Great White have come along way from being just your regular glam rock band. They've sold millions brought meaning to being "once bitten and twice shy" and did a Led Zep cover on MTV Unplugged (of all places) and got away with it. Well these boys are back, with their big hair and stinky leathers to pay homage to the band they so desperately wanted to be like... Led Zeppelin. Recorded live at the Great Zeppelin. Hard rock fans will have this album on "repeat" for years.
L**O
Unless you consider such things heresy, a nice Led Zep tribute album from Great White
Clearly by this time in the on-going debate over this album the basic description of what you will find on Great White's "Great Zeppelin: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin" is enough for you to decide whether you want to even listen to, let alone purchase, this CD. In December 1966 at The Galaxy Concert Theater in Santa Ana, California, the band Great White covered 14 Led Zeppelin songs. In this case the term "cover" does not mean that they came up with their own versions of these songs the way Dolly Parton did with "Stairway to Heaven." On this one the boys in the band are sticking to the original versions of these songs and, to be fair, the word "Tribute" does appear in the title. However, if you are (a) offended by such audacity or (b) dismiss it as a pale and unnecessary imitation of the original, then go check out something else. Then again, if you are (c) willing to give such things a try or even (d) are interested in having live recordings of Led Zeppelin songs that have now appeared on the group's own OFFICIAL live releases (which would be tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 13) then, pray, continue.I would agree that Jack Russell's vocals are in the neighborhood of Robert Plant, and there is certainly something to be said for having strong vocals from start to finish as opposed to the weary Plant we hear on "The Song Remains the Same" soundtrack. There is considerably more distance between the lead guitar of Mark Kendall and Jimmy Page, but that is in the "duh" category. The same is true to a lesser extent for the drumming of Audie Desbrow compared to John Bonham, but Michael Lardie's keyboard work is fine and the same can be said for the bass playing of Sean McNabb. On balance, Great White's grade for imitating Led Zeppelin would be in the mid-80-percent range, which is pretty good all things considered.Some covers work better than others. "In the Light" is a solid opening to the evening's festivities, but the pacing on "Since I've Been Loving You" is a bit too fast for my taste. Great White gets bonus points for doing some of the less obvious Led Zep songs, namely "Tangerine" and "The Rover." Over all the songs that do not get covered as much, such as "When the Levee Breaks," stands out more than those that have been done by others, such as "Ramble On" and "Going to California." They come close to doing at least one song from each album ("Led Zeppelin" and "Presence" are the no shows), and half the songs are at least 6 minutes long, albeit some edge over the limit because of Russell's introductions. The results are enjoyable enough given they are taken for what they really are, a tribute album by a group that has clearly tried to follow in Led Zeppelin's musical footsteps. It does not surpass the original, but if you are willing to accept substitutes, Great White does just fine.
M**E
Better than Led Zeppelin!!
One of the best tribute albums of all time! Great White never disappoints and this album sounds better than the original recording! Perfect gift to impress any classic rock or Led Zeppelin fan. Awsome live versions that have studio recording quality.
D**D
Stays true to the Classics
I am not the 'Zep is GOD' type, nor do I like tribute discs or rip offs. I got this because it caught my eye, I remember them on MTV eons ago doing an excellent cover of 'Babe, I'm gonna Leave You' (which is NOT on here ??), and it was economical. So what the hell, picked it up.Listen, this is just remakes by Great White. Some may see it as a rip, but it feels very sincere. They keep to the script 100%. I will say the music sounds a little restrained, they may have loosened up just a tad more. Very safe in that regard. The Drums aren't Bonham that's for sure. But there is a really good energy to the tracks nonetheless and GW do not embarrass themselves a bit.Jack Russell does a great Plant. Probably better than Plant at doing Zep era Plant these days. The disc is about JR and he does not disappoint. That is what is on display here, the vox. A great vocal performance and impression of Plant's style in the 70's.They do a very good 'Ramble On', 'Tangerine', 'Since I Been Loving You', 'When the Levee Breaks' and 'Thank You'. Just excellent. 'All of My Love' comes across a bit 'Karoake'-ish. The real shocker was that JR could hit the high screams on 'Immigrant Song'. I mean at his age, thats astonishing.I never was a huge Great White fan and am a moderate Zep fan, but if you love the songs and wouldn't mind a fresh take on them, by all means, pick it up. It is quite good and they don't toy with the songs. A sincere 'Tribute'. Good to reawaken the Zeppelin fan within.
