Such a beautiful reaction. Every beat, the drums, the vocals, the harmonica, the guitar.... So incredibly beautiful and soulful. Just beautiful! You have no idea what they are capable of. Every Zep song is your favorite until the next song.
San Francisco 1972, I first heard this on a local unground FM radio station. After the DJ played the song, she paused for a moment and then remarked, “If god played the drums, he would sound like John Bonham.”
Robert Plant ( lead singer) is playing the harmonica. All four- Jimmy Page, John Bonham and John Paul Jones were consummate musicians! RIP to John Henry Bonham. The Mighty Led Zeppelin is a beautiful musical legacy that we all have to enjoy!!
Best Band Ever!!! It is so fun to watch people your age listen to Led Zeppelin for the first time and understand why millions of people still love them 55 years later
The original version of this song was written and performed by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe in 1929, and it was about the 1927 floods on the Mississippi River delta caused by an unnamed hurricane (back before they gave names to the storms).
It helps that the emotion in the harmonica is coming from the singer.... He's putting as much emotion into the harmonica as he is in his singing.. Robert Plant was as good as every other one of the musicians in the band... Truly four equals...!!!
Jimmy was a master of producing. Merging slide guitar with Robert's harmonica. Recording Bonzo's drums in the stairwell AND running it through a Binson echorec. Slight phase on vocals and intelligent use of reverb (this is a Master Class on reverb usage), Jimmy knows sounds. Masterpiece.
I read somewhere that the harmonica's reverb was played in reverse...so forward harmonica with reverse reverb. Is that what you're referring to with the Binson echorec?
I love to see how blown away people are by how very great this song is, from beginning to end! What I mostly see, especially at the beginning, is people don't believe just how good this song is, from the very first drumbeat - they're like WTH??? This song gives me goosebumps beginning to end, no matter how many times I listen to it. Thank God for LZ! 🙂
i try to get my head around the fact that there is grown men now that never heard Led Zep, i'm so old! I can almost hear it again for the first time through these reactions, cool. I've heard this music for so many years you forget how good and groundbreaking they were.
At least he threw in the possibility of harmonica. Has anyone else born say, around the 60s or so, noticed how younger folks don't know what a harmonica sounds like? I have seen so many younger people not knowing. They are all like what is that? Is that a guitar? Is that a piano? And so few realize that Led Zep (and Queen) are both bands of ONLY 4 PEOPLE, making this music. So it is nice that this guy guessed harmonica.
Saw them play Perth early 70s, thanks I'm 82 years young this year and still rocking mainly in my rocking chair. Love and peace from Perth Australia. 😎🖐🎶🎵🎶
@@johnny_geo thanks John, but I've just received a crappy comment from the Hospital here in Perth, they've just diagnosed me with lung cancer, on one thing though I've lived through the greatest music ever made. Anyway I'll try and fight it as best as possible. 😎👋💕🎵🎶🎵
everyone in this band is phenomenal but i agree - the star of the show is always John Bonham -so many songs to listen to for the first time - Black Dog/Dazed and confused/In my time of dying - you lucky man😎
The day Bonham died my brother called me from work and told me the sad news. I was 11 and still a baby Led Head. He told me next Zeppelin song I hear, turn your ears directly to the drums and the drummer will blow your mind. So even to this day when a Zeppelin song comes on that's what I do. The Great John Bonham
There are alot of amazing bands out there, but Led Zeppelin in my opinion is the most musically talented band in history. I honestly don't know of any band that matches them. They also have probably the greatest volume of awesome songs. There's literally like 40 to 50 amazing tracks in their portfolio.
Welcome down the Zeppelin rabbit whole…..u will never hear anything like this ever!!!it turns me on!! It is a harmonica, Robert Plant is so soulful and believable!!! Those who lost their homes because of the Leve breaking was a total heartbreak and complete devastation to those in its wake. Robert was relating!! You can hear the total sadness! Bonam is the elite best drummer of all time. He wasn’t even hitting those drums with all his might like it sounds….it was controlled and he played along with Jimmy, John Paul and of course Robert!!!
The Great Mississippi Flood Of 1927 Was The Most Destructive Flood In U.S. History...Water In Some Places Over 30 Feet..R.I.P. To The 500+ Souls Lost. 🙏 ❤
This is the heaviest, hardest hitting, evocative blues song ever recorded. Zeppelin at its most powerful! Maybe Plant’s greatest vocal in my opinion, and certainly the most powerful harmonica playing ever recorded, but that’s also due to massive production. Genius.
Yes, please go down the Led Zeppelin rabbit hole. You'll never get out, and it will be an unforgettable ride. The talent, quality, and depth of everything they did is off the charts.
