Choon Choosday: Led Zepellin – Bron Y Aur Stomp

There are a lot of decent guitarists about. In every town, every night, there will be at least one on a stage somewhere playing Stairway To Heaven or Voodoo Chile note for note and feeling very pleased with themselves. And many of them will think this makes them as good as Page or Hendrix.

But the truth is, there is a universe of difference between listen-and-repeat and feel-and-innovate. Anyone, with enough time on their hands to listen to a tune a million times and keep on practising for years (or, you could argue, an infinite number of monkeys with an infinite number of Les Pauls), can imitate Jimmy or Jimi. Sometimes very well, and sometimes earning a few quid in a covers band.

Only a true genius, though, will have the inspiration to write those riffs and solos in the first place. Only a truly great guitarist could write a tune with a guitar part like this. Only a truly great voice could accompany it. And only a truly great writing duo would dare to have lyrics about a favourite dog.  And yes, the thump-a-long rhythm gives it a wonderfully rustic campfire feel. You can keep Stairway, that cliched overplayed overworshippped overlong epic. Bron Y Aur Stomp is the seminal Led Zep

 

chooooooonn!!