LED ZEPPELIN's 'Going to California' • Slide Guitar Cover

While @ledzeppelin basically wrote the book on electric classic rock tones, it's amazing how much they also defined how folk and rock can work together. The original arrangement of "Going to California" was tastefully stripped-down, with mainly acoustic guitar, mandolin, and the amazing vocal performance by Robert Plant. For my arrangement, I chose to use the guitar slide to mimic Robert Plant's vocal part, since there is so much emotion in the way he slides between notes, and uses vibrato and dynamics to drive the song. I use a country blues Travis picking bassline with the thumb, and use Delta Blues slide guitar techniques for the melody and solo.
I chose to use my new Signature Resonator guitar so that I could use that haunting acoustic tone, combined with the pickup which gets those ethereal bassy, electric tones.

TUNING: Open G Hybrid: D-G-D-G-B-E
GEAR:
• @justinjohnsonlive Signature Ceramic Guitar Slide
• @GamechangerAudio LIGHT PEDAL
• @APIAudioOfficial CMP Compressor Pedal
• @Fishman_Music LOUDBOX Mini Charge
• @LiveFromTheLab ELA M 260 Tube Mic

#LEDZEPPELIN #GUITAR #COVER

[argentum]

1974, just discharged from the USAF in Roswell New Mexico... left town around sunset and plugged this Led Zep album in the 8-track in my 69' Roadrunner and listened to it the whole distance to San Berdoo... This song, the Arizona desert in the full moonlight and hundreds of miles left this song in particular engrained in my mind... Well done rendition, true to the original acoustic set and yet with the added style of the Delta... Thanks Man!

[grayaj]

This might be the best rendition of this song I've ever heard, and that's saying a lot. Wow. Using a lead instrument to replace a human voice rarely works and often sounds forced. You managed to prove the rule is not universal. The arrangement is amazing.

[Daniel-nriw]

Beautiful. If Robert Plant was a resonator I think this is exactly what his voice would sound like.

[bestbeloved]

There's an almost aching longing in this rendition, particularly in the way he slides up and down to accentuate certain vowels. Almost sounds like Robert Plant is stuck in the Deep South or Midwest longing to go to California to find his girl. Like almost everything JJ does, it's haunting and moody and I love it.

[srdjanvasic]

I think this is the most beautiful lullaby in the world. I play it every night to my sons for good night. During the day there are two devils, in the evening they sleep like angels.

[dakotablueskies]

You’ve done it again JJ. Tapped into the heart of a nearly forgotten gem and breathed life in for a new generation.
I’m so amazed at the way you pull together solid arrangements of my favorites from back in the day.
💕💕💕💕💕

[marjorieandrzejewski]

And there it is, just like that, an epic masterpiece of an epic masterpiece 😎 Thank you for being YOU 🤘 🎸 ❤️ 🌞

[JECHR]

My favorite led Zeppelin song, I have look all over YouTube for a worthy arrangement...just found it.

[thehouseofronin]

I didn't think that this song could get better. But as usual you take something great and make it a masterpiece.

[spricy]

Wow, what a great arrangement of a classic song! That guitar sounds sweet and haunting at the same time.

[GodBlessedAmerica]

Justin makes the words roll right off the strings. 🎸 ✊🏼

[kimbarling]

The nuances, the accuracy of each of the notes.
The deft touch .
The intonation, control and faithful interpretation with a sprinkle of something fresh with the slide.
Only proves the mastery and elite skill and craftsmanship Justin has accrued .
A phenomenonal guitarist in multiple Genres and Styles
And from his videos has an eclectic guitar collection like no one else.

[Ярослав-сын]

In this melody for me there is something very painfully poignant, lonely, melancholy to tears. But, at the same time, it is also cleansingly beautiful, bright, something that does not happen in the hustle and bustle of everyday affairs and troubles. Thank you, praise to the authors, creators of this music. Justin, who conveyed all the height and beauty of this work at the most masterful level. THANK YOU - Justin

[scottcooper]

I LOVE the song... Justin does it real justice! I miss Led Zep, its good to hear other artists giving their music longer legs!!!

[Timothy]

BRILLIANT!!!! If it was on a loop, I'd listen to it all night. Justin is a guitar Master!

[inkedtoo]

Back to listen again. Oh so pretty!! Love the sound!

[Vesper_Songs]

LOVELY interpretation of not only my favorite Zeppelin song, but my favorite song of all time. Thank you sharing your talent with us ❤

[tonymcnamara]

Brilliant!
One of my favourite Zepplin songs!
Your version hasn't lost anything from the original!
You're playing ALL the the parts, guitar, mandolin and, vocals perfectly!

[OAlem]

Forget the mastery and gorgeous arrangement for a second, please. That instrument sounds glorious. The bass booms. The midrange is creamy, warm and wide. The treble transits throughout the ether. It sounds like more than six strings. What could possibly accompany it? Most instruments would just drown in that ocean, wouldn't they?

[jojosdarkbar]

It haunts, it lingers, it's everything