Congratulations you have just discovered LedZeppelin carry on and see where it takes you , they are widely regarded even by other musicians as probably the greatest band of all time , 👍
Another good review! I agree the Drums propel this song and are hypnotic, powerful and create a massive groove! It’s in the Blues vein but more powerful! And you’re right, the Harmonica is wailing like it’s crying out loud! It’s about losing everything when the Levee Breaks because he lives by the flood lines. Plenty of poor Third World people go through this every day around the World 🌎. They live in shacks close to the water and when the Weather turns on them, they get wiped out! Even killed. Sad but true! There’s nothing that can be done. It’s the horrible price of poverty that people pay with their lives. That’s what created the Blues as a music 🎶 form. People singing about their pain and troubles. And that’s why it’s so moving. And Plant mentions Chicago because it sounds good and Chicago is the Home of the Blues! The song is so hypnotic! After I hear it, it usually plays on in my head for hours like an Earworm.
A magnificent track, it is a harmonica (Robert Plant), and the drums were placed in the foyer of the building they were recording in because they thought it gave it a unique and powerful sound (they were right).check out "Goin' to California" from the same album.
Awesome tune! By the end you feel like you're sinking into the mire of a broken levee. This was my introduction into Led Zeppelin as a 15 year old and 34 years later I'm still here. Enjoy Zeppelin, it's one helluva ride.
One of the greatest British rock bands of all time - they literally don't have a bad song. You can listen to album after album and the hits just keep on coming.
Originally released in 1929, the song is based on the great Mississippi River flood of 1927. Led Zeppelin's music is totally original. This was recorded at Headley Grange using the natural reverb from a massive stairwell for the reverb and echo of the drums.
Not a fan of Rick Beato, then? He debunked this in 2018. Jimmy Page may have claimed this but he was neither the drummer nor the engineer. Andy Johns, the engineer, says he used a Binson Echorec on the drums. He reiterated this in an interview with Chris Welch back in 2006.
@@baronvonsatan Jimmy never claimed anything. They used Binson echorec Jimmy had and used also in the previous albums on Bonzo’s drums. Jimmy was the producer. Nothing was done without him approving. The stairswail hall only provided depth for the sound.
This really is a cover of many songs… most significantly from Charlie Patton. But there were many fantastic musicians from the same huge plantation that were displaced by this series of floods on the river. It’s a constant in blues music. They should have been credited but that’s the record business.
@@baronvonsatan you obviously did not watch carefully if you mean Rick Beato’s video, Even him said loud and clear that Jimmy did not say that, Page has just pointed out where the mics have been placed. So ya, Jimmy did not claim anything of a sort. You are confusing the actual recording of the drums in the stairway hall with the post production and the final sound.
The whole band's chemistry is why they are legendary, but Bonham was as influential as any drummer of the era. Even though people liked to call him "heavy" - which is understandable - he was exceptionally aware of how to make a beat swing. He studied the jazz greats before him, knew how to tune his drums for the best tone, and had an amazing touch. My fave for a reason.
Robert Plant played harmonica in multiple songs, always to good effect. This is Led Zeppelin’s take on a blues song by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy in 1929.
The swag of Bonham here is epic. Complete confidence with such a simple intro beat. He's like saying "I'm the best rock drummer right now." And he was.
"When the Levee Breaks" is a country blues song written and first recorded by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie in 1929. If it keeps on rainin' levee's goin' to break If it keeps on rainin' levee's goin' to break And the water gonnna come in and we'll have no place to stay Well all last night I sat on the levee and moan Well all last night I sat on the levee and moan Thinkin' 'bout my baby and my happy home If it keeps on rainin' levee's goin' to break If it keeps on rainin' levee's goin' to break And all these people will have no place to stay Now look here mama what am I to do? Now look here mama what am I, I to do? I ain't got nobody to tell my troubles to I worked on the levee mama both night and day I worked on the levee mama both night and day I ain't got nobody to keep the water away Oh cryin' won't help you prayin' won't do no good Oh cryin' won't help you prayin' won't do no good Whenever the levee breaks mom you got to lose I worked on the levee mama both night and day I worked on the levee mama both night and day I worked so hard to keep the water away I had a woman, she wouldn't do for me I had a woman, she wouldn't do for me I'm going back to my used to be Oh mean old levee taught me to weep and moan Yeah the mean old levee taught me to weep and moan Told me leave my baby and my happy home.
What's surprising is to see Bonham play. His kit is so simple compared to other drummers, especially modern drummers who are literally surrounded by drums. But he hit so hard...so much power...he got more sound out of that simple kit than anyone playing inside a circle of drums.
This is one of my favorites of their's. From the very start of the song. Yes I know it's a cover. But they made it their own. And props to the writers and composer's of this song.
What a wonderful review. To watch someone who has never heard Zeppelin and are a bigger fan of a different genre of music discover how incredible they are, gives me joy. Yes that is an actual Harmonica, brilliantly played by Robert Plant (the lead vocal). As far as the power of the drumming, the majority of drummers could only dream of reaching the level of Bonham and I think most lovers of Rock would agree. I've been listening to this song for decades and the musicianship has always taken my minds eye to an old "Big Boy" steam locomotive slowly pulling away from that station and slowly picking up speed, slowing down around the curves and picking up speed........ with John Bonham being the engineer. Like you, I tend to get lost in the musicianship of this song and forget there are even lyrics. One thing for certain, when listening to this, I never fail to be sitting on that train and absolutely loving the ride!!! To allow someone to be taken out of their own head, through music, is a powerful gift!!
