The Battle of Evermore [Led Zeppelin Reaction] Sandy Denny-Led Zeppelin IV-Dev/'s first time hearing

The Battle of Evermore is a wonderful Led Zeppelin IV song with beautiful singing and mandolin. It's a pleasure for Mike & Dev to give a reaction. It contains a duet with Robert Plant and folk singer Sandy Denny of Fairport Convention. A cover version by Arjen Anthony Lucassen is also compared.
Haven't heard these songs in a LONG time. (Dev hasn't heard some of them at all.) We are re-experiencing them, an album at a time, with fresh perspectives and active ears, so that Dev can learn and appreciate more about Zeppelin, and so that Mike can relive his childhood.
00:00 - Introduction
02:27 - Led Zeppelin version
10:41 - Cover version + Wrap-Up
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This video contains the following music:
🎵 The Battle of Evermore by Led Zeppelin (1971) - • Led Zeppelin - The Bat...
🎵 The Battle of Evermore by Arjen Anthony Lucassen (2012) - • Battle of Evermore
#musicreaction #ledzeppelin #TheBattleOfEvermore #reaction #songreaction
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[@MusicforBusyPeople]

Thank you to the following community members who subscribed after this video was published. I wish we could thank you all. _Stuart B., Chris Jones, Fabrice M., vinsgraphics, Stephen G._

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

This is an english song with an english female folk singer, based on english literature. Not Scottish. That's disrespectful.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Sandy Denny is one of, if not THE, most beautiful voices in the whole English rock/folk music. A Wimbledon gal. Died way too young. I believe Sandy said singing alongside Robert Plant was the toughest competition she ever had to face. This is a lovely version of Who Knows Where The Time Goes. Sandy at her very best: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGPbgHegl8uMrZo

[@merrillhess5626]

Robert Plant was a folkie long before he joined Led Zeppelin. He and Page were big fans of Sandy Denny, who was singing for Fairport Convention. Her biggest hit was Who Knows Where The Time Goes, which has covered by many. It was a big hit for American pop folk singer Judy Collins. A little trivia. Led Zeppelin was born out of the last vestiges of The Yardbirds. The last remaining members of The Yardbirds left to form Renaissance and left Page in charge of the group. They toured for a while as The New Yardbirds. They began recording a new album but felt the music had changed directtion so much that they should change their name. The chose Led Zeppelin. Otherwise the first LZ album would have been by The New Yardbirds.

[@theledzeppelin6938]

These are by far the best music reactions on the platform. Not just because it’s the greatest band ever, also because of the overall work you do. Starts with the intro, goes on with the fact that you found the perfect solution to avoid pauses and don’t ‘destroy’ the musical piece by just talking over it. Also the Live vs studio comparisons are amazing because Zeppelin could have played each song very differently on any night. And of course the fact that you show the influences that lead to them writing these songs. Great work overall by you guys. Thanks a lot and greetings from Germany. Your work is highly appreciated.

[@MusicforBusyPeople]

Very kind, thank you.

[@Peter-zu5jg]

Well said ! 🤘

[@henriettaskolnick4445]

Sandy Denny (RIP) was a singer in folk group Fairport Convention, yes, she was the only other guest voice on a Zep song, and yes, it was the first time Jimmy played Jonesy's mandolin. Her sigil is said to represent the Godhead. "The" or "A" Godhead describes the members of the Godhead, who share the characteristics of God, such as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To be honest, I don't know if this symbol/definition is strictly a Catholic/Christian thing or if it is used in other traditions, which is why I said "the/or a". I also don't know if Sandy knew the meaning, believed in it or if she chose it just because she liked it. In addition to LOTR references, Robert also adds Arthurian lore with the lyrics mentioning "angels of Avalon" and how the "apples of the valley hold the seeds of happiness" and the "apples turn from brown to black". Avalon means "the isle of fruit (or apple) trees" and comes from those legends. In concert, Jonesy would sing Sandy's part. I've always loved the sweet, other-worldly, ethereal qualities of this song.

[@yozaseig3870]

Great reaction once again guys. Love when Led Zep go all folksy. Sandy Denny had the most pure voice imaginable and no surprises they wanted her for this song. Such a unique beautiful composition.

