Classic Albums Live: Led Zeppelin II

Photos & Pen by Todd McFliker

Classic Albums Live flawlessly delivered Led Zeppelin’s spectacular second album, along with a handful of other endured selections on September 9^th at Stage 954, inside The Casino at Dania Beach. Since 2003, the concert series from Toronto has been presenting a timeless piece in its entirety. “It’s an honor to do these shows,” the late great Craig Martin, CAL Producer, explained in 2015. “Learn the album. Play the album note for note, cut for cut. We go into each show completely faceless. And we never use props or anything that takes away from the music."

Performing more than 200 performances each year with one main group of core players who are frequently cast, the members of Classic Albums Live are no strangers to the area. The Canadian ensemble has played numerous engagements from West Palm Beach to Hollywood's Hard Rock, including the immortal work of the Beatles, Pink Floyd, the Doors, Fleetwood Mac and Billy Joel.

Inside the venue, a casual atmosphere of Ledheads were there for nothing more than the music. The band members wore all black and refused to use any props. Minimal lighting effects were projected on the walls. There were five musicians onstage, despite there being only four members in the original group. That’s because Jimmy Page spent so much time in the studio layering multiple textures and multi-tracking the phenomenal work.

Recorded on the road, Led Zeppelin II is the Brits’ brilliant second release from 1969. The band begged, borrowed and stole from American legends, such as Otis Redding and Howlin’ Wolf, creating a sensation with their brash creations in a studio. Zeppelin’s explosive LP turned Platinum helped establish the 1970s’ and 80s’ long-hair metal genre. From squeezing lemons out of the heartbreaking Delta Blues to referencing classic British literature and inconceivable drum solos, Led Zeppelin II is the unrivaled champion of rock recordings.

Taking the stage, vocalist Nick Hildyard said that the talent does not talk in between the cuts. “This can feel a bit weird at first, but you’ll get used to it,” he said. “Think of tonight’s performance as a recital. The vocalist continued, “Our second set is a little bit looser. You’re sure to hear some old favorites, as well as one or two deep tracks for the super fans. Now it's time to drop the needle on another great classic album, Classic Albums Live performs Led Zeppelin II.”

CAL ripped straight into men’s hearts with “Whole Lotta Love.” The thunderous statements and jungle rhythm set the initial tone for the album. The complex number was no more than two inventive guitar riffs meshed with the singer’s seductive moans and simulated orgasm with a psychedelic twist. “What Is And What Should Never Be” was a feel-good tune about sonic wizardry. The poetry discussed a cherished lover being taken for a walk to a castle. The lyrics were emphasized with Nick’s high-pitched yelps and topped off with drummer Rick Vatour’s shimmering Chinese gong.

“The Lemon Song” consisted of Zeppelin’s frantic and unrivaled tempos. Inspired by Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor,” the fierce blues referenced a woman who refuses to stay true. The heavy guitar solos and double-tempo section made for blistering synchronization. “Squeeze my lemon, ‘Til the juice runs down my leg,” Hildyard bawled out. Following bass player Joe Clements’ passionate solos in “Thank You,” “Heartbreaker” was a hard-hitting, mock-dramatic lament, propelled by Rick’s intricate wails. The angst led straight into the diabolical pounding of “Living Loving Maid.” The fast-paced melody about a Zeppelin groupie had a saw-grass feel.

Hildyard took a little break to address the mature crowd. “It’s uncomfortable for us too that we can’t talk to you between songs. It's been uncomfortable for 23 years. It’s still uncomfortable. However, it’s all part of the whole vibe,” he said. “We don’t celebrate anything but the music. That’s it. What makes us all happy in the room, from the stage to the floor is the music. And let’s celebrate it.”

“Ramble On” drew lyrics from J.R.R. Tolkien’s celebrated Lord of the Rings trilogy. The acoustic single discussed a man’s rounding the world to find the right girl, while emphasizing Page’s influences from Arabic/North African music. He actually played with an Egyptian violin. The instrumental “Moby Dick” possessed an extremely impressive solo from the percussionist. The man hit a giant gong behind his set before standing up to flex his biceps, not unlike the real like Bonzo. Vatour then threw a dozen or so sticks into the air above his head. “Bring It On Home,” a Baba Blues’ influenced number, was full of mystery and lusty menace. The guitar, slow drag tempo and echoing harmonica seemed ideal for an erotic striptease. As “Bring It On Home” wound down and Zeppelin II concluded with a bang, listeners were left with the inescapable reminder of the miraculous link between rock and the blues.

Following a short break, the boys returned to the spotlight. As always, Classic Albums Live saved some of their best work for last. In the next hour, South Floridians got to experience seven enduring selections, such as the epic “Kashmir” and “Stairway.” Using a violin bow to produce a Zeppelinesque droning effect in “Dazed and Confused,” guitarist Dom Polito tickled his strings with speed and precision. The energy was electric. Nick claimed that Dom put a specific tune into the set at the last minute. “He added this one because he loves it, and you’ll know why in just a moment.”

The frontman was right, as “Since I’ve Been Loving You” was a personal highlight of the night. For “The Rain Song,” Hildyard took a seat behind a piano to play the melodic tune about the changing moods of love. Spectators jumped to their feet to dance and sing the familiar chorus of the hard-hitting “Rock and Roll,” before concluding the evening with Shain Honkonen’s intoxicating guitar licks in “How Many More Times.”

Hats off to Classic Albums Live. Not just any crew can successfully recreate the mighty Led Zeppelin’s complexity and marvelous studio harmonies in a live setting. “Each of us feels the electricity onstage,” Polito said. “They’ll never be golden oldies. Zeppelin will always be relevant.”