To get a true appreciation to the great Led Zepplin, please react to "The immigrant Song" and" Kashmir live at Knebworth" Zepplin is absolutely the best band on the planet. I don't think you will find any two songs that sound alike. They were a very diverse and talented group. A band of brothers! All members were the best of their craft. Rest in peace to the late great John Henry Bonham. Gone but never forgotten.
The one cool thing about being older is we got to hear these bands when their albums first came out AND got to see them live. Love his reaction to this great Zep song. Cheers.
"turn it up" is what we all said the first time we heard this. That's the incomparable John "Bonzo" Bonham on the drums and Robert Plant on the harmonica at the start...he is also the lead singer. And yep, his voice is second to none. Jimmy Page on guitar and John Paul Jones on bass guitar. They are all masters of their craft. Try "Whole Lotta Love" next. You'll get a great sample of Jimmy Page's guitar work. By the way, there are no bad Zep song.
Bonzo held the sticks back to front on many tracks. This is one. He put a lot of energy into the strike. I saw an interview years ago from his roadcrew, I think, saying that he seemed to play 'through' the drums, that he was 'aiming' for a point below/behind where the skin was! Needless to say, the drum tech earned his pay replacing the worn out skins. Regularly.
I LOVE that this younger generation is tuning in to the music I took for granted. Great reaction and glad you noticed the complexity of Zeppelin's music.
In addition, this song demonstrates Jimmy Page’s genius at arrangement, composition and production. Jimmy did it all as well as anyone in rock history!
Led Zeppelin is in my top 5 favorite bands along with Sabbath, CCR, Lynyrd Skynyrd & Chicago. This is my favorite Zeppelin song, a remake of Kansas Joe song from the late 20’s. Saw them in 1975 and crowd went crazy when John started. You knew the song from his first beat.
I so much enjoy watching a new timer to Led Zeppelin as they listen to songs for the first time. I have been a Led Zeppelin fan for over 50yrs. I have ever song and album that they ever made. Most peoplel say that Stairway to Heaven is their greatest song. No Way. To me, its "Ten years Gone" and/or Thats the way, or even Thank you. Those are my favorites, but don't get me wrong. I love ALL of Led Zeps songs. One of your other comments says, Every zep song is your favorite, until the next song. lol There has been and never will be another band as great as Led Zeppelin. Do all their songs, but make sure you do Ten years Gone. To me, their greatest piece of work. Whatever you do, don't let this be the only song you do. John Bonham was the greatest drummer ever. So great that when he died in 1980 the band disbanded, because they knew they would never find a replacement. For one thing. Drummers follow the bass player in most all bands, but, John Bonham followed Jimmy Page, the guitarilst. And that was one of the many diferences in this band. He as fired from many bands because everyone said he was to Loud. Their Loss.
That’s my favorite song. I’m so happy that you reacted to it and felt the power and emotions of it. It was an actual harmonica being played. I also agree with you that the drums were the star of the show.
John Bonham’s drums were recorded in at the bottom of a three-story stairwell. That was Robert Plant, vocalist playing harmonica. I LOVE watching your reaction to the soundtrack of my life.
And also, think about this. This band is just 4 guys, and one just sings and he is the Harmonica player you are listening to, not a guitar part. So all these great music came from 3 people, the guitar player, Jimmy Page, The bass player, John Paul Jones, and the Drummer, John Bonham.
I saw them at Knebworth in 1979 too but unfortunately they were well past their best by then. Knebworth is noted for not being their best live performances
My favorite band for many years longer than you have been alive-I am very impressed that you 'get' them so quickly-they are blues-rock and more-it is a harmonica played by the singer making that mourning sound -
Taken from an old blues song about the great Mississippi Flood of 1927. John Bonham (drummer) was a force of nature, to be sure (as they all are). Robert Plant (singer) on harmonica. Looking forward to your journey into Led Zeppelin.
Love your reaction! This is the soundtrack of my teenage years. Musicianship was so important to the bands of this era. And it shows and comes across in the delivery! Your analyses and insight are incredible.
Highly recommend Kashmir from Zeppelin. In my opinion the most epic sounding song ever made, and will always be my favorite Zeppelin song. When the Levee Breaks and Achilles Last Stand are in close competition for my second favorite
That's a very young Robert Plant blowing on that harmonica........ such a HAUNTING rendition of this song. No band has a right to be this talented! The drummer, John Bonham was a beast, arguably one of the best of all time. The band broke up upon his death as he was simply irreplaceable. Jump down this rabbit hole and into the world of one of the most iconic rock bands you will ever hear. I view them as a rock band with an unmistakable overtone of blues. Great reaction, TY.
