Customer Reviews

No Introduction Necessary

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

 

 

To begin, if you own "The Masters" or "Lovin' Up a Storm," then you own this album, but under a different name. The idea behind this, was to promote the unknown Albert Lee (singer) by advertising Page and Jones, who were the studio musicians. Mainly, unless you are into late 50's or rockabilly, this is not for you. If you are, however; jump in head first. Dixie-Fried has a "let's all get wasted," but humorous context. My personal favorite is One Long Kiss, because of its smooth and low groove.

This CD earned three stars because the guitars and drums are okay and Lee is actually an accomplished singer, but it gets no more, because this is not the Page and JPJ that everyone loves.

First of all, right off the bat, and may god bless my soul....but Albert Lee does indeed sing, and play, and generally kick ass on this album. This is an album (I've purchased both the original and the remastered version) that was deliberately flown under a false flag - oh look! it's Led Zeppelin! - in order to garner Albert Lee some attention as both a singer and guitar player. Lee, quite frankly, absolutely mops the floor with Jimmy Page. And Lee's legacy, subsequent to this album quite amply demonstrates that his talents, both instrumental and vocal only became more substantial and impressive with the passage of time. Page's only truly competent solo (Burnin') - and it is a gem - is right up there with his solo on Joe Cocker's version of Blackbird: otherwise he proves incapable of even carrying Lee's guitar case, too often resorting to badly phrased pentatonic noodling instead of actual Rockabilly guitar playing. The rest of the rhythm section (Nicky Hopkins, Chris Hughes, John Paul Jones et al) are rock solid in their support of the real feature player (Albert Lee, just in case I hadn't made that clear ;-)) and seem to be having a blast.

I won't go on to list my criticisms of Page's playing (he peaked on Led Zeppelin I), but just be forewarned. This NOT a Jimmy Page album - it is an Albert Lee album. Check out Lee's singing and playing on Carl Perkins' "Dixie Fried" and you'll quickly see what I mean. And if you haven't heard any other Albert Lee albums do whatever you can to rectify that ASAP.

It's about a 50/50 split between songs featuring Page and songs featuring Lee. It is in the rockabilly vein. So, if you are expecting Zeppelin, you aren't gonna get it. Fun album though. The singer was not credited on my old vinyl copy. Sounds like Bobby Gregg to me.