"The Singles 1965-1967" [Box 2 of 3] by THE ROLLING STONES – Eleven 60ts UK and US 7" Singles in Repro Picture Sleeves – Three of Which Have 3 Tracks Reflecting The Different B-sides in the UK and USA. Featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts with Guests Ian Stewart, Nicky Hopkins and Jack Nitzsche (Keyboards), John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin (String Arrangements) and Steve Marriott of Small Faces and later Humble Pie on Backing Vocals (January 2004 UK/EU ABKCO Records 11CD Clamshell Box Set – Steve Rosenthal, Teri Landi and Bob Ludwig Transfers, Audio Restoration and Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

"…We Love You…"

Ah the glorious bad boys of Rock – The Rolling Stones. The kind of trouser-snake seductive ne'er-do-well pert-bottomed reprobates a concerned mother warned you about (when she wasn't shovelling tranquillisers down her gullet).  We're we (or they) ever so young or indeed so naughty! Hell yes!

This is the second box set in a series of three covering their Satanic Majesties entire 45s output on Decca (UK) and London Records (USA) – this fab little sucker covering their first primo period of non-stop 60ts hipsville - and what a humdinger it is too. There is a mountain of info to wade through, so once more my lysergic listeners unto the nervous breakdowns and girly rainbows…

UK/Europe released 1 January 2004 – "The Singles 1965-1967" by THE ROLLING STONES on Abkco 0602498209851 (Barcode 602498209851) is the Second of Three Box Sets covering their entire Decca/London Records UK and US output on 45s. The Clamshell Box contains 11CDs in Picture Repro Sleeves featuring artwork from many different countries (10 singles by The Rolling Stones and one solo outing by Bassist Bill Wyman), Three Art Cards featuring photos from 1965, 1966 and 1967, a foldout double-sided poster (the Lady Jane single advert with Mick Jagger's face on one side with a band photo on the other) and a 28-Page Fact-Filled Booklet outlined details on each release, reissue credits etc. Its 25-tracks covering eleven 7" singles breaks down as follows…

CD1 "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" - 10:29 minutes, 3 tracks:

US 45, 5 June 1965 on London 45-9766

A. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction b/w The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man

UK 45, 20 August 1965 on Decca F 12220

A. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction b/w The Spider And The Fly

CD2: "Get Off Of My Cloud" - 7:41 minutes, 3 tracks:

US 45, 24 September 1965 on London 45-9792

A. Get Off Of My Cloud b/w I'm Free

UK 45, 22 October 1965 on Decca F 12263

A. Get Off Of My Cloud b/w The Singer Not The Song

CD3: "As Tears Go By" - 4:52 minutes, 2 tracks:

US 45, 18 December 1965 on London 45-9808

A. As Tears Go By b/w Gotta Get Away

UK 45, 4 February 1966 on Decca F 12331 (with different A-side, US A-side relegated to the B)

A. 19th Nervous Breakdown By b/w As Tears Go By

CD4: "19th Nervous Breakdown" - 7:00 minutes, 2 tracks:

UK 45, 4 February 1966 on Decca F 12331 (see Disc 3 for B-side)

A. 19th Nervous Breakdown b/w As Tears Go By

US 45, 12 February 1966 on London 45-9823

A. 19th Nervous Breakdown b/w Sad Day

CD5: "Paint It Black" - 9:44 minutes, 3 tracks:

US 45, 6 May 1966 on London 45-901

A. Paint It Black b/w Stupid Girl

UK 45, 13 May 1966 on Decca F 12395

A. Paint It Black b/w Long Long While

CD6: "Mother's Little Helper" - 5:57 minutes, 2 tracks:

US 45, 2 July 1966 on London 45-902 (Note: no UK issue)

A. Mother's Little Helper b/w Lady Jane

CD7: "Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadows?" - 5:49 minutes, 2 tracks:

US 45, 23 September 1966 on London 45-903

UK 45, 23 September 1966 on Decca F 12497

A. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in The Shadow? b/w Who's Driving Your Plane?

