Slapping Led Zep's The Wanton Song - a crime?

mouthmw · #1 11-24-2010, 08:12 AM

My band decided to cover Led Zep's The Wanton Song to add to our quite extensive Led Zep song list, so I started working on the song today.
Anyways, I'm quite sure JPJ played it with a pick. The verse part, as you all probably know, is quite a feet for fingerstyle playing.
So I tried slapping it just for fun, and.. I kind like it. It's not the exact bass line, but it kinda fits with a touch of distortion.
Do you think it's a crime to play this song any way other than pick/fingerstyle?
We're not exactly a Led Zep tribute band, but we do some Led Zep tribute nights where we play nothing but LZ. I already added my own style and little fills (especially when we do extended solos and improv) in their other songs, but this I'm not so sure about. Also, not sure my band mates would like it. It's fun, but I want to serve the song, not my ego.

So, slapping The Wanton Song verse part - stupid idea?

Chasarms · #2 11-24-2010, 08:18 AM

If you like it and your band mates are cool with it, I certainly wouldn't concern myself beyond that.

kenlacam · #3 11-24-2010, 08:24 AM

It is not a crime-I say GO FOR IT! I think that a little diversity never hurt anyone. ROCK ON!

Saxn · #4 11-24-2010, 08:30 AM

Add me to the chorus of thumbs' up above...

Personally if I am listening to a cover band I LIKE it when they make a tune their own... a LOT. I have heard some covers where you don't even know what song it is the guys are playing until the lyrics start... and then you're just kind of left going WOW!!

Slap ON, man.

fu22ba55 · #5 11-24-2010, 08:31 AM

If slapping is your thing, then go for it. But I wouldn't do it just because you can't play it with your fingers.

Try to push yourself to do it a bit more... a lot of those G's are just grace notes, so you can make it happen with a little practice. Then you can move on to the Immigrant Song and really work those little piggies.

mouthmw · #6 11-24-2010, 08:44 AM

Thanks for your output guys!

Quote:

Originally Posted by fu22ba55

If slapping is your thing, then go for it. But I wouldn't do it just because you can't play it with your fingers.

Try to push yourself to do it a bit more... a lot of those G's are just grace notes, so you can make it happen with a little practice. Then you can move on to the Immigrant Song and really work those little piggies.

Well, I can play it fingerstyle, I agree 2nd G's are mostly grace notes.
Immigrant Song is already on our tracklist, no problems there, although I do play it with a pick - just sounds better that way to me.

cableguy · #7 11-24-2010, 08:53 AM

I my mind when Page/Plant went on tour without JPJ they killed what remained of Zep. Still love their music and JPJ is the man. Led Zep was all about experimenting with different syles of music along with the blues. I'm sure JPJ would approve. Just take a look at some of the songs Zep covered or "took from" and how the sounded compared to the original. I personally can't slap my way out of a paper bag. But I really dig it when a good player can incorperate that into a song well. If that's you, THEN DO IT!

Saxn · #8 11-24-2010, 08:59 AM

BTW can we hear a sample when you get it worked out? I'm curious to see what happens!

dave64o · #9 11-24-2010, 09:02 AM

I saw a YouTube clip of someone slapping The Immigrant Song and thought it worked really well. I say give both a try.

natw42 · #10 11-24-2010, 09:13 AM

I believe JPJ played immigrant w a pick, so that makes sense

mouthmw · #11 11-24-2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saxn

BTW can we hear a sample when you get it worked out? I'm curious to see what happens!

Sure, what's the best sound clip hosting site?

mouthmw · #12 11-24-2010, 09:39 AM

Nvm, got one.
I apologize for the low quality and rushed recording, I'm kind of in a hurry, got to meet someone in 15 minutes.
Anyways, my bass is plugged in directly into my soundcard, didnt even bother to use my preamp so the sound is meh, and it's sloppy. Yaaay sloppy

http://barbados.plunder.com/x/$sP9_y...c/?/wanton.mp3

This is just a draft version, haven't really spent more than 5 minutes trying to play that song.

Saxn · #13 11-24-2010, 12:43 PM

Ah man I tried to check it out but the site gave me some BS about the page being a 'premium content area' and is asking me to fill out a feggin' survey! I'll spend a few minutes there and see where it gets me.

Soundclick is a pretty good site for musicians to post their recorded stuff, but I am not sure if they condone covers or not.

I'll get back to you if this site ever lets me in...

joshwilkesbooth · #14 11-24-2010, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mouthmw

Slapping ... a crime.
slapping ... stupid idea.

Fixed.

Saxn · #15 11-24-2010, 12:47 PM

Well, no dice. The 'survey' was an invite to get a toolbar... that just ain't happening. If you do happen to grab a sample of it with your band It's be cool to check it out, though.

mouthmw · #16 11-24-2010, 02:21 PM

Aaah sorry about that man, I didn't know it would require you to fill out crap and not even let you get to the file. And the description said no registration required. Pfft figures...

http://myspacefilehosting.com/lmqya/wanton.mp3.html

Maybe this one will work?

Chrisk-K · #17 11-24-2010, 04:43 PM

Quote:

I believe JPJ played immigrant w a pick, so that makes sense

Check this out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlNhD0oS5pk

Lesfunk · #18 11-24-2010, 04:46 PM

Slap it silly Bro!

SactoBass · #19 11-24-2010, 04:56 PM

Purists would point their noses up into the air and scoff.

But if the audience is diggin it, and if the band is diggin it, then live life and dig it!

Saxn · #20 11-24-2010, 05:01 PM

Hehehe that made me smile, mouthmw. I had to go through the seven levels of hell to HEAR it (Chrome wouldnt play it, so had to go to Mozilla, etc etc...) but I LIKE it!

Do the rest of the guys you play with normally take the same kind of liberties with the tunes you cover?