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Magic Slim & James Cotton — When the Levee Breaks
Album: Whole Lotta Blues - Songs of Led Zeppelin
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2894









Released: 1999
Length: 4:26
Plays (last 30 days): 5
If it keeps on rainin, levees goin to break,
If it keeps on rainin, levees goin to break,
When the levee breaks Ill have no place to stay.
Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan,
Lord, mean old levee taught me to weep and moan,
Got what it takes to make a mountain man leave his home,
Oh, well, oh, well, oh, well.
Dont it make you feel bad
When youre tryin to find your way home,
You dont know which way to go?
If youre goin down south
They go no work to do,
If you dont know about chicago.
Cryin wont help you, prayin wont do you no good,
Now, cryin wont help you, prayin wont do you no good,
When the levee breaks, mama, you got to move.
All last night sat on the levee and moaned,
All last night sat on the levee and moaned,
Thinkin bout me baby and my happy home.
Going, gon to chicago,
Gon to chicago,
Sorry but I cant take you.
Going down, going down now, going down.
Comments (291)add comment
 Oldest_City_Dude wrote:
Off topic of Magic Slim. If you like alternative versions of Zeppelin, search out Dread Zeppelin. Songs performed to a reggae beat. The lead singer is also a damn good Elvis impersonator.
 
Dread Zep.  Hell yes !!  They are several ton's of fun.  Got their first 3.  Saw them live with the original lineup in concert in a bar down in the Cleveland Flats (Peabody's Down Under for anyone that knows the Flats).  They were a total hoot.  Glad I got to see them. 

Thanks for the reminder.  Now I'll have to go dig them up.


Sounds like a combo of zztop and dead
So if you chose to walk down the street the way this song sounds...people get out of your way.  
I bet this is a great album, but not on the iTunes StorešŸ˜©
 acolt wrote:

You say this like no one ever covered a song before Zeppelin did it.


If you sift through the Led Zeppelin library you'll find more than a few that were sued for plagiarism.

https://liveforlivemusic.com/f...
I am 68yrs old. When I was 14 & 15,  LZ, Cream & Buddy Guy got me interested in looking up the old blues masters!!  I wound up buying a lot of their albums!
Even when it's the never dying blues stamp, is it life!
Ain' no tribute to L. Z., makes me laughing, because most of the times they covered them
 unclehud wrote:

You say that as if you think Led Zeppelin played "original" blues riffs.  Magic Slim was probably playing these heady and sweaty riffs in the 1940s, before any of Led Zeppelin's members were born.


They are completely different renderings at the core. This the the classic 12-bar blues I-IV-V-I progression, which the LZ version (and the APC version, too) drops entirely.
 LowPhreak wrote:


But Zeppelin turned a whole lotta kids onto them, many more than the old blues cats ever did with the original versions.



As long as the 'old blues cats' got their royalties all is good. ;-)
 kbs wrote:
... but please don't squeeze the lemons.



Sneaking Led Zeppelin back into the conversation.
 idiot_wind wrote:

You see...

You can kind of walk and strut to this song

You should try it going into the grocery store, near the fresh fruit section

... but please don't squeeze the lemons.

 jacopo777 wrote:

Shouldn't this album title be more fitting as "Songs that Led Zeppelin stole"?


You say this like no one ever covered a song before Zeppelin did it.
Shouldn't this album title be more fitting as "Songs that Led Zeppelin stole"?
 joejennings wrote:



I googled it. Kansas Joe McCoy & Memphis Minnie in 1929!  Thanx! ... Very interesting info on how Led Zeppelin recorded it too!  ...especially the drums!


 unclehud wrote:

You say that as if you think Led Zeppelin played "original" blues riffs.  Magic Slim was probably playing these heady and sweaty riffs in the 1940s, before any of Led Zeppelin's members were born.


When he was around 6 years old.
 eileenomurphy wrote:
EXCELLENT! ...A bluseman doing a Zeppelin song, instead of the other way around! Totally cool! ...Thanx RP!