CD8: "Let's Spend The Night Together" - 6:40 minutes, 2 tracks:

UK 45, 13 January 1967 on Decca F 12546

US 45, 13 January 1967 on London 45-904

A. Let's Spend The Night Together b/w Ruby Tuesday

CD9: "We Love You" - 8:26 minutes, 2 tracks:

UK 45, 18 August 1967 on Decca F 12654

US 45, 2 September 1967 on London 45-905
A. We Love You b/w Dandelion

CD10: "She's A Rainbow" - 8:57 minutes, 2 tracks:

US 45, 23 December 1967 on London 45-906

A. She's A Rainbow b/w 2000 Light Years From Home (Note: no UK issue)

CD11: "In Another Land" by BILL WYMAN/The Lantern by THE ROLLING STONES  - 7:19 minutes, 2 tracks:

US 45, 2 December 1967 on London 45-907

A. In Another Land (by BILL WYMAN) b/w The Lantern (by THE ROLLING STONES) (Note: no UK issue)

The Audio is done to a team of three – STEVE ROSENTHAL for Sound Restoration and Archive Coordination, TERI LANDI for Analogue to Digital Transfers and Tape Archive Research and BOB LUDWIG for Mastering. For instance you can really hear the contributions made by NICKY HOPKINS (Piano) and future Led Zeppelin Bassist JOHN PAUL JONES (who arranged the stings) on one of the better tracks from "Their Satanic Majesties…" LP - "She's A Rainbow". Clearer too is Brian Jones pressing down those Mellotron keys on the swirling hippy-dippy soundscape that is "2000 Light Years From Home".

I must admit that I haven't played the Wyman-penned US-only track "In Another Land" in probably four an half decades, but its now nice to hear (once again) the Remaster bring forth Nicky Hopkins lending his piano while Small Faces giant STEVE MARRIOTT taps those distinctive lungs of his for backing vocals. And 'allegedly' none other than Paul McCartney and John Lennon of The Beatles and poet Allen Ginsberg can be heard giving backing vocals to "We Love You" – a tribute to fans who supported the band during those difficult busted months (Nicky Hopkins also contributed piano).

Fans will not surprisingly adore the sheer wallop that comes of the decidedly fruity "Let's Spend The Night Together" – a song apparently written about the first time Mick and Marianne Faithfull hooked up for something we're reliably informed wasn't a fish supper. Unsung hero Jack Nitzsche plays Keyboards on both "Let's Spend The Night Together” and the Bluesy Harmonica driven B-side "Who's Driving Your Plane?" - whilst also contributing distinctive-sounding Harpsichord to the baroque elegance of "Lady Jane". Nitzsche also plays piano on a true digital obscurity – the US B-side "Sad Day” which only appeared on CD in 1989 on the triple "Singles Collection" set. And although its lyrics are now terribly dated and not the most enlightened on the planet, I've always had a thing for the Aftermath song "Stupid Girl" – way more than the rooster strut of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" - a ball-breaker of a song whose fuzzed up guitars and driving rhythm changed the music world forever.

There is of course so much more here, but what you can't deny is the 'on fire' feel to it all. Like The Beatles, The Stones just hit this run of magic that would culminate in Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed and of course on into Stick Fingers and beyond.

Songs about drugs, sex, record company chaperones and grown men dressed in drag for the picture sleeves. Ah the glory. Remember them this way…

"Truth" by JEFF BECK [feat ROD STEWART] (May 2005 EMI 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Rock My Plimsoul..."

Jeff Beck's debut solo LP was always going to be a barnstormer - and with a band featuring talent like Rod Stewart on the microphone and Ronnie Wood on second guitar - plus contributions from friends like Jimmy Page, Nicky Hopkins, Aynsley Dunbar and Keith Moon - that's what 1968's "Truth" gives you – a staggering start. Never mind that some claim it even kick-started a subtle but definite move away from Blues-Rock to Hard Rock into the bargain. There's a lot to assess...so once unto the riffage...guvnor...