That's Robert plant on the harmonica. John Bonham's drums on this song is the most sampled drumbeat ever. As you go down the Led Zeppelin rabbit hole it will come to you that everybody used their music.Same with Black Sabbath. 😃😃😃😃😃
"When the Levee Breaks" is a country blues song written and first recorded by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy in 1929. The lyrics reflect experiences during the upheaval caused by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. So the original is coming close to be a 100 years old. Zeppelin rewrote the rule book when it came to their interpretation of the original blues tracks.
What a brilliant analysis of the entire song. I’ve heard it a million times, love it every time, of course I know the origins, the history, the meaning, the lyrics, etc., but the way you broke it down, lyric by lyric was amazing and I come away with a different point of view (Johnny Cash). Enjoy your journey into probably the greatest rock band ever, and I’ll keep watching.
Welcome to the LED ZEPPELIN rabbit hole! SO great to see those who missed out on such great music that I grew up with! So many more great tracks in their catalog! DAZED AND CONFUSED HOW MANY MORE TIMES GOOD TIMES, BAD TIMES RAMBLE ON THANK YOU YOU SHOOK ME STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN KASHMIR IN MY TIME OF DYING ROCK AND ROLL and so many more. I am old, but I got to see all the good bands!😂
Such a beautiful reaction. Every beat, the drums, the vocals, the harmonica, the guitar.... So incredibly beautiful and soulful. Just beautiful! You have no idea what they are capable of. Every Zep song is your favorite until the next song.
Their songs take me back to a much simpler time in my life .
@Stu I can't disagree! There are so many others I would say are just as good... Just different!.
@@stephenmoncrieff2056 Me too. It was a better time back then.
You can read into my soul! Perfect description. My thoughts verbatim -
Every time I listen to the world's greatest band ever I forget about everything that's going on around me too
If this is your first listen to led zeppelin then enjoy the ride and listen to the rest. They are the greatest band to grace this earth.👍
Diddo, the greatest band hands down .....
I concur
Without question.
@@H0tchips lucky guy...he has a whole library to cover....forget all the other artists...they have nothing on LZ
wait till he listens to the live levee from the minnesota 1975 concert...jimmys on fire...as you probably know
San Francisco 1972, I first heard this on a local unground FM radio station. After the DJ played the song, she paused for a moment and then remarked, “If god played the drums, he would sound like John Bonham.”
Robert Plant ( lead singer) is playing the harmonica.
All four- Jimmy Page, John Bonham and John Paul Jones were consummate musicians!
RIP to John Henry Bonham.
The Mighty Led Zeppelin is a beautiful musical legacy that we all have to enjoy!!
agree
Probably the only time in rock history when everyone in the band was the best at what they did.
I love your reaction to his reaction
Thank you for crediting Plant for his harmonica playing.
Harmonica ran through a distortion pedal I think.
Bonham was a powerhouse. THE greatest rock drummer. So many musicians/bands have been influenced by him and sampled him.
Bonham, Peart, and Moon are the holy trinity of rock drummers.
Bonzo's favourite rock drummer was Bill Ward.
@@micko11154 and Bill’s favorite is John lol.
@@jamestoddjackson9655 Yep! Bill called John 'The One'.
Cheers!
@@psilocin7268 Indeed. My personal fave is Bonzo.
Best Band Ever!!! It is so fun to watch people your age listen to Led Zeppelin for the first time and understand why millions of people still love them 55 years later
The original version of this song was written and performed by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe in 1929, and it was about the 1927 floods on the Mississippi River delta caused by an unnamed hurricane (back before they gave names to the storms).
It helps that the emotion in the harmonica is coming from the singer.... He's putting as much emotion into the harmonica as he is in his singing.. Robert Plant was as good as every other one of the musicians in the band... Truly four equals...!!!
Your life will be better now that you have discovered Led Zeppelin.
They recorded the drums in a stairwell. It gave them a huge sound that reverberated and that’s what makes that drum track so iconic.
This is the greatest band in history! 4 master musicians...the greatest each...making magic! Watch their live performances!!
"turn it up"....too right. One of quite a few tunes that can NEVER be too loud.
Jimmy was a master of producing. Merging slide guitar with Robert's harmonica. Recording Bonzo's drums in the stairwell AND running it through a Binson echorec. Slight phase on vocals and intelligent use of reverb (this is a Master Class on reverb usage), Jimmy knows sounds. Masterpiece.
I read somewhere that the harmonica's reverb was played in reverse...so forward harmonica with reverse reverb. Is that what you're referring to with the Binson echorec?
He has just heard the greatest rock drummer of all time, playing the greatest drum rift of all time.
I love to see how blown away people are by how very great this song is, from beginning to end! What I mostly see, especially at the beginning, is people don't believe just how good this song is, from the very first drumbeat - they're like WTH??? This song gives me goosebumps beginning to end, no matter how many times I listen to it. Thank God for LZ! 🙂
i try to get my head around the fact that there is grown men now that never heard Led Zep, i'm so old! I can almost hear it again for the first time through these reactions, cool. I've heard this music for so many years you forget how good and groundbreaking they were.
