Episode 56: Exploring the Folk & Blues Roots of Led Zeppelin - part one

Please note: There was an editing error in this portion of the show. That has been fixed. In addition, the opening Thanksgiving montage was reinserted due to popular demand.

In this series of two shows we explore the Blues and Folk roots of Led Zeppelin. There is no question that Zeppelin borrowed heavily. We'll hear on Robert Plant lifts melody lines and lyrics to construct some of the most icon songs of the 1970s and early 80s.

Undoubtedly Zeppelin's music launched thousands of bands and changed the direction of popular music (while it's not included in these shows, even rapper Sean Puffy, Puff Daddy Combs lifted the guitar riff from Zeppelin's Kashmir to create a top hit including a joint appearance with Jimmy Page on Saturday Night Live: now that's being influential).

It's been my experience that most modern days blues music listeners came to the genre via The Rolling Stones, The Allman Brothers, or Led Zeppelin. When I discussed the idea for this show with regular listeners, it became apparent that most had gotten the Led outta their system some many years ago.

Yet it was no surprise that by massive numbers, the positive feedback on this show has been ginormous! Evidently exploring the musical roots of Zeppelin has rekindled a long forgotten love.

Please, enjoy the show. And thank-you for listening.

Oh. And by the way, after more than a decade, Robert Plant has reunited with Alison Krauss for a new album. Trusted critics report that this collaboration, Raise the Roof, is BETTER than their Grammy Award winning album, Raising Sand. As soon as I can, we'll get their latest and share it with you.

1.Ray Davies (Kinks) / Thanksgiving Day
2.Little Stevie Van Zandt / St Valentine's Day
3.Tower of Power (feat Tom Jones) / Thank-you
4. ZZ Top / I Thank You
5. Leadbelly / Gallis Pole
6. Plant & Page (No Quarter)/ Gallows Pole
7. Beck's Bolero [Naming the band: Keith Moon (The Who), Jeff Beck & Jimmy Page (The Yardbirds) and studio musicians Nicky Hopkins and future Zeppelin member John Paul Jones.]
8. Otis Rush & Eric Gales/ I Can't Quit You Baby
9. Otis Rush / I Can't Quit You Baby (#1)
10.Muddy Waters / You Need Love
11.Led Zeppelin / Whole Lotta Love (#2)
12.Sonny Boy Williamson II / Bring It On Home
13.Led Zeppelin / Bring It On Home
14.Led Zeppelin / Boogie with Stu (Physical Graffiti)
15.Richie Valens / Ooh My Head
16.Rolling Stones / Homage to Ian Stewart
17.Led Zeppelin / Black Mountain Side (#3)
18.Bert Jansch / Blackwaterside
19.Led Zeppelin / Bron Yr Aur Stomp (Physical Graffiti)
20.Bert Jansch / The Waggoner's Lad
21.Spirit / Taurus