Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II (1969) | FIRST REACTION

Continuing the zeppy reactions with Led Zeppelin II
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0:00 intro
0:34 Whole Lotta Love
5:04 What Is and What Should Never Be
9:02 The Lemon Song
14:10 Thank You
17:20 Heartbreaker
20:34 Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman)
22:12 Ramble On
25:25 Moby Dick
30:50 Bring It on Home
34:20 final thoughts

[@steven.6227]

That transition from heartbreaker to livin lovin maid is maybe the most famous in rock history. You can’t play them separately

[@mofost1]

But jimmy hated playing livin lovin for some reason, on celebration day & other collections they separate them but it’s not theirs anymore, it’s ours & I get physically aggressive when they separate the two lol

[@anitapaulus937]

If I’m not mistaken, Bonzo is actually playing the drums with his hands during part of this. He does that in that live version. Royal Albert Hall, 1970. Zeppelin III has a lot of acoustic music on it. The critics were really hard on it, and said Zeppelin wasn’t a rock band The untitled forth album is one of the best, and kind of Jimmy Page’s FU to the critics. They created symbols for each member of the band, and their name isn’t on the outside of the album. Of course the label shrink wrapped it with their name on it, they couldn’t let any sales drop.

[@juliemanarin4127]

He did

[@ryanweatherman-holt4805]

👍

[@AngeloMarcheschi-vj9em]

No it didn't not on my shrink wrap back in the day.

[@gsparkman]

I wouldn't call this the "greatest drum" solo of all time, but it's good. Frankly, I like what Bonham does to support the main melodic music. His fills are killer and his riffs are metronomic. And his sound is explosive.

[@davidromero6998]

Their music is the soundtrack to everything from Drinking with Friends, Being super High, Dancing in the Rain, Getting ready for a night out. Passionate Sex. And Self reflection. And yes I've done that all to Led music haha

[@thewizard6077]

The transition between Heartbreaker and Living Loving Maid definitely works. Probably, one of the best (if not the best) known transitions in music history. It may not have hit you yet, but the more times you listen to the album, the more you'll realize how genius that transition is. Peace

[@PeterTea]

True. I like the transition between Moby Dick and Bring It On Home too.

[@whiplash415]

You might not like zeppelin 3 as much. But don't let that stop you from listening to the other albums. There's always something in each album that's always worth it.

[@juliemanarin4127]

I think he will love it!

[@moondog-]

Zeppelin 3 is spectacular!

[@allyourmoney]

It's still got some killer tracks, though. Every album has gems in it. Over the years I become less album-oriented & more into individual songs.

[@user-vv7lp9nn6y]

Like he said - he's looking for some kind of switch up/something different from 3. He'll definitely get that

[@whiplash415]

@@user-vv7lp9nn6y yeah... your right

[@Ledzepnut]

The 1973 drum solo from Madison Square Garden of Moby Dick is definitely one of the best, he's just amazing. The next album definitely changes it up, however when you get to the fourth album then Houses of the Holy, that's when you're gonna hear some masterpieces, including from the following double album Physical Graffiti, which you're gonna love

[@sicotshit7068]

Plant wrote thank for his wife, who supported them while he was starting the Led Zeppelin career.

[@samheppener7878]

Weird to me how you're put off by the abrupt transitions. They're one of my favourite things about the early Zep albums!

[@RKSidd]

Zeppelin II for me was sort of ok. But the next one for me is my personal favourite...in spite of catching everyone off guard on its release.

[@GraveDirectionswithSugerkat]

I used Thank You as a 1st dance song, at my wedding.

[@deanpaulhymas3951]

Led zeppelin 3 is most definitely a switch up from the first 2 (personally its my fav)

[@ursgeiser6570]

Further development in terms of musical style, especially acoustic guitar (Friends + mostly whole side 2), folk... It's not an album that you listen to casually; You have to want to "immerse yourself" with good sound quality, only then will you discover many musical nuances that you can enjoy. Have fun with all kind of good music!

[@Nirvanafanboy1991]

Whole lot of love, ramble on, and bring it on home are my favorite tracks on here!