UK released May 2005 - "Truth" by JEFF BECK on EMI 873 7492 (Barcode 724387374928) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with Eight Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (70:37 minutes):

1. Shapes Of Things [Side 1]

2. Let Me Love You

3. Morning Dew

4. You Shook Me

5. Ol' Man River

6. Greensleeves [Side 2]

7. Rock My Plimsoul

8. Beck's Bolero

9. Blues De Luxe

10. I Ain't Suspicious

Tracks 1 to 10 are his debut LP "Truth" - released July 1968 in the UK on Columbia SX 6293 (Mono) and Columbia SCX 6293 (Stereo) and in the USA on Epic BN 26413. Produced by MICKIE MOST - it peaked at No. 15 in the US LP charts (no UK chart placing).

BONUS TRACKS:

11. I've Been Drinking (Stereo Mix) - originally the Mono UK B-side to "Love Is Blue" released as a 7" single on Columbia DB 8359 in February 1968

12. You Shook Me (Take 1) - First take without piano that was overdubbed on the Final Version - Take 7

13. Rock My Plimsoul (Stereo Mix) - originally the Mono UK B-side to "Tallyman" released as a 7" single on Columbia DB 8227 in July 1967

14. (Beck's) Bolero (Mono Single Version with Backwards Guitar) - originally the Mono UK B-side of "Hi Ho Silver Lining" released as a 7" single on Columbia DB 8151 in March 1967

15. Blues De Luxe (Take 1) - Previously Unreleased (Take 7 is the Master)

16. Tallyman - originally the Mono UK A-side - released as a 7" single on Columbia DB 8227 in July 1967

17. Love Is Blue - originally the Mono UK A-side - released as a 7" single on Columbia DB 8359 in February 1968

18. Hi Ho Silver Lining (Stereo Mix) - originally the Mono UK A-side - released as a 7" single on Columbia DB 8151 in March 1967

Musicians:

JEFF BECK - Electric Guitars, Steel Guitar on 1, Acoustic Guitar on 6, Bass on 5 and Lead Vocals on 16 and 18

ROD STEWART - Lead Vocals

RON WOOD - Bass

MICKY WALLER - Drums and Percussion

Guests:

KEITH MOON of THE WHO - Drums on 8 and 14 - Tympani on 5

JIMMY PAGE of LED ZEPPELIN - 12-String Electric Guitar on 8 and 14

JOHN PAUL-JONES of LED ZEPPELIN - Organ on 4, 5 and 12 - Bass on 8, 14 and 18 - String Arrangements on 18

NICKY HOPKINS - Piano on 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 14 and 15

AYNSLEY DUNBAR - Drums on 13 and 16

CLEM CATTINI - Drums on 18

MADELINE BELL - Backing Vocals on 11

JOHN CARTER & KEN LEWIS - Backing Vocals on 16

The 16-page booklet is a very tasty affair - new liner notes from noted writer and music historian CHARLES SHAAR MURRAY with contributions from the Guitar Maestro himself - black and white photos of the band (Rodders in full microphone manhandling pose) - guests like Nicky Hopkins - and a wonderful Modtastic photo of the pre "Truth" band with Aynsley Dunbar on Drums instead of Mick Waller (he features on Page 8). CSM keeps it light and witty whilst pouring on the factoids - guitar beginnings with The Yardbirds - the 'Jeff-Rod' writer's credits Beck and Stewart used on the album sleeve - both Zeppelin's John Paul Jones and The Who's Keith Moon contributing so much to that old Paul Robeson chestnut "Ol' Man River" (Organ and Tympani) - an unlikely and very unhip choice for a cover version - and yet one that 'so' works.  Long-standing EMI/Abbey Road Audio Engineer PETER MEW carried out the fantastic Remaster - all that latent power now suddenly to the fore - threatening almost all of the time to get snotty, rowdy and salacious with your amp and speakers. Great stuff...

