappy, then?" you might ask. Well, The latest edition of books reading printed as if to resemble an all too familiar format ... the web. I say that because throughout, the book is sprinkled with names and references in bold type, as if to suggest you can cross reference the text. Nice, but some of the "links" seem to be just random snippets of text, not names, not titles, just *random* *words* highlighted.
   
   And while I'm here I'd ask anyone with a degree in journalism, English or likewise to apply for a job with this publishing house, because they are in obvious need of some editing help.
   
   Why do I say that? Because not even Clippy could do such a piss poor job of editing a manuscript as this. "Did you mean to repeat that entire paragraph again?" he would have asked. That's right! Entire sections of paragraphs are repeated in the text, back to back. That's right! Entire sections of paragraphs are repeated in the text, back to back.
   
   There are multiple instances of mismatched nouns-verb cases that even a nine-year-old would catch. Surely Clippy knows better. Why even as I write this I have the good fortune of having him tells me that what I just wrote was grammatically incorrect. "Are you sure you don't need to repeat 6th grade English again?" Clippy asks.
   
   To the editors of Rough Guide: Reading IS fundamental.



2. there's no new info provided to Zep Heads and the poor editing is like a joke. for beginners only.

5 comments about Jimmy Page: Magus, Musician, Man: An Unauthorized Biography.

1. Mr. Case's unauthorized bio of Led Zep's chief apostate Jimmy Page is admirable, however, in Mr. Case's retelling; he underestimates one crucial element of the Lep's mystique: yes, Page is/was a very enthusiastic adept of satanist/Child Ritual Killer/MI-6 Intelligence/Golden Dawn/OTO/drug addict A. Crowley. Even children know this! Mr. Case downplays this and incorrectly states that "Crowley was no satanist". This is not true as most people know. It's hard to accept this fact because it seems so gothic and campy but Led Zep as directed by Page was to become the premier black occult/magus bands in the world, even surpassing the cartoonish Black Sabbath Band,Ozzy Osborne and Marilyn Manson, just to name a few. Understanding this is the KEY to the mystique & motive of this legendary artist. I can understand why Mr. Case would not want to dwell on the more sensationalist aspects of J. Page's life and this is unavoidable...Page's life is still interesting without the ghoulish undertones, seeing his childhood, teenage years and the advent of Led Zep is fasinating. Mr. Case's writing style is bit vain but nevertheless the book is worth the reading.



2. As Jimmy Page has always been a lightingrod for 70's rock excessiveness, most stories have focused on that part. However, this book focused on what is more relavant which is the origins an evolution of a great musician/business man.
   
   As someone who's interest in guitar went into hyper drive when I discovered Led Zeppelin, it is great to read a book written by someone who understands what Jimmy Page contributed to rock guitar being sandwiched between Hendrix and Van Halen. Jimmy Page is such a diverse player with great depth that one has to appreciate the aptitude, creativity and ability that he displayed when starting Zep.
   
   The author treads lightly on the excessiveness, groupie hyperbole and spiritual exaggerations to concentrate on the musician, which is what I really wanted to read at this point. I always wondered how Jimmy Page knew so much about the business and evolved a guitarist and producer and this book goes there. It is also refreshing to read this subject from an author who is clearly a musician and understands guitar as opposed to anything else.
   
   Now if some one could get Page to talk about this that would be an acomplishment.



3. This book was obviously written by a Jimmy Page fan wich i am too. Anyway this is a great reading for any Pagey addict. When you open the book of spells it's really hard to close it even if the clock reminds you it's time to sleep!



4. George Case tries, in the space of only 250 pages, to get inside the larger than life persona of Jimmy Page, and make it a three-dimensional portrait ("magus, musician, man") at that. Done without personal access to the man or his representatives, the result must be considered a failure.
   
   Jimmy's bio is presented chronologically, mostly based on interviews or magazine articles from the now quite distant past. If one wants to read about the music scene in early-60's England, or life on the road with Zeppelin, you may as well read those articles yourself, or better yet read "Hammer of the Gods." There are more, and better stories most anywhere than this recycled work includes. It's very sketchy. Case is an amateur musician, I emphasize 'amateur,' and his commentary on much of the music is pretty lightweight as well.
   
   Less, or worse, is yet to come, in that Case is also trying to address Page the person and 'the magus.' The person might be handled by discussion on musical control over the band, his various moves, his relationship with his families and children and ex-bandmates; there is no insight or discussion of motivations, or anything that goes on inside the head of Page (besides the swishing around of cocaine). As regards 'magus,' Case notes Page's interest in Crowley and the occult without ever mounting a serious inquiry into just what it was that Page was trying to accomplish, the role of yoga or meditation or ritual or anything else in bringing this off, or even whether Page considered this aspect of his life successful or rewarding (or even maintains an interest today). In other words, Case just doesn't know enough to venture an opinion.
   
