Led Zeppelin - The Battle Of Evermore (REACTION)

[@robertprice6830]

A day without Zeppelin is like a day without sunshine. Today the Sun shines.

[@APAL880]

This is the only Zeppelin recording with a guest vocalist. It's a duet with Plant and Sandy Denny. Epic song.

[@mandobob]

The great Sandy Denny. What a voice! A mainstay of Fairport Convention. Sadly dead at 31 from injuries from a fall on some stairs.

[@jamesroth8577]

She died not long after this recording.

[@chriswarren3090]

8 years later, actually @@jamesroth8577

[@chriswarren3090]

Another connection....right around the time this was recorded, Bassist Dave Pegg joined Fairport Convention, which Sandy Denny was also a member of....Pegg and John Bonham had been in a band together before Bonham joined Led Zeppelin.

[@beastmode003]

​@@mandobobi think it was more than a fall,more like delusional suicide. but heard this was due to page being involved in a situation which had other unfortunate events occurring including the ultimate end to the band but idk, could be myth

[@ttrob93]

The pain of war can not exceed the woe of aftermath....

[@chrissimon9879]

It may be sacrilegious to some but this my favorite off this album. My high school mind was so inspired by this and it’s Lord of the Rings imagery I immediately painted a huge mural on a discarded piece of plywood for my art class. My love for this never waned. Don’t get me wrong I love the whole album, every f**king song , but this is the one I go back to more than any other

[@vespoint]

The LoTR references are a major reason I’m a Zeppelin fan! I’m a total nerd. I used to take notes in my Hobbit journal in runes 😂

[@zosometalgod]

It's not sacrilegious! This song is amazing and is a deep cut in zeppelins library this song shows how zeppelin started to mature! Get the Led out heavy and lite!

[@robertserafin-uc3qn]

Nothing wrong with liking other material 👍

[@jaquestraw1]

Not sacrilege at all! Amazing track

[@earlymorningtwilight9119]

Mine too!

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

Jimmy's mandolin solo gives me chills every time. He borrowed JPJ's mandolin and taught himself how to play it whilst writing this song.

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

@@justinwatch It's a fact. Do your research. Or continue being ignorant. I don't care. lol

[@juliemanarin4127]

@@justinwatch yes Jimmy played it!

[@mikemicrael5749]

John Paul Jones is an underappreciated member of Led Zeppelin. His arrangements and the sounds he added to their music often go unnoticed because everyone talks about the other three. Love this song and his mandolin.

[@willyroussel3563]

This is Jimmy playing Mandolin, JPJ plays mandolin on most of the other songs, but this is all Jimmy Page

[@neillenet291]

JPJ is appreciated

[@juliemanarin4127]

Jimmy played mandolin on this one

[@juliemanarin4127]

@Neil Lenet but yes JPJ is genis!

[@BBaldwin]

The silent assassin!!!

[@sprezzatura8755]

In another fifty years new listeners will be just as astounded with Led Zeppelin.

[@Philby17]

Great medieval-sounding song. Love the mandolin sound and how the strings create the beat. 'The pain of war cannot exceed the woe of aftermath' - one of the best anti-war lyrics ever. I could go on.... 😀

[@donwarnick1089]

Imagine a band who’s songs on every album were fantastic. I give you Led Zeppelin. Nothing was filler.

[@scotttrainer9704]

Robert and Sandy killed it

[@booifojoe]

At your 6:00 mark, I can remember hearing this part for the first time and expecting Bonham to come crashing in to finish this off with the nose bleed shock wave he could deliver. Zeppelin has a way of keeping you guessing about what's around the corner. Unmatched creativity.

[@Jan-xn3kz]

You need to listen to Sandy Denny sing “Who knows where the time goes” she wrote it at 19. She is the quintessential British folk singer and recorded with Fairport Convention ( Richard Thompson) before her untimely death at 31.

[@Sennen999]

My favourite Sandy Denny song. I'd love these guys to react to it!!!

