"Candy Store Rock" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in 1976 on their album Presence. It was also released as a single in the United States, but it did not chart.
Maps, Directions, and Place Reviews
Overview
The track is done in the style of a 1950s rock and roll number. Some of lead singer Robert Plant's lyrics are a homage to rockabilly idioms. John Bonham's drumming is controlled rather than bombastic, driven by interplay between the ride cymbal's bell and snare. Meanwhile, Jimmy Page's guitar solo is short and measured, coming in halfway through the song.
The band recorded the song at Musicland Studios in Germany, and it only took them about an hour to write it. Plant sang from a wheelchair because he was recovering at the time from a car accident he had sustained in Greece. Plant considers "Candy Store Rock" to be one of his favourite songs from Presence.
German Candy Store Video
Live renditions
"Candy Store Rock" was never performed live by the band at Led Zeppelin concerts, except for a brief riff by Page at Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, Ohio, on 20 April 1977. However, a one-minute improvisation was played live in concert by Page and Plant as a "Black Dog" introduction on 26 July 1995 at Wembley Arena. The song was also played live in Montreux by Page and Plant on 7 July 2001.
Formats and track listings
1976 7" single edition (US & Australia: Swan Song SS 70110, Canada: Swan Song SWS 70110, Germany: Swan Song SS K 19407, Japan: Warner-Pioneer P-35N, Portugal: Atlantic ATL NS 28176, Spain: Swan Song SS 45-1381)
- A. "Candy Store Rock" (Page, Plant) 4:07
- B. "Royal Orleans"* (Bonham, Jones, Page, Plant) 2:58
Reception
In a contemporary review for Presence, Stephen Davis of Rolling Stone described "Candy Store Rock" as "perfectly evoking the Los Angeles milieu in which the Zep composed [Presence]." He further described the song as sounding like "an unholy hybrid in which Buddy Holly is grafted onto the quivering stem of David Bowie."
In a retrospective review of Presence (Deluxe Edition), Andrew Doscas of PopMatters described "Candy Store Rock" as sounding like "the prequel to 1971's "Rock and Roll"" from their fourth album.
Personnel
- Robert Plant - vocals
- Jimmy Page - guitars
- John Paul Jones - bass guitar
- John Bonham - drums
Sources
- Lewis, Dave (2004) The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9
- Welch, Chris (1998) Led Zeppelin: Dazed and Confused: The Stories Behind Every Song, ISBN 1-56025-818-7
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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