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Led Zeppelin (Atlantic) 1969
DISC ONE
1. Good Times, Bad Times (2:43)
2. Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You (6:40)
3. You Shook Me (6:30)
4. Dazed and Confused (6:27)
5. Your Time is Gonna Come (4:41)
6. Black Mountain Side [instrumental] (2:06)
7. Communication Breakdown (2:26)
8. I Can't Quit You Baby (4:42)
9. How Many More Times (8:30)
DISC TWO
Live At The Olympia, Paris, France - October 10, 1969
1. Good Times Bad Times / Communication Breakdown (3:52)
2. I Can't Quit You Baby (6:41)
3. Heartbreaker (3:49)
4. Dazed And Confused (15:01)
5. White Summer/Black Mountain Side (9:19)
6. You Shook Me (11:55)
7. Moby Dick (9:21)
8. How Many More Times (11:14)
Led Zeppelin's debut album, released in January 12th, 1969 is one of the albums that truly jumped started the 1970's heavy metal revolution. Sure there were guys like Hendrix and Cream who were mixing blues and raw, heavy rock n' roll and came before them. However, Zep's debut, along with Black Sabbath's debut album (May 1970), inspired more heavy metal bands than any other. The outrageous, raunchy guitar sounds of Page, the high shrieks of Plant, Bonham's signature drum assault and Jone's unmistakable thump all add up to make Zep's debut one of the greatest blues-rock albums ever written. Unlike Sabbath, whose heavy vibe comes from their guitars, Zep's heaviness comes from their rhythm section. Bonham and especially Jone's don't get the credit they deserve, but that pairing gave Zep a distinct and definite heaviness that was quite different from nearly everything that came before it.
There are two outstanding Willie Dixon covers ("You Shook Me" and "I Can't Quit You Baby"), but both are made to sound like original numbers. As well, the spellbinding "How Many More Times" is pumped up hard rock version of something that could have been written by Howlin' Wolf. Of course every song on this one is a genuine hard rock classic; "Dazed and Confused," "Good Times, Bad Times," "Communication Breakdown." Geez, this sounds like the playlist of every classic rock station in existence.
The 2014 remastered, 2-CD reissue offers a live performance as bonus material on disc two. Recorded in Paris, France in 1969, this show is raw and sloppy and captures this young band at their humble beginnings. The songs are just an excuse to jam, a quality of live performances that disappeared as the 70's finished out. The sound quality isn't bad for a show that was recorded in '69 either. This show makes it worth re-purchasing this album again for the ump-tenth time.
Led Zeppelin - II (Atlantic) 1969
DISC ONE
1. Whole Lotta Love (5:34)
2. What Is And What Should Never Be (4:45)
3. The Lemon Song (6:19)
4. Thank You (4:49)
5. Heartbreaker (4:14)
6. Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman) (2:39)
7. Ramble On (4:24)
8. Moby Dick [instrumental] (4:20)
9. Bring It On Home (4:21)
BONUS DISC TWO
1. Whole Lotta Love [Rough Mix With Vocal] (5:40)
2. What Is And What Should Never Be [Rough Mix With Vocal] (4:33)
3. Thank You [Backing Track] (4:20)
4. Heartbreaker [Rough Mix With Vocal] (4:25)
5. Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman) [Backing Track] (3:11)
6. Ramble On [Rough Mix With Vocal] (4:44)
7. Moby Dick [instrumental/Intro/Outro Rough Mix] (1:38)
8. La La [Backing Track] (4:09)
Second album in the same year from Zeppelin and easily as good, if not better, than the debut record. "II" features heavy proto-metal classics such as "Whole Lotta Love" and "Heartbreaker", the swagger of "Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman)" and "The Lemon Song" as well as blues based numbers such as "What Is And What Should Never Be" and "Thank You". Of course there is also the fan favorite instrumental "Moby Dick" featuring the drum talents of John Bonham. In short, "II" is another bonified rock 'n roll classic. If anyone hasn't heard at least half the songs on this album, then you probably don't own a radio. This disc almost reads like a "Best of Zeppelin" all by itself.