[@urbangrouse]

She recorded it with The Strawbs before she joined Fairport... beautiful version! Check it out.

[@telebender]

Love, love, love when LZ breaks out a mandolin.

[@ws3764]

You two clearly have the ear required to provide these types of reactions. Excellent work! I'm so glad I found this channel.

[@2869may]

Me too..! I love their intelligent knowledgeable reactions..!

[@Ed9870]

@@2869may These two guys are among the best reactors on the net.

[@2869may]

@@Ed9870 Absolutely! I like the Lost in Vegas guys and the BroAction brothers as well, but they're not as knowledgeable... I watch some others but only for their in the moment reaction and I skip what they say... lol

[@TrianglesAndCircles]

Spot on! These two goofballs always deliver. (I call them that sometimes because they're goofy like me) 😂

[@broetchenahoi6524]

Same here! Glad have found you guys! Greetings from Germany! :-D

[@BronYrAur26]

When I recently saw Robert Plant live with Aluson Krauss, they did this song, and it was the next best thing to hearing him sing it with Sandy Denny. They also paid tribute to her by playing the first few verses of Matty Groves in a medley with Gallows Pole. Amazing.

[@henriettaskolnick4445]

For this song, Jimmy plays mandolin (his first time with that instrument) while Jonesy plays acoustic guitar. Jimmy doubled his mandolin tracks and used an echo machine to help provide a wall of mandolin/guitar for this song. The voice you heard along with Robert was Sandy Denny, vocalist for Fairport Convention, an English folk/rock group, and the only other person to ever sing on a Zep song. Sandy provides the "ground level" commentary while Robert seems to provide the "big picture" overview of some fantasy battle. Sandy tragically passed away in 1978. When performed live, Jimmy would play the mandolin while John Paul Jones played a three-neck guitar with a mandolin on top, a 12-string guitar in the middle, and a 6-string guitar on the bottom. Jonesy would also sing Sandy's part in concert. Robert has always been interested in Lord Of The Rings, histories, various mythologies and folklores, especially Celtic/Welsh so, in addition to lyrics inspired by Lord Of The Rings (Ringwraiths), Scottish histories of Anglo-Scottish wars of the fifteenth and sixteenth certuries, he also mentions "Avalon" which comes from King Arthur legends. Avalon was supposed to be the source of all magick and comes from the Celtic word "abal" which means apple. Avalon was said to be a beautiful paradise island full of wild apple trees (the lyric "the apples of the valley hold the seeds of happiness"), grapevines, and wheat.

[@broetchenahoi6524]

Another great reaction, guys! As far as I know this song is a folk duet w. British singer Sandy Denny and the only LZ track with a 2nd vocalist. Folk music was huge in the 1960s in Europe and the US (so maybe they wanted to show that they can do Folk, too?). I hear a definite mystical and/or European medieval vibe. The lyrics (like parts of Ramble On and Misty Mountain Hop) are said to reference J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord Of The Rings". I agree with you guys: LZ is SO creative; their musical range incredible. What a band!

[@stevemd6488]

Agree lot of lifts from LOTR in many of their songs. So cool.

[@stevostevopick4003]

Hi guys. "When the Levee breaks" is another amazing tune.

[@HilltopHomesteadVT]

You guys gotta react to Fairport Convention! Sandy Denny, their singer, is the only vocalist to ever be featured by Zeppelin and its here on this song. She is considered one of if not the best singer/song writer ever from the UK but she died too soon.

[@markbishopmusic]

The never ending, relentless struggle of night and day, light vs dark, good vs evil. His recent performances with Alison Krauss feature this song.

[@gmgroucho77]

Sandy Denny of Fairport Convention is the female vocalist on this one.

[@mikemicrael5749]

Sandy had a great voice. I also loved her work with Strawbs. Another artist who passed away tragically too early.