F**
GREAT WHITE - GET THE LED OUT
This collection from Great White is a nice listening alternative for Led Zeppelin fans. (I am one of those fans) It is rumored that when Great White first started out, they cut their teeth on Led Zeppelin songs. This collection rocks, there are songs performed here that Led Zeppelin very rarely performed live, to the best of my recollection. Those songs are: IN THE LIGHT, LIVING LOVING MAID, RAMBLE ON, TANGERINE, THE ROVER, WHEN THE LEVEE BREAKS.I saw Zep perform in '77 and the first Page/Plant tour. Great White performs 14 Zeppelin songs and sticks essentially to the studio versions. No extended jams, just basic rockin Zep. Jack Russell does a great job on vocals, very Robert Plantlike in most cases, on some songs, he is tremendous - In The Light, Ramble On, No Quarter, Going To California, Immigrant Song. The bands' music is on the mark. If there wasn't commentary between songs, play Ramble On, Immigrant Song, Going To California, to Zep fans and see if they can detect the difference, I could not hear a difference from the real thing. It takes a lot of moxy to perform Stairway, and it is the final song on the CD. The songs that I didn't think hit the mark were D'yer Maker and All My Love. But 12 out of 14 are great recordings. This is the best Zep tribute CD I have heard, bar none. Purists may not like this, but this CD is a good addition to your Led Zeppelin collection. There is a Whole Lotta Led here.
W**N
Is That Robert Plant?
Seriously, Jack Russell and the rest of Great White nail every song! This is so good! I LOVE Great White, and they have so much good music. The Original Queen of Sheba, that song makes me smile everytime I hear it. Rock Me, Lady Red Light, Heart the Hunter, and on and on... but had they not had the ability to make their own AMAZING songs, they could have easily been a Led Zepplin cover band. Seriously, if you like Led Zepplin or Great White, pick this up, you won’t be disappointed. And crazier yet, it’s live, the entire album is live and they sound perfect! So good!
M**S
Disco com defeito
Disco avariado na faixa 2 do lado 2. Chega em um ponto e começa a repetir o trecho indefinidamente. Devolvi. Lamentável. É defeito de fabricação ou refugo.
M**K
Révérences
Si vous vous attendez à de l'originalité en écoutant le live hommage à Led Zeppelin des hard-rockers américains de Great White, vous allez être déçus. En l'occurrence, c'est évident dès la pochette (bien vue, la pochette), ces gars-là on envie de se faire plaisir, envie de jouer à être Led Zeppelin, et c'est très bien comme ça ! Très bien parce que Jack Russell s'y entend très bien pour faire son Robert Plant, très bien parce que le reste du groupe est au diapason de la performance "clonesque" de son vocaliste, très bien surtout parce que le quintet s'y amuse beaucoup et que ça s'entend et que c'est absolument communicatif. Alors, bien-sûr, comme pour l'interprétation, vous chercherez longtemps l'originalité dans le choix des titres, et pour cause, il n'y en a aucune sauf à considérer qu'en incluant aussi des morceaux moins ouvertement hard rock Great White surprenne, pas vraiment en fait comme le savaient déjà ceux qui connaissent le répertoire des vétérans angelenos. Bref, l'important est le plaisir qu'on y prend et, à la condition d'aimer Led Zeppelin, évidemment, il est bel et bien au rendez-vous de ce Great Zeppelin forcément accessoire mais néanmoins absolument sympathique, et donc recommandable.1. In the Light 6:062. Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman) 3:303. Ramble On 5:114. Since I've Been Loving You 6:445. No Quarter 8:026. Tangerine 3:057. Going to California 4:138. Thank You 4:379. D'yer Mak'er 4:4410. All My Love 6:1211. Immigrant Song 2:2112. When the Levee Breaks 6:5113. The Rover 6:0014. Stairway to Heaven 8:35Jack Russell - vocalsMark Kendall - guitarMichael Lardie - guitar, keyboardsSean McNabb - bassAudie Desbrow - drums