   The book is a very fast read; there's basically nothing to it but a bare-bones outline of Page's march through life. Just what makes him such an important figure at all is hardly even addressed. Maybe the most interesting part of the book is a segment where he actually discusses the guitarists of other, competing, bands, everyone from Ace Frehley to Eddie Van Halen to Angus Young. Save your money to buy "How the West Was Won" and you will see and hear for yourself what made Led Zeppelin the quintessential 70's band.



5. I came to this book not expecting much. I was very pleasantly surprised. The book is well written and informative, especially about Jimmy Page's musical influences. It has helped me understand Led Zeppelin's music much better, while gaining an appreciation for Page as a person. The author did a great job, particularly given the lack of cooperation from Page himself. I really liked this book.

3 comments about Led Zeppelin Complete Songbook.

1. I'm excited that this COMPLETE song book was just released giving the best of Jimmy Page's solos, guitar analysis, and all inclusive song book that has every song from all 9 studio recordings.
   
   [...]I can't imagine for the life of me that JIMMY PAGE - one of the greatest legendary guitarits in the history of Rock and Roll, who also released and remastered the COMPLETE studio recordings, the LED ZEPPELIN DVD - which is unbelievably outstanding - he would NEVER leave out his greatest work that he cares so much about.
   
   I would recommend this to ANYONE who wantes to play Page's songs and solos.



2. This book doesn't use tab notation, and quite a few lyrics are wrong. If you want to learn Zep songs, don't buy this book, you'll find better ones on the net.



3. I sing a lot of Zeppelin when I perform or when I am teaching voice. This book has helped me for many reasons. Some of the old lyrics by Plant were a little hard to make out, haha. I am also a musician so the chord progressions helped me with building the harmonica solos in songs like "Nobody's Fault Buyt Mine" as well as layering harmonies based on the chord progressions via TC Helicon's VoiceLive unit. If you are a singer/musician, I urge you to buy this book.
   
   Jaime Vendera
   World Renowned glass shattering vocal coach to the stars
   Author of Raise Your Voice & The Ultimate Breathing Workout

No comments about Led Zeppelin Classic Album Edition Box Set (I, II, III, IV, Houses Of The Holy) Authentic Guitar Tab Editions (Alfred's Classic Album Editions).

5 comments about Led Zeppelin's Led Zeppelin IV (33 1/3).

1. Mr. Davis is clearly a fan of rock music and Led Zeppelin in particular. But I feel the editors of this series have again let readers down by choosing him to write this book. I've found the most interesting books in this series to be written by music journalists or rock musicians -- the one's written by academics, musical or otherwise tend to leave something to be desired.
   
   Mr. Davis has a detailed knowledge of the occult (his area of expertise) and even a casual Zep fan will know that Jimmy Page has a strong affinity for Alistair Crowley and the occult.
   
   But framing this album, almost completely in the terms of a mystical journey is too give in too much to the fabricated aura of mystery surrounding the band and to ignore the powerful music and revolutionary production.
   
   Plus, there is almost no new material here -- it comes off as a social science student writing an essay for a musicology elective term paper. Well written enough, but ultimately brining little new info to the table.
   
   Finally, I wish writers in this series would spend more time on the album at hand and less time giving us an intro of the importance of the LP and the evolution of recorded music -- that's a different book you didn't sign up to write.



2. Neither a tome, nor a grimoire --not quite a cultural critique-- nor a mere record review. Perhaps it's an elfen rune, or recipe book for the imaginal mediascapes of nostalgia. Maybe it's a long bong-hit's rant in a Linklater film. In fact, it's almost the inverse of Jorge Luis Borges' longwinded tales of hypothetical texts, because it's about an alien implant embedded deep within our psyches: Led Zep's fourth record.
   
   It's got no gossip. It's just a wildly entertaining and jawdroppingly smart ride through every level of the subject: as an object, as a spell, as a pop phenomenon, as a myth, as sound, as legend, as a money making music machine. It's more about the mythology of the music makers than it is about the band as real people. The idea of the artist folds into the artist as magician, and Led Zepplin is the perfect vehicle.
   
   Erik Davis takes the entire idea of a record review and rather than going gonzo like Lester Bangs, he goes meta. And the way you walk through the matrix may never be the same afterwards.



3. While not my favorite book that I've read in the 33 1/3 series, Davis's book on IV does a nice job of exploring some of Zeppelin's influences and does what this series is so great at--it brings the album back to life. Sure the book may be a bit flawed--of course it's far better for most of what passes for music criticism these days (33 1/3 is, by the way, consistently better than most, especially in terms of exploring historical and social contexts)--but it made me bust out a record that I thought I'd listened to death and fall in love with it all over again with brand new ears. I could write similar reviews for every book in this series that I've read, but I just happened to check out the page here and thought I'd weigh in with my opinion.