It opens with an oldie done in a new way - a cover of The Yardbirds 1966 hit "Shapes Of Things" - Beck's witty liner notes advising that you crank the track - even if you have the vicar over for afternoon tea. Immediately your struck by the updated heavier guitar sound and Rod's ridiculously good voice – wow – what a combo this band made. The original song "Let Me Love You" starts the first of four 'Jeffrey Rod' writer credits - two more originals in the shape of "Rock My Plimsoul" and "Blues De Luxe" with the last being an 'Arrangement' credit on the old madrigal "Greensleeves". His playing on "Let Me Love You" is fantastic - Stewart singing along with Beck's playing and vice versa. They then take a stab at Tim Rose's "Morning Dew" - a track on his explosive "Tim Rose" debut album on Columbia Records. You can hear why Rod wanted the song - it has that 'soulful' rock thing at its core. The remaster brings up that great wah-wah playing and Ron Wood's sweet bass playing. While you can just about catch Nicky Hopkins Piano tinkles if you listen real close - we still don't seem to know who the 'mysterious Scottish bloke' is on the Bagpipes?

Their brilliant cover of Howlin' Wolf's "You Shook Me" (penned by Willie Dixon) keeps in lean, hard-hitting and dirty - 2:31 minutes of great Blues-Rock. The old nugget "Ol' Man River" gets a kick in the privates too - Moonie's huge tympani drums giving it an epic feel while Zeppelin's JPJ gives it tasteful organ fills. I'm still not convinced if I admire the track more than I like it - but Rod's vocals are truly awesome and Beck's speaker-to-speaker guitar slides are worth the admission fee. Side 2 opens with a clever and beautiful Acoustic Guitar interpretation of "Greensleeves" - Beck sounding like he's Gordon Giltrap all mellowed on a pile of mushrooms. One of my raves is "Rock My Plimsoul" - a Rodders/Beck boogie tune said to bare a close resemblance to B.B. King's "Rock Me Baby". Beck's guitar fills are superb - panning your speakers like Page gone Bonzo on his axe (I love those "over here" calls from Rod). It ends on a one-two - the Slow Driving Blues of "Blues De Luxe" and a fabulous guitared-up cover of Willie Dixon's Wolf showcase "I Ain't Superstitious". It ends the album on a high...

Excluding the awful pop of "Hi Ho Silver Lining" (even if it is Stereo here) - the Bonus Tracks offer up a very cool selection - most of which is killer. The Take 1 version of "You Shook Me" contains Organ instead of Piano and wild guitar playing - someone clearly devouring too much Hendrix for breakfast. "Blues De Luxe" has Rodders laying into the vocals with a passion and at 7:31 minutes - Beck gets to stretch out while Hopkins lays down a Mississippi piano background dripping with ache and feel. The rare single sides are good too and make for quality fan-pleasing extras.

Jeff Beck would briefly dent the LP charts with the even heavier "Beck-Ola" in July of 1969 - but my heart has always been with this raucous, rough and ready starter album - "Truth". And what it must have been like to see this line-up 'live' - giving those tunes what for in some sweaty bar...lost in the music they loved...

"Led Zeppelin III: Deluxe Edition" by LED ZEPPELIN - October 1970 UK Third Studio Album on Atlantic Records (2014 UK Atlantic/Swan Song 'Deluxe Edition' 2CD Jimmy Page Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...That's The Way..."

I suspect like many fans - I bought all three of these 2CD DELUXE EDITIONS on the day of release (Monday 2 June 2014 here in the UK). And after the initial disappointment of the "Led Zeppelin" debut version with its questionable sound on some tracks and its rubbish bootleg-sounding live bonus disc - I'm thrilled to say that "II" and "III" are entirely different beasts.