[@oldskool4612]

One of my favorite Zep tunes. A Celtic Folk song by a duet of Plant & Sandy Denny. Her voice is heavenly. Page plays the mandolin for his 1st time ever as well. A truly unique song for being made up on the spot during the recording of Zep 4. Thanks again fellas for another superb reaction. 👌

[@markstokes1401]

Most versatile and best band ever.

[@georgetaxi8179]

Going to California is another song on this record without drums, but the rest of the tunes you feel Bonzo's presence felt. Especially on "When the Levee breaks." One of the most iconic drum intros that was sampled by the Beastie Boys.

[@vicprovost2561]

Bonham's intro is the best, hardest and most powerful drum intro I have ever heard but a close second is Cozy Powell on Rainbow's Stargazer, another unreal percussive onslaught. (And then the epic song begins).

[@smgdroid]

They are going to be two very happy guys when they get to When the Levee Breaks...

[@juliemanarin4127]

Fantastic song! Jimmy picked up JPJs mandolin! Jimmy and JPJ are the arrangers!

[@Brian-tb1zs]

After you go through all these Zeppelin albums, you’ll consider mentioning they are arguably one of the greatest of all time. Every song, every album, amazing, You’ll see

[@lesblatnyak5947]

A show piece of Plant's beautiful voice.

[@alldayadventures5418]

Heavy "Lord of the Rings" influence in a lot of tunes on this album. Well known the band really loved reading the adventures of the ring, and clearly represented in many songs. (Hear the line about the "Ring Wraiths ride in Black" in this song. "Ring of Gold...bring the balance back" "Tyrants face is Red"... ) "Misty Mountain Hop" is on this list too...

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

If by "2" you mean "a lot" then okay, I guess.

[@rlwetz4317]

Was Page as into the occult as [they] say? I remember being in grade school when the whole "$atanic back masking" hysteria gripped rural America. Zep were debbil worshippin', I was told. 😉

[@Macdelaven]

Ramble On

[@luckyirvin]

the more i hear these harmonies the more i love this song

[@Frankincensedjb123]

As a kid, all I could do after listening to this song was just sit and stare in amazement. Well, kind of like what I did after most Zep songs, actually. Their creativity, diversity, song writing and playing skills are second to none. And keep in mind that live they didn't just play the hits or songs verbatim. They often improvised live, thus showing the master skills of the band. Keep in mind that JPJ and Page were master studio musicians for years before Zep. These guys are the 8th wonder of the world.

[@angelwilliams413]

so fuskin true brother

[@lem01ne]

I'd argue this is one of the most haunting songs ever recorded. Love it!

[@katherinepearson167]

Always loved this song, it never got much air time

[@patrickmartell9907]

I Love you guys reacting to L.Z. songs!

[@kentmains7763]

One of my favorite Zep songs.

[@cazgerald9471]

This is an actual duet with Sandy Denny, she was the singer for British folk band Fairport Convention

[@josephtedrick7706]

The best thing about Led Zeppelin is the variety of music on each album to take you on a journey.

[@hypno59]

The biggest sounds from some acoustic guitars and a mandolin...wow. That's great composition.Nothing less.

[@jonicantrell7849]

Every song is a ride. Sometimesits a roller coaster and sometime you just float on a cloud

[@jonathansmith3742]

50 yrs of listening to this, awesome every time. Sandy singing with Robert works so well.

[@bobblethreadgill4463]

Celtic undertone is very soothing for a violent story. I think of Norwegian bonfires and Olde stories from local lore. You guys keep it up, Zep mixes soft with hard, that's what I love about 'em!!!

[@2869may]

HEART who started as a Zeppelin cover band does a great cover of this...! Also an INCREDIBLE cover of Stairway, in front of Zeppelin themselves at the Kennedy Center...!

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

They butchered the song, leaving out a whole verse, and more. Almost a minute of the song. Lame.

[@2869may]

@@Cosmo-Kramer Well, Robert Plant cried.... So your opinion means absolutely nothing...!