4. I love everthing about this book.I love the mystery behind the music , the myth's associated with the band and the way the writer presented each item and infused them together.A treat for all Zeppelin fans.Would buy it again just to have 2 copies.1 for the bedroom and 1 for the office.



5. Well, whether it does or not, Erik Davis takes a heavy duty occult perspective into this book about Zeppelin's fourth disc. And it works because no matter some of the odd observations, no matter how he twists them to fit into his occult mindset, no matter whether it all gels with me, he's smart enough to get heavy-handed, and then pull back and let the reader know that, well, that's one take, you make your own. Either way, this book is entertaining and involving and one of the best of this series.
   
   JCS

5 comments about Led Zeppelin: 1968-1980.

1. Keith Shadwick without a doubt has compiled the most detailed account of the bands career, interviews, and quotes; yet his "musical snob elitist" attitude gets in the way of enjoying this book to its full extent. Keith finds a problem with literally every single song the band had ever recorded, even down to the tinest detail, and constantly quips how great other lesser known, or more under appriciated older musicians are when comparing every song to older ones. It is to no Zeppelin fan's suprise that the band had borrowed ideas from other artists, from pop to folk music, but at that time in the music industry it was normal to cover other bands music and it was a time when bands wrote singles and did not worry about full albums like zeppelin did. His personal opinions make you wonder at times if he is even a fan of the band or not, by trying to make the best effort to disguise his disliking of the band in favor of more "pure" musicians who put out more "inspired" music, as he puts it over and over. His information about the tours, attitudes and visions of the band, and facts are wonderful and that is what kept me reading the book, but his obvious musical snobbery (many times simply just his WELL OVERTHOUGHT opinion about things) kept this book from being what it could have been. Rock n' Roll is not about sheer perfection, or always being musically correct, thats where the passion and originality comes from, but to Keith it seems as if he finds a flaw in anything and everything that Zeppelin ever recorded from track listing, to favoring obviously lesser quality b-sides (to make him look intelligent for liking "poor tom" more than "bron-yur-a-stomp"), to saying how out of pitch Robert is, or Page's "uninspired guitar solo", to Jones "overplaying" keyboard and bass lines, to Bonham obviously taking this drum pattern from the following songs. The fact is, the band wrote what they wrote and took in all their influences. You can't name a rock band that has not taken an idea from another group and gone with it, or showing obviuous influence...that is not a fault of musicians by any means.
   
   The book is a fine read for the information, but the author's personal opnions really ruined alot of it.



2. One of the best Led Zeppelin books, ever. Over 300 large pages with small print and filled with photos l'd never seen. Deals mainly with the music, its creation and presentation and, doesn't get bogged in drama or supposition. Mr. Shadwick is sometimes opinionated, but it only reveals his deep respect and knowledge of the band. The only disappointment is that the story always ends with Bonham's death. Why can't someone just lie and report that he's living a peaceful existence in the Alps or something?



3. This is an excellent history of the band. Not only is it well written but it also goes into extensive details "behind the music." It is well sourced, stays away from the "shock" stories, and gives excellent information on what the band was feeling as the albums were created. excellent.



4. Balanced, informative. Told me a lot I did not know, and after following Led Zep from their first album, I already knew a good deal about the band. If you are interested in the seedier, sensational side of things, get "Hammer of the Gods but if you want a balanced account, this is the book IMHO. It does not shy away from the negative stuff, far from it, it just doesn't dwell there.
   
   Rick



5. I love Led Zeppelin, but not this much.
   
   The effort and studious detail is immense, but it was like reading a book about Gettysburg where every platoon, scout, and man was detailed to the privy level.
   
   To be fair if you are a musician this book might make more sense. Alot of the detail had to do with music at a level I don't understand. My love of Zeppelin is visceral, so alot of this is lost on me.
   
   If you are looking for a book that details the musical side of this band, this is the book for you.

5 comments about Led Zeppelin Classics (Authentic Guitar-Tab).

1. All I have say is "Wow" this book is incredible. I've been playing guitar for about 3 months now, and I'm a HUGE Zeppelin fan so I decided to get this book. I think I might have bit off a little more than I can chew. I can play the riffs from a few songs, but that's about it. But, as they always say "Practice makes perfect." If you're experienced with a guitar, I would HIGHLY recommend this.



2. I only wish this book contained ALL the songs! The tablature is outstanding and truly what any major Zeppelin guitarist fan is looking for. The solos are included, and unlike "Led Zeppelin Complete," this is a reliable, well-put-together arrangement of GREAT Zeppelin songs. The only bad thing about it is that the fabulous maker of the book did not transcribe MORE songs! At $15.72, this is the best deal for classic Zeppelin tabs, BELIEVE ME! "Dazed and Confused" is soooo intricate, giving me MORE than I asked for! And when I flipped to "What is and What Should Never Be," I realized just how much sense this book really makes. Definitely for experienced guitar players with ears "experienced" in the sound of LED ZEPPELIN. This book will help you to better understand the music behind the madness of this quartet. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED--grab this gold before it is gone!!