[@HeyJoni1988]

How can you not love Thank you?

[@SdMbL1]

Bonzo live on Moby Dick is a sight to see.

[@sabenchristopher47]

Glad you decided to go in order. But if you don't like abrupt transitions wait until Heartbreaker ends😂 As far as what you said about this album being different than the first you'll soon find out every album is different in itself. It's one of the reasons they're The Goats. On to 3.

[@galvinklatt5273]

Still lots of Led treasures ahead of you!

[@dbclassic8733]

Yeah he plays the first 2/3rds return haha on the actual drums, snare, toms etc then finished with sticks... All one guy no over dubs

[@LordEriolTolkien]

Remember also, this was released in the same year as their debut.

[@oldschool4325]

Zeppelin II. I don’t know how many copies of this album we went through.

[@tommyhamilton2107]

For me everything Zeppelin is worth listening to. Personally I don’t like to dissect music too much,I just enjoy what I enjoy. Enjoying your dissections though, keep listening to as much variety as you can. We all will enjoy your take on it.🤟🏻🕊🎸🥳🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@davidromero6998]

Oh God yes I'm here for this

[@voodoochile333]

The amazing fact is that led zeppelin released 8 albums in 10 years. The first 4 albums between 1969-71.

[@ursgeiser6570]

When it comes to great artists, I differentiate between albums for every mood (whether I'm tired or feeling good, but also for jogging, driving, cleaning...) and albums where I have to "let go" and really immerse myself in order to enjoy them ; that would be LZ I+III. The first include LZ II+IV. I don't have a favorite album, it changes depending on my mood. For me, the whole album as such is important, the musical diversity, the song order, no skip songs. These first four albums fully fulfill this. As an oldie, I'm always amazed at how you young people can tell so quickly whether a song is good or bad. Listening to a new album, especially discovering it, changed a lot. There are songs that only grow with repeated listening. The unique concert Royal Albert Hall January 9th 1970/Jimmy's Birthday Bash contains 5 songs from each I and II in good sound quality, including Moby Dick in a 15' version. Thanks and have fun!!!

[@goclbert]

I like to imagine Robert Plant just really had to sneeze on Whole Lotta Love

[@davidroman9300]

At first he's playing with his hands!!!

[@juliemanarin4127]

They were magnificent! Each album is amazing...Jimmy produced all their albums!

[@mofost1]

18:49 you said a lull at the beginning of the heartbreaker solo, what timing brother, you gots no idea what’s gettin ready to blippidy blop you in the FACE!

[@nellgwenn]

As to the song length and radio play, back then there was somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 minutes 45 second time limit for songs to be played. It was extremely rare for a song to exceed that limit on AM radio. That doesn't happen today. It wasn't until the FM album oriented radio stations came into existence where it wasn't an issue. Unfortunately that didn't happen until after Led Zeppelin was a band. Remember Led Zeppelin didn't issue 45 RPMs. They wanted people to hear their songs in the context of the album. There were some songs issued for the Japanese market though. They never did TV appearances either. They didn't do the Ed Sullivan Show or talk shows. Their thinking was, a TV speaker in those days was lousy, especially for a band so explosive and intuitive as Led Zeppelin. They gained their popularity mostly by word of mouth. The media hated them because they refused to fall in line like the media wanted them to. The media wanted the power to make or break entertainers to maintain power over them. Led zeppelin did not play that game. Which in the end only made them more popular. Rolling Stone magazine despised them with a fury. It wanted to tear them apart. The more they tried, the more popular they became. Then it became a thing. Also Led Zeppelin recorded this album while they were on the road touring.

[@dbclassic8733]

🔥 they both hit hard. Love them both for different reasons

[@mysticsofthemaya]

"Thanking her for squeezing his lemon." Hahaha! The question is, have you ever had that experience?

[@fidenciohernandez5739]

Just ONE GIANT PLAYING DRUMS 🥁 🎉

[@gsparkman]

All these guys were at the top of the food chain as musicians. Robert Plant, as a singer, was in a league of his own, but he doesn't get enough recognition for his bluesy harmonica playing on many LZ tracks (and of course his lyric writing).