Actually, both Magic Slim and Led Zeppelin are covering this 1929 song by Kansas Joe McCoy
Hereā€™s the first recording of When the Levee Breaks: by Kansas Joe McCoy & Memphis Minnie https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vFBpqR7eLc4
 QuantumShaman wrote:


But you know the song is from the 1920s, right?



I googled it. Kansas Joe McCoy & Memphis Minnie in 1929!  Thanx! ... Very interesting info on how Led Zeppelin recorded it too!  ...especially the drums!
 eileenomurphy wrote:
EXCELLENT! ...A bluseman doing a Zeppelin song, instead of the other way around! Totally cool! ...Thanx RP!


But you know the song is from the 1920s, right?
 eileenomurphy wrote:
EXCELLENT! ...A bluseman doing a Zeppelin song, instead of the other way around! Totally cool! ...Thanx RP!



I agree!  GREAT TUNE!
 idiot_wind wrote:

we should all try to walk down the sidewalk...the way this song sounds

see what I mean?



I do but it would take forever to get anywhere.   I do like the idea.
GREAT!!!
they say: I don't know man, he kinda funny

I say: I know,  everybody funny...now you funny too
we should all try to walk down the sidewalk...the way this song sounds

see what I mean?
 ziggytrix wrote:

The only way this song could be any more Chicago is if we were all cruising down Lake Shore Drive while listening to it.


Make that DuSable-Lake Shore Drive now.     


Stodoroff wrote:
A little too typical blues riffs here. Best thing about it is the lyrics. I prefer my beloved Zeppelin's heady, sweaty, raw version.


 unclehud wrote:

You say that as if you think Led Zeppelin played "original" blues riffs.  Magic Slim was probably playing these heady and sweaty riffs in the 1940s, before any of Led Zeppelin's members were born.


I've commented on the title of this album before and it's contradictory nature. These are not songs of Led Zeppelin. The tag line at the bottom of the cover "This Ain't No Tribute" seems to acknowledge as much and implies this isn't a tribute to Led Zeppelin. Zep certainly stole a lot of blues music without due credit but also feel it worth pointing out Page was born in 1945, Holt in 1937 so I kinda doubt Holt was playing was "heady and sweaty riffs" at the tender age of 6 or 7. Did he grow up in the breadbasket of the Blues? Absolutely! Did Page? Absolutely not! Doesn't mean Page/Richards/Clapton/Beck etc., did appreciate the Blues. Also the comment to which you replied never said or implied anything to the effect of claiming the riffs Page played were original, you imposed that. Having said that, like any other interpretation of a song, Zep certainly put their mark on the versions they did, usually by ramping up everything thus adding to the "rawness" and thereby placing their unmistakable mark on the song. 
Sometimes songs come at a suitable time onto RP, and although this is a Blues song, I was just testing my code that was refusing to do what it needed to do for a long time. This song came on when I realized the test was a SUCCESS!.  For these occasions we need to be able to vote 11.  It is the same as the taste of a beer in a far away country on holiday on a brightly sunlit terrace. This beer just tastes better, having the same brand of beer at home just does not cut it.  We need to be able to vote 11 but that has to be moderated by peers.
A straight ahead 12 bar blues!  My eyes have been open for 3 hours but I feel like I just woke up.
Kind of appropriate given what's been happening in the Gulf Coast and NYC in the last few days. I hope the Levees Don't Break and best wishes from Scotland!
You see...

You can kind of walk and strut to this song

You should try it going into the grocery store, near the fresh fruit section
For comparison. Think your own thoughts.
Memphis Minne - When the Leave Breaks
 unclehud wrote:

You say that as if you think Led Zeppelin played "original" blues riffs.  Magic Slim was probably playing these heady and sweaty riffs in the 1940s, before any of Led Zeppelin's members were born.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
The only way this song could be any more Chicago is if we were all cruising down Lake Shore Drive while listening to it.
 Cueburned wrote:

Hold on...
The original was recorded by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie. The song is about a flood of the lower Mississippi in 1927.  
 