For me it's not the more applauded and revered "II" that tickles my spine - but the fabulous 'Acoustic' expansion of the British Super Group's songwriting chops on "III" that puts them head and shoulders above all the rest. This beauty has always made my eyes water and my quadruple bypass beat a little faster. Well - "III" now sounds fabulous - and the 'Companion Audio' CD actually warrants the word 'bonus' with some truly spine-tingling new additions. Here are the Tiny Flowers and Hangman Riding Many A Mile details...

UK released 2 June 2014 (3 June in the USA) – "Led Zeppelin III: Deluxe Edition" by LED ZEPPELIN on Atlantic/Swan Song 8122796449 (Barcode 081277964498) is a 2CD Reissue/Remaster and plays out as follows...

Disc 1 (43:11 minutes):

1. Immigrant Song

2. Friends

3. Celebration Day

4. Since I've Been Loving You

5. Out On The Tiles

6. Gallows Pole [Side 2]

7. Tangerine

8. That's The way

9. Bron-Y-Aur Stomp

10. Hats Off To (Roy) Harper

Tracks 1 to 10 are the vinyl album "Led Zeppelin III" - originally released 5 October 1970 in the USA on Atlantic SD-7291 and Atlantic 2401 002 in the UK

Disc 2 (41:33 minutes):

1. The Immigrant Song (Alternate Mix)

2. Friends (Track - No Vocal)

3. Celebration Day (Alternate Mix)

4. Since I've Been Loving You (Rough Mix Of First Recording)

5. Bathroom Sound (Track No Vocal)

6. Gallows Pole (Rough Mix)

7. That's The Way (Rough Mix With Dulcimer - Backwards Echo)

8. Jennings Farm Blues

9. Key To The Highway/Trouble In Mind

Tracks 1 to 9 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED 'Rough/Alternate Mixes' of Seven album tracks with two New Songs - the Instrumental "Jennings Farm Blues" (which turns out to be an early rockier version of "Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp") and a stunning new double cover-version outtake called "Keys To The Highway/Trouble In Mind".

The three-way foldout Mini LP Sleeve Repro has its problems. The original rear sleeve photo is now placed in the centre and that rear shot of their four faces has been replaced with a rather garish 'negative' artwork shot giving you the feeling that the thing 'just doesn't look right'. Worse - the 'moveable wheel' on the front flap is stationary unlike those beautiful Japanese SHM-CD repro’s of the original vinyl LP – so the fun of turning those photos underneath is lost. Don’t get me wrong – this 2CD DE version is pretty to look at - but I have the Japanese SHM-CD from September 2008 on WPCR-13132 and with its over-sized artwork faithful to the original is a thing of genuine beauty (as was the original 1970 vinyl LP). And what would it have taken to have the original British Atlantic Records Plum Label design on CD 1 (as the Japanese issue does) and the Green and Orange colour on the new CD2?

The 3-way gatefold card sleeve also features alternative colour artwork on the rear with a stuck-on track list (these new releases now reflect their Swan Song label as well as Atlantic Records for the first time). The 16-page booklet has gorgeous black and white/colour photos of the band live at the time (the three sat doing an Acoustic set), relaxing in Wales in the tiny knackered-looking 18th Century Cottage 'Bron-Yr-Aur' where much of the album was written/inspired by. But like "I" and "II" - there are only two pages at the rear that give you the basic track info - bugger all else. There's no liner notes - no history of the album and its importance (a huge fan favourite) - and nothing from Page or Plant. It's good - but it could have been great - and frankly why isn't it?

As Zep fans know the album was conceived in deepest Wales where the band was recovering after extensive world touring (recorded in Headley Grange). Perhaps all that head-banging abroad and rural lack of running water/electricity brought out the 'inner calm' in our heroes - because setting aside the Rock of "Immigrant Song" and the straight-up Blues of "Since I've Been Loving You" - the album primarily featured softer acoustic tracks (ballads even)  - and is so much the better for it.