Mississippi River levee’s from 100 years ago floods always were a reality
The drums set a perfect atmosphere of this driving force that's coming; And there's absolutely no stopping it.
At least he threw in the possibility of harmonica. Has anyone else born say, around the 60s or so, noticed how younger folks don't know what a harmonica sounds like? I have seen so many younger people not knowing. They are all like what is that? Is that a guitar? Is that a piano? And so few realize that Led Zep (and Queen) are both bands of ONLY 4 PEOPLE, making this music. So it is nice that this guy guessed harmonica.
Purely magical combination of 4 musicians….ive been listening to them since day one…im 68…never gets old…G.O.A.T. is only description needed. Ty.
Welcome to the wonderful world of Led Zepplin 🥁🥁🥁👊👊👊💪💪💪😁😁😁
This and Gimme Shelter (The Rolling Stones) are two of the best ‘pure rock-n-roll songs ever.
Bonham's drumming is the flood that's breaking the levee.
You know you are old when you are surprised that they don't know Robert Plant, the vocalist. Blues turned out to be the truth of life.
Saw them play Perth early 70s, thanks I'm 82 years young this year and still rocking mainly in my rocking chair. Love and peace from Perth Australia. 😎🖐🎶🎵🎶
I VOTE THIS THE COOLEST COMMENT !!
@@johnny_geo thanks John, but I've just received a crappy comment from the Hospital here in Perth, they've just diagnosed me with lung cancer, on one thing though I've lived through the greatest music ever made. Anyway I'll try and fight it as best as possible. 😎👋💕🎵🎶🎵
You lucky man. I'm only 22 and wish for them to reunite and come to NZ but I know that's a very unlikely chance. God bless you and your family.
Keep on rockin’ Sir!
@@justinthyme5382 Attack that vile disease like Bonham would attack those drums Justin. Kick its arse.
One of the best reactions to When the Levee Breaks i've ever seen
everyone in this band is phenomenal but i agree - the star of the show is always John Bonham -so many songs to listen to for the first time - Black Dog/Dazed and confused/In my time of dying - you lucky man😎
But, Plant's harmonica....
😍
BONZO is the GOAT of drummers ever! NO EQUAL!
I love the drumming on How Many More Times, one of my absolute fav LZep songs. KASHMIR is king tho.
I think In My Time of Dying might be my 2nd fav Zep song. This will always be my first.
The day Bonham died my brother called me from work and told me the sad news. I was 11 and still a baby Led Head. He told me next Zeppelin song I hear, turn your ears directly to the drums and the drummer will blow your mind. So even to this day when a Zeppelin song comes on that's what I do. The Great John Bonham
There are alot of amazing bands out there, but Led Zeppelin in my opinion is the most musically talented band in history. I honestly don't know of any band that matches them. They also have probably the greatest volume of awesome songs. There's literally like 40 to 50 amazing tracks in their portfolio.
Double that number of recorded tracks and you'd be close. ;)
It's a harmonica, man. Played to perfection by singer Robert Plant. It's surpassed only by John Bonham's magnificent drumming.
It’s a harmonica treated with backward echo and other effects
@@Dan-zq5wt it's a blues harp to be specific. Amazing!
Plant played the harmonica? Awesome.
@@Fnelrbnef You bet he did. He's a brilliant blues harp player.
@@davescurry69 A clover of geniuses
Welcome down the Zeppelin rabbit whole…..u will never hear anything like this ever!!!it turns me on!! It is a harmonica, Robert Plant is so soulful and believable!!! Those who lost their homes because of the Leve breaking was a total heartbreak and complete devastation to those in its wake. Robert was relating!! You can hear the total sadness! Bonam is the elite best drummer of all time. He wasn’t even hitting those drums with all his might like it sounds….it was controlled and he played along with Jimmy, John Paul and of course Robert!!!
Ahhh, the genius of Led Zeppelin. You are on the precipice of a musical awakening.
Blows my mind how many people are missing out on Zeppelin . 🤘🍻🍻🍻
This is perhaps my favorite Zep song. Yes: those drums are a force of nature! Incredible beat and groove on this one.
The Great Mississippi Flood Of 1927 Was The Most Destructive Flood In U.S. History...Water In Some Places Over 30 Feet..R.I.P. To The 500+ Souls Lost. 🙏 ❤
The bass lick in this song is insane. I have never heard it in isolation but I think it would make a great track all on it’s own.
The British bands were deeply entrenched in the Delta Blues masters’ music. This is an old classic blues song.
This is the heaviest, hardest hitting, evocative blues song ever recorded. Zeppelin at its most powerful! Maybe Plant’s greatest vocal in my opinion, and certainly the most powerful harmonica playing ever recorded, but that’s also due to massive production. Genius.
Fifty years on and still in my top 5 LZ tracks. You are mind blown now. Same effect as 1971
Yes, please go down the Led Zeppelin rabbit hole. You'll never get out, and it will be an unforgettable ride. The talent, quality, and depth of everything they did is off the charts.
