Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 42
 The weak link in the Led Zep chain. August 16, 2010
MR K J DOWNING
Because of the standard of the albums Led Zeppelin released around it, this one was a comparative disappointment. As for the positives, `Immigrant Song' at least ranks alongside anything else they did and I like 'Gallows Pole' and 'Tangerine' too. The rest of it is pretty much missable. The album has a more acoustic feel than usual; I'd rather listen again to their other albums.
 Debunking the ultimate Zeppelin myth May 26, 2010
J. A. Harvey (Lincolnshire, UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
They said that Jimmy Page had been listening to too much Crosby Still and Nash and Robert Plant too much Joni Mitchell, and as a consequence ZEPPELIN III ended up sounding like west coast inspired soft folk, so initially the critics all turned their noses up and sales were (relatively) poor. Everyone knows Zeppelin were into traditional folk and the popular American folk revival of the late sixtes, but they were also into English stuff like Fairport Convention and Pentagon, and to my ears the accoustic aspects of this album owe more to Bert Jansch than Stephen Stills.
Most of the first half of the album is gut wrenching hard rock as only these guys could do it. It kicks off with Robert Plant's Viking fantasy THE IMMIGRANT SONG. Never mind the power chords, Percy's battle cry alone would have given David Crosby a heart attack. On SINCE I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU Robert lets rip in the high registers like never before; this is the best song of the first three albums. Why did he stop doing that when he went solo? In 2008 Rolling Stone magazine said of the Zeppelin singer, "Countless rock singers would shred their vocal chords searching for notes that Plant gained by birthright". Hmm, in 1970 the magazine's writers wouldn't have given tuppence for him.
Tracks six to ten would have been side two of the original record and this is where most of the accoustic based stuff can be found. GALLOWS POLE and the beautiful TANGERINE are the high points. BRON Y AUR STOMP could have been a Donovan song and HATS OFF TO (ROY) HARPER is pure old style blues. The song sounds like imitation, which is not what Led Zeppelin was about. Nevertheless the album overall is one of the band's best. It has gained more respect over the years, as one by one the old myths die off. The banshee from brum's finest hour. Page would have his with PHYSICAL GRAFITTI.
Unjustly Slated: Up There With The First Two October 31, 2009
Tommo 18/7 (England)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Led Zeppelin III...For many years, this has been regarded as a weaker album in Zeppelin's output from '69 - '75, however, that tag seems to have rightly dropped now. Sure, this has a more accoustic/folk feel to it ( espicially on the old side two), but the accoustic numbers are powerful in their own right and when the electric stuff rocks, it's up there with the first two albums.
" The Immigrant Song" is a classic piece of no-nonsense heavy metal, " Freinds" is an equally heavy piece of accoustic genius. " Celebration Day" is a feelgood, riff laden work of art, " Since I've Been Loving You" is one of the greatest songs ever made, the blues guitar of Page bouncing off the melencholy vocals of Plant is genius in full flow, " Out On The Tiles" is sassy,classy and packs a punch.
" Gallows Pole" is dark, melodic and excellent, " Tangerine" is beautiful, yet bitter-sweet, " That's The Way" , " Bron - Y - Aur Stomp" & " Hats Off To ( Roy) Harper" , shows the units accoustic genius and proficency.
Granted, you could be forgiven for having to work a little harder to appriciate this after the first two heavier releases, but your paitence will be very rewarded, as this is yet another masterpiece by one of the greatest bands that ever walked the earth.
Excellent: AAAA++++
All time Great #3 July 9, 2009
Weaver
The only thing wrong with this product is the fact the sleeve isn't as fun as the original vinyl. If you only own Led Zep greatest hits albums, shame on you! Start here.
a truly great album September 19, 2008
M. A. Sargeant
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I bought this album as a teenager in the 70's and never felt it was one of zeps greatest albums compared to Physical Graffiti and vol4 so unfortunately it was the last of the remasters that I bought. Having listened to it a couple of times it has quickly become one of my favourates. Its understated beauty really hit me and touched me particularly "tangerine" and the really beautiful "thats the way". Pity the packaging doesnt reflect the curiosity of the original LP cover. Buy it and enjoy!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 42
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