In this episode, I share my insights into the incredible 1969 track “The Lemon Song” by Led Zeppelin (and Chester Burnett aka Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor”). This track appears on Led Zeppelin’s second album “Led Zeppelin II” and is one of the finest examples of the band’s improvisation talents. Each member of the band gives one of the greatest studio performances of their career. We’ll focus on the guitar track which is a tall enough order!
Disclosure: That is me playing the up-tempo guitar figure live against a KZfaq drums/bass backing track at the introduction to this episode. I did NOT use the actual Led Zeppelin guitar track. I’m playing through a Bogner ‘La Grange’ distortion pedal into my Fender Deluxe Reverb amp (which has been modified).
In this episode: (1) I analyze and demonstrate the memorable, climbing verse guitar figure and corresponding guitar fills while providing comment on the expressiveness of the two-string duet. (2) I reference an homage to Jimi Hendrix found in the E7#9 chord and even challenge you to find a Purple Haze “Easter Egg” in the track! (3) I also demonstrate the use of the briskly strummed 6th intervals at the opening of the up-tempo section (giving attribution to guitarist Hubert Sumlin’s for the original figure). (4) I point out the common use of major and minor 6ths in Jimmy Page’s vocabulary by showing the same figure in the track Heartbreaker. (5) Finally, I give a composer’s insight into the power of a truly fulfilling ending statement. In this case, as it relates to the startling last chord Eb Augmented. (6) I also quote a famous Romanian conductor, Sergui Celibidache, who gave the best definition of what constitutes a proper ending (if you do nothing else, fast forward to that at the end, it’s very thought-provoking!)
Stemming from my 40+ years as a professional artist, I bring a historical and composer’s background to my love of rock music by analyzing and playing some of the most iconic music of all time. At the heart of all my videos is that I’m an enthusiast who has dedicated his entire life to composing and playing music.
Whether you’re a guitar player, musician, songwriter or just a music enthusiast, I’m sure you will find something in these videos to inspire you and help you smile.
Click Here to see my episode on Heartbreaker- • Led Zeppelin’s Heartbr...
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