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

@@2869may He was crying because of the honor of the occasion, and from seeing/hearing his late best friend's son, Jason Bonham, playing drums in place of his father on this iconic song.

[@2869may]

@@Cosmo-Kramer I would bet that's not the first time he's seen Jason play it... Hell he's probably sang it while Jason played it.... You seem to be really invested in your opinion, so I'm going to leave you to it....

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

@@2869may It wasn't the first time, but it was that plus the "moment" of being honored by the Kennedy Center, that got to him. Plus, he's fond of the sisters. That doesn't change the fact that they butchered the song. I'm sure it annoyed him and his bandmates that the song was cut short, but what were they gonna do? Get up and walk out?? Boo them??? No, of course not. They acted like pros and appreciated the other aspects, like the ones I mentioned. But as a fan, I can rip Heart for butchering the song. And any Zeppelin fan worth his salt should rip it, too.

[@mikecaetano]

Led Zeppelin gave Sandy Denny her own rune on the liner notes to their fourth album for her part on "The Battle of Evermore". The lyrics allude to The Lord of the Rings -- "The ring wraiths ride in black, ride on" -- then Sandy Denny sings -- "Sing as you raise your bow \ Shoot straighter than before \ Oh dance in the dark of night \ Sing to the morning light" ... She was the only other singer to ever appear on a Led Zeppelin album. She can really sing. Her work with Fairport Convention is quite masterful. For a taste, check out "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?", "Farewell, Farewell", "The Ballad Of Easy Rider", and "She Moves Through The Fair" among others.

[@michaelyork4554]

Remember, Albums back then were Full Listens, We wanted the Full Experience, and LZ intended for the Compilation to be beard in entirety, so it takes on a bit more character, taken as a whole. We would get together, and all watch each others reactions to all the great music, so we had a form of reaction vids back then, even without smart phones. This puts you into a Celtic, Medieval Feel, so You're ready for Stairway. Bring The Balance Back

[@williamweiss6128]

Heart has been doing a great cover for decades, too.

[@mr.snicker-doodles7081]

The Female singer is Sandy Denny, she was in Fairport Convention, a great English folk Rock group. I heard it was the first time Jimmy ever tried playing mandolin! Keep listening guys, this one will grow on you!

[@theivory1]

I didn’t know that was her. My dad used to play the album with Percys Song on it.

[@mr.snicker-doodles7081]

@@theivory1 Yep, that's her...! I heard she was a very troubled person unfortunately, but incredible singer. Cheers!

[@anthonyblakely399]

This is a Masterpiece album....

[@ashyclaret]

Every song is fantastic.

[@greypossum1]

No overdubs. This is Robert Plant singing with female vocalist Sandy Denny who was the lead singer with the group Fairport Convention. Sandy even had her own symbol on the album cover. The song has its roots in Celtic myths and legends and draws heavily on the same inspirations that created the Lord of the Rings stories.

[@johncampbell756]

The late Sandy Denny, formerly of UK folk band Fairport Convention, on second lead vocals.

[@Krust_Acean]

Sandy Denny is the other voice on this duet. Each Zeppelin member has a graphic symbol on this album, and Denny received one as well for her contribution.

[@vernonallen3370]

This was recorded in an old 18th century mansion house Headley grange with the Rolling Stones mobile recording studio (basically a recording desk in a huge truck) many recording acts in the 70’s used it including Deep Purple , Bad Company ,Fleetwood Mac, The Who, Santana, Bob Marley and of course the Stones.

[@grandwazoodebris1015]

I think the duet between Plant and Sandy Denny is just beautiful. Maybe sacrilege on an album full of greatness, but this and Four Sticks are my favorite songs from this album. Though I think Levee is probably the most epic, greatest song on the album. Hard to choose. On to the Trower song !!!!

[@phonebone81]

Hey @ Airplay Beats - you really are the most diligent with your vids in the channel. Hats off for that. Zep is one of the best bands ever, I like your rewievs a lot - keep it up. Best regards @all from hamburg (germany)

[@janetsilverhawk7204]

My favorite LZ song

[@Sprenklefish]

This is my favorite Zep tune, and I’m a drummer!!! The words are so incredible.