That's why they're called a Super group. Strong drums, strong vocals, strong guitar, strong composition.
Congratulations you have just discovered LedZeppelin carry on and see where it takes you , they are widely regarded even by other musicians as probably the greatest band of all time , 👍
They run the harmonica through a reverse soundboard, that's why it's so haunting.
Another good review! I agree the Drums propel this song and are hypnotic, powerful and create a massive groove! It’s in the Blues vein but more powerful! And you’re right, the Harmonica is wailing like it’s crying out loud!
It’s about losing everything when the Levee Breaks because he lives by the flood lines. Plenty of poor Third World people go through this every day around the World 🌎. They live in shacks close to the water and when the Weather turns on them, they get wiped out! Even killed. Sad but true! There’s nothing that can be done. It’s the horrible price of poverty that people pay with their lives.
That’s what created the Blues as a music 🎶 form. People singing about their pain and troubles. And that’s why it’s so moving.
And Plant mentions Chicago because it sounds good and Chicago is the Home of the Blues!
The song is so hypnotic!
After I hear it, it usually plays on in my head for hours like an Earworm.
The atomic clock is tuned to John Bonham's drumming for accuracy.
A magnificent track, it is a harmonica (Robert Plant), and the drums were placed in the foyer of the building they were recording in because they thought it gave it a unique and powerful sound (they were right).check out "Goin' to California" from the same album.
Awesome tune! By the end you feel like you're sinking into the mire of a broken levee. This was my introduction into Led Zeppelin as a 15 year old and 34 years later I'm still here. Enjoy Zeppelin, it's one helluva ride.
One of the greatest British rock bands of all time - they literally don't have a bad song. You can listen to album after album and the hits just keep on coming.
Originally released in 1929, the song is based on the great Mississippi River flood of 1927. Led Zeppelin's music is totally original. This was recorded at Headley Grange using the natural reverb from a massive stairwell for the reverb and echo of the drums.
Not a fan of Rick Beato, then? He debunked this in 2018. Jimmy Page may have claimed this but he was neither the drummer nor the engineer. Andy Johns, the engineer, says he used a Binson Echorec on the drums. He reiterated this in an interview with Chris Welch back in 2006.
@@baronvonsatan Jimmy never claimed anything. They used Binson echorec Jimmy had and used also in the previous albums on Bonzo’s drums. Jimmy was the producer. Nothing was done without him approving. The stairswail hall only provided depth for the sound.
@@marisaj2346 The video I cite shows Jimmy Page claiming that very thing. Why are you repeating the words "Binson Echorec" back to me, though?
This really is a cover of many songs… most significantly from Charlie Patton. But there were many fantastic musicians from the same huge plantation that were displaced by this series of floods on the river. It’s a constant in blues music. They should have been credited but that’s the record business.
@@baronvonsatan you obviously did not watch carefully if you mean Rick Beato’s video, Even him said loud and clear that Jimmy did not say that, Page has just pointed out where the mics have been placed. So ya, Jimmy did not claim anything of a sort. You are confusing the actual recording of the drums in the stairway hall with the post production and the final sound.
Bonham's track was laid down in a stairwell. Imaginative sound.
The whole band's chemistry is why they are legendary, but Bonham was as influential as any drummer of the era. Even though people liked to call him "heavy" - which is understandable - he was exceptionally aware of how to make a beat swing. He studied the jazz greats before him, knew how to tune his drums for the best tone, and had an amazing touch. My fave for a reason.
Weeping vocals, slide gutair, and the thunder on the drums....so good
Robert Plant played harmonica in multiple songs, always to good effect.
This is Led Zeppelin’s take on a blues song by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy in 1929.
You have just opened the door to greatness. Their catalog is is loaded with masterpieces.
Great reaction. You might consider starting with the first album and do the entire catalog. It is that good. Subscribed, more Led Zeppelin please. 👍
Agree. The Zep catalogue is an education in music. The incredible thing is that it was all in the space of ten years.
Yes!
Good choice greatest blues rock album ever.
The swag of Bonham here is epic. Complete confidence with such a simple intro beat. He's like saying "I'm the best rock drummer right now." And he was.
People forget Robert Plant is a helluva blues harp player.
"When the Levee Breaks" is a country blues song written and first recorded by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie in 1929.
If it keeps on rainin' levee's goin' to break
If it keeps on rainin' levee's goin' to break
And the water gonnna come in and we'll have no place to stay
Well all last night I sat on the levee and moan
Well all last night I sat on the levee and moan
Thinkin' 'bout my baby and my happy home
If it keeps on rainin' levee's goin' to break
If it keeps on rainin' levee's goin' to break
And all these people will have no place to stay
Now look here mama what am I to do?
Now look here mama what am I, I to do?
