Jump to content

Moby Dick (instrumental): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Undid revision 1265360680 by 151.57.83.184 (talk)
(42 intermediate revisions by 29 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}}
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = Moby Dick
| name = Moby Dick
| cover = Moby Dick label.jpeg
| cover = Moby Dick label.jpeg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Italian single label
| caption = Italian single label
| type = instrumental
| type = instrumental
| artist = [[Led Zeppelin]]
| artist = [[Led Zeppelin]]
| album = [[Led Zeppelin II]]
| album = [[Led Zeppelin II]]
| released = {{Start date|1969|10|22|df=y}}
| released = {{Start date|1969|10|22|df=y}}
| recorded = {{hlist|4–5 May 1969{{sfn|Guesdon|Margotin|2018|p=138}}|6 May 1969{{sfn|Guesdon|Margotin|2018|p=138}}|3 June 1969{{sfn|Guesdon|Margotin|2018|p=138}}}}
| format =
| studio = {{hlist|Mystic Sound Studios, Hollywood, California{{sfn|Guesdon|Margotin|2018|p=138}}|Mirror Sound, Los Angeles{{sfn|Guesdon|Margotin|2018|p=138}}|Mayfair Recording Studios, New York{{sfn|Guesdon|Margotin|2018|p=138}}}}
| recorded = 1969

| studio = Mirror Sound, Los Angeles

| venue =
⚫
| genre = *[[Blues rock]]<ref>{{cite book|first= Joachim |last= Eiding |title= Der Ochse in der Roggensemmel und andere Musikanekdoten |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yX67ccNn_u4C&pg=PT54 |year= 2012 |publisher= Miller E-Books |isbn= 978-3-9560-0998-3 |language= de}}</ref>
| genre =
⚫
*[[hard rock]]<ref>{{cite book|title= The Big Book of Hair Metal: The Illustrated Oral History of Heavy Metal's Debauched Decade |first= Martin |last= Popoff |author-link= Martin Popoff |page= 11 |publisher= Voyageur Press |quote= ...plus other influential hard rock tracks "Heartbreaker," "Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman)," "Moby Dick," and "Ramble On." |year= 2014 |isbn= 978-0-76034-546-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first= Dan |last= Tucker |publisher= [[VH1]] |date= 28 February 2014 |title= 13 Classic Hard Rock Songs That Will Make You Scream "More Cowbell!" |url= https://www.vh1.com/news/90fl8w/13-hard-rock-songs-that-make-you-say-more-cowbell |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221006022527/https://www.vh1.com/news/90fl8w/13-hard-rock-songs-that-make-you-say-more-cowbell |url-status= live |archive-date= 6 October 2022 |access-date= 1 August 2016}}</ref>
⚫
*[[Blues rock]]<ref>{{cite book|first= Joachim |last= Eiding |title= Der Ochse in der Roggensemmel und andere Musikanekdoten |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yX67ccNn_u4C&pg=PT54 |year= 2012 |isbn= 978-3-9560-0998-3 |language= de}}</ref>
| length = 4:25
⚫
*[[hard rock]]<ref>{{cite book|title= The Big Book of Hair Metal: The Illustrated Oral History of Heavy Metal's Debauched Decade |first= Martin |last= Popoff |authorlink= Martin Popoff |page= 11 |publisher= Voyageur Press |quote= ...plus other influential hard rock tracks "Heartbreaker," "Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman)," "Moby Dick," and "Ramble On." |year= 2014 |isbn= 978-0-76034-546-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first= Dan |last= Tucker |publisher= [[VH1]] |date= 28 February 2014 |title= 13 Classic Hard Rock Songs That Will Make You Scream "More Cowbell!" |url= http://www.vh1.com/news/52657/13-hard-rock-songs-that-make-you-say-more-cowbell/ |accessdate= 1 August 2016}}</ref>
| length = {{Duration|m=4|s=25}}
| label = [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
| label = [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
| composer = *[[John Bonham]]
| composer =
*[[John Bonham]]
*[[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]]
*[[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]]
*[[Jimmy Page]]
*[[Jimmy Page]]
| producer = Jimmy Page
| producer = Jimmy Page
| misc = {{External music video|header=Audio|{{YouTube|2N_xP67utPk|"Moby Dick"}}|type=song}}
}}
}}