[@deborahhughes6923]

Gorgeous song,love it❤

[@ryanferguson1976]

Sandy Denny is a legend in British folk nusic…and the triangle is…well if u know u know

[@raymonddussault5277]

SANDY DENNY WAS A BEAUTIFUL SOUL TO SING WITH ROBERT PLANT IS FANTASTIC TOO BAD SHE IS GONE TOO SOON R.I.P. SANDY....

[@pompeomagno5916]

The most valuable cover of this song is from Heart (the Wilson sisters), performed in many live gigs

[@morrisanderson3180]

superb version from heart ❤️

[@Peter-zu5jg]

Wonderful song. To the best of my knowledge , Sandy Denny and Ian Stewart are the only two guest performers who appear on Zeppelin's entire discography. The ' Stu ' in Boogie With Stu off Physical Graffiti is Ian Stewart , pianist for the Stones. He was a good friend to Zeppelin. 🤘

[@juliemanarin4127]

The greatest and most diverse band in history! Yes Jimmy on the mandolin...first time playing one!

[@malcshone4409]

Absolutely!

[@eatthisvr6]

awesome folk song, this is the 1st time jimmy ever picked up a mandolin, in live shows jpj played the mandolin

[@ThiagodMoraes]

There´s an acoustic guitar being played on this track too, listen to it close. It was played by Page during the recording. Best band ever, timeless like Tolkiens masterpiece LOTR!!

[@joshuadeshaies7106]

They are the best!!! SO MANY GENRES IN ONE BAND. Thx guys, luv it!!

[@carlburnett5986]

You should listen to early Fairport Convention with Sandy Denny. Her voice is very pure and extremely beautiful. It doesn’t come across as good as it really is on this Led Zep song, albeit it worked very well with Plant’s voice.

[@justinneill5003]

First time I’ve tuned in to your reactions and really enjoyed it, you shared your impressions and observations without the constant stop-start which ruins the effect on other reaction videos. Here you are reacting to a song from Led Zeppelin’s untitled album (known as Led Zeppelin IV) which features some of their best known songs including the signature masterpiece Stairway to Heaven; yet when I bought that album as a teenager 50 years ago, I was constantly drawn back to the haunting, enchanting ethereality of this particular song.

[@robertserafin-uc3qn]

Sadly she passed like a year later 😢 In my time of dying + Ten years gone are masterpieces

[@mikerandall3819]

It was about 7 years after but still so tragic. Sandy had a wonderful voice, so perfect for this song. Absolutely live her voice. What a gift to the universe

[@MartijnHover]

You sould listen to more of Sandy Denny to fully appreciate what a wonderful singer she was.

[@kentmains7763]

One of my favorites, they never bring the thunder in and that makes it even more special.

[@brettglasow]

Heart was the only band Jimmy Page gave permisson to sing Stairway To Heaven

[@tektoniks_architects]

The Page/Plant live version from the 1994 MTV special is well worth the listen.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

You've got your classic hits on the album, like Stairway, Black Dog, and Rock 'n' Roll, and they're great, but to me, I find the most interesting songs, those of greater depth musically, are When the Levee Breaks, Four Sticks, and The Battle of Evermore. The way Plant's and Denny's voices intertwin, ascend and descend, the mix and complexity are so well done. And apparently, again, this song was done on one take. Talk about being strong in the moment. Amazing.

[@fewwiggle]

Hi Dev, you should definitely check out some Sandy Denny with the band Fairport Convention (especially the Celtic mysticism on the album Liege & Lief). It will be instantly apparent why LZ picked her for this song. Alternatively, you guys might want to put that album in your pocket and react to it after your LZ journey ....

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

Heart used to do a fantastic cover of this song. Ann and Nancy’s voices interweave so beautifully. You can find it in vids of live performances… Sandy Denny was very well known in Britain in the 60’s as a member of one of the most famous British folk song groups, Fairport Convention. Robert respected her allot. When he realized that it really wasn’t going to work for him to overdub and do both parts, he contacted her. The year Zep IV came out, in 1971, Robert was voted top British male singer, and Sandy Denny top female singer. The two of them were great pals, according to Robert. Sandy died much too young.

[@Bobmudu35UK]

This song was apparently inspired by Tolkien's Lord of the rings and the legend of King Arthur. Avalon is supposedly in Somerset or Wiltshire England,but It definitely has a connection with Wales. (Duke of Monmouth) I've heard people say it's a Scottish inspired song (nothing to do with independence) but the words don't match up. I'm half Scottish half English by the way.

