Physical Graffiti is Led Zeppelin’s only studio album that was released as a double album. Around half of the material is outtakes from previous albums, but are generally good songs and their release is welcome. It is more in the style of its predecessor, Houses of the Holy, than any of their other albums.

Physical Graffiti has three songs that are longer than eight minutes. The most famous of the three is the eastern influenced “Kashmir,” which is my least favorite; likely due to my preference of blues over eastern music. Contrarily, I do find their interpretation of Blind Willie Johnson’s 1927 “Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed,” that Led Zeppelin call “In My Time Of Dying” to be an excellent eleven minute blues excursion with some thrilling slide guitar. Towards the end of one of Page’s main solos, he and Bonham lock in brilliant fashion to bring the band back to the versus. No question an original remake of this blues tune, but more importantly effective.

Their are four shorter tracks that make up the rest of the first disc that include “The Rover”; a slow power chord rocker. Perhaps the song is too slow, but by the end the mood they create gets under your skin. It is a also a good lead in to “In My Time of Dying.” The song “Trampled Under Foot” is heavy on wah-wah and guitar effects for Page’s part, while Jones continues with the keyboards. They get into a good groove during the song and during the solo they build the mood together nicely.

The second disc’s opener, “In The Light” is a lengthy, strong track that has many moments of interest, perhaps some of the connecting parts are too keyboard oriented; Page’s ending solo uses a good layering approach. The folk themed “Bron-Yr-Aur” from the Led Zeppelin III sessions is acoustic guitar based. It along with 1971’s Hawaiian themed “Down By The Seaside” provide us with some interesting music.

“Ten Year’s Gone” builds nicely with some great work by Page, where on “Night Flight” he uses a crunchy chordal approach. ”Boogie With Stu” is filler, bet nevertheless is a neat little jam, where Stu is Ian Stewart that most known for his work with The Rolling Stones. ”Black Country Woman” is a bluesy style tune with some mandolin and harmonica. They close in electric fashion with a hard rock track “Sick Again” that they would perform during their tours. 

Physical Graffiti gets great praise. I like it a great deal and for Zeppelin fans it is a must. For a casual fan this is not where to start with Led Zeppelin.  
Barry Small ©

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Track List

Disc: 1 
1. Custard Pie - 4:13 - 1974
2. The Rover - 5:36 - 1972
3. In My Time Of Dying 11:04 - 1974
4. Houses Of The Holy  - 4:01 - 1972 
5. Trampled Underfoot  - 5:35 - 1974 
6. Kashmir - 8:31 - 1974

Disc 2
1. In The Light - 8:44 - 1974
2. Bron-Yr-Aur - 2:06 - 1970 
3. Down By The Seaside - 5:14 - 1971
4. Ten Years Gone - 6:31 - 1974
5. Night Flight - 3:36 - 1971
6. Wanton Song - 4:06 - 1974
7. Boogie With Stu  - 3:51 - 1971
8. Black Country Woman - 4:24 - 1972
9. Sick Again - 4:43 - 1974 

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