"'''Moby Dick'''" is an [[instrumental]] and drum solo by English [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Led Zeppelin]], featured on their 1969 album ''[[Led Zeppelin II]]''. Named after the whale in the novel ''[[Moby-Dick]]'' by [[Herman Melville]], it was also known by the alternate titles "Pat's Delight" (early 1968–1969 version with completely different guitar riff) and "Over the Top" (with "Out on the Tiles" intro section and original closing reprise) during various points of the band's career.
"'''Moby Dick'''" is an [[instrumental]] drum solo by English [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Led Zeppelin]], featured on the band's 1969 album ''[[Led Zeppelin II]]''. Named after the 1851 [[Moby-Dick|novel of the same name]] by [[Herman Melville]], it was also known by the alternative titles "Pat's Delight" (early 1968–1969 version with completely different guitar riff) and "Over the Top" (with "Out on the Tiles" intro section and original closing reprise) during various points of the band's career. The track is often regarded as one of the greatest drum solos of all time.<ref>{{cite web|first= Nick |last= Cesarz |title= 14 Songs with Incredible Drum Solos |website= Drumming Review |date= 9 November 2020 |access-date= 11 April 2022 |url= https://drummingreview.com/songs-with-drum-solos/ |language= en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first= Max |last= Kalnitz |title= The 20 best drum solos of all time, ranked |website= [[Insider.com]] |date= 14 November 2020 |access-date= 11 April 2022 |url= https://www.insider.com/best-drum-solos-ever-ranked-2020-11 |language= en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stamos |first=Liam |date=2022-07-01 |title=Top 12 greatest drum solos in music |url=https://higherhz.com/best-drum-solos/ |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=Higher Hz |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Composition and recording==
==Composition and recording==
The tune emerged after Led Zeppelin guitarist and producer [[Jimmy Page]] would often catch drummer [[John Bonham]] jamming or improvising in the studio, recorded parts of his solos and pieced it all together. The beginning and end of the song feature a [[power trio]] of Bonham, Page and bassist [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] performing a [[12 bar blues]] [[riff]] in [[Drop D tuning]], leaving the remainder of the song open for Bonham alone. The structure of the main riff is that of the twelve-bar blues. Singer [[Robert Plant]] did not sing at all and in concert would simply introduce Bonham to the audience before the tune started. Studio outtakes from the ''Led Zeppelin II'' sessions reveal that the drum solo recorded was edited down from a much longer version.<ref name="DL">{{cite book|first= Dave |last= Lewis |title= The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin |publisher= [[Music Sales Group|Omnibus Press]] |isbn= 0-7119-3528-9 |year= 1994}}</ref>
"Moby Dick" emerged after Led Zeppelin guitarist and producer [[Jimmy Page]] found drummer [[John Bonham]] jamming or improvising in the studio, recorded parts of his solos and pieced it all together. Studio outtakes from the ''Led Zeppelin II'' sessions reveal that the drum solo recorded was edited down from a much longer version.<ref name="DL">{{cite book|first= Dave |last= Lewis |title= The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin |publisher= [[Music Sales Group|Omnibus Press]] |isbn= 0-7119-3528-9 |year= 1994}}</ref>


The guitar riff can be traced back to the [[BBC]] unused session track "[[The Girl I Love She Got Long Black Wavy Hair]]" which was recorded in the summer of 1969.<ref name="DL"/> The riff is also similar to that of [[Bobby Parker (guitarist)|Bobby Parker]]'s 1961 single, "[[Watch Your Step (Bobby Parker song)|Watch Your Step]]", although the progression is in a different key and tempo.<ref name="MN">{{cite magazine|first= Martin |last= Newman |title= One Step from the Blues |magazine= [[Record Collector]] |date= November 2010 |url= http://recordcollectormag.com/articles/one-step-from-the-blues |issue= 381 |issn= 0261-250X}}</ref>
The guitar riff can be traced back to the [[BBC]] unused session track "[[The Girl I Love She Got Long Black Wavy Hair]]", which was recorded in the summer of 1969.<ref name="DL"/> The riff is also similar to that of [[Bobby Parker (guitarist)|Bobby Parker]]'s 1961 hit single, "[[Watch Your Step (Bobby Parker song)|Watch Your Step]]", although the progression is in a different [[Key (music)|key]] and [[tempo]].<ref name="MN">{{cite magazine|first= Martin |last= Newman |title= One Step from the Blues |magazine= [[Record Collector]] |date= November 2010 |url= http://recordcollectormag.com/articles/one-step-from-the-blues |issue= 381 |issn= 0261-250X}}</ref>

