Bring It On Home: Led Zeppelin II at 50

How years ago in days of old

When magic filled the air

Twas in the darkest depths of Mordor

I met a girl so fair

But Gollum, and the evil one

Crept up and slipped away with her.

~Ramble On

Released on October 22, 1969, Led Zeppelin's second album is regarded as the "quintessential heavy metal album." Arguably the most heavy album they produced and influential for future guitar shredders, Led Zeppelin II still wove the blues into the mix. Every song is a classic, however it was not seen as such immediately - but ultimately relented once they listened to the complexities and purposeful placement of experimental sounds, peddles, riffs, and Robert's unmistakable golden voice. Jockeying on the charts with Abbey Road, the album sold well and to this day is considered to be within the top albums every made and sold. 

And of course it has Tolkien in Ramble On and Robert Plant first full writing credit on Thank You. Bonzo gives his all on Moby Dick as they shift into low for a tease on Bring It On Home.But the blues remain so distinctly evident ... especially in the homage to blues legend, Robert Johnson: You can squeeze my lemon 'til the juice run down my leg, is a tribute to Traveling Riverside Blues.

The album gives us the past, and a glimpse into what the next two albums have in store for the listener and rock and roll generations to come.




Whole Lotta Love
What Is And What Should Never Be
The Lemon Song
Thank You
Heartbreaker
Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman)
Ramble On
Moby Dick
Bring It On Home 

(c) Neal Preston