[@Hylofear]

Love the way the mandolin provides the beat.

[@carlafarrace6779]

I love that you like Led Zeppelin.

[@thomashubbard5333]

This is one of my favorite Zeppelin songs.

[@deborahstrickland9845]

Love your reaction. ( I believe you’re hearing Celtic and Middle Ages influences in this song/instrumentation that’s giving you the connection to some of the US southern music.)

[@albertalberico467]

This Led Zeppelin song always reminded me of a medieval English pub where the local group playing in there were out in the fields earlier ate mushrooms and this song came out🤯

[@Skycladatdusk78]

Definitely my favorite on Zeppelin 4, totally ethereal and takes me to a different place every time I play it. This song is pure magic.

[@dbradx]

Great choice and great reaction as always - making my Friday morning even better. Much love from Canada 😀.

[@eriktracy8578]

Thanks for another great reaction. A very evocative song - one of my favorites from Zeppelin's catalog. As a Tolkien fanatic I'm struck by Plant's insightful use of characters and themes in this song. "The Queen of Light took her bow and turned to go" is of course Galadriel rejecting the temptation of the One Ring and her humbling acceptance of her fate to diminish and leave Middle-earth. "The Prince Of Peace embraced the gloom and walked the night alone" is also referring to Frodo accepting the burden of the Quest to take the One Ring to Mt. Doom. The musical arrangement and composition is perfect.

[@DavidJohnson-pp4sy]

I've been listening to Zeppelin for over 30 years, know virtually every song backwards, and yet you still manage to offer me a new insight. Love the vibe, guys. PS: When the time seems right, check out LZ's legendary version of their song "Kashmir", recorded live at the O2 in 2008.

[@stevemd6488]

One of the coolest songs ever. Heavy metal acoustic.

[@KevinRCarr]

This song functioned very nicely as a "take a breath between intensities" break when listening to the whole album.

[@IshwaraYogaNET]

One of my favourite Zep creations, of course i'm a LOTR fan, and the two voices intertwining with the driven acoustics are just heaven for me

[@LordEagle]

As you can see,,,,Led Zeppelin is for the ADVANCED music listener. 💥💥💥👍😎

[@johndrx165]

My first Zeppelin album bought from the Columbia record club in 1972. Got 13 for the price of 1, then hooked you to 12 at full price after that. Got epic albums like Black Sabbath, Elton John, Paul Simon, Jimi Hendrix, Steppenwolf, Jo Jo Gunne and Iron Butterfly....

[@ML-un1oi]

As always great reaction fellas. Much appreciated 🙏

[@scout3939]

This song was about The Lord of the Rings. They refer to the Ringwraiths. I believe it was about the Battle of Helm’s Deep.

[@donaldbass6737]

Nope. The Battle of Pelinor Fields…the battle for Minas Tirith.

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

It's not only about LTR, it also references Arthurian legend.

[@scout3939]

@@donaldbass6737 thank you for clarifying.

[@AaronJoseph-t4b]

You got it where time,time&a half,half time & no time exists

[@turnsufficient4971]

This is the first song in which Jimmy played the mandolin on. That is the high pitched stringed instruments - you heard. Sandy Denny of the band Fairport Convention sings the "town crier" part -- the responses to Plant singing the first line and every other line -- Plant played the narrative part. Led Zeppelin played this song on their mammoth, record breaking 1977 US Tour. JPJ played the six string acoustic and sang the town crier part - sung by Sandy Denny on the album. It's brilliant Live -- Bonzo joins the band with a tambourine and mallet and sang some backups - too, on some nights

[@tonygourdine512]

You guys are gonna love what's coming next on the album. The last track is thunderous !!! You guys are just getting started ! You're only halfway down the rabbit hole ! You still got, in my opinion, the 2 best albums to come ( House's of the Holy and Physical Graffiti ), which are certified Masterpieces !!!!