==Personnel==
According to Jean-Michel Guesdon and Philippe Margotin:<ref>*{{cite book |title=Led Zeppelin, All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track |publisher=Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers |location=New York |first1=Jean-Michael |last1=Guesdon |first2=Philippe |last2=Margotin |year=2018 |url=https://archive.org/details/ledzeppelinallso0000gues |page=138}}</ref>

* [[Jimmy Page]] – guitars
* [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] – bass
* [[John Bonham]] – drums, cowbell, tambourine


==Live performances==
==Live performances==
{{More citations|section|date=November 2021}}
Bonham's drum solo was often played at [[Led Zeppelin concerts]] from the [[Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1968–1969|first North American tour]] in November 1968, being his [[Solo (music)|solo]] performance showcase on [[concert tour]]s through 1977. Over this period it went through three different name changes. During their early 1968–1969 tours it was known as "Pat's Delight" (a reference to Bonham's wife), from 1969–1975 it was "Moby Dick" and during Led Zeppelin's [[Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1977|1977 North American Tour]] it was "Over the Top" as the solo began with the opening riff to "[[Out on the Tiles]]" before [[segue]]ing into a lengthy drum solo (in the same time ending with a "Moby Dick" riff).<ref name="DL"/> The last time "Moby Dick" was played by Led Zeppelin was on 17 July 1977 at the [[Kingdome|Seattle Kingdome]] and can be found on various audio and video [[Led Zeppelin bootleg recordings|bootleg recordings]].
Bonham's ''Moby Dick'' drum solo was often played at [[Led Zeppelin concerts]] from the [[Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1968–1969|first North American tour]] in November 1968, his iconic rendition at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] on 9 January during Zeppelin's [[Led Zeppelin United Kingdom Tour 1970|United Kingdom Tour 1970]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Lauren |date=6 January 2022 |title=No ordinary rock concert - Led Zeppelin's 1970 Hall debut |url=https://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/news/2022/january/no-ordinary-rock-concert-watch-led-zeppelins-1970-hall-debut/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=www.royalalberthall.com}}</ref> and remained his [[Solo (music)|solo]] performance showcase on [[concert tour]]s through 1977. Over this period it went through three different name changes. During their early 1968–1969 tours it was known as "Pat's Delight" (a reference to Bonham's wife), from 1969–1975 it was "Moby Dick" and during Led Zeppelin's [[Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1977|1977 North American Tour]] it was "Over the Top" as the solo began with the opening riff to "[[Out on the Tiles]]" before [[segue]]ing into a lengthy drum solo (in the same time ending with a "Moby Dick" riff).<ref name="DL"/> The last time "Moby Dick" was played by Led Zeppelin was on 17 July 1977 at the [[Kingdome|Seattle Kingdome]] and can be found on various audio and video [[Led Zeppelin bootleg recordings|bootleg recordings]].
<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBrRd_Grn2k</ref>


When played live, Bonham's drum solo would last as little as 6 minutes or, more frequently, as long as 30 minutes, while the rest of the band would leave the [[Stage (theatre)|stage]] after having played the introduction.<ref name="DL"/> During the performance Bonham would often set aside or throw his drumsticks into the audience and then continue the solo with his hands (sometimes drawing blood as a result).
When played live, Bonham's drum solo would last as little as 6 minutes or, more frequently, as long as 30 minutes, while the rest of the band would leave the stage after having played the introduction.<ref name="DL"/>


