Led Zeppelin Cover- Band practice

Hey guys and gals,

I decided to figure out how to record our practice. Its rough but it helps us figure out what to work on. We recorded some new originals as well but I am just posting "Rock and Roll" by Led Zeppelin. I am singing and playing guitar, there is no solo ( i haven't sat down and woodsheded it yet) and I messed up at the end. But other than that I think we almost have it. Enjoy and post what you think.

http://www.soundclick.com/kingdomheights

Let me temper my criticism with one caveat: it is RARE that I am impressed when someone tries to cover a Led Zeppelin song, because most people just don't "get" Led Zeppelin's music and feel as much as they think they do, and when they cover it, it's almost inevitably a suck sandwich with FAIL sauce, even if it's competently executed.

So on to my criticisms:

1. The guitar riff is wrong enough that it's annoying. Go back and listen to it.

2. The way you sing it makes it sound like an 80s hair band (or Buckcherry) covering it. The vocals are big but not bluesy or very "rock and roll", they're more "rock", which is not a good fit for this song, IMO.

Those two things said, it's not the worst cover of that particular song I've heard. I mean, you guys were in tune and so were your vocals, which were technically good despite the fact that I didn't really like your tone or approach.

It just didn't have quite the right vibe to my ear, sorry...but I am a tougher audience than most.

You're a great singer...just not for this song.

Brian V.

Let me temper my criticism with one caveat: it is RARE that I am impressed when someone tries to cover a Led Zeppelin song, because most people just don't "get" Led Zeppelin's music and feel as much as they think they do, and when they cover it, it's almost inevitably a suck sandwich with FAIL sauce, even if it's competently executed. So on to my criticisms: 1. The guitar riff is wrong enough that it's annoying. Go back and listen to it. 2. The way you sing it makes it sound like an 80s hair band (or Buckcherry) covering it. The vocals are big but not bluesy or very "rock and roll", they're more "rock", which is not a good fit for this song, IMO. Those two things said, it's not the worst cover of that particular song I've heard. I mean, you guys were in tune and so were your vocals, which were technically good despite the fact that I didn't really like your tone or approach. It just didn't have quite the right vibe to my ear, sorry...but I am a tougher audience than most. You're a great singer...just not for this song. Brian V.

Thanks for the reply, yeah the riff might be a little off which is an easy fix. The whole "vocals are too rock" thing doesn't make sense to me, but at least you compared me to Josh Todd (Buckcherry) huge compliment. I personally wasn't going for a Robert Plant rip off, I am just singing the way I sing. His feelings and state of mind when he sang this are different than my feelings and state of mind when I sing it. So of course there is going to be some difference. But thanks for the criticism.

I think that's a really good way to put it - you just approach it differently on an emotional level. That makes sense. And though I think their songwriting is crap, I do love Josh Todd's voice. I doubt I'd like him singing "Rock & Roll", either.

The point I was trying to make by saying it wasn't as much "rock & roll" as it was "rock" wasn't explained - sorry (I was posting quickly because I'm at work). To me, "rock & roll" singing is more about abandon (think the early Beatles performances, which were their own versions of Little Richard and other early rockers), and "rock" is a more disciplined sound (but still powerful and energetic). To me, your vocals sounded a little too controlled to really sell the song the way it needs to be sold, like Plant did. I know it's kind of a silly distinction, but it works for my brain.

An example that will hopefully explain:

Paul Rodgers in Free was more of a rock & roll singer (especially on "All Right Now").

Paul Rodgers in Bad Company was more of a rock singer.

You are, in my opinion, a great singer - let me stress that again - and I really enjoy your voice. Just not for this particular song.

Brian V.