The bonus disc is filled with songs that were a work in progress, rough mixes, and alternative mixes. These tracks give a little insight into the recording process and how the songs progressed in those early years of the band. Some of these versions are quite different, such as the vastly different vocals for "Whole Lotta Love". Also there is the non-album instrumental "La La" which is an interesting listen. The liner notes for the disc describe it as "a portal to the time of the recording". While it will no doubt be an interesting listen to most Zep fans, I doubt even the most die-hard fan will find this disc to be a frequent player. Still a nice inclusion that will give those who have already purchased the album on vinyl, 8-track, cassette and CD a reason to buy this album yet again.
Led Zeppelin - III (Atlantic) 1970
Led Zeppelin's third album is one of the greatest rock 'n' roll albums ever released. Don't believe me? Turn on the radio to any classic rock station and within an hour your almost guaranteed to hear one of the ten songs of "III". Album opener "Immigrant Song" is a blue print for what would become known as heavy metal, though to say Zep were heavy metal would be a bit off. This album mixes the blues, hard rock and even some early prog. The very next song goes into a completely different direction. "Friends" Friends is built on acoustic guitars, bongos and dark orchestration with a Middle Eastern modality. This is followed up by another heavy rocker with noisy guitars and roaring vocals from Plant. "Since I've Been Loving You" brings the band back to the heavy blues of their 1969 debut. "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" is another radio staple with it's foot tapping beat and down-home, folky feel.
Despite the constant radio saturation of much of "III", this is still one of my favorite Zeppelin albums. It's less bluesy and slightly more metallic than their previous two studio albums. The album cover art is oh so cool as well, with that spinning wheel and trippy graphics.
The 2014 2-CD reissue is a digi-pack that features the spinning wheel art for the first time on compact disc. The bonus disc features alternative mixes of album tracks and isn't quite as necessary as the excellent live bonus disc on the first Zep. Its one of those discs that most die-hards will probably listen to once then never again. It's more of a collector's thing than anything else.
Stryper covered "Immigrant Song".
Led Zeppelin (Atlantic) 1971
1. Black Dog (4:57)
2. Rock And Roll (3:40)
3. The Battle Of Evermore (5:52)
4. Stairway To Heaven (8:03)
5. Misty Mountain Hop (4:38)
6. Four Sticks (4:45)
7. Going To California (3:31)
8. When The Levee Breaks (7:08)
DISC TWO
1. Black Dog [Basic Track with Guitar Overdubs]
2. Rock And Roll [Alternative Mix]
3. The Battle Of Evermore [Mandolin/Guitar Mix from Headley Grange]
4. Stairway To Heaven [Sunset Sound Mix]
5. Misty Mountain Hop [Alternative Mix]
6. Four Sticks [Alternative Mix]
7. Going To California [Mandolin/Guitar Mix]
8. When The Levee Breaks [Alternative UK Mix]
Affectionately known by many names among fans, including IV, Runes, Four Symbols, ZOSO, and the fourth Zep album. Basically, if you haven't heard this album, you must have been living under a rock for the last 40 years. Had this been the only album Zep ever released, I think they still would have had a huge influence on rock music and one of the biggest bands on this planet. This album usually sits in the top of any list of best rock albums of all time. Of course it has one of the biggest classic rock songs of all time, "Stairway to Heaven". (Though it's fairly common knowledge that "Stairway to Heaven" was at least partially borrowed from Crow's "Thoughts" and/or "Spirit's "Taurus", which both came out in the late 60's.) However, Zep's fourth album is far more than an 8-minute single with a bunch of fluff packed around it. As is usual for Zep, the album is all over the place with heavier, hard rocking numbers and more melancholy acoustic numbers. The band has an innovative, progressive approach and blends together, rhythm 'n' blues, folk and good 'ol heavy rock and roll. There are hard rockers (and radio staples) like "Black Dog", "Misty Mountain Hop" and "Rock and Roll". There is heavy a heavy blues number in "When the Levee Breaks" as well as the acoustic folk influenced songs "Battle of Evemore" and "Going to California". Overplayed? Absolutely. However, that doesn't take away from the albums' place in rock and roll and heavy metal history. There are few albums that sit on a pedestal as high as this one and actually deserve to be there. Most people would say the Zep peaked at this album, though I would disagree and say that the follow-up was equally a brilliant.