[@danielmass2florida848]

Fun fact: in a lot of the bootlegs John Bonham sings the Sandy Denny part in concert if you can believe that, I don't know if he did it in every Live concert or just in certain ones

[@henriettaskolnick4445]

I've not heard the bootlegs with Bonzo singing but would love to! Do you know which ones? I have seen video of JPJ singing Sandy's part.

[@danielmass2florida848]

@@henriettaskolnick4445 kzbin.info/www/bejne/onixnZ2ffJV-rcU John Bonham was sick the night before with some food poisoning and apparently didn't play that well but in this concert he went nuts on the drums to make it up this entire concert, headphones are a must. If you jump to the battle of ever more with the time stamps in the video description back it up about 20 seconds and you will hear Robert introduce John Bonham for the song

[@DC-ih8bv]

John Paul Jones sings Sandy Denny part live in 1977 tour.

[@joewilson4151]

i sing along to this in a straight, Appalachian hillbilly drawl, especially the 'bring it, bring it, bring it' part. Celtic music came straight over here and became bluegrass.

[@richardgrassi2659]

Superb reaction! I’ve subscribed.

[@beansbaxter224]

Wow, Sandy Denny died at the young age of 31 in 1978.

[@FatTulip.]

Goosebumps everytime!

[@edwardallen4916]

I always enjoy your reactions, well done! I'm not sure about any Scottish connection though. I remember seeing a Plant interview years ago in which he said the song referred to the battle of the Pelennor Fields from LOTR. I think the 'Queen of Light' is Galadriel but I could be wrong. Looking forward to Stairway - good luck finding anything new to say about it!

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Yeah the mandolin screams England to me, not Scotland.

[@mojoro23]

Thank you J. R. R. Tolkien

[@tedalfred9516]

You guys should do the unleaded tour mid 90's version video of this with the Indian girl singing with Plant, who was Plants girlfriend at the time. It is absolutely out of this world. They've got a bunch of Indian musicians with their actual Indian instruments in the song it is simply fantastic

[@MusicforBusyPeople]

We actually have that planned for Patreon. We have been doing Unledded videos there.

[@ZalMoxis]

Try the Song Remains the Same and the Rain Song together. Sandy Denny was the co-singer on this track.

[@theledzeppelin6938]

My favorite version of stairway to heaven is the one from MSG in 1973. Especially because the Solo is absolute perfection

[@tedalfred9516]

You guys should do the live version of this on the get the led out tour in the mid-90s with the orchestra. The lady who sings this live is fantastic, it is an incredible live version of this song... really perfect for an orchestra with a great female singer with Plant.

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

Robert also formed a band from around 2009-2012 called The Band of Joy. Patti Griffin was part of the band….an excellent singer/songwriter of mainly country and gospel. They paired very well…both on and off stage…..for a time. So….as Plant has gotten older, he has paired with several female singers….Alison Krauss, Patti Griffin, and in his current folk group, Saving Grace. (Cannot remember the current lady’s name in that group). When Plant and Page got together for the No Quarter live album and tour in 1994, they had an English/ Indian singer, Najma Akhtar, singing Sandy Denny’s part….with an Indian/Middle Eastern spin on the song, rather than the traditional folk vibe of the original. You should listen to that. Some like it, some don’t. I love the scales and sounds of that kind of music, so I appreciate it as a reworking of the original piece.

[@solomoncooper6491]

One of my favorites from this album.

[@coeburnett]

Chills?......... Chills??? Just wait til you hear it for the 900th time! We don't need no stinking badges! Side note.. "Going to California" is the sister song of this. Everyone in those days was trying to get Jimmy Page to meet another songwriting, guitar playing genius, Joni Mitchell. It never worked out, but the boys knew there was a legendary blonde girl in California. Also, even more Tolkien references than Battle of Evermore, by far!

[@flightnavigator8999]

Back in 1979-1981 I worked at National Food store in south Louisiana and on break my friend Jimmy would take me for a ride and listen to this Led Zeppelin IV I think it is, and I used to love this song, of course this is when i had a Gibson Les Paul with a Marshal tube amp and 4 - 12” speakers and Led Zeppelin ZZ Top and Rush albums LZ being my favorite and we would light up and listen to Zep IV over and over after work hours, i sure do miss you Jimmy wherever you are, would love to know how to get in touch with you. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!!