Yes, am aware of that. I'm referring to the album title indicating to these being remakes of "Songs Of Led Zeppelin" This wasn't a song of Led Zeppelin's ... they "appropriated" it
I was attending a conference in Chicago in 2001 and eating in the hotel's restaurant. At a nearby table, I was sure I recognized Magic Slim. I went up to him and asked if he was Magic Slim, to which he said, "Why yes, ma'am, I am!". Had a great chat and got his autograph on a napkin!
 Oldest_City_Dude wrote:
Off topic of Magic Slim. If you like alternative versions of Zeppelin, search out Dread Zeppelin. Songs performed to a reggae beat. The lead singer is also a damn good Elvis impersonator.
 
The drummer does cool MCM art. Look up Atomic Skyway on Instagram.
 opaceo wrote:
They left the word "appropriated" out the album title ... although I guess the words at the bottom of the cover acknowledge that. 
 
Hold on...
The original was recorded by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie. The song is about a flood of the lower Mississippi in 1927.  
They left the word "appropriated" out the album title ... although I guess the words at the bottom of the cover acknowledge that. 
request more of this album 
Off topic of Magic Slim. If you like alternative versions of Zeppelin, search out Dread Zeppelin. Songs performed to a reggae beat. The lead singer is also a damn good Elvis impersonator.
I discovered the album is also under the name 'All Blues'd up:Songs of Led Zeppelin just in case you have trouble like I did trying to find it.
Various artists. Can't wait to hear the rest!
 SmackDaddy wrote:
Saw Mr. Superharp three times in the 80s, and even shook his hand and thank him for another killer show.
 
A ha! I'm not the only one  who saw him in the 80s and heard that nick name!  


Funky!
Its the real deal "Going, gon to chicago, Gon to chicago,
Sorry but I cant take you."
'nuff said!

 Stodoroff wrote:
A little too typical blues riffs here. Best thing about it is the lyrics. I prefer my beloved Zeppelin's heady, sweaty, raw version.
 
You say that as if you think Led Zeppelin played "original" blues riffs.  Magic Slim was probably playing these heady and sweaty riffs in the 1940s, before any of Led Zeppelin's members were born.
Saw Mr. Superharp three times in the 80s, and even shook his hand and thank him for another killer show.
Adequate.
06/04/19 Thousands of good people have lost everything when the levees broke, and most have no flood insurance. 
A little too typical blues riffs here. Best thing about it is the lyrics. I prefer my beloved Zeppelin's heady, sweaty, raw version.
Ah.....Mr "Super Harp", himself.  James Cotton!

He does a killer version of Whammer Jammer. better than Magic Dick.  
  
 Jota wrote:
Am I missing something here?  When the levee breaks was written in the 1920's.

 
That's Irony, man {#Smile}
Now this is a quote....dare you to use it in a sentence tonight:

According to Wiki, Music critic Robert Christgau argued that Led Zeppelin's version of "When the Levee Breaks" both transcends and dignifies "the quasi-parodic overstatement and oddly cerebral mood of" their past blues songs.
 LowPhreak wrote:

Baroque and classical music was written hundreds of years ago, but people are still playing and listening to it today - because they like it.

In your country of Scotland, people still play bagpipes and its music which isn't exactly a new thing.

Yes, I'd say you're missing something here...the idea that we don't toss our music, art, literature or other forms of expression in the trash forever just because something new comes along.
 
You may have missed Jota's point, which was likely whether this actually one of the "Songs of Led Zeppelin", a more interesting question than whether it's value depends on age.  Was Zep's take on the song unique enough to make it "theirs" somehow?  Somebody thought so.
 Jota wrote:
Am I missing something here?  When the levee breaks was written in the 1920's.

 
Baroque and classical music was written hundreds of years ago, but people are still playing and listening to it today - because they like it.

In your country of Scotland, people still play bagpipes and its music which isn't exactly a new thing.

Yes, I'd say you're missing something here...the idea that we don't toss our music, art, literature or other forms of expression in the trash forever just because something new comes along.

Mojo made up his mind, he needed a jailbreak.
 Jota wrote:
Am I missing something here?  When the levee breaks was written in the 1920's.