I think that's a really good way to put it - you just approach it differently on an emotional level. That makes sense. And though I think their songwriting is crap, I do love Josh Todd's voice. I doubt I'd like him singing "Rock & Roll", either. The point I was trying to make by saying it wasn't as much "rock & roll" as it was "rock" wasn't explained - sorry (I was posting quickly because I'm at work). To me, "rock & roll" singing is more about abandon (think the early Beatles performances, which were their own versions of Little Richard and other early rockers), and "rock" is a more disciplined sound (but still powerful and energetic). To me, your vocals sounded a little too controlled to really sell the song the way it needs to be sold, like Plant did. I know it's kind of a silly distinction, but it works for my brain. An example that will hopefully explain: Paul Rodgers in Free was more of a rock & roll singer (especially on "All Right Now"). Paul Rodgers in Bad Company was more of a rock singer. You are, in my opinion, a great singer - let me stress that again - and I really enjoy your voice. Just not for this particular song. Brian V.

I look at what your trying to explain as pure unbridled instinct when it comes to approaching your instrument instrument. Thanks for the kind words

Just wanted to say, you {censored}ing nailed it man. When you are delivering a pretty much pitch perfect performance with a big tone, I don't really know what criticism you can really give.

Especially given lots of bad clips of Plant doing this one live

I'm commenting just on what I've read here from my own perspective of singing "whole lotta love" as part of my uh, regular songlist.

Robert Plant lost his voice after the second album, being a vein-popping lung-buster at the start, during their second North American tour, so even he was doing a quieter imitation of himself ever since. By the time I was over thirty, if I did this song, really getting into it as an imitation, I was saving it for the end of a set because my voice couldn't recover in time to sing anything else. I've done it disco style with a bassist who wove the blues riff in with some Peter Gunn style riffs, and I've done it acoustic blues too.

I'm understanding that this new singer isn't Planting his vocals into this one, doing what, an emo-style vocal? If that's the case I'd give it a more slacker, even hip-hop thing, you know "Been a long time since I rocked and rolled", and sounding like you mean it.

If you want to be mournful about it, this sound could even be done raggae.

as always, John Watt

Just wanted to say, you {censored}ing nailed it man. When you are delivering a pretty much pitch perfect performance with a big tone, I don't really know what criticism you can really give. Especially given lots of bad clips of Plant doing this one live

hey man i appreciate it alot, I was just trying to sing it the way I sing. And that tends to come out sounding "80's hair bandish) as he put it. LOL

Not quite grasping what your trying to get across, but if its a compliment thanks very much:)

KingdomHeights! I'm sure you're grasping something from what I've said, commenting on the comments here, but if all you're doing is looking for compliments, sorry, I'd come up to you and shake your hand if I saw you live, even just for being the band, but that's not happening.... yet.

I thought I was right on about doing a slower, more despondent version of that song, considering the words "been a long time since I rocked and rolled".

as always, John Watt

Voice was a bit thin... as someone mentioned before, kinda hair metal style. Also, I think you'd benefit by working on your pitch.

Overall, it was pretty good. You have balls for covering a song like that! Rock on dude!

Voice was a bit thin... as someone mentioned before, kinda hair metal style. Also, I think you'd benefit by working on your pitch.

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Thin? Come on.

well, he wanted a critique. i didn't say it was bad, but i feel it could be improved by adding a bit more bottom end. perhaps it's because he's doing robert plant, which is a tough act to follow of course. but if you listen to robert plant, you will hear the full, soulfulness.

If it were me, that's what i'd work on. I wasn't trying to be negative.

I think you guys are on the right track, just keep working on it.

The drummer has to work on that intro especially.

Take a look at my version

Song page: http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7741667

Wow. Wish I could sing like that. Your voice isn't the same as Plant but its in the family and very compatible. Do some ACDC next. I think you'd cover it well. You sound more like someone else but I can't put my finger on it. I agree you got most of down already.

first off, nice job singing! you have a great voice and will do well!

I think some people are missing the point...what I hear lacking in your vocals is live emotion, you sound to controled for the tune but I think that is beacuse you are practicing during this recording, right?

I guarantee that a live performance of this song with you singing would be much better! Also...may I suggest you re-record this tune while not playing the guitar? As a singer myself, I alwas find that having an instrument to share my attention detracts from my singing delivery. Just an idea...

Awesome pipes dude!

rod

thanks so much for the kind words!