[@SdMbL1]

Thank You was a great live song. Agree with the studio version.

[@helmedon]

Led Zeppelin IV is arguably their best album.

[@dalmac5978]

Lord of the Rings - Robert Plant was an avid reader, and it was on LZII that he started writing more original lyrics, often drawing from what he was reading.

[@dalmac5978]

One drummer. No overdubs. Playing with his hands in the place you mentioned two drummers.

[@mofost1]

& 3 has bronyr-sur stomp & 4 is 2 part 2, just unbelievable rock perfection

[@braddemarest6885]

When the band first started recording music, they paid in advance for studio time. Zeppelin I came out in January 1969, and Zeppelin II released in October of the same year. This meant that the music in Zeppelin II had to be recorded in between tour gigs at various locations when the band had the time for it. Considering these circumstances, it’s pretty impressive that this album mostly held up to the high standards set by their debut. That being said, Zeppelin II absolutely pales in comparison to Zeppelin I imo. Not as inspired or energetic, but it makes sense considering they were trying to fill the recording time they had already paid for. By Zeppelin III, they had been established as a highly influential band, and they were granted more freedom to produce music at their own pace. This is why their third album ended up being my favorite from them, and I hope you listen to it soon! ❤❤❤

[@ursgeiser6570]

You said right; from January 1969 onwards, LZ played Killing Floor/Lemon Song and Pal's Delight/Moby Dick at the legendary Fillmore West concerts and on April 26th (Fillmore West again) Whole Lotta Love for the first time. It was common back then, pressure from record companies, for all major acts to release an album every year for fear of being forgotten. The media world was so different: concerts, rock radio stations, a few TVs.

[@benaiah2119]

I have pretty unpopular opinions about this band. I think these two albums are the best they ever made, but I still love the future albums and how they took things in a different direction. Every album is fantastic for different reasons and everybody enjoys different things, I just prefer the blues rock era of zep. I cannot wait for your zeppelin 4 reaction though. I think it is my 3rd favorite for sure. Get ready for a jarring change with zeppelin 3 though. It will catch you off guard.

[@dalmac5978]

This album Jimmy had his Les Paul, on LZI he played a Telecaster, contributing to the different tone.

[@charlesboyd2876]

The thing about Zeppelin is that once you decide that you like it, you will roll through all of the albums and, with maybe one or three exceptions, like them all. It is just the kind of band they are. Enjoy

[@bugscorb]

Doesn't know Led Zep, and picks out one of the best drummers to grace the planet......you know your shit.

[@mofost1]

Oh sh!t the greatest album in history front to back

[@kimberlyjohnson8932]

Great reaction

[@fidenciohernandez5739]

Royal Albert Hall 70' MSG 73' DRUM SOLO

[@KenoshaKarl]

If you enjoy drum solos, you might also enjoy Ginger Baker’s work on “toad”. (Cream)

[@mitchellbeston1033]

In the 60's, without radio play, you had no band. This is why the late 60's/early 70's are so important in the history of rock. It wasn't just musical boundaries that were being tested but those of society. Nowadays, anyone with money can put out a record but back then, you not only had to be super talented but you had to toe the line of what was acceptable in the music world and broader society. Amazingly enough, Zeppelin, ended up pushing all those boundaries, hence their own music label, Swan Song, which enabled them to have complete control over their music...a rarity.

[@kaldrazadrim]

MobyDck: it’s not overdubs or two people. It’s just the GOAT. During that time he is playing the regular drum kit with his hands

[@amjrpain919]

"Radio"is what we had, and this was also the early stages of "FM" S T E R E O... I bet you know who they are now 😉

[@sensationaldenny]

Led Zeppelin 3 next please! It's my favourite Zep album. IMO their most humble, most passionate and most dynamic album they ever did!. It's not their "Best" album but its unique in the ways I described. Their best album is Led Zep 4! you just can't compete with songs like When The Levee Breaks, Stairway To Heaven and Black Dog

[@KM769]

Early Pink Floyd (1967-71), Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, The Doors, Janis Joplin, King Crimson, Miles Davis (Tribute to Jack Johnson), Primus, Soft Machine, The Residents, Kraftwerk.