There are several live versions of "Moby Dick" that have been officially released. The earliest recorded official release was played at the Olympia in Paris, France on 10 October, 1969.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-09-21 |title=Led Zeppelin {{!}} Official Website Olympia - October 10, 1969 |url=https://www.ledzeppelin.com/show/olympia-october-10-1969 |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Led Zeppelin {{!}} Official Website - Official Website |language=en}}</ref> It was subsequently included on disc two of the deluxe edition of ''[[Led Zeppelin (album)|Led Zeppelin]]'', along with the rest of the show. The first official release of a live version was included in the film ''[[The Song Remains the Same (film)|The Song Remains the Same]]'' and the [[The Song Remains the Same (album)|soundtrack of the same name]]. The original album and film versions include different performances from the 3 nights performed at Madison Square Garden from 27-29 July, 1973.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Garden Tapes - The Song Remains The Same |url=http://www.thegardentapes.co.uk/tgt12.html |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=www.thegardentapes.co.uk}}</ref> Other versions officially released include a filmed performance from the Royal Albert Hall from 9 January, 1970 (featured on ''[[Led Zeppelin DVD]]'')<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-09-21 |title=Led Zeppelin Royal Albert Hall - January 9, 1970 |url=https://www.ledzeppelin.com/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Led Zeppelin {{!}} Official Website - Official Website |language=en}}</ref> and a performance from the LA Forum on 25 June, 1972 (featured on the live album ''[[How the West Was Won (Led Zeppelin album)|How the West Was Won]]'').<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-09-22 |title=Led Zeppelin {{!}} Official Website The Forum - June 25, 1972 |url=https://www.ledzeppelin.com/show/forum-june-25-1972 |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Led Zeppelin {{!}} Official Website - Official Website |language=en}}</ref>
Live versions of "Moby Dick" are included on the live album ''[[How the West Was Won (Led Zeppelin album)|How the West Was Won]]'' (lasting 19:20, performed at [[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|L.A. Forum]] 25 June 1972) and on Led Zeppelin's 1976 [[concert film]], ''[[The Song Remains the Same (film)|The Song Remains the Same]]'' as part of Bonham's [[The Song Remains the Same (film)#Fantasy sequences|fantasy sequence]]. It was also included on the film's [[The Song Remains the Same (album)|accompanying soundtrack]]. Both of them were cut to a shorter version. ''[[Led Zeppelin DVD|The Led Zeppelin DVD]]'' also has a 15-minute-long version that was performed and recorded at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] in 1970.


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Rock music}}
*[[List of cover versions of Led Zeppelin songs]]
*[[List of cover versions of Led Zeppelin songs]]
*[[List of Led Zeppelin songs written or inspired by others]]
*[[List of Led Zeppelin songs written or inspired by others]]
*[[Led Zeppelin discography]]


==References==
==References==
Line 49: Line 57:
{{Led Zeppelin songs}}
{{Led Zeppelin songs}}
{{Led Zeppelin}}
{{Led Zeppelin}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:1969 songs]]
[[Category:1969 songs]]
Line 60: Line 69:
[[Category:Music television series theme songs]]
[[Category:Music television series theme songs]]
[[Category:1960s instrumentals]]
[[Category:1960s instrumentals]]

[[he:Moby Dick]]
[[he:Moby Dick]]

Revision as of 15:50, 26 December 2024

"Moby Dick"
Italian single label
Instrumental by Led Zeppelin
from the album Led Zeppelin II
Released22 October 1969 (1969-10-22)
Recorded
Studio
  • Mystic Sound Studios, Hollywood, California[1]
  • Mirror Sound, Los Angeles[1]
  • Mayfair Recording Studios, New York[1]
Genre
Length4:25
LabelAtlantic
Composer(s)
Producer(s)Jimmy Page
Audio
"Moby Dick" on YouTube

"Moby Dick" is an instrumental drum solo by English rock band Led Zeppelin, featured on the band's 1969 album Led Zeppelin II. Named after the 1851 novel of the same name by Herman Melville, it was also known by the alternative titles "Pat's Delight" (early 1968–1969 version with completely different guitar riff) and "Over the Top" (with "Out on the Tiles" intro section and original closing reprise) during various points of the band's career. The track is often regarded as one of the greatest drum solos of all time.[5][6][7]

Composition and recording

"Moby Dick" emerged after Led Zeppelin guitarist and producer Jimmy Page found drummer John Bonham jamming or improvising in the studio, recorded parts of his solos and pieced it all together. Studio outtakes from the Led Zeppelin II sessions reveal that the drum solo recorded was edited down from a much longer version.[8]

