Alchemy: Led Into Gold (Part 2)

..when it is cast ... does fully perfect them in the very projection...

~The Mirror of Alchemy, by Friar Roger Bacon  

Mage Music 23

A table of alchemical symbols
from Basil Valentine's
The Last Will and Testament, 1670

Alchemy was the forerunner of chemistry, with a metaphysical twist that modern chemists eschew. Like any good scientist, an alchemist researches to find out what might work and what might not, and why. After gathering the tools and the raw materials, both chemist and alchemist combines and manipulates the components in precise ways with the intention of producing a specific end product.

Today chemists might be trying to create the world's next greatest breakthrough in personal deodorant or the ultimate biodegradable plastic. Alchemists, on the other hand, seek to create perfection in life and soul via discovery of a catalyst (an Elixir, according to Roger Bacon, a.k.a. the Philosopher's Stone) that takes imperfect matter and makes it perfect. The methodology of the alchemist is like today's chemist, in that it is very calculated and precise, and many records are made of every step so the process can be duplicated. Unlike today's chemists, however, alchemists' intentions are not merely to produce gold, but to produce a catalyst that will perfect anything, including the human soul.

Microcosm vs Macrocosm
Chemists intentionally limit their focus to the task at hand. Issues of the larger world are basically irrelevant to the chemical processes. Theirs is a microcosmic view.

Alchemists, on the other hand, take the macrocosmic view. Their physical labors are intended to impact the world of the non-physical and their work is multi-layered (multi-realitied) and complex. Far from experimenting to simply discover chemical reactions that produce a single physical property or object, the alchemist chooses each alchemical element not only for its physical properties but because the element embodies other qualities in the Universe, and the intention is to generate results on many levels. The physical generation of gold simply provides evidence of success in creating perfection from the imperfect components, and the catalyst that has been generated can then be used to create perfection of the soul.

The Alchemy of Music
Mage musicians are obviously not alchemists - at least as far as their music is concerned. They don't stand on the stage with flasks and burners, boiling and steaming noxious chemicals - but they are mixing components with the intention of creating perfection from imperfection.

2007 O2 Concert
movie trailer image

Jimmy Page spent many years as a session musician and with various bands sampling materials, practicing techniques and assessing other musicians, as revealed in Dave Lewis' playlist from Part 1, last week on this blog. This week's playlist, also from Dave Lewis' book, Led Zeppelin: A Celebration (Omnibus Press, 1991) is entirely Led Zeppelin music.  It represents the results of years of research, an alchemical-like selection of components that are meticulously blended and heated to the perfect temperature to create the elixir of Mage Music, music that is transformed to something more.

Through the careful selection of gifted musicians who could and would push the envelope, with the added ingredient of Jimmy Page's own incredible talent with guitar and in the studio, and with Mr. Page's powerful desire and intention, Led Zeppelin opened an alchemical door and Mage Music stepped through.

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Future post :
Led Into Gold (Part 3), with more of David Lewis’s History of Guitar Master list
The Chicken/Egg quandary (the neurophysics of music)

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YouTube Playlist - Led Into Gold - The Led Zeppelin Years

Individual songs 

1969 Dazed and Confused (studio) Album: Led Zeppelin. Dave says: "From its sonic signalling intro, right through to its mesmerising climax, 'Dazed And Confused' remains one of [Jimmy Page's] most complete performances."
1969 Whole Lotta Love (studio) Album: Led Zeppelin II. Dave says: "Every inch of drama is compressed into the arrangement... "
1970 Since I've Been Loving You (studio) Album: Led Zeppelin III. Dave says: "...[Jimmy Page] had by now switched from the Telecaster back to a Gibson Les Paul guitar and the choice of instrument brings a sustained fluency to his playing, particularly during the tortured solo, that is quite breathaking. "
1970 Tangerine (studio) Album: Led Zeppelin III. Dave says: "A perfect illustration of the light and shade of [Jimmy Page's] expansive style. "
1973 No Quarter (live) No Quarter MSG -The Song Remains The Same. Dave says: "...this track took on an extra dimension when played live as it became an extended vehicle for John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page not only to flex their respective talents but to play off each other by weaving melodies together."
1975 In My Time Of Dying (studio) Album: Physical Graffiti. Dave says: "...a showcase for Page's bottleneck banshee wailings. "
1975 Kashmir (studio) Physical Graffiti. Dave says: "...a clear example of the potency of the Led Zeppelin chemistry..."
1976 Achilles Last Stand (studio) Album: Presence. Dave says: "...a new level of urgency and intensity..."