Customer Reviews

Un-Led-Ed

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

You probably have heard about the Dread Zeppelin concept: Led Zeppelin music played reggae style, with an Elvis impersonator singing lead vocals. It sounds like a "one joke" concept, but somehow it worked. This CD here is there first, great album. It's very funny, but beyond that, the musicianship is excellent. There are a lot of inside jokes, particularly in the comments that Tortelvis says. One of the funniest parts is when Tortelvis starts reading from Moby Dick while the Led Zeppelin instrumental "Moby Dick" is playing. If you are a Led Zeppelin fan who doesn't take Zeppelin too seriously, you should give this album a listen.

A Led Zep covers album? Hmmm... but there's a little bit more to it than that. 'Un-Led-Ed' is a bizarre collision of Led Zep, Elvis Presley and Reggae! Robert Plant, no less, has given his seal of approval.

The Dread line-up consists of vocalist Tortelvis, guitarists Jah Paul Jo and Carl Jah, drummer Fresh Cheese, percussionist Ed Zeppelin and bassist Puttman!

The intro to the LP is a weird collage of sounds and musical spoofs, most notably 'The Twilight Zone'. Really, there's so much bubbling away here. Songs like 'Black Dog', 'Livin' Lovin' Maid' and 'Whole Lotta Love', mix Elvis style vocals, Elvis imitating Robert plant, reggae talk/vocals and so on, it goes at this dizzying pace.

Highlights? That's a difficult one, it partly depends on what's your favorite Led Zep song and partly on how they cover the individual songs. However on that basis, I'll plump for 'I Can't Quit You Babe'.

Lyrically the record is an affectionate...take and there's moments of great humour. 'Black Mountain Side' sends up the mystical side of Zep and parodies an old Indian mystic. "I see Elvis as maybe a PROPHET of some kind...

However, the Dreads aren't mere cabaret, they can play a bit too. Jimmy Page guitar, reggae rhythms...NAE PROBLEM! They are DREAD GOOD!

Jeez, how does one go about describing this album?
Deconstruct the best of Led Zepplin, stir-in a rastafarian and an Elvis impersonator, and throw everything off by about 1/3 a beat. Genius!
You'll either love it, or hate it.

This is one of the most fun albums that I've ever heard. I love to see the look on people's faces when I introduce them to Dread Zeppelin for the first time. I laugh hysterically when I try to make out what's being said on "Black Mountain Side". I can't help but sing along to "Living Loving Maid"..."living...loving...de woman..." Honestly, I wish these guys were touring. I wouldn't miss the opportunity to see this live.

Outstanding I should say.
I had the good fortune to hear this band live once. It makes your skin crawl, but not in the same way as Leonard Nimoy singing does. This bizarre mix of rasta, Led Zeppelin, and the King goes down as good as a peanutbutter and 'nanner sandwitch and a glass of beer. Every time the -other- supergroup comes up in conversation I make sure to recommend THIS album as well.
The liner notes are also fun. A crazy 'monopoly' board and play on the "Zoso" (Zep) album cover.

I purchased this CD on a whim, being a long-time Led Zeppelin fan. For the uninitiated, Dread Zeppelin does LED Zeppelin tunes, but with a spirited reggae beat. And Robert Plant has been replaced by TortElvis, former milkman turned Elvis impersonator. So, you've got Zeppelin tunes, done reggae-style, sung by Elvis. Sounds unlikely, but it works! The first tune on the CD is a medley of Black Dog / Hound Dog; from there we go to Heartbreaker / Heartbreak Hotel. The band is talented; they know their licks; TortElvis is fantastic! (I would be remiss in not mentioning Charlie Haj; he's the fellow who hands TortElvis his water and towels onstage!) If you like Led Zeppelin, and if you have a sense of humor, you've GOTTA have Un-Led-Ed! (I have another Dread CD, "Hot And Spicy Beanburger," that is also excellent, but the first is still my favorite.) Finally.. if Dread Zeppelin is ever performing at an Arena near you (!), don't miss the show! These boys are enthusiastic!

An indication of a musical "classic" in any genre is how well it holds-up over time. It's been at least a decade since I last heard Un-Led-Ed, but today it managed once again to make me tap my foot while laughing out loud. Weird Al can't do it. Not Spinal Tap. Forget the Ruttles.

Dread Zep really wails-away with serious renditions of Led Zep's Best, then just when you're hooked they let it unwind into a nosedive of reggae-Elvis nonsense.

It's a decade-old musical food-fight, and I love-it.

Ed has NOT left the Building!........Bob

... this album is one of the most Bizzare Covers (capitalization required) in existance.

It's true. But what's also true is that THIS ALBUM ROCKS. These tunes could be original compositions - it doesnt' matter. They could be covers. It doesn't matter. Dread Zeppelin lays down some funk. I can't play it loud enough.

It's amazing how well it works. Blues inspired. Heavy metal motivated. Elvis impersonaed. Reggae executed. Pure audacity. It's like pistachio ice cream. Sounds odd, but so tasty you can't get enough.

Buy it. Mount it. Play it. Crank it. ....

I saw these guys in concert years ago and it was great! (and very very strange). This is seriously good music, way beyond parody. I enjoy it more that the original works by Zepplin or Elvis.

after laughing at the two reviewers who thought this was a serious album, I managed to wipe the tears from my eyes,struggle to the keyboard, and tell prospective buyers that this is a very funny record that I bet even the Zep themselves would laugh at. All the other reviewers told you already-Elvis impersonator at the front of a reggae band that does Led Zeppelin covers. For haters of and lovers of the Zep, and people who like parodies.