[@rikurodriguesneto6043]

The bassist John Paul Jones was in a supergroup with Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age and Dave Grohl.. from Nirvana and Foo Fighters - Them Crooked Vultures.. mighta heard of them

[@davidschecter5247]

The cat was hallucinating! Yes, the transition is one of the greatest in history. You will never be able to listen to "Heartbreaker" without "Livin' Lovin'" after this.

[@thewizard6077]

Moby Dick is John Bonham alone playing parts of the solo with his hands (no sticks). There is no 2nd drummer or overdubs. He is the greatest that ever was! RIP John Bonham. Peace

[@TRUMP-2024-STF]

No overdubs. He’s playing with his hands on the drums. Then the sticks U really need to listen to the 1970 Royal Albert hall solo and the how the west was won solo. Will literally Blow ur mind.

[@gsparkman]

Since your comments on the first album about the short space between songs I've been trying to remember if the original analog (vinyl) album was that way. Wondering if it happened during conversion to CDs. Honestly, it's too long ago for me to know. I think I still have the vinyl stashed away, but so is my turntable, so not an easy verification. You've got me wondering though.

[@derraumdeuter3671]

Let's gooo

[@user-hs8qn7zt7p]

Playing with his hands

[@stevePsutton]

Check out the live performance of Moby Dick - Albert Hall 1969 to see Bonzo playing an extended version on his own, without over dubs 😂

[@ozzy6771]

I thought I was the only one who thought it was “YOU NEED KOOL-AID!!”

[@josephLigoci-nj5pw]

All of todays artists write all of their music for consumption. The first album was put together very fast (less than 40 hours) and is most likely what is responsible for some of the production snafus. The second album was pieced together while they toured the US.

[@KravMagoo]

Fun drinking game...take a shot every time Plant says "Babe" or "Baby". Let me know when you're about to start...I'll call 911 for you.

[@addisonstandley8204]

If you wanna hear the best ever version of Moby Dick, the actual best drum solo of all time, look up the royal albert hall performance

[@Eikuza]

Please react to Joy Division - Closer. It's regarded as 1 of the saddest albums of all time and was the final album they released. While Unknown Pleasures is widely known, Closer, the follow up album isn't because they chose to not advertise it's release as much due to the death of Ian Curtis 2 months before they released the album. The cover for the album is a casket and a lot of the lyrics hint at the tragedy that'd become Ian's death. With all that said, it's a must listen and a great album.

[@hundenstihl]

I’ve watched your reaction to the first and second Led Zeppelin albums. My only real issue with it is you completely ignore how different things were in 1969. You just assume everything should be like you’re familiar with in the 2020s. Part of the brilliance of this music is that it didn’t have a lot of contemporary influences to draw upon. What makes this band incredible, as well as Pink Floyd and so many others - they were very inventive given what preceded there creative output. I just think that context is imperative to understanding how great this music is. If you neglect that acknowledgment, there’s some essential facts left out.

[@jimgarrity7801]

You should check out Who's Next by The Who...

[@bishlap]

THE LEMON SONG !!!

[@cdronk]

IMO, I think the better drum solo is on the title song from Steely Dan's Aja album.

[@albertmassingo4249]

There are no bongos, he uses his foot to tighten the skin on his drums changing the pitch, no bongos. And uses his bare hands, for parts.

[@benoitdesmarais2948]

Don't care much for drum solos, but there's one from one of Bonham's favourite drummers, Barrie Barlow from Jethro Tull, on the album Thick as a Brick. It's just long enough - meaning less than two minutes!

[@katahdincloud9803]

Bro. I need to see you react to Terrapin from the Dead……in its totality

[@chrisparco9599]

Its all bonham the man was a bad ass

[@jbojoify]

PLEASE DO KING CRIMSON IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING (IF YOU LIKE DRUMMING ITS INSANE)

[@DAVECHER]

I've already heard it!

