I’ve been listening to many of the same rock songs for as long as 50 years now. I still love rock and roll, but a few years ago I began listening to Big Band music from the 1930’s, and this summer I’ve been reading a book about the history of jazz. My discovery of a Louis Armstrong song from 1929 entitled “Mahoghany Hall Stomp” was by itself worth the cost of that book. After listening to jazz when I return to rock, I often choose music by Led Zeppelin and 10 Years After. Their music is deeply rooted in rhythm and blues, a cousin of jazz. Both groups have a depth of sound from the musicianship they demonstrate on their instruments that matches the Big Band sound the old masters accomplished using large brass sections. Solos by these groups are jazzy sounding. Not long ago, I noticed an interesting contrast between 2 rock songs: “Spoonful” by 10 Years After and “Custard Pie” by Led Zeppelin.
“Spoonful” by 10 Years After. They also performed a live version at Woodstock that can be found on youtube where interested listeners can look for the original Howlin’ Wolf song.
“Spoonful” was written by Willie Dixon for Howlin’ Wolf in 1960. Led Zeppelin also used songs by both Willie Dixon and Howlin’ Wolf. The version of “Spoonful” played by 10 Years After was recorded for their first self-titled album in 1967 which mostly consisted of cover songs. “Spoonful” has the same stubborn bass line through the entirety of the song. The bass line consists of 2 G notes, 2 C notes, and 2 G notes, alternating. A microphone was apparently right next to the bass guitar played by Leo Lyons. Meanwhile, Alvin Lee plays his electric guitar in the background, and his performance is amazing, yet it sounds like he is desperately vying for attention with the bass. They briefly play in unison, but for most of the song it sounds as if they are playing 2 different pieces. The bass line is easy to learn how to play and grabs the listener’s attention, but they should be paying attention to Alvin Lee’s wild guitar playing in the background. 10 Years After also recorded this song at the famous Woodstock concert in 1969. They are not as well-known as Led Zeppelin, but they are long overdue to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Yet they have never even been nominated. Other great songs in their catalogue include “Love Like a Man,” “20,000 Miles Beneath My Brain,” “I Go Home,” “I’d Love to Change the World,” “Woke up this Morning,” and “Woodchopper’s Ball.”
“Custard Pie” from Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti album. I figured out how to play this riff on my glockenspiel.
Led Zeppelin’s “Custard Pie” was recorded for their Physical Graffiti album in 1975. It was influenced by 3 songs–“Drop Down Mama” by John Estes, “Shake ’em All Down,” by Bukka White, and “I Want Some of Your Pie” by Blind Boy Fuller. The titles of all these songs are used in the “Custard Pie” lyrics. Jimmy Page uses 2 two note chords on his electric guitar and his rhythm is followed exactly by bass and drum. In contrast to “Spoonful” they play in complete unison. They really play as a team unlike in “Spoonful” which sounds as if 2 different musicians are vying for attention, while the most interesting parts of the song are relegated to the background. “Custard Pie” also has nice guitar instrumentals, and Robert Plant plays a harmonica instrumental to add interesting variation.
“Custard Pie” is one of my favorite Led Zeppelin songs, but most rock critics underrate it. Most rank it in the middle of the pack of their catalogue of songs, and none rank it higher than 40. They are wrong. I think it is one of their better songs. I could just listen to that catchy rhythmic riff all day long.
GeorgiaBeforePeople 