After School Unwind Session: "It's time to ramble on"

Have you ever listened to music, whether it be an artist, an album, or a specific song and thought, "I'm at peace. I am home"? For me, there is one band that always does that to me. I could probably say that it is my favorite band of all time. And that band would be Led Zeppelin. Favorite album? Oh please! That is like asking a parent who their favorite child is! There are certain songs on all of their albums that I rate higher than others. But there is no way for me to even attempt to decide which album or song is my favorite. But I can easily admit that their ballads are always ranked higher up there on my list.

Now Spinning: Led Zeppelin - "Led Zeppelin II"

Key Tracks:

• "What Is And What Should Never Be" - I just...I have no words
• "Thank You" - simple math: beautiful lyrics + immaculate melody = song perfection
• "Heartbreaker" - great guitar solo

As I mentioned in a previous blog, my childhood memories are filled with music playing in the house constantly. I remember Led Zeppelin being played quite often. I'm lucky enough to have been raised by parents who had impeccable taste in music and always played it for my brother and I at home and in the car throughout our lives. In fact, it boggles my mind when people drive with no music playing. When I get into someone's car and there is no music, I probably have an extremely confused look on my face. Any "Office" fans out there? (side note: I'm a HUGE office fan) Well, imagine me doing the "Jim face" to a camera man who is not there. Yep.

Born In The Wrong Decade

I've always said that I was born in the wrong decade. Although I listen to a large variety of music, I tend to lean towards music from the 60s and 70s. Good ol' classic rock. If I could travel back in time, I would send myself to Woodstock in a heartbeat. The best music was made in that time period. To me, it's not like they wrote songs to try to have the next hit. They wrote songs to tell stories. These stories seemed so authentic. That's why I love the music from that time so much. Music brought people together during a time when love and hope was needed. Where is that now?

All we can do now is continue listening to the music from the 60s and 70s because I don't think it could ever be recreated. So many things influenced it. Take Jimi Hendrix's "Star Spangled Banner." Growing up, I didn't know the TRUE meaning of the way he performed it. He used his guitar to create the sound effects of the war: the bombs, the helicopters, the guns. When I finally learned that? 🤯 People stood there watching that performance of his in awe at Woodstock. He didn't need lyrics. He only needed his guitar and the message was clear to all. 

I don't expect the same type of music to make an appearance in my lifetime. There was something very special that these artists had then that can't be recreated. So all we can do is be grateful that we have these recordings to play over and over again and relive it whenever we are feeling nostalgic.

🎵"And if you say to me tomorrow

Oh what fun it all would be

Then what's to stop us pretty baby

But what is and what should never be"🎵

-Jimmy Page and Robert Plant