I moaned about the sound quality on some tracks on the debut - that problem doesn't appear here. From the opening "1, 2, 3..." count-in on "The Immigrant Song" you'll be hammering those Speaker Gods of yours with a possible neighbourhood disturbance restraining order. It's HUGE. The double-whammy "Friends/Celebration Day" leaps out of each channel with new details while the squeaking of Bonham's drum seat can now be clearly heard on the lead-in to the mighty "Since I've Been Loving You". Ending Side 1 - "Out On The Tiles" has wonderful presence - especially on the "All I need is you and all your love...ooh yeah" sung chorus.

Now the magic starts - "Gallows Pole" has always sent fans - and 44 years later - it just blows you away. The mandolin and banjo build up are followed with Bonzo's manic drums - shooting the whole Acoustic/Rock song up into the stratosphere - fantastic stuff and aurally spiffing. "Tangerine" is gorgeous and the sloppy count-in only adds atmosphere to the tenderness. But then I'm in tears. I recently reviewed Mott The Hoople's 1974 CBS album "The Hoople" with the gorgeous Ian Hunter ballad "Trudi's Song" on it. It got me to compiling a 70's FEST CD-R called "Songs To Make A Grown Man Cry" (see separate review and list). Top of that bawl-crawl is Led Zeppelin's gorgeous "That's The Way" - which in its new 2014 guise will make true fans blub like a big girl's blouse. This is what I've waited decades to hear (Cameron Crowe too). And then it all ends with a chipper "Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp" and the slightly throwaway "Hats Off To (Roy) Harper". Job done.

But there's better to come. Disc 2 is a stunning addition. You get Alternate Mixes of "The Immigrant Song" and "Celebration Day" with Rough Mixes of "Since I've Been Loving You" and "Gallows Pole" - all of which feature fascinating different guitar parts and the occasional vocal flourish. "Bathroom Sound" is an early run through of "Out On The Tiles" without vocals and "Jennings Farm Blues" turns out to be a first version of "Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp" with Page feeling for the song (it's very cool). But then you're hit with a solar plexus - the fabulous Big Bill Broonzy/Big Joe Turner double cover of "Key To The Highway/Trouble In Mind". It's a two-man show - Page on Acoustic guitar in the left speaker with Plant on treated warbling vocals and heavy harmonica on the right. It's just stunning - with Robert Plant blowing some truly hair-raising Blues Harp - fans will flip for it. Downside - the fab non-album B-side "Hey Hey What Can I Do Now" to the American 45 of "Immigrant Song" is AWOL - when in remastered form - it would have been a rather tasty cherry on top (it’ll undoubtedly be on a massively expanded “Coda” reissue to come).

So there you have it. Not just brilliant but a legend intact and expanding (despite those packaging niggles).

Were Led Zeppelin really as good as we remember them? And in 1970 - were they even the best band in the world?

You bet your hairy-assed airship-sized balls they were...

PS: see also reviews for the 2CD DELUXE EDITION versions of "I", "II", "IV", "Houses Of The Holy", "Physical Graffiti" and the Very Best Of set "Mothership"

"Led Zeppelin II: Deluxe Edition" by LED ZEPPELIN (2014 Atlantic/Swan Song 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' Jimmy Page Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Whole Lotta Love..."

This Review Along With 337 Others Is Available In My

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WHOLE LOTTA LOVE - 1969
Rock, Pop and Genres Thereabouts
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After the initial disappointment of the "Led Zeppelin" debut 2CD DELUXE EDITION with its questionable sound on some tracks and its rubbish live bonus disc - I'm thrilled to say that "II" is an entirely different beast. It sounds great and the 'Companion Audio' CD actually warrants the word 'bonus' (mostly).

UK released 2 June 2014 (3 June in the USA) - "Led Zeppelin II: Deluxe Edition" by LED ZEPPELIN on Atlantic/Swan Song 8122796453 (Barcode 081227964535) is a 2CD Remaster set and breaks down as follows...