I ain't got nobody to tell my troubles to
I worked on the levee mama both night and day
I worked on the levee mama both night and day
I ain't got nobody to keep the water away
Oh cryin' won't help you prayin' won't do no good
Oh cryin' won't help you prayin' won't do no good
Whenever the levee breaks mom you got to lose
I worked on the levee mama both night and day
I worked on the levee mama both night and day
I worked so hard to keep the water away
I had a woman, she wouldn't do for me
I had a woman, she wouldn't do for me
I'm going back to my used to be
Oh mean old levee taught me to weep and moan
Yeah the mean old levee taught me to weep and moan
Told me leave my baby and my happy home.
What's surprising is to see Bonham play. His kit is so simple compared to other drummers, especially modern drummers who are literally surrounded by drums. But he hit so hard...so much power...he got more sound out of that simple kit than anyone playing inside a circle of drums.
This is one of my favorites of their's. From the very start of the song. Yes I know it's a cover. But they made it their own. And props to the writers and composer's of this song.
You have just discovered the greatest rock band in history - welcome!
No
@@jessewolf7649 Yes !!
What a wonderful review. To watch someone who has never heard Zeppelin and are a bigger fan of a different genre of music discover how incredible they are, gives me joy. Yes that is an actual Harmonica, brilliantly played by Robert Plant (the lead vocal). As far as the power of the drumming, the majority of drummers could only dream of reaching the level of Bonham and I think most lovers of Rock would agree. I've been listening to this song for decades and the musicianship has always taken my minds eye to an old "Big Boy" steam locomotive slowly pulling away from that station and slowly picking up speed, slowing down around the curves and picking up speed........ with John Bonham being the engineer. Like you, I tend to get lost in the musicianship of this song and forget there are even lyrics. One thing for certain, when listening to this, I never fail to be sitting on that train and absolutely loving the ride!!!
To allow someone to be taken out of their own head, through music, is a powerful gift!!
I've listened to this and many Zep songs probably a thousand times and it is just so so so good.
I am so pleased you have found these guys, to me they are the greatest that ever was.
Those drums are like a force of nature - you nailed it. Love your reactions
To get a true appreciation to the great Led Zepplin, please react to "The immigrant Song" and" Kashmir live at Knebworth" Zepplin is absolutely the best band on the planet. I don't think you will find any two songs that sound alike. They were a very diverse and talented group. A band of brothers! All members were the best of their craft. Rest in peace to the late great John Henry Bonham. Gone but never forgotten.
I want to see him do Kashmir, live at Knebworth. Maybe the best live performance ever.
@@psilocin7268 That performance is the best Kashmir live performance ever. In my opinion of course
The Celebration Day performance is pretty good too!
The one cool thing about being older is we got to hear these bands when their albums first came out AND got to see them live. Love his reaction to this great Zep song. Cheers.
drummer john bonham, legendary. and it's a harmonic, being played by the lead singer, robert plant.
"turn it up" is what we all said the first time we heard this. That's the incomparable John "Bonzo" Bonham on the drums and Robert Plant on the harmonica at the start...he is also the lead singer. And yep, his voice is second to none. Jimmy Page on guitar and John Paul Jones on bass guitar. They are all masters of their craft. Try "Whole Lotta Love" next. You'll get a great sample of Jimmy Page's guitar work. By the way, there are no bad Zep song.
There are a lot of great songs to hear - they are the greatest rock band of all time.
Can’t argue with that. 4 great musicians, the sum of which actually exceeded the individual parts. They were the perfect band.
Hands down the best drummer
Bonzo held the sticks back to front on many tracks. This is one. He put a lot of energy into the strike. I saw an interview years ago from his roadcrew, I think, saying that he seemed to play 'through' the drums, that he was 'aiming' for a point below/behind where the skin was! Needless to say, the drum tech earned his pay replacing the worn out skins. Regularly.
I know a lot about Zeppelin but I did not know that. Back to front huh?
That's fucking cool
Led Zepp is before my time, but TSRTS sent me down a rabbit hole years ago and I’ve never recovered. Enjoy the ride. BTW, love your reactions.
I LOVE that this younger generation is tuning in to the music I took for granted. Great reaction and glad you noticed the complexity of Zeppelin's music.
In addition, this song demonstrates Jimmy Page’s genius at arrangement, composition and production. Jimmy did it all as well as anyone in rock history!
It's a harmonica pumped through a Whirling Peevee Amp. Classic blues does this
I saw Led Zeppelin twice in concert - once in 1969 and once in 1970. They are electrifying in person. The sound in this song is from a harmonica.
Led Zeppelin is in my top 5 favorite bands along with Sabbath, CCR, Lynyrd Skynyrd & Chicago. This is my favorite Zeppelin song, a remake of Kansas Joe song from the late 20’s. Saw them in 1975 and crowd went crazy when John started. You knew the song from his first beat.
Agreed. Glad to see Chicago get some love.
Welcome to the Best group Ever! Led Zeppelin. And Best of Times Ever! Never will be again.
