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International Report
Edited by Evan Newman - newmando@hotmail.com
The Forgotten Jam Band
Since the initial international article appeared on jambands till the most recent, you the readers have been made aware of the great music coming out of Canada. Overseas, there has been a great number of jam bands over the years but none better than Led Zeppelin, perhaps the most unappreciated jam band by North Americans.
Often dismissed as a heavy metal act, Led Zeppelin have been one of the great innovators and inspirations of the jam bands scene and can be categorized with such American icons like the Grateful Dead and The Allman Brothers Band. The improvisational music scene is predominantly American and much of the focus now is on American bands like staples Phish and Moe and up and coming acts String Cheese Incident, Disco Biscuits and The Slip. Let us not forget Led Zeppelin, with Jimmy Pages raring guitar, the thunderous rhythm section of John Paul Jones and Bonham and the unique voice of Robert Plant. Led Zeppelin was indeed a hard rock band but they were well in touch with psychedelia and blues improvisation. The twenty four minute Dazed and Confused that appears on The BBC Sessions is a clear indication of the bands improvisational skills. A thunderous jam led by Bonham and Jones leads to a jam between Page's guitar and the wonderful range of Plants voice. The guitar style used by Page during this jam has been emulated by such noted guitarists like Trey Anastasio of Phish and Steve Kimock of Zero (among others). There really hasn't been a band to come along in the last few years that have come close to capturing the distinct sound of this british quartet and many have tried. Phish has played homage to Zeppelin by covering Ramble On and Good Times, Bad Times and the presence of Zeppelin is clear in most Phish jams. Led Zeppelin is perhaps the best band not to have been born in North America, Beatles included. Take a minute to go through your high school albums and pull out a Houses of the Holy and you will realize the major impact that was Led Zeppelin.
Editors Note: As you are all aware, Phish will be playing the Molson Amphitheater on July 20, 1999. After the show The Burt Neilsen band will be playing at Atlantis which is on The Ontario Place grounds (a stones throw from the amphitheatre), hope to see you there. As well, feel free to submit articles on your favourite international acts, recent shows or any new music that you would like to appear on jambands.com. Please email me.
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