S**R
Starway to Dingsda
Ja, ein interessantes Projekt und eine Band, die den Mut hatte dieses dann auch noch zu veröffentlichen. Warum eigentlich nicht? Andere würden das bestimmt auch gerne tun. Die vielen Tribute-Sampler der vergangenen Jahre - insbesondere im Heavy-Bereich - haben es ja gezeigt. Wer aber braucht solche Scheiben?Hier haben wir es mit einer Band zu tun, die eine andere covert und zwar über eine breite Song-Palette hinweg. Fans von Great White und Led Zep können durchaus zugreifen, bekommt man doch anständige Kost geboten. Die Songauswahl ist auch o. k., allerdings hätte die x-tausende Coverversion von Starway to Dingsda nicht unbedingt sein müssen, ganz einfach, weil schon zu oft gehört. Warum man die Scheibe aber anderseits nicht unbedingt haben muß ist auch schnell erklärt: Ist es doch interessant wie Great White diese Songs spielt, so kann doch von Interpretation keine Rede sein, man hält sich sehr ans Original, was auch o. k. ist, aber folglich kann man dann auch nicht wirklich besser sein als das Original, zumal mir Great White hier etwas, und für diese Band ungewöhnlich, distanziert klingen, soll heißen, keiner der Akteure kniet sich außergewöhnlich stark in die Songs hinein. Habe da mal eine Coverband namens "Mad Zeppelin" erlebt, die regelmäßig im eher süddeutschen Raum unterwegs ist und mit einem Repertoire fast aller erdenklichen Led Zep Songs ein Feuerwerk abbrennt, das sich gewaschen hat. Deren Sänger stellt doch glatt einen Robert Plant in den Schatten! (Termine auf der gleichnamigen Internetseite)Fazit: gute Scheibe, kann man haben, muß man aber nicht - interessant allemal.
M**R
Close your eyes and you can't tell Robert Plant and Jack Russell apart
This is a live concert which Great White recorded as a tribute to Led Zeppelin, many of which they have covered on various albums and promo copies. This was a first however that was all and nothing but Led Zeppelin covers performed live. It was recorded in the USA - would have loved to seen it myself.Tracks areIn the LightLiving Loving MaidRamble OnSince I've been Loving you (my favourite)No QuarterTangerineGoing to CaliforniaThank YouD'Yer MakerAll My LoveImmigrant SongWhen the Levee BreaksThe RoverStairway to Heaven14 songs in total sheer pleasure from start to finish. If you love Led Zeppelin it will be 7th heaven, if your not that familiar take a listen and hear how good both bands are especially in Great White's hands. I totally salute them for this tribute in every way possible. Thank you guys, love you always.
J**E
Tributo ben fatto e assolutamente da avere!
Mi'hanno sempre incuriosito/interessato gli album di cover sia in studio, sia live! Proprio per sentire come una Band interpreta o reinterpreta brani non suoi! Devo ammettere che questo live di sole canzoni dei Led Zeppelin (registrato durante un concerto dei Great White tenuto nel Dicembre 1996) che non è per niente male, anzi...Prima di tutto per le ottime esecuzioni dei brani, grazie soprattutto alla splendida voce di Mr. Jack Russell, e poi per la scelta dei brani list che evita di riproporre le solite tracks, ma anzi abbonda di brani poco o, addirittura, mai eseguiti live dal dirigibile.In secondo luogo, che un gruppo affermato come i Great White pubblichi un disco in cui esegue, per di più "live", solo canzoni di un'altra band (... e che Band!!) lo trovo un tributo onesto, ben fatto senza paura di essere irriverenti, dissacratori o di temere confronti!Grazie a Jack, Audie, Sean, Mark & Michael!