 
It's still breaking.
Sorry, but nothing comes close to the Zeppelin version of this song.
Am I missing something here?  When the levee breaks was written in the 1920's.
 dubberdan wrote:

The album title gives that away {#Wink}

 
LOVE the sub-title!!
 BBoyes wrote:
Wow, I guess this is the same "When The Levee Breaks" Led Zeppelin did on the 4th "stickman" album - what a different version! This must be more like "the original". Fun to hear it.

 
The album title gives that away {#Wink}
Love that serious blues shuffle going on... drummer and bass player locked in and bringin' it!!!

 
 Gregorama wrote:
As one blues artist once put it, "How you ever know if you feel good, if you never had the blues?" :)

Colorwise wrote: Can someone tell me why anyone likes blues? I really don't understand what's so great about this style of music.

Wait a spell, get your heart shredded a couple of times real bad, then listen again.  Should start gettin it.  Good blues players are all about changin yer mood.
 

 
Or as Buddy Guy so elequently stated at his induction into the Rock N Roll hall of fame: "If you ain't had the blues, just keep living".
Wow, I guess this is the same "When The Levee Breaks" Led Zeppelin did on the 4th "stickman" album - what a different version! This must be more like "the original". Fun to hear it.
Dudes better learn how to play those damn guitars...
 boober wrote:

Lincoln,Ne used to be part of my sales territory. I would often drive 100 miles out of my way to see nationally touring blues players work their way from Chicago to KC (Thru Lincoln and sometimes Omaha). I still am a big fan of the Zoo bar. I bought an old raggity Zoo bar t-shirt one time and wore it on the beach in Mexico (Cazumel). A man came running up to me from an Oceanside bar and said....".where did you get that t-shirt".... I said" Zoo Bar- Lincoln Ne"

He said," I'm the owner of that bar and I think it is so cool that I see that t-shirt all the way down here in Mexico".



 
{#Clap}{#Notworthy}

Great story. The owner should have hired you as traveling advertisement. Looks like they pull a lot of great acts...

Misterfixit wrote:

Have they removed the chicken wire screen yet in front of the band?  Man oh Man did I have some times there.  Did a Nuke inventory compliance inspection at one of the sites, 2 Army guys and 10 Air Force guys.  Oh My God.  We felt like we were nuked the next day.  And indeed "Cryin' won't hep you!"

  
Oh, Great! I feel so much safer now! 

Slim Pickens riding the Big One from Dr. Strangelove

"Wait...this ain't fer real now, right...? I'm gonna have such a headache..."

Got to see James Cotton three times while living in Florida in the 80s. Great performer.
Only when drunk...!
Great tune. Thanks!
 Gregorama wrote:
Magic Slim plays all the time back home in Lincoln, Nebraska at the Zoo Bar.  I believe they say it's either the longest running, or close to the longest running Blues Bar in the country.  Since the late '70s.  Great bar!

 
Lincoln,Ne used to be part of my sales territory. I would often drive 100 miles out of my way to see nationally touring blues players work their way from Chicago to KC (Thru Lincoln and sometimes Omaha). I still am a big fan of the Zoo bar. I bought an old raggity Zoo bar t-shirt one time and wore it on the beach in Mexico (Cazumel). A man came running up to me from an Oceanside bar and said....".where did you get that t-shirt".... I said" Zoo Bar- Lincoln Ne"

He said," I'm the owner of that bar and I think it is so cool that I see that t-shirt all the way down here in Mexico".


I woulda thought this was the original.
 ick wrote:
I find it ironic that the album is called "Whole Lotta Blues - Songs of Led Zeppelin" when most of them probably weren't even Led Zeppelin's songs to begin with.

 

But Zeppelin turned a whole lotta kids onto them, many more than the old blues cats ever did with the original versions.
Luv me some Magic Slim and Mr. James Cotton!!  Thanks RP!!  {#Daisy}
The irony here is that this a cover of a cover. "When the Levee Breaks" was originally recorded by Memphis Minnie and Kansas City Joe in 1928 or 1929--sources disagree.
Blow your face out. James Cotton is riffing hard in the background.