The guitar riff can be traced back to the BBC unused session track "The Girl I Love She Got Long Black Wavy Hair", which was recorded in the summer of 1969.[8] The riff is also similar to that of Bobby Parker's 1961 hit single, "Watch Your Step", although the progression is in a different key and tempo.[9]

Personnel

According to Jean-Michel Guesdon and Philippe Margotin:[10]

Live performances

Bonham's Moby Dick drum solo was often played at Led Zeppelin concerts from the first North American tour in November 1968, his iconic rendition at the Royal Albert Hall on 9 January during Zeppelin's United Kingdom Tour 1970,[11] and remained his solo performance showcase on concert tours through 1977. Over this period it went through three different name changes. During their early 1968–1969 tours it was known as "Pat's Delight" (a reference to Bonham's wife), from 1969–1975 it was "Moby Dick" and during Led Zeppelin's 1977 North American Tour it was "Over the Top" as the solo began with the opening riff to "Out on the Tiles" before segueing into a lengthy drum solo (in the same time ending with a "Moby Dick" riff).[8] The last time "Moby Dick" was played by Led Zeppelin was on 17 July 1977 at the Seattle Kingdome and can be found on various audio and video bootleg recordings.

When played live, Bonham's drum solo would last as little as 6 minutes or, more frequently, as long as 30 minutes, while the rest of the band would leave the stage after having played the introduction.[8]

There are several live versions of "Moby Dick" that have been officially released. The earliest recorded official release was played at the Olympia in Paris, France on 10 October, 1969.[12] It was subsequently included on disc two of the deluxe edition of Led Zeppelin, along with the rest of the show. The first official release of a live version was included in the film The Song Remains the Same and the soundtrack of the same name. The original album and film versions include different performances from the 3 nights performed at Madison Square Garden from 27-29 July, 1973.[13] Other versions officially released include a filmed performance from the Royal Albert Hall from 9 January, 1970 (featured on Led Zeppelin DVD)[14] and a performance from the LA Forum on 25 June, 1972 (featured on the live album How the West Was Won).[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Guesdon & Margotin 2018, p. 138.
  2. ^ Eiding, Joachim (2012). Der Ochse in der Roggensemmel und andere Musikanekdoten (in German). Miller E-Books. ISBN 978-3-9560-0998-3.
  3. ^ Popoff, Martin (2014). The Big Book of Hair Metal: The Illustrated Oral History of Heavy Metal's Debauched Decade. Voyageur Press. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-76034-546-7. ...plus other influential hard rock tracks "Heartbreaker," "Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman)," "Moby Dick," and "Ramble On."
  4. ^ Tucker, Dan (28 February 2014). "13 Classic Hard Rock Songs That Will Make You Scream "More Cowbell!"". VH1. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  5. ^ Cesarz, Nick (9 November 2020). "14 Songs with Incredible Drum Solos". Drumming Review. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  6. ^ Kalnitz, Max (14 November 2020). "The 20 best drum solos of all time, ranked". Insider.com. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  7. ^ Stamos, Liam (1 July 2022). "Top 12 greatest drum solos in music". Higher Hz. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d Lewis, Dave (1994). The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin. Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.
  9. ^ Newman, Martin (November 2010). "One Step from the Blues". Record Collector. No. 381. ISSN 0261-250X.
  10. ^ *Guesdon, Jean-Michael; Margotin, Philippe (2018). Led Zeppelin, All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track. New York: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers. p. 138.
  11. ^ O'Brien, Lauren (6 January 2022). "No ordinary rock concert - Led Zeppelin's 1970 Hall debut". www.royalalberthall.com. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  12. ^ "Led Zeppelin | Official Website Olympia - October 10, 1969". Led Zeppelin | Official Website - Official Website. 21 September 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  13. ^ "The Garden Tapes - The Song Remains The Same". www.thegardentapes.co.uk. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  14. ^ "Led Zeppelin Royal Albert Hall - January 9, 1970". Led Zeppelin | Official Website - Official Website. 21 September 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  15. ^ "Led Zeppelin | Official Website The Forum - June 25, 1972". Led Zeppelin | Official Website - Official Website. 22 September 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Moby_Dick_(instrumental)&oldid=1265369828"