The Crunge: Difference between revisions
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|registration = ASCAP 330195589 | |registration = ASCAP 330195589 | ||
|released = 17 September 1973 | |released = 17 September 1973 | ||
|recorded = <small>May 1972 at<br>Stargroves with the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio.<br>Mixed at Electric Lady, New York.</small> | |recorded = <small>May 1972 at<br />Stargroves with the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio.<br />Mixed at Electric Lady, New York.</small> | ||
|genre = Funk rock | |genre = Funk rock | ||
|language = English | |language = English | ||
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
The song evolved out of a [[jam session]] in the studio. [[John Bonham]] started the beat, [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] came in on bass, [[Jimmy Page]] played a funk guitar riff (and a chord sequence that he'd been experimenting with since 1970), and [[Robert Plant]] started singing.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Tolinski|first=Brad|coauthors=Greg DiBenedetto|date=May 1993|title=Inside the studio with Jimmy Page|url=http://www.skeptictank.org/files/en004/lza93pag.htm|journal=Guitar World|publisher=Harris Publications|volume=14|issue=5|issn=1063-4231}}</ref><ref>Dave | The song evolved out of a [[jam session]] in the studio. [[John Bonham]] started the beat, [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] came in on bass, [[Jimmy Page]] played a funk guitar riff (and a chord sequence that he'd been experimenting with since 1970), and [[Robert Plant]] started singing.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Tolinski|first=Brad|coauthors=Greg DiBenedetto|date=May 1993|title=Inside the studio with Jimmy Page|url=http://www.skeptictank.org/files/en004/lza93pag.htm|journal=Guitar World|publisher=Harris Publications|volume=14|issue=5|issn=1063-4231}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|date=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=62|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> For the recording of this track, Page played on a [[Stratocaster]] guitar and it is possible to hear him depressing a [[whammy bar]] at the end of each phrase.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Tolinski|first=Brad|coauthors=Greg DiBenedetto|date=May 1993|title=Inside the studio with Jimmy Page|url=http://www.skeptictank.org/files/en004/lza93pag.htm|journal=Guitar World|publisher=Harris Publications|volume=14|issue=5|issn=1063-4231}}</ref> | ||
This song is a tribute to James Brown's style of [[funk]] in the same way that '[[D'yer Mak'er]]' (which it backed on a single release) experiments with [[reggae]].<ref>Lewis | This song is a tribute to James Brown's style of [[funk]] in the same way that '[[D'yer Mak'er]]' (which it backed on a single release) experiments with [[reggae]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|date=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=62|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> Since most of James Brown's earlier studio recordings were done live with almost no rehearsal time, he often gave directions to the band in-song e.g. 'take it to the bridge' - the [[bridge (music)|bridge]] of the song. Plant pays tribute to this at the end by asking 'where's that confounded bridge?' (spoken, just as the song finishes abruptly). | ||
An [[EMS VCS3]], was used to make the strange hornlike parts. These parts were overdubbed separately to create a [[polyphonic]] 'brass section.' The song was created mostly live in the studio as an improvisation, to not only reinforce the funk dance feel, but also add structure to the long, repetitive jam. Jones considers this to be one of his favourite Led Zeppelin songs.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Long|first=Andy|title=Get the Led Out|journal=Global Bass Online | An [[EMS VCS3]], was used to make the strange hornlike parts. These parts were overdubbed separately to create a [[polyphonic]] 'brass section.' The song was created mostly live in the studio as an improvisation, to not only reinforce the funk dance feel, but also add structure to the long, repetitive jam. Jones considers this to be one of his favourite Led Zeppelin songs.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Long|first=Andy|date=March 2002|title=Get the Led Out|journal=Global Bass Online|url=http://www.globalbass.com/archives/mar2002/john_paul_jones.htm|accessdate=27 April 2014}}</ref> | ||
A voice is audible at the beginning asking Bonham if he's 'ready to go.' The voices that can be heard talking on the recording just as Bonham's drums begin on the intro are those of Jimmy Page and [[audio engineer]] George | A voice is audible at the beginning asking Bonham if he's 'ready to go.' The voices that can be heard talking on the recording just as Bonham's drums begin on the intro are those of Jimmy Page and [[audio engineer]] George Chkiantz.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|date=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=62|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> | ||
==Time signatures== | ==Time signatures== | ||
Some of the | Some of the humour of the song derives from the juxtaposition of James Brown funk against utterly undanceable shifting [[time signature|time signatures]]. One way to count out the song is as follows: <br> | ||
'''Intro measure:''' <br> | '''Intro measure:''' <br> | ||
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then return to 'Part 1', play through pattern two more times, end with roughly <br> | then return to 'Part 1', play through pattern two more times, end with roughly <br> | ||
23 x 9/8 (last one ends in the middle of the measure, with drums ending on the fifth beat and the | 23 x 9/8 (last one ends in the middle of the measure, with drums ending on the fifth beat and the synthesizer continuing for a beat or two).<br /> | ||
==Live performances== | ==Live performances== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist | {{reflist}} | ||
Revision as of 01:38, 27 April 2014
| The Crunge | |
|---|---|
| Appears on | Houses of the Holy |
| Published by | Superhype Music |
| Registration | ASCAP 330195589 |
| Release date | 17 September 1973 |
| Recorded | May 1972 at Stargroves with the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio. Mixed at Electric Lady, New York. |
| Genre | Funk rock |
| Language | English |
| Length | 3 minutes 10 seconds |
| Composer | John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant |
| Label | Atlantic Records |
| Producer | Jimmy Page |
| Engineer | Eddie Kramer |
'The Crunge' is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin from their 1973 album Houses of the Holy. It was also released as the B-side of 'D'yer Mak'er'.
