I truly wish I could recall the name of the guy who wrote my very very favorite critical description of a rock n' roll record, or possibly of any one thing ever described by man. In a review of Led Zeppelin's 4th album ("ZOSO") in 1971, this marvelous writer hit the nail on the head in one decisive blow when comparing the album's opening track, the now instantly-familiar "Black Dog," to "the sound of a chicken trying to take flight." BAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That is so perfect that I still to this day can't even handle the truth. Of course, I love the song for this very thing, which is particularly peculiar to the style of guitarist Jimmy Page: it sounds like it is at all times two or three notes away from falling completely apart in a cacophony of tangled strings and failed timing, yet it somehow stays cohesive and massive.
Today I thought I would share with you some other musical tries at "Black Dog" from the infinite Well Of Aural Pleasure that is YouTube. Please to enjoy!
I bet you didn't wake up today thinking, "Man, I am SO UP for a cover of 'Black Dog" with accordion and some three-stringed Japanese shamisens!" If you did, we should become closer pals.
Monsters of Shamisen
And if you wanted to hear how the song sounds sung in Japanese, I can provide that. It is very earnest. I think this guy says, "Eeyore" over and over a few times, which is EVEN BETTER.
Japanese Zep
These Canadians are...trying. I dunno...the plaid Bermuda shorts just throw me off somehow.
Canadians
Well. Hmm. This '80s version can't seem to decide what it wants to be. It's played punk fast, yet still meanders, by a black dude in pimp gear, and adds Prince-style synths. I'm deciding it's awful.
Parker (featuring Mitch Mitchell)
We'll let Dread Zeppelin take the end video!
DZ
© Copyright 2008- Marianne Spellman