Magic Slim & The Teardrops - February 21, 2013: R.I.P. Magic Slim. We will allways remember you like this. Jon McDonald - guitar, background vocals Magic Slim - vocals, guitar, Chris Biedron - bass instrument, Vernal Taylor - drums, background vocals.



 iSoul wrote:
{#Guitarist}{#Bananajam}{#Drummer}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana}

 
8 -> 9. Or maybe 10. Resistance is futile.
{#Guitarist}{#Bananajam}{#Drummer}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana}
As Solomon said, "Nothing new is under the sun."
Excellant!!!  Magic Slim's playing is Awesome
As long as it's only one song like this....otherwise: bleh.....
 
Nice!!
love this song...
Oh. Hell. Ya!
Nice!
 Gregorama wrote:
As one blues artist once put it, "How you ever know if you feel good, if you never had the blues?" :)

Colorwise wrote: Can someone tell me why anyone likes blues? I really don't understand what's so great about this style of music.

Wait a spell, get your heart shredded a couple of times real bad, then listen again.  Should start gettin it.  Good blues players are all about changin yer mood.
 
 

IF YOU AIN'T HAD THE BLUES, YOU AIN'T BREATHIN'
 cc_rider wrote:
Wiki says:

"When the Levee Breaks" is a blues song written and first recorded by husband and wife Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie in 1929. The song is in reaction to the upheaval caused by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.

So I'm cornfused why this album is 'Led Zeppelin' songs. But hey, any version of it is okay with me.

BTW, that is the same flood Randy Newman wrote a song about. To this day that flood, and the official reactions to it, have repercussions in the places it affected.
 

the brits were not stupid, public acccess public prorerty, they(many)claimed wrighting bill, some even got away with it because the orignators were dead with no family. the world KNOWS where the BLUES come from................
Wiki says:

"When the Levee Breaks" is a blues song written and first recorded by husband and wife Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie in 1929. The song is in reaction to the upheaval caused by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.

So I'm cornfused why this album is 'Led Zeppelin' songs. But hey, any version of it is okay with me.

BTW, that is the same flood Randy Newman wrote a song about. To this day that flood, and the official reactions to it, have repercussions in the places it affected.
 Gregorama wrote:
Magic Slim plays all the time back home in Lincoln, Nebraska at the Zoo Bar.  I believe they say it's either the longest running, or close to the longest running Blues Bar in the country.  Since the late '70s.  Great bar!
 
Have they removed the chicken wire screen yet in front of the band?  Man oh Man did I have some times there.  Did a Nuke inventory compliance inspection at one of the sites, 2 Army guys and 10 Air Force guys.  Oh My God.  We felt like we were nuked the next day.  And indeed "Cryin' won't hep you!"
As one blues artist once put it, "How you ever know if you feel good, if you never had the blues?" :)

Colorwise wrote: Can someone tell me why anyone likes blues? I really don't understand what's so great about this style of music.

Wait a spell, get your heart shredded a couple of times real bad, then listen again.  Should start gettin it.  Good blues players are all about changin yer mood.
 


 kcar wrote:
 
Uh, yeah...Tom, what's the original version of thisong by your lights? Granted, this isn't it...but neither is Led Zep's. 

You might want to check out 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6C_5wxkuAQ

and see if you actually like the original...
 
Thanks for the link! I always appreciate knowing the real history.
 TomFromPoland wrote:
I really like blues, but it's unbearable. Couldn't stand this version...{#Puke}

There are songs being uncoverable. ' When the Levee...' is among them.

2/10
 

Oh I don't know that little band out of England....Zep I think it was did a pretty good job with it.
Magic Slim plays all the time back home in Lincoln, Nebraska at the Zoo Bar.  I believe they say it's either the longest running, or close to the longest running Blues Bar in the country.  Since the late '70s.  Great bar!
... great morning boogie 'round the breakfast table. O yaaa...
I know the feeling.
 slowhand wrote:
Super, all genres of modern music came from this type of Blues/Rock.
 
Probably the majority of Rock and some Jazz, but probably not all "genres of modern music".
 TomFromPoland wrote:
I really like blues, but it's unbearable. Couldn't stand this version...{#Puke}

There are songs being uncoverable. ' When the Levee...' is among them.