Overview
The song evolved out of a jam session in the studio. John Bonham started the beat, John Paul Jones came in on bass, Jimmy Page played a funk guitar riff (and a chord sequence that he'd been experimenting with since 1970), and Robert Plant started singing.[1][2] For the recording of this track, Page played on a Stratocaster guitar and it is possible to hear him depressing a whammy bar at the end of each phrase.[3]
This song is a tribute to James Brown's style of funk in the same way that 'D'yer Mak'er' (which it backed on a single release) experiments with reggae.[4] Since most of James Brown's earlier studio recordings were done live with almost no rehearsal time, he often gave directions to the band in-song e.g. 'take it to the bridge' - the bridge of the song. Plant pays tribute to this at the end by asking 'where's that confounded bridge?' (spoken, just as the song finishes abruptly).
An EMS VCS3, was used to make the strange hornlike parts. These parts were overdubbed separately to create a polyphonic 'brass section.' The song was created mostly live in the studio as an improvisation, to not only reinforce the funk dance feel, but also add structure to the long, repetitive jam. Jones considers this to be one of his favourite Led Zeppelin songs.[5]
A voice is audible at the beginning asking Bonham if he's 'ready to go.' The voices that can be heard talking on the recording just as Bonham's drums begin on the intro are those of Jimmy Page and audio engineer George Chkiantz.[6]
Time signatures
Some of the humour of the song derives from the juxtaposition of James Brown funk against utterly undanceable shifting time signatures. One way to count out the song is as follows:
Intro measure:
1 x 9/8
Part 1:
7 x 9/8 (or 4/8 + 5/8)
1 x 8/8 (or 4/8 + 4/8)
Part 2:
3 x 4/4
1 x 5/8
1 x 2/4
3 x 2/4
1 x 5/8
1 x 4/8
3 x 4/4
1 x 2/4
1 x 2/8
then return to 'Part 1', play through pattern two more times, end with roughly
23 x 9/8 (last one ends in the middle of the measure, with drums ending on the fifth beat and the synthesizer continuing for a beat or two).
Live performances
Prior to 1975, 'The Crunge' was only heard live at Led Zeppelin concerts during the band's 'Whole Lotta Love' medley and their 1972 tour version of 'Dazed and Confused'. One example of this arrangement is presented on the live album How the West Was Won, where it also appears with 'Walter's Walk' on a 25 minute medley. However, on the 1975 tour of the United States the song was performed almost entirely several times, in the funk jam that would link 'Whole Lotta Love' and 'Black Dog' at the end of the concert.
References in other media
In the film Almost Famous a reference is made to the song. On the shirt of the Led Zeppelin fanatic, Vic, is written the four 'runes' from Led Zeppelin IV and 'Have You Seen the Bridge?' This song was the title of a season five episode of That 70s Show. All season five episodes were named after Led Zeppelin tunes.
Credits
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References
- ↑ Tolinski, Brad; Greg DiBenedetto (May 1993). "Inside the studio with Jimmy Page". Guitar World 14 (5). ISSN 1063-4231.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 62. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.
- ↑ Tolinski, Brad; Greg DiBenedetto (May 1993). "Inside the studio with Jimmy Page". Guitar World 14 (5). ISSN 1063-4231.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 62. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.
- ↑ Long, Andy (March 2002). "Get the Led Out". Global Bass Online. Retrieved on 27 April 2014.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 62. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.