[@boki1693]

I do agree with you that I like Zeppelin 1, maybe better than two. I mean it's close. It depends on my mood. It's just that the super bluesy songs from one I don't like all that much and the only song from 2 I really dislike is Thank You. And Whole Lotta Love is my favorite song from either album. But I like Dazed and Confused and How many more Times almost as much. But I have to say that Zeppelin 2,4 and Physical Graffiti are all considered by the "experts" as better than Zeppelin 1. Zeppelin 2 is often considered their second best album behind 4. I consider Physical Graffiti their best album though.. Oh Heartbreaker into Living Loving Maid works. It's one of the most famous double song combos in history. Ironically, Jimmy Page always said Living Loving maid is his least favorite Zep song. I have no idea why. The Lord of the Rings book came out in the mid 50's. The Hobbit in the 30's. Plant was a huge Tolkien fan. He had a dog named Strider that he mentions in a live performance of a song and this is one of at least 4 Zep songs with Lord of the Rings references. Misty Mountain Hop. The Battle of Evermore and Over the Hills and far Away are the others I know of.

[@anahatatutu]

If you like transitions, Pink Floyd is your band.

[@williamcabell142]

Dude…..live is where they live!

[@K4neki_CNTP]

I think this is my least fav LZ album. I still like it a lot and it’s not their worst, but I think every other album by them is either more interesting sonically or just better (and more interesting). The first two are often perceived to be pretty similar to each other. From now on, you’ll definitely notice them evolving a lot from record to record.

[@moog67]

You're totally high

[@chrisparco9599]

Not a overdub

[@philshorten3221]

Just look at the album Artwork for I & II compared to Led Zeppelin III 😂 It tells you EVERYTHING you need to know!

[@sicotshit7068]

They didn’t like releasing singles, & only released very few, to play on the radio they needed space.

[@heliotropezzz333]

They issued none in the UK. It was their record company that released a few album tracks as singles in the US.

[@sicotshit7068]

@@heliotropezzz333 they had complete control, so I’m sure they were in on that decision.

[@heliotropezzz333]

@@sicotshit7068 Perhaps against Jimmy's better judgement.

[@sicotshit7068]

@@heliotropezzz333 I can’t disagree, but could be why only very few were.

[@heliotropezzz333]

@@sicotshit7068 O yes. Jimmy said from the beginning he didn't want to do singles because bands then were only regarded as being as good as their last single, that it set up expectations of more of the same and that the 3 minute limit for radio play was a creative constraint. He really wanted to be able to experiment and take the band to new places. He had strong ideas about what he wanted to do and what he wanted the band to be. In the end the band exceeded even his expectations because of the combined talent and chemistry between them.

[@user-fp2kj3gn4s]

I don't know why it would be different for a band in the 60s? This kid really doesn't have a clue, if you didn't have an album you had no way of getting on the radio so nobody would know who you were radio stations one of the songs to be 2 minutes long

[@louis9930]

Led zeppelin IV is the best one, unfortunately in my opinion led zeppelin III is the worst, but just don’t be put off the fourth if you don’t love the next one

[@louis9930]

I say ‘worst’ it’s still an amazing album

[@juliemanarin4127]

I don't think there's anything wrong with. IiI!! Every album is pure magic!

[@SlowUnsteadyTV]

And then Physical Graffiti, the next peak

[@ursgeiser6570]

“Worst” is a hard word, especially with such ambitious music. LZ III is an album to discover and enjoy, so many nuances with a good sound system, really to "immerse yourself in". Physical Grafitti is my skip album, I only listened to it in its entirety when it came out; around 1/3 unused songs, but actually for various reasons.

[@taylorham9532]

you guys think they’ll play rap in 2040? yea me neither…

[@wesalker3479]

SORRY but . . . Whole Lotta Love IS NOT Zeppelin's most sexual song . . . the would be "The Lemon Song".

[@heliotropezzz333]

The Lemon Song is more explicit but not as sexy as Whole Lotta Love which is a seduction song, unlike the Lemon Song.