[@earlymorningtwilight9119]

My favorite led zeppelin song! There is a live version that is fantastic from the tape "listen to this, Eddie.

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

If you listen to the live performance of this with Robert and Alison Krauss from Nashville…circa 2008/009….it is spectacular. And the mandolin player…Holy Cow he was good! The audience burst into spontaneous applause when he played the part just before they come in on “bring it back”. It’s an audience video, so picture not that good, but the sound is excellent. Check it out….Best live performance of this song, it think……..along with some of Heart’s performances.

[@OutOnTheTiles]

Great tune! So English.

[@sooth6059]

the No Quarter live version of this song is a much watch

[@davidcarter4247]

Plant and Page with a woman singer of a Pakistani heritage. Beautiful. It has percussion too and you can watch Jimmy on the mandolin.

[@malcshone4409]

Great job again guys. Thank you once more for the care and attention you devote to these reactions. Agree totally with the comments already made here. I’ll just add that as far as I know Led Zeppelin only performed this song during an “ acoustic segment” of their 1977 tour of the USA and nowhere else. Not sure who sang the Sandy Denny parts! Good luck with the next number, it’s been reacted to quite extensively but also quite superficially for the most part. Best wishes to you both from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England.

[@MusicforBusyPeople]

Apparently, as people have pointed out in previous comments, JPJ or Bonzo sang Sandy's part, depending on the night.

[@malcshone4409]

This is a typical example of the live version from 1977. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGSWpaeflJ5qetU

[@zosometalgod]

Yes Jimmy Page saw the mandolin what's the John Paul Jones instruments and he picked it up and started playing it and that was the first time he really played the mandolin! You wouldn't think so from hearing this Jimmy Page is the dark wizard!

[@edriley2703]

Can we do another pajama night? Feeted ones this time! 😆

[@reneelyons6836]

nice

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

I saw Krauss and Plant in concert in August. Fun concert! Whereas they did this song superbly together in their previous tour (2008)…..this time….it is a bit beyond Robert’s voice IMO. I say this as someone who’s favorite male singer is Robert Plant……and I’ve loved his solo work. The rest of the set was great. This song needs to be retired, IMO. Obviously, Robert disagrees, as it was on their set list for the entire tour.

[@kevinbrady6075]

Percy read a book(s) about the Scot,border wars(s)

[@eatthisvr6]

are you doing the liver msg 73 version of stairway? its BNRILLIANT! jimmys extended improv solo is just incredible

[@MusicforBusyPeople]

We will do it, but a little bit later. This time around I'm thinking Earl's Court 1975 because I've never seen it.

[@eatthisvr6]

@@MusicforBusyPeople that's also a great version. Robert lost the top end of his. Voice then but the solo is arguably even better than the mag 73 version!

[@verginithe]

songs about the war in heaven, between the holy angels and the angels that fell. look at the swan song logo

[@BV-nx6vq]

Agree w/ Dev...mandolin is as prominent in this as the vocals...hard to mess w/ a classic such as this, but I guess in a perfect world, a different soprano voice may have complimented BOE better...that being said, for me, it's still great the way it is...

[@Beezner122]

Zeppelin never really grabbed me, I liked Stairway, of course, and some of the other hits, but I just got so sick of hearing them on the radio CONSTANTLY during my high school days in the 80's. But Battle of Evermore I could listen to it endlessly, far and away my favorite LZ tune.

[@thespritzwithpopfritz68]

And you guys are listening to it without being in your basement stoned

[@ThirdEye...]

Still Robert Plant singing…

[@scottmurphy6044]

Ann & Nancy Wilson KILL THIS SONG !!!!! CHECK ✔️ IT OUT ☺️ !!!!!!!!!

[@markhorton8578]

It has NOTHING to do with Scotland. This is about the Siege of Gondor from the Lord of the Rings.

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

This is an english song with an english female folk singer, based on english literature. Not Scottish. That's disrespectful.

[@MusicforBusyPeople]

It's hard to come up with thumbnails.

[@tim196868]

Yeah the cover sucks the newer version that Plant and Page did in 95 it's awesome off the No Quarter album in the live version on MTV

[@tim196868]

The 95 version is better they add drums and bass

[@kennethcamilleri4678]

Back in the day couldn’t wait for the conclusion of this song….because Stairway was the next track…it seemed to me this song took forever to finish…..not a big fan of Sandy….