I so much enjoy watching a new timer to Led Zeppelin as they listen to songs for the first time. I have been a Led Zeppelin fan for over 50yrs. I have ever song and album that they ever made. Most peoplel say that Stairway to Heaven is their greatest song. No Way. To me, its "Ten years Gone" and/or Thats the way, or even Thank you. Those are my favorites, but don't get me wrong. I love ALL of Led Zeps songs. One of your other comments says, Every zep song is your favorite, until the next song. lol There has been and never will be another band as great as Led Zeppelin. Do all their songs, but make sure you do Ten years Gone. To me, their greatest piece of work. Whatever you do, don't let this be the only song you do. John Bonham was the greatest drummer ever. So great that when he died in 1980 the band disbanded, because they knew they would never find a replacement. For one thing. Drummers follow the bass player in most all bands, but, John Bonham followed Jimmy Page, the guitarilst. And that was one of the many diferences in this band. He as fired from many bands because everyone said he was to Loud. Their Loss.
That’s my favorite song. I’m so happy that you reacted to it and felt the power and emotions of it. It was an actual harmonica being played. I also agree with you that the drums were the star of the show.
Great reaction! Welcome to Zeppelin! You're lucky , you don't have to wait for the next album to drop. Every song is so different. Enjoy
John Bonham’s drums were recorded in at the bottom of a three-story stairwell. That was Robert Plant, vocalist playing harmonica. I LOVE watching your reaction to the soundtrack of my life.
And also, think about this. This band is just 4 guys, and one just sings and he is the Harmonica player you are listening to, not a guitar part. So all these great music came from 3 people, the guitar player, Jimmy Page, The bass player, John Paul Jones, and the Drummer, John Bonham.
I saw them live at knebworth ! The most incredible band ever all 4 members the greatest in their own right !!
I saw them at Knebworth in 1979 too but unfortunately they were well past their best by then. Knebworth is noted for not being their best live performances
It's priceless knowing what's coming and watching your reaction. The drummer is John Bonham and he's the best.
My favorite band for many years longer than you have been alive-I am very impressed that you 'get' them so quickly-they are blues-rock and more-it is a harmonica played by the singer making that mourning sound -
Taken from an old blues song about the great Mississippi Flood of 1927. John Bonham (drummer) was a force of nature, to be sure (as they all are). Robert Plant (singer) on harmonica. Looking forward to your journey into Led Zeppelin.
Love your reaction! This is the soundtrack of my teenage years. Musicianship was so important to the bands of this era. And it shows and comes across in the delivery! Your analyses and insight are incredible.
By the way, the lead singer Robert Plant was both the lead singer and the harmonica player.
Highly recommend Kashmir from Zeppelin. In my opinion the most epic sounding song ever made, and will always be my favorite Zeppelin song. When the Levee Breaks and Achilles Last Stand are in close competition for my second favorite
Please take a listen to the studio version of "Since I've Been Loving You". They all show up for that one as well.
That's a very young Robert Plant blowing on that harmonica........ such a HAUNTING rendition of this song. No band has a right to be this talented! The drummer, John Bonham was a beast, arguably one of the best of all time. The band broke up upon his death as he was simply irreplaceable. Jump down this rabbit hole and into the world of one of the most iconic rock bands you will ever hear. I view them as a rock band with an unmistakable overtone of blues. Great reaction, TY.
That's Robert plant on the harmonica. John Bonham's drums on this song is the most sampled drumbeat ever. As you go down the Led Zeppelin rabbit hole it will come to you that everybody used their music.Same with Black Sabbath. 😃😃😃😃😃
The “Amen” break would like a word, as would a few James Brown tracks, but, yeah, it’s a very heavily sampled beat.
"When the Levee Breaks" is a country blues song written and first recorded by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy in 1929. The lyrics reflect experiences during the upheaval caused by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. So the original is coming close to be a 100 years old. Zeppelin rewrote the rule book when it came to their interpretation of the original blues tracks.
Bro i swear to God this is my favorite Led Zeppelin song! Keep up the good reaction content dude
Right on! I love seeing the new generation reviving and appreciating what came before. Blessed be!
Mourning... right. Start listening to the blues and you'll find more great music like this. Blues is where it all came from.
What a brilliant analysis of the entire song. I’ve heard it a million times, love it every time, of course I know the origins, the history, the meaning, the lyrics, etc., but the way you broke it down, lyric by lyric was amazing and I come away with a different point of view (Johnny Cash). Enjoy your journey into probably the greatest rock band ever, and I’ll keep watching.
John Henry Bonham was the hardest hitting drummer ever. Seeing Led Zep live, the band made it look so freaking easy
Welcome to the LED ZEPPELIN rabbit hole! SO great to see those who missed out on such great music that I grew up with! So many more great tracks in their catalog!
DAZED AND CONFUSED
HOW MANY MORE TIMES
GOOD TIMES, BAD TIMES
RAMBLE ON
THANK YOU
YOU SHOOK ME
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
KASHMIR
IN MY TIME OF DYING
ROCK AND ROLL
and so many more. I am old, but I got to see all the good bands!😂