Jack Russell’s Great White pays another tribute to Led Zeppelin

BY KARYN A. POKLETAR

A sequel is the continuation of a story that develops because of an earlier one. In this case Jack Russell and Great White have continued covering the thrilling Led Zeppelin catalog with Great Zeppelin ll: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin, 22 years after releasing 1999’s Great Zeppelin: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin, gifting us with the perfect sequel. A powerhouse vocalist, Russell leads a superb fourteen track salutation to the incredible Zeppelin; a band unmatched in legacy, history, and even sound itself. We must bow at the alter of the most high!

Friends said their music would drop like a “lead balloon,” which left the band chuckling for years, only to wear their rebellious name choice with pride. Rock and roll behemoth Led Zeppelin definitely changed the course of music. Instead of the chemical element lead, Zeppelin became a grand and radiant starship roaming the universe, lighting the way for our experience of intense and inexplicable pleasure.

There’s nothing reimagined on this album, and initially one might think “mere musical mimicry, meh!” However, Russell’s delivery is never over pumped, only properly pompous, and almost perfectly modulated. Russell’s vocal tenor flies effortlessly amongst stanzas, pulling us willingly, with admiration of his vocal prowess, toward immersion in timeless delights such as the opener “Whole Lotta Love,” originally written in 1969.

Totally smutty, colossal sounding, scrumptiously dirty, “Whole Lotta Love” needs little introduction. Jimmy Page’s iconic riff is one of the most timeless, pure riffs he ever created with Led Zeppelin. For all the brilliance of the guitars, Russell manages to grab the headline with sexually charged and highly lascivious lines like “Way down inside // I’m gonna give you every inch of my love” and, emphatically, “I wanna be your backdoor man!” Even though parts of the lyrics were borrowed from the 1962 Muddy Waters song “You Need Love” written by Willie Dixon, no one’s complaining.

Other distinctive warbling by Great White’s Russell includes the sultry, hypnotic, aggressive groove of “Dancin’ Days.” We’re told that “Crazy ways are evident//By the way you’re wearing your clothes//While sipping booze is precedent//As the evening starts to glow.” Robert Plant and Jimmy Page’s memory of their trip to India in 1972 inspired this relaxing, summer night of a melody which appeared on Zep’s album Houses of The Holy, recorded in Stargrove, England. Russell stays true to the lyrics as does the music.

Amongst selections of this new release, “No Quarter,” a compositional beauty imbued with foreboding, implores “Walking side by side with death//The devil mocks their every step” is enough to see how Russell’s performance, also, conveys no mercy which is totally in line with the original songs meaning.

Instrumental backing on this album is provided by guitarists Robby Lachner (dubbed “Shred Master General,” who has played for Judas Priest), and Michael Oliveri along with bassist Dan McNay (former member of Montrose and Tesla), and drummer Dicki Fliszar, who played for Iron Maiden. Each is accomplished and exceptional throughout.

The fusion of electric guitar with acoustic blues, slide guitar and some renaissance-like picking are the only decent sounds on this album’s version of “Stairway To Heaven,” coupled with a feeble vocal effort by Russell. The original track that flaunts Robert Plant’s fabulous voice (complete with falsetto wailing and chill inducing vocals), “Stairway” may be the best song in rock history. Russell clearly has some big shoes to fill on this number. He fails to do so. This song needs more screech! More of a gravely, throaty tone and rasp! His chest voice is fairly banal, low key, almost monotone and he presents an off handed effort that doesn’t come close to Plant’s penultimate plaintive “…And she’s buying a Stairway to Heaven.” Additionally, there is a super weird, unfinished feel to the ending, like everybody had to go home early that day. Remember, this IS a tribute album and “As we wind down the road//Our shadows are taller than our soul.” Most of the other songs on the album are better enjoyed than this one.

Still, Zeppelin takes it’s mountainous place, as the tallest, most heavyweight band ever, to sit at the head of the table with its crown of gold and precious gems that will glitter in the sun for many decades to come. Jack Russell and Great White’s tribute album only adds to the brilliance, shine and lasting quality of the pioneering spirit that is Zeppelin, and, all things considered, this collection of recordings deserves our applause!