Foxy LadyI've been exploring the roots of some of the music I particularly enjoy, which has taken me back to the early blues rock of Led Zeppelin and Cream. Strangely, I hadn't gotten over to Jimi Hendrix until the iPod randomly selected this track today. What hasn't been said about Jimi? Heavy blues rock sound, embracing the spirit of the tradition while carrying an edge with growling distortion.
Babe, I'm Gonna Leave YouThe second tune on Led Zeppelin's eponymous debut album. I'd completely missed this piece of music until recently. A marvelous juxtaposition of acoustic steel string and classical guitars with electric instrumentation, this track demonstrates Zeppelin's excellent use of dynamics, famous in the now cliched Stairway to Heaven from whatever you wish to call that album. The song moves between quiet acoustic driven interludes and heavy crunching riffs to good effect. Having never heard this before, it really turned my head and gave me a new appreciation for the band.
There is something about Jimi's playing that is more distinctive than most electric or blues playing, but i can't put my finger on it at this point. I have not heard anyone copy this particular mystery element.
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