[@elegantirony78]

Robert Plant was really into Lord Of The Rings (LOTR) and there are references to the books in many albums, especially this one & including this song

[@jj.harvey4067]

Mates, Huge Props have to go out to John Paul Jones. He’s truly an underrated OG musician, his versatility in masterfully playing the mandolin, banjo, acoustic guitar and bass all flawlessly, really add to the color & texture of Zeppelin….Good Luck Jjh

[@brandongallegos1206]

You guys are something else! The best music teachers on youtube! Learning, Teaching, describing, love this channel

[@waynemoon5359]

So subtle yet so powerful.

[@cuellito69]

This is the one song from Zepp that features Robert Plant and Sandy Denny as lead vocals.

[@richspeel7576]

Lets go 🔥💪👍, this is what you call art

[@PeterTea]

Such a great tune and it sets up the next song so well, Stairway to Heaven.

[@RePete02]

Thankyou for listening to the entire song without interrupting.

[@JimmyRJump]

My second fav off of this album, after "When The Levee Breaks". So satisfying to see you guys enjoying yerselves to music I listened to some fifty-odd years ago. Carry-on amigos. You're doing fine. The female voice is Sandy Denny (1947/1978) from Fairport Convention fame. She died after having fallen down the stairs at her home.

[@aviadilo]

One of my favorite Led Zep songs - amazing vocals by Plant and Denny, plus fabulous guitars and mandolin. I'm surprised you guys were lukewarm about it, apart from the production.

[@denisemangan1413]

Thanks for listening. I love it🇦🇺

[@tylerkay3]

You just said yiu love the drums driving beat. Whole lotta love.

[@FloridaRocks]

I always considered this song a nod to their heritage.

[@heliotropezzz333]

This is the only LZ song where an outside vocalist was invited to perform alongside Robert Plant. That was Sandy Denny, a well known English folk singer. It features a vocal technique known as 'call and response'. There are British folk style influences in this song. You didn't pickup on that, not surprisingly as you may not have heard any of that genre.

[@juliemanarin4127]

Not overdub...this is the only time anyone else sang on a Zeppelin song...Sandy Denny.

[@johnladd8421]

love this journey.

[@tylerkay3]

Youll love whole lotta love. Good jam

[@jackcade68]

The female vocalist with Plant is the incomparable Sandy Denny, British folk/rock singer. If you ever want to do your soul some good give her a listen. She changed my life. Rip Sandy🥀

[@bbox5938]

Back in the day of vinyl records, listening to hours of Zeppelin, you'd get a great dose of Zep rocking your face off, a song like this would come on in that mix and be refreshing. Like feel the wind and take a breath.

[@danw2276]

LOVE IT! Thanks you two and of course Zeppelin.

[@gurufitness1984]

Plants and Sandy Denny's vocals are matched perfectly.

[@Scoobydcs]

This is the 1st time Jimmy picked up a mandolin they're all so talented it's just not fair lol

[@japzbene1562]

The best thing about you guys compared to others is you respect the music, let it play, if you have something to say you pause it then rewind a little. PEACE LOVE LED ZEPPELIN

[@todvball]

Have you seen Krauss & Plant on tour... THIS YEAR....singing this song??? It'll give you goosebumps. It's on youtube!

[@tylerkay3]

Zeppelin- whole lotta love

[@MrDeengels]

The drums will shake the castle walls the Ring Wraiths ride in black, that’s the battle of pelennor fields people. Damn I love zeppelin

[@Greg-io1ip]

One of the best uses of Plant's voice as an instrument. Some critics panned overdubbing as dishonest but come on. The results are fantastic. That is an artistic vision. Plant's voice was in his prime in this period.

[@danielswood]

Very English sound. Lots of folk in there. I personally love it and think of this being LZ's roots. On one side, that is. Plenty other influences of course.