Download Instrumental A chap from Australia (they call themselves “chaps” over there – I love that) wanted me to do backups for this Zed Zeppelin classic that are exactly like the original. Okay, no problem there, but I have to wonder why one guy performing alone on stage would attempt this particular tune. Would be interesting to see.
“Stairway to Heaven” is considered the greatest rock song of all time. I can’t for the life of me figure out why. The “meat and potatoes” of any good rock’n’roll piece are the drums and bass (and a wonderful growling guitar) – the more gut-wrenching the better. You want that beat to get down into the pit of your stomach and pick you up and transport you onto the dance floor with no help from your legs. “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple and “All Right Now” by Free (Trump is using this one as his theme song) are examples of what rock music is all about – not this boring Zeppelin tune.
For one thing, you don’t hear a smidgen of bass or drums until you’ve waded through 84 bars of acoustic guitar and vocal whining. When you finally do get a beat, the event is mediocre at best. And the lead guitar? Not until the 116th measure. And then, instead of building to a climax, it drops off to nothing but that tepid vocal to end the song. This is the greatest rock masterpiece ever? I don’t think so – but here ya go Australia. [Pop/Rock List]
Now, a chap named Pat Boone (not from Australia – I just like that word “chap”) did a cover of “Stairway” that is just awful. It starts out pretty good – nice orchestration – but then Mr. Boone turns it into a swing tune and it’s downhill from there. Good for a chuckle….
Stageworthy Backing Tracks by Dave Zobrist 