As with the other 2014 re-releases, this one contains a bonus disc of alternate takes and mixes of all 8 songs. This disc is an interesting listen once. It's more a curiosity than anything else as it gives a bit of insight into the recording of the album. For example, "Black Dog" is a basic track with guitar overdubs. Frankly, I wouldn't have minded having a live disc as the bonus like on the debut album. The 16-page booklet included is packed full of era-appropriate photos, which is cool. Probably the best part of this remastered CD version is the sound quality is so much superior to the original CD that I've had in my collection since the early 1990's.
Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy (Atlantic) 1973
DISC ONE
1. The Song Remains The Same (5:30)
2. The Rain Song (7:39)
3. Over The Hills And Far Away (4:50)
4. The Crunge (3:17)
5. Dancing Days (3:43)
6. D'yer Mak'er (4:22)
7. No Quarter (7:00)
8. The Ocean (4:31)
DISC TWO
1. The Song Remains The Same [Guitar Overdub Reference Mix] (5:30)
2. The Rain Song [Mix Minus Piano] (7:45)
3. Over The Hills And Far Away [Guitar Mix Backing Track] (4:22)
4. The Crunge [Rough Mix - Keys Up] (3:16)
5. Dancing Days [Rough Mix with Vocal] (3:46)
6. No Quarter [Rough Mix With JPJ Keyboard Overdubs - No Vocal] (7:03)
7. The Ocean [Working Mix] (4:28)
"Houses of the Holy" is the Led Zeppelin album that people seem to either love or hate. I am one that loves this album and thinks it is one of their finest moments. The track listing reads like a "best of" album in itself. However, being the band's fifth album, the sound had changed over the years. The first album was basically heavy blues, while "II", "III" and the self-titled fourth album were heavy rock, bordering on 1970's heavy metal. With "Houses of the Holy" the band definitely took a step in a differnt direction that was more acoustic based, more organic and seemed to be a more melancholy as well. The song lengths also starting to grow here, although there are still songs that fit the conventional ther-to-four minute ideal. Songs like 'The Song Remains The Same' and 'The Ocean' show considerable progressive influences. "The Rain Song" is a warm and graceful seven-minute ballad. Where the band retains their heaviness is in the bass and drum work, which has always been the case. Whereas a band like Black Sabbath during this time had a heavy guitar sound, Zep has a cleaner guitar sound with a heavy rhythm section. As usual, Plant is the voice that brings the whole thing to life.
I picked up the 2014 2-CD reissue of "Houses of the Holy". While I can totally appreciate the improved sound quality, the bonus disc is sort of a one and done deal. Unlike the bonus disc that came with the first album, this bonus disc is one that most fans will listen to once then never again. It's filled with odd mixes and production tracks, such as "No Quarter" with no vocals. This sort of thing is interesting as far as getting insight into the album but it doesn't beg for repeated listens like the live disc that came with the band's debut release.
DISC ONE |
 Jimmy Page |
Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti (Swan Song) 1975"Physical Graffiti" is one of those timeless rock 'n roll classics that you must listen to from beginning to end. It's diverse, loaded with hooks, and has that raw rock 'n roll energy that is missing in today's obsession with technical ability and production. "Physical Graffiti" was Zeppelin's "Sgt. Pepper" or "Tommy." "Kashmir" is one of the band's defining songs and is also one of the most copied songs in all or rock n roll. On top of that, we get such classics as "Trampled Under Foot" and "Custard Pie". If you haven't heard these songs on rock radio, you haven't been listening. Another personal favorite is "In the Light" a vicious 70's heavy metal monster. Many would consider this the last great Zeppelin release, although I tend to disagree. Still, it can be said that this was the last great Zeppelin, blues-based hard rock release. Follow-up discs would most certainly be influenced by the times (ie. synthesizers).
