Led Zeppelin - Black Dog

This is a live performance by British rock band Led Zeppelin playing the song "Black Dog" released in 1971. This performance is from 1975.
The song appears on Led Zeppelin's 1971 album "Led Zeppelin IV". The main riff of the song is attributed to bassist John Paul Jones who wrote it with the intention of doing a song people couldn't groove and dance to. He thought that with the complex rhythm changes and progressive riff that this would be accomplished. The song is named after a nameless black Labrador retriever who wandered around the studio at the time of recording. The lyrics are completely unrelated to the dog. Robert Plant did the vocals in two takes.
It's a great song and one of many instantly recognizable Zeppelin tracks. They had something with their riffs and rhythm that just made them unique and gave them a sound like no other band.
Truly a great song and performance.

Enjoy ; )

The White Stripes/ The Rolling Stones ft. Robert Cray - Stop Breaking Down

These are two different contemporary versions of the classic Robert Johnson song "Stop Breaking Down".
The original recording done by Johnson was recorded in 1937 and released in 1938. Johnson did two takes of the song. They are pretty similar, but the length differs with 5 seconds. This original version is a solo piece with Johnson accompanying his own vocal performance on guitar. Both takes were originally used, but on two different pressings of the single.
The top video is of the duo The White Stripes doing their version of the song. This version was initially recorded and released on the duo's 1999 debut album entitled "The White Stripes". I really like this version. Jack's slide playing really elevates this song and breathes new life into it whilst still staying true to the original. Very well done in my opinion. (The video quality isn't the best, but still enjoyable).
The video below is The Rolling Stones' version of the song. The Rolling Stones recorded a cover of the song on their 1972 "Exile on Main St." album. This performance featuring Robert Cray is from the concert DVD "The Rolling Stones: Voodoo Lounge Live". The performances on this DVD were recorded in 2004. It's a very good version. Personally I prefer The White Stripe's rendition, but this version is very good as well.
So there you have it. Enjoy Johnson's original recording along with all of the modern interpretations of his stuff.

Enjoy ; )