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Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin III

NME.COM feature on Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin III album including album review, artwork, tracks, listen now, tour dates, discography and more.

Album Review

Release date: 04 October 2005

Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin III

Early Days - The Best of Led Zeppelin: Volume One

Before [a]Jimmy Page[/a] could gurn for Guernsey and [B]Bob Plant[/B] began to resemble that stuff used to line hamster cages, there was a time when it was all Valhalla and velvet loons round [a]Led Z

Before Jimmy Page could gurn for Guernsey and Bob Plant began to resemble that stuff used to line hamster cages, there was a time when it was all Valhalla and velvet loons round Led Zeppelin 's pad. The Black Country bumpkins were the first to pump the blues' sullen chops with glamour, portent and thunderous facial hair - thereby permanently loosening heavy metal's nascent...

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  • Jan 6, 2000

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Latter Days: The Best Of Led Zeppelin. Volume Two

Latter Days: The Best Of Led Zeppelin. Volume Two

While the material on this record doesn't match up to [B]'Volume One'[/B], it's still an essential purchase for anyone who can't be bothered to get their patchy later albums...

  • Mar 22, 2000

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Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin III Videos

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Led Zeppelin News

Bill Clinton reveals failed attempt to reform Led Zeppelin in 2012

Bill Clinton reveals failed attempt to reform Led Zeppelin in 2012

The former US president wanted the band to play a Hurricane Sandy benefit in New York

Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stones engineer and producer Andy Johns dies, aged 61

Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stones engineer and producer Andy Johns dies, aged 61

Brother of Glyn Johns also worked with Free, Joni Mitchell and Television

Led Zeppelin drummer Jason Bonham responds to Robert Plant's reunion tease

Led Zeppelin drummer Jason Bonham responds to Robert Plant's reunion tease

Sticksman says he doesn't know how to take Plants comments that he has 'nothing to do in 2014'

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Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin III: Wikipedia Album Entry

Led Zeppelin III, the third album by English rock band Led Zeppelin. It was recorded between January and July 1970 and was released October 5, 1970 by Atlantic Records.

Led Zeppelin III marked a change in focus for the band from late 1960s hard rock to a more folk rock and acoustic inspired sound. These styles had been present to a lesser degree in the band's first two releases, but here it was the main style - and one that would remain prominent in the group's later albums. This change in direction endeared the band to many progressive rock fans who would never have listened to Led Zeppelin's established blues and rock repertoire. With Led Zeppelin III the group's songwriting dynamic also changed, from Page's domination of the first two albums towards a more democratic affair in which all four group members offered up their own compositions and ideas - patterns that would continue in future sessions.

The album contains two songs which became key components of the band's live concert performances for many years: "Immigrant Song" and "Since I've Been Loving You". The first of these, written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, is about the Norse invasions of England and was inspired by the band's recent live performance in Iceland. "Since I've Been Loving You" is a classic, original blues in the key C minor featuring heartfelt interplay by all four group members. It would become a performance staple, especially from 1971 through 1973, replacing Willie Dixon's "I Can't Quit You Baby" from the first album as the band's slow blues showcase.

The album also featured the rock songs "Celebration Day" and "Out on the Tiles", and the acoustic tracks "Bron-Yr-Aur (Stomp)" and "That's the Way", the latter considered by Page to be a breakthrough for still-developing lyric writer Plant. The song "Gallows Pole" is actually an arrangement of a traditional folk song by that name, also recorded by Lead Belly some thirty years earlier.

The album finishes with "Hats Off To (Roy) Harper", a track dedicated to their influential contemporary, Roy Harper, that both honours Harper’s work and acknowledges the band’s roots in acoustic music.

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Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin III Lyrics

Led Zeppelin - Out On The Tiles Lyrics

As I walk down the highway all I do is sing this song,
And a train that's passin' my way helps the rhythm move along.
There is no doubt about the words are clear,
The voice is strong, is oh so strong.

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Led Zeppelin - Hats Off To (roy) Harper Lyrics

When I done quit hollerin' baby, I believe I'll shake 'em on down
Get my babe, won't be late, You know by that I mean seconds late
Ah, must I holler, Must I shake 'em on down,
Well I've been mistreated, babe, I believe I'll shake 'em on down.

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