LED ZEPPELIN III

There will always be a debate whose band is the best rock'n'roll band ever. In my view, the best ever rock'n'roll band is Led Zeppelin as much as The Beatles was the best ever pop band. Led Zeppelin are/was head and shoulder above the likes of Rolling Stones, Who and everyone else. This album proves my point.

Led Zeppelin decamped to a Welsh cottage to make this album. Hence my reference to this album as their Welsh folk music album. Forget Led Zeppelin as a heavy thundering rock band. On this album, they almost makes a folk rock album. Which makes a very fascinating album, in my view. It is one of the best ever Led Zeppelin albums and that says a lot.

The opener Immigrant Song is a barnstorming song about the my forefathers from the north who pillaged Great Britain. As a Norwegian living in Great Britain, I take great pride in these lyrics. I should be ashamed of myself. Really ashamed. Anyway, it is a great song. Celebration Days too is a brilliant song. Since I've Been Loving You is a showcase for Jimmy Page and a brilliant song. Gallows Pole is a brilliant folk rock song. The same is That's the Way and Bron- Y-Aur Stomp.

In short, this album really showcase Led Zeppelin as a band with their roots in folk music too, in addition to their rock and blues roots. I think this is a fascinating album which bridges folk rock and rock in a perfect manner. It is not perfect and I do not care that much about the songs I have not mentioned above. But it is still a sure winner in my home. Every home should have their copy of this album, in my view.

4.5 stars