Beginner's guide to... Jimmy Page

Why bother?

With the recent regrouping of Led Zeppelin, it's worth peering into their back pages. Of course, you all know about the output of the mighty Zep, but what about the side projects?  Jimmy Page is responsible for some cracking records without his band mates. One of the world's finest guitarists is also quite deft behind the mixer too...

Essential purchase: Chris Farlowe - Moanin'

One of the most underrated 45s ever release, Jimmy Page turned a pretty bog standard track into a blistering behemoth of a track that features super heavy guitars, saucy horn sections and sitars. Farlowe delivers one of the most passionate vocal performances ever cut to wax. This monster as more ideas than your average long player and is in to kick you in the balls, and out again in well under three minutes.

Hidden gem: Lord Sutch and his Heavy Friends

Despite being referred to as one of the worst albums ever released... in fact... it was voted THE worst album ever made in a BBC poll in 1998, the Lord Sutch LP features some ludicrously fantastic tracks. Tough riffs and chunky drums from Jimmy and Bonham tear along to provide some unlikely dancerfloor fillers. Flashing Lights is pure unadulterated psych joy on record. The cream of the album can be heard on the great Roots of Led Zeppelin comp (as reviewed on these very pages).

One to avoid: Death Wish II Soundtrack

Awful waspish synths and dismal eighties production soundtracks a downright nasty film. Jimmy Page and Michael Winner is not a marriage made in heaven. He also contributed to Death Wish III which is thankfully not available on CD.

Hidden gem: Lord Sutch and his Heavy Friends

Despite being referred to as one of the worst albums ever released... in fact... it was voted THE worst album ever made in a BBC poll in 1998, the Lord Sutch LP features some ludicrously fantastic tracks. Tough riffs and chunky drums from Jimmy and Bonham tear along to provide some unlikely dancerfloor fillers. Flashing Lights is pure unadulterated psych joy on record. The cream of the album can be heard on the great Roots of Led Zeppelin comp (as reviewed on these very pages).

One to avoid: Death Wish II Soundtrack

Awful waspish synths and dismal eighties production soundtracks a downright nasty film. Jimmy Page and Michael Winner is not a marriage made in heaven. He also contributed to Death Wish III which is thankfully not available on CD.

Hidden gem: Lord Sutch and his Heavy Friends

Despite being referred to as one of the worst albums ever released... in fact... it was voted THE worst album ever made in a BBC poll in 1998, the Lord Sutch LP features some ludicrously fantastic tracks. Tough riffs and chunky drums from Jimmy and Bonham tear along to provide some unlikely dancerfloor fillers. Flashing Lights is pure unadulterated psych joy on record. The cream of the album can be heard on the great Roots of Led Zeppelin comp (as reviewed on these very pages).

One to avoid: Death Wish II Soundtrack

Awful waspish synths and dismal eighties production soundtracks a downright nasty film. Jimmy Page and Michael Winner is not a marriage made in heaven. He also contributed to Death Wish III which is thankfully not available on CD.