From Craig Martin, Founder and Music Director of Classic Albums Live: Led Zeppelin really do sound like the hammer of the gods… at first listen it’s the guitar riffs that grab you. Then the drums. Then the honey-sweet voice of Robert Plant. What’s funny is that after years of listening and dissecting the album, it’s the bass guitar that I’m now drawn to. Led Zeppelin II has it all: drum solos, guitar solos, lemons! I get emails from people telling me that their kids were conceived to this record! Perhaps that’s the ultimate compliment you can pay to an album! Zep fans are unrelenting in their love for the band. Many people don’t realize that during the ‘70s no other band or artist came close to selling as many albums as Led Zeppelin. At the time the critics were panning them and making fun of them, but the people spoke. They bought the albums and went to the concerts. The nerdy naysayers were left licking their wounds. Led Zeppelin were the people’s band, and Led Zeppelin II was their call to arms. Every rock musician who picks up an instrument gravitates toward Zep. Every musician says they can play Zep but most can’t. There’s an undefinable quality to their music. Once every couple of months, I stay up all night and comb the internet for bands that can play Led Zeppelin better than CAL… I never find anyone that comes close. I have put together the greatest Led Zeppelin band in the world. I can’t believe my luck; I get to rock out with an audience of like-minded people. I can’t think of anything better than being in a beautiful communal setting and reveling in one of the greatest albums ever made. “Thanks to you I’m much obliged – for such a pleasant stay” Note: the San Diego Symphony does not appear on this program.