Led Zeppelin - Soundtrack From the Film The Song Remains the Same (Swan
Song) 1976
DISC ONE
1. Rock And Roll" (3:56)
2. Celebration Day" (3:38)
3. Black Dog/Bring It On Home" (3:46)
4. Over The Hills" (6:11)
5. Misty Mountain Hop" (4:43)
6. Since I've Been Loving You" (8:24)
7. No Quarter" (10:38)
8. The Song Remains The Same" (5:40)
9. Rain Song" (8:20)
10. The Ocean" (5:13)
DISC TWO
1. Dazed and Confused" (29:18)
2. Stairway To Heaven" (10:53)
3. Moby Dick" (11:02)
4. Heartbreaker" (6:20)
5. Whole Lotta Love" (13:52)
"The Song Remains the Same" has been a missing piece in my Zeppelin collection for some time. I remember back in he 70's and even into the 80's, this was one of those movies we would go to see at midnight. It wasn't just about the music, it was about the entire experience. However, it has been a good twenty years since I have actually heard this soundtrack. Listening again for the first time was like seeing an old friend again. What a great listen. One thing I have always enjoyed about live albums from the 70's bands is that raw feel and also how they would extend the songs into jams. That is certainly the case with "Song Remains the Same". In addition to the original nine songs, the '07 reissue includes the bonus tracks: "Black Dog", "Over The Hills and Far Away", "Misty Mountain Hop", "Since I've Been Loving You", "The Ocean", "Heartbreaker" and "Whole Lotta Love". However, one thing I noticed about this reissue is that some of the "jams" were edited out in order to include the extra songs. For example, the piano/drum jam just prior to Page's guitar solo in "No Quarter" is completely missing. Despite this complaint, the remastering job is fantast and the sound quality is excellent. If you aren't ultra familiar with the songs as they were on vinyl, you won't really notice the edits. Overall, I think it's a fantastic CD capturing a legendary band during a legendary time. It's just a shame that some parts had to be edited out.
Led Zeppelin - Presence (Swan Song) remastered 1976
1. "Achilles Last
Stand" (10:26)
2. "For Your Life" (6:21)
3. "Royal Orleans" (2:58)
4. "Nobody's Fault but Mine" (6:15)
5. "Candy Store Rock" (4:10)
6. "Hots on for Nowhere" (4:42)
7. "Tea for One" (9:07)
I like this disc alot as it contains some of Zep's more obscure material.(i.e. You won't turn on the radio and hear many of these songs.) OK, some say it was a rushed album, but it's still classic Zeppelin. "Achilles Last Stand" and "Nobody's Fault but Mine" are both classic tracks. Picked this one up new for $7.99 at Sam's Club, of all places.
Led Zeppelin - In Through the Out Door (Swan Song) 1979
1. "In the Evening"
(6:48)
2. "South Bound Saurez" (4:11)
3. "Fool in the Rain" (6:08)
4. "Hot Dog" (3:15)
5. "Carouselambra" (10:28)
6. "All My Love" (5:51)
7. "I'm Gonna Crawl" (5:28)
Believe it or not, I was around in the days when this CD came out. I was a kid but I was already a rocker. I can still remember the cries of how this album was a sell-out. Of course two decades later most rockers will argue that this album is a classic. Still, when it came out, people were shocked by the emphasis on synthesizers and the departure from the eary days of hard rock and blues based heavy metal. Still, I tend to side with those who say this album is a classic. No less than half of this album is FM rock radio fodder. "In the Evening" is a killer song and one of the band's most memorable numbers. Other great tunes on here are "Fool In The Rain", "All My Love" and "I'm Gonna Crawl". Even the hoakey "Hot Dog" is a fun song that I enjoy. Love it or hate it, "In Through the Out Door" was a milestone in rock and metal. It was also the band's last official studio album, aside from the leftovers album "Coda" that came out after Bonham's death and the demise of the band.