3. The delivery was great .The book was ok but needed the guitar scales to play lead the music, if you read music which i don't know how, and taps are not complete on how to play the songs like they did .



4. This is a good reference for assisting in the composing many of Led Zeppelin's works. There is music notation for vocals, lead guitar and rhythm guitar. The accuracy is questionable in many areas but it does a fairly good job as a starting resource.



5. What can I say. I got this book for my wife and she loves it. Even her guitar instructor wanted to steal it. A book two with other of the Led Zeppelin's songs would be nice :-)

5 comments about Hammer of the Gods: The Led Zeppelin Saga.

1. "Hammer of the Gods" is very informative as to the organizing and musical abilities of the group members. It gets a little bogged down describing the tours and damage done by various members of the entourage. I think more emphasis could have been made on the creative influences, although these are mentioned in some detail. An interesting read.



2. I read 'Hammer of the Gods' in one day. It's an easy read, and a fun one. I'm not a Led Zeppelin expert by any means, so any inaccuracies would have gone right over my head. However, I did read the other reviews on Amazon and realize that perhaps the book is a bit skewed by the dependence on the memory of Richard Cole, who seems to like to drop the F-bomb as many times in each quote as possible and to go for maximum shock value.
   
   That being said, it's a fun read, with plenty of info on how the group formed, its members, the creation of the Zep sound, how they created an image that was hard to live down, etc. The author also traces the origins of the music back to the Blues and does a nice job showing how the 'Devil's Music' made its way from the Southern US into the repertoire of white boys from England.
   
   Perhaps not definitive, but still lots of fun to read, this book gives you a good overview of personalities, music, and the history of the group.



3. Davis' profile of Led Zepplin is probably a reliable protrait of the band. If you are like me and you don't care too much for Led Zep music, you will still find the book an interesting read as a slice of pop culture history and biography of at least one fairly interesting guy (Jimmy Page).
   
   Davis' use of language is sometimes preposterously overblown. His diction is sometimes questionable, too, as when he describes Bonham flying into a rage. Bonham "apotheosized into the Beast." (Here you have an example of both hyperbole and poor diction.)
   
   The book is filled with this type of writing, which makes it exciting to read while casting a shadow of doubt as to its veracity.
   
   Davis doesn't call Page out on his affected interest in black magic and sorcery. Davis seems to take it all seriously. The other side of that story is Page was a young man, in his 20s, with excess cash and a deficit in maturity, dabbling in a silly hobby.
   
   Overall, this was a good read for the uninitiated. A bit of a guilty pleasure really.



4. I used to listen to Led Zep in high school, and until the release of Mothership and the publicity surrounding the reunion concert I never knew anything about the band. This book was a totally enjoyable read and a good overview of the band's history. I came away with an image of the band members as four vibrant and dynamic individuals. Their story is a fascinating one, and I'll enjoy their music even more now.



5. There are few bands that have achieved the musical heights of the four Englishmen known as Led Zeppelin. Songs like Whole Lotta Love, Stairway To Heaven, Kashmir and Black Dog are staples of young and old, charts and radio; catchiness and memorability. Similarly, very few bands have had as much popularity, mystique, innuendo or power attributed to them as the folk and blues hard rock legends.
   
   While the roots, music, business dealings and concerts of the band are present and discussed Led Zeppelin's hedonistic travails and fantastic romps through America and Europe are what Hammer Of The Gods (a phrase brought to contemporary consciousness by Friedrich Nietzsche and heard in the 1970 song Immigrant Song) is largely focused on.
   
   If reports are true much of the book's information and insider tips stem from the band's roadie and tour manager Richard Cole, in addition to the information collected, and chronologically presented, from press and public sources. Given Richard Cole's role and vocation Hammer Of The Gods is riddled with stories of sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll as well as concert grosses and tour itineraries and exploits. Much of the information might be both exaggerated and shrouded in the daze of yesteryears memory, but Hammer Of The Gods is a fast and interesting read on the band and its habits. Singer Robert Plant, who is presented as a debauched sex symbol, says as much in a post-publication quotation attributed to him in later editions. Guitarist Jimmy Page, who was the band's main composer, is seen as a semi-junkie with a lust for young girls and magick, drummer John Bonzo as an affable drunk drummer who beat the drums harder than anybody while bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones is both absent and, perhaps by implication, more serene.
   
   There are other books out there on Led Zeppelin - including one by Richard Cole called Stairway to Heaven: Led Zeppelin Uncensored - but it is hard to imagine a more interesting read on the legendary Brits than this - warts, booze, groupies and all.