2/10
  
Uh, yeah...Tom, what's the original version of thisong by your lights? Granted, this isn't it...but neither is Led Zep's. 

You might want to check out 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6C_5wxkuAQ

and see if you actually like the original...


 musickat wrote:
Nice to hear a little "real blues" here.  I think blues is always best when sprinkled in like salt.  
 
very true
Nice to hear a little "real blues" here.  I think blues is always best when sprinkled in like salt.  
I really like blues, but it's unbearable. Couldn't stand this version...{#Puke}

There are songs being uncoverable. ' When the Levee...' is among them.

2/10
Colorwise wrote: Can someone tell me why anyone likes blues? I really don't understand what's so great about this style of music.

Wait a spell, get your heart shredded a couple of times real bad, then listen again.  Should start gettin it.  Good blues players are all about changin yer mood.
There you go playing some AWESOME BLUES...  {#Cowboy}
Buy this album, it´s great and this tune rocks.

Don't know how one can love rock, jazz, or any other branch of american (or modern) music without digging the blues at least a little....it's the foundation of it all.
 fingerpin wrote:
Colorwise wrote: Can someone tell me why anyone likes blues? I really don't understand what's so great about this style of music. 

jools wrote: 
I can only suggest that you have no soul.

{#Clap} 
I suggest you have never colored outside the lines.....
 


Just want to get up from my chair and dance around in my cube!  Oh yeah.

Yeah, that's what I'm talkin about!!!  I do like me some blues...ready, to head to the bar for another beer.{#Bananajam}


Colorwise wrote: Can someone tell me why anyone likes blues? I really don't understand what's so great about this style of music. 

jools wrote: 
I can only suggest that you have no soul.

{#Clap} 

Well, well, when the levee breaks I hope this song is playing...{#Bananajam}{#Cowboy}
BluesPower
 WonderLizard wrote:
Killer version by Memphis Minnie and Kansas City Joe on the Roots of Rock CD.
 
Boot in repsonse to Giselle62's question below. The irony of course is that Led Zep's version was a (unaccredited) cover. Memphis Minnie's and Kansas City Joe's was the original. Interesting—and hopefully factual—Wiki article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_the_Levee_Breaks


I find it ironic that the album is called "Whole Lotta Blues - Songs of Led Zeppelin" when most of them probably weren't even Led Zeppelin's songs to begin with.
 fredriley wrote:
Doncha just lurv basic shit-kickin' blues? 8 from the back to basics Nottingham jury.
 
Hell yeah!!!!!
Yep, it´s Magic.
Hey I remember Bishopstock, great blues festival out in the Devon (UK) countryside, till the organisers screwed up and did a runner almost a decade ago

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/bad-case-of-the-blues-as-music-festival-companies-cease-trading-668719.html

 
gumbo73039 wrote:
Oi luv this fella, saw him at Bishopstock Blues fest with Eric Bibb and Charlie Musselwhite. Oh and beer. Oh and sun.
It's nice to be old and look back !
 


Hard drivin' bad ass blues yes! I aspire to sneaking some 'Lee Gates' from the 'Musicmaker' roster of bluesmen onto the play list one day; go get to see him if you can, though it helps if you live in the States round Durham NC or up in Milwaukee:

https://www.musicmaker.org/artists_profile/Lee-Gates


 fredriley wrote:
Doncha just lurv basic shit-kickin' blues? 8 from the back to basics Nottingham jury.

 

 Giselle62 wrote:
This version was a little too happy for me too; I have heard an old, old version that was more fingerpickin' blues i seem to remember was that a woman playing? I'm thinking Memphis Minnie or something?
 
Yep. Memphis Minnie.

Oi luv this fella, saw him at Bishopstock Blues fest with Eric Bibb and Charlie Musselwhite. Oh and beer. Oh and sun.
It's nice to be old and look back !
Doncha just lurv basic shit-kickin' blues? 8 from the back to basics Nottingham jury.


Magic Slim by ~gloubi
©2010-2012 ~gloubi

American blues living legend Magic Slim


.