Led Zeppelin - Coda (Swan Song) 1982
1. "We're Gonna Groove"
(2:38)
2. "Poor Tom" (3:03)
3. "I Can't Quit You Baby" (4:19)
4. "Walter's Walk" (4:31)
5. "Ozone Baby" (3:37)
6. "Darlene" (5:07)
7. "Bonzo's Montreaux" [instrumental] (4:19)
8. "Wearing and Tearing" (5:30)
After the death of John Bonham and the ultimate demise of the band, "Coda" was released. It was not a new Led Zeppelin record, but rather it was a bunch of leftover tracks from past albums. Some of this material is actually prime Zep. I am surprised that songs like "Walter's Walk" and "Ozone Baby" were left off their respective albums. However, other songs are most definitely b-sides for hardcore fans only. There is also a reprise of "I Can't Quit You Baby" and a song I can only assume was released as a sort of tribute to the band's fallen drummer in "Bonzo's Montreaux". "Coda" is probably not a disc for casual fans, but for diehards and completists like myself.
Led Zeppelin - Melancholy Danish Pageboys (2 cdr bootleg)
| DISC
1 1. "White Summer" (5:04) 2. "Kashmir" (9:46) 3. "Trampled Underfoot" (6:10) 4. "Archilles Last Stand" (10:28) 5. "Moby Dick Intro" (4:45) 6. "In the Evening" (8:23) 7. "Stairway to Heaven" (10:00) 8. "Rock & Roll" (4:20) |
DISC
2 1. "Intro" [instrumental] (1:30) 2. "Song Remains the Same" (5:32) 3. "Celebration Day" (3:46) 4. "Black Dog" (5:45) 5. "Nobody's Fault But Mine" (6:28) 6. "Over the Hills & Far Away" (6:15) 7. "Misty Mountain Hop" (4:59) 8. "Since I Been Loving You" (9:11) 9. "No Quarter" (15:01) 10. "Hot Dog" (4:01) 11. "Rain Song" (8:42) |
Excellent stereo bootleg of one of the final Zeppelin shows featuring tons of extended jams. Zeppelin, like Deep Purple, could take a four minute song and drag it out for fifteen minutes with bluesy guitar solos. Gotta love that!
Led Zeppelin (the box set) (Atlantic) 1990
DISC 1 DISC 2 |
DISC 3 DISC 4 |
54 tracks of Led Zeppelin all wrapped up in a box that also contains a 36 page book. Since I have yet to really begin replacing all my old Zeppelin records, this one box set fulfulled my Zeppelin craving for a long time. On top of being assemble in chronological order (for the most part) by Jimmy Page, the set also includes three previously unreleased tracks. Led Zeppelin-the box set is the only album in their extensive catalog to include the classic B-side "Hey Hey What Can I Do," as well as their unreleased version of Robert Johnson's "Travelling Riverside Blues" and a live medley of Page"s "White Summer/Black Mountain Side." These three tracks alone would be essential to any Led Zeppelin die-hard. Of course the price is a bit scary, but this was given to me as a Christmas present, so that makes it all the much better. Santa rules!
While "Hey Hey What Can I Do", "Travelling Riverside Blues", and "White Summer/Black Mountain Side" were exclusive to this box set in 1993, these songs along with the song "Baby Come On Home" were included as bonus tracks on the version of 'Coda' that was released as part of their 'Complete Studio Recordings' box set.
Led Zeppelin - Boxed Set 2 (Atlantic) 1993
| DISC
ONE 1. "Good Times Bad Times" (2:46) 2. "We're Gonna Groove" (2:37) 3. "Night Flight" (3:36) 4. "That's the Way" (5:37) 5. "Baby Come on Home" (4:29) 6. "The Lemon Song" (6:19) 7. "You Shook Me" (6:28) 8. "Boogie With Stu" (3:51) 9. "Bron-Yr-Aur" (2:06) 10. "Down by the Seaside" (5:14) 11. "Out on the Tiles" (4:05) 12. "Black Mountain Side" (2:05) 13. "Moby Dick" (4:21) 14. "Sick Again" (4:43) 15. "Hot Dog" (3:17) 16. "Carouselambra" (10:32) |
DISC TWO |
Part two of Jimmy Page's extensive
look into the Zeppelin catalogue. It's quite obvious that the stuff on this disc,
after already releasing four discs, is a bit more obscure. However, there is still
plenty of killer material on this disc, showing how much great songs Zeppelin
came up with in the short time they were a band. There are a few raritiest on
this set as well. Overall, a great listen from beginning to end.
