OUT THROUGH THE IN DOOR

The name of this album is a funny reference to the album In Through The Out Door by Led Zeppelin (1979), all 11 tracks on Out Through The In Door are Led Zeppelin covers. This appreciation from Vanilla Fudge for Led Zeppelin started in 1968 when the virtuosic and innovative hardrockers Led Zeppelin did their first USA tour '. as a support act for USA formation Vanilla Fudge. In those days this four piece band was highly praised and got worldwide recognition, due to their international chart topping single You Keep Me Hangin' On. So when in 1968 Vanilla Fudge was already a famous band that had released a serie of pivotal albums, Led Zeppelin was working on a debut studio album and touring around the world to make fans. A year later Vanilla Fudge call it a day while Led Zeppelin stunned the world with their eponymous debut album. And within a few years Led Zeppelin became one of the most famous and pivotal rock bands of all time. In order to tribute their former support-act Led Zeppelin, Vanilla Fudge (reunited since 1984) made this album, released in 2007.

After a few listening sessions my conclusion is that Vanilla Fudge have succeeded to incorporate their distinctive late Sixties sound (vocal harmonies, Hammond organ and blending rock with soul and gospel) into the covers, without doing harm to the essential Led Zeppelin sound. I notice lots of inventive ideas: a short and surprising keyboard intro in the propulsive Immigrant Song, wonderful keyboard arrangements (on the Korg Triton synthesizer) and fiery electric guitar leads in the dynamic Dazed And Confused and a funky clavinet sound, wah-wah guitar and swirling Hammond organ in the swinging Trampled Under Foot. The typical, omnipresent Vanilla Fudge Hammond B3 organ sound can be traced in Fool In The Rain, Dancing Days, Moby Dick (excellent job by drummer Carmine Appice who later worked with Jeff Beck) and Rock And Roll (thunderous drums, powerful vocals and biting electric guitar). These elements give the songs a very special flavour. The most Vanilla Fudge sounding Led Zeppelin cover is the final song Your Time Is Gonna Come: it starts with 'churchy' Hammond organ and then a thrilling blend of blues and psychedelia featuring inspired, pretty melancholical vocals.

In my opinion Vanilla Fudge have delivered a strong and interesting tribute to Led Zeppelin (one of my favorite bands), with lots of creative ideas and with respect to the mighty Led Zep sound!