LZ's Black Dog - riff timing

[Basher]

Why?

My attempt at humour after trying to get the tricky timing right on one of his songs.
I've often heard/read people accuse him of being "sloppy". I wouldn't agree and just think he has a gloriously wild side to his playing, alongside the more controlled aspects.

[Lustycourtier]

Page has had his sloppy moments, but his timing, and behind the beat playing is what makes it all so wonderful. Black dog sounds multi tacked on the key change on the main riff, where is seems to lose a bar, but then when you play it, it makes total sense...

[timmyo]

Hmm. I realise that it's a weird one timing-wise. It's not the general groove of the song I'm having a problem with, just getting the right length of pause after each vocal line. I'm even beginning to suspect that it changes all the time.

Interestingly, the Celebration Day footage appears to show Jason Bonham keeping a pedalled hi-hat going throughout the vocal lines, even though it's not audible out front.

It's a very common solution to the challenge of getting everyone back in from a pause or quiet part when you need to get it right first time (i.e. live) - even on a big stage an un-miced hi-hat carries pretty well, particularly if you are listening out for it.