Led Zeppelin - BBC Sessions (Atlantic) 1997
DISC ONE |
DISC
TWO 1."Immigrant Song" (3:20) 2."Heartbreaker" (5:16) 3."Since I've Been Loving You" (6:56) 4."Black Dog" (5:17) 5."Dazed and Confused" (18:36) 6."Stairway to Heaven" (8:49) 7."Going to California" (3:54) 8."That's the Way" (5:43) 9."Whole Lotta Love (Medley)" (13:45) ...a. Boogie Chillun' ...b. Fixin' to Die ...c. That's Alright Mama ...d. A Mess of Blues 10."Thank You" (6:37) |
DISC THREE (interviews)
|
Depsite the fact that most of these BBC discs contain songs that I usually already have, I like the fact that they give me fresh, usually raw, versions of classic songs. At one time it was considered a bad thing to get too much radio airplay as greedy record execs thought that it would hinder album sales, after all why would you buy an album if you can hear the hit song on the radio? So to fill air time the BBC would have artists come in to their studios and record live versions of their songs as well as other artists material. This Led Zeppelin set offers some killer extended jams and even two previously unreleased songs: "The Girl I Love..." and "Somethin' Else." All this is wrapped up in a nice package and adds a bonus disc (disc 3) of vintage interviews.
Led Zeppelin - How the West Was Won (Atlantic) 2003
DISC ONE
1. "L.A. Drone" (:14)
2. "Immigrant Song" (3:41)
3. "Heartbreaker" (7:24)
4. "Black Dog" (5:40)
5. "Over the Hills and Far Away " (5:07)
6. "Since I've Been Loving You" (8:01)
7 . "Stairway to Heaven" (9:37)
8. "Going to California" (5:36)
9. "That's the Way" (5:53)
10. "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" (4:52)
DISC TWO
11. "Dazed and Confused/Walter's Walk/The Crunge" (25:25)
12. "What Is and What Should Never Be" (:39)
13. "Dancing Day" (3:41)
14. "Moby Dick " (19:23)
DISC THREE
15. "Whole Lotta Love" (w/"Boogie Chillun/Let's Have a Party/Hello
Marylou/Going Down Slow") (23:07)
16. "Rock and Roll " (3:55)
17. "The Ocean" (4:19)
18. "Bring It on Home" (9:29)
Led Zeppelin are without a doubt one of the most influential rock bands ever. Their legacy can not be put into words. However, despite being one of the most outstanding live acts of the 1970's, they never really had a live release that was worthy of their legacy. There was "Song Remains the Same", but any Zeppelin fan worth his tattered Zeppelin t-shirts would know of multiple bootlegs that were better than that official soundtrack release. There was also the BBC recordings which are also outstanding, but still not representative of their live legacy. "How the West Was Won" is finally a release worthy of this band's legacy. This collection of performances culled from two shows in 1972 (June 25th at LA Forum & June 27th at Long Beach Arena) are truly outstanding. Both shows had been heavily bootlegged in the past. However, the sound here has never sounded this good on any bootleg. Also, since Page saw fit to pick the best songs between the two shows and intermix them, we are given the best of the best all put together to sound like one continuous show.
Packed onto three discs are some of Zeppelin's most timeless classics, most of which has that raw live energy which cannot be captured in a studio. As was the trend in the 1970's, most of the songs are also extended with jam sessions and medleys with other songs, such as the epic 25-minute "Dazed and Confused," the 23-minute "Whole Lotta Love," and the 19-minute "Moby Dick". Page's signature guitar work is stamped all over this album. I've always contended that Page was a sloppy player on stage, catering more to feel than technical ability, and that is certainly what is heard here. It's pretty obvious this recording was doctored much in the studio, if at all. The band was loose, but packed an energetic sonic punch.
Most of this CD will seem familiar to longtime fans, but at the same time, classics never really grow old. Good music is timeless, and Zeppelin proves with this collection that they made some of the best. There is also an accompanying DVD available that I have yet to see, but am anxious to now that I've heard this.