Although I said that these were in no particular order, I did save the best for last. Here it is:
Led Zeppelin IV – Although not my personal favorite (to pop into the CD player), probably due to overexposure, this is without a doubt the greatest classic rock album ever made. As if Stairway To Heaven wasn’t enough, this album shows the full range of Zep’s songwriting and musical prowess. The band displayed their lighter side on the great ballad Going To California and the Mideastern-influenced folk song Battle Of Evermore (featuring Fairport Convention vocalist Sandy Denny); rocked out on the eponymous Rock And Roll (featuring longtime Rolling Stones keyboardist Ian Stewart on piano) as well as Black Dog, Four Sticks, and Misty Mountain Hop; and set a new standard for production with the thunderous drum sound on the great blues sendup and closing song When The Levee Breaks. Six of the eight songs on this album became staples of Zep’s live set over the ensuing years. This was the greatest rock band ever at the absolute height of their considerable musical powers.
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