ALBUM REVIEW: A Tribute To Led Zeppelin – Beth Hart
LED ZEPPELIN is a hallowed name in the world of rock that needs no introduction. One of the biggest English bands on the Mount Rushmore of rock and metal alongside BLACK SABBATH and DEEP PURPLE, talking about them, their music and their influence is one thing, but covering them is a whole different beast. However, the Grammy nominated powerhouse BETH HART is taking on this monumental task on her latest album A Tribute To Led Zeppelin. With a mixture of ZEPPELIN classics and deep cuts, Hart highlights the incredible musical spectrum that the legendary rock band operated in. Staying faithful to the structure and composition of original songs but bringing them into the 21st Century with bombastic modern production, Hart brings an energetic and fresh perspective to these rock belters.
Usually known for her blues rock and soul roots, Hart is definitely a student of the classics and is recognised as one of the most talented vocalists of her generation. Her history with LED ZEPPELIN goes back to childhood, with her older brother introducing her to the band alongside BLACK SABBATH. Her first major label release – her debut album Immortal – was released by Atlantic Records in 1996, 27 years after that same label released ZEPPELIN’s acclaimed and highly influential debut. Born out of the frustrations of the pandemic, Hart was ready to channel all the tension and aggression and release it all in the best way possible.
With every inch of her power and might, Hart delivers these songs with furious passion that only a true LED ZEPPELIN fan could muster. Her intense, thundering alto voice tackles the most bombastic of the band’s classics as well as capturing the emotional delicacy of the band’s famous ballad tracks. Even though she has decided to cover the songs in their original style, instead of reinterpreting and adapting them into her own style, Hart channels the mystique and god-like aura of Robert Plant with maximum effect. This also adds to the songs’ timeless quality as well as bringing them into a modern musical setting. The only difference from the originals however is that Hart’s rich and soulful voice adds a new flavour of emotion to the band’s lyrics that was previously untapped.
Hart‘s passion and reverence for LED ZEPPELIN’s music really shines through on the album. Whether it be the softer ballads like Stairway To Heaven and The Rain Song, or the raucous and spirit rousing Whole Lotta Love, Black Dog and Kashmir, no stone is left unturned and every part of the band’s fabled career is told through the music and done so with the upmost respect. Even within her own music there is an ever present LED ZEPPELIN influence, and in the grand scheme of things it feels like this album was unofficially preordained.
Two standout tracks are Hart‘s medleys of Dancing Days/When The Levee Breaks and No Quarter/Babe I’m Gonna Leave You Now. Both medleys demonstrate Hart‘s understanding of how the band’s music works, as both effortlessly transition between their respective songs so cleanly it is barely noticeable and truly, masterfully done. The Crunge has a wonderful swagger about it, swanky and swinging such that you can’t help but marvel at Hart‘s range but also the incredible orchestral arrangement around the main riffs and rhythms. Stairway To Heaven is sung so delicately that you can’t help but feel a plethora of emotions, which is what you need after the grandeur of Kashmir and Whole Lotta Love. Closing the album with the beautiful orchestral The Rain Song is fitting, as it is an emotional conclusion to a truly passionate and heartfelt tribute.
Although this is a tribute album, Hart has really made it her own, embracing the challenge of matching and in some cases bettering the powerful magnetism of Robert Plant. Whilst it is an album born from the frustrations of recent years, you can tell that an incredible amount of love and respect has gone into this album. It is a refreshing listening experience, as one artist pays homage to another purely out of love and reverence for the music.
Rating: 8/10
A Tribute To Led Zeppelin is set for release on February 25th via Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group.
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