Disc 1 (41:40 minutes):

1. Whole Lotta Love

2. What Is And What Should Never Be

3. The Lemon Song

4. Thank You

5. Heartbreak [Side 2]

6. Living Loving Maid (She’s Just A Woman)

7. Ramble On

8. Moby Dick

9. Bring It On Home

Tracks 1 to 9 is the vinyl album "Led Zeppelin II" - originally released 22 October 1969 in the USA on Atlantic SD-8236 and Atlantic 588 198 in the UK

Disc 2 (32:44 minutes):

1. Whole Lotta Love (Rough Mix With Vocal)

2. What Is And What Should Never Be (Rough Mix With Vocal)

3. Thank You (Backing Track)

4. Heartbreaker (Rough Mix With Vocal)

5. Living Loving Maid (She’s Just A Woman) (Backing Track)

6. Ramble On (Rough Mix With Vocal)

7. Moby Dick (Backing Track)

8. La La (Intro/Outro Rough Mix)

Tracks 1 to 8 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED 'Rough Mixes' of Seven album tracks with one New Song - the Instrumental "La La"

The 3-way gatefold card sleeve features alternative colour artwork on the rear with the original LP gatefold inner spread on the inside flaps - sided by two new photos of the band during recording. There's a stuck-on track list on the rear and the artwork now reflects the Swan Song label as well as Atlantic. The 16-page booklet has gorgeous black and white/colour photos of the band live at the time - but there are only two pages at the rear that give you the basic track info - but bugger all else. There's no liner notes - no history of the album and its importance (once rated as Britain's favourite Rock album) - and nothing from Page or Plant. It's good - but it could have been great - and frankly why isn't it?

I moaned about the sound quality on some tracks on the debut - that problem doesn't appear here. From the opening wallop of "Whole Lotta Love" - it feels huge and detailed. The cymbals and bass of "What Is And What Should Never Be" are wonderfully clear and "The Lemon Song" sounds suitably grungy (as it was intended). The fade in of "Thank You" is lovely - but it's the sheer power riffage of "Heartbreaker" and its various mad guitar breaks that puts hairs on your chest. Both "Maid" and "Ramble On" have accentuated power (especially in the breaks that feature Bonzo's drums) - and of course it finishes with the lethal one-two sucker punch of "Moby Dick" (crystal clear John Bonham solo) and the Harmonica Blues Boogie of Willie Dixon/Sonny Boy Williamson's "Bring It On Home". Job done.

Disc 2 is a genuine blast - backing tracks with different guitar parts and the occasional vocal jab from Plant. It's a fascinating insight into how they worked and built a tune. It's clear these versions were good - just not good enough. The solos in "Heartbreaker" bear this out - most of the finished solo flourishes that we know and love are in there but some aren't quite 'there' - so presumably Page simply kept working them later until he got those licks to his satisfaction. And it's bizarre to hear the first guitar part of "Moby Dick" - then hear it suddenly stop (no solo) and Bonham then count in the drums as the second guitar part finishes the song. The "La La" outtake with its Motown organ bop and wild acoustic/electric guitar breaks is interesting - but feels most throwaway of the lot.

I also bought 1970's "III" this morning and frankly it's the best of the bunch - with fantastic outtakes and two cool new tracks - one of which has me drooling (see separate review).

Were Led Zeppelin really as good as we remember them? Were they even the best band in the world?

With airship-sized knobs on...and then some...

PS: see also reviews for the DELUXE EDITION versions of "I", "III", “VI”, “Houses Of The Holy”, “Physical Graffiti” (3-Discs) and “Mothership: The Best Of” (3-Discs)

"Led Zeppelin" [aka "Led Zeppelin I"] by LED ZEPPELIN (2014 Atlantic/Swan Song 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' Jimmy Page Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Good Times Bad Times…" 

 

This Review Along With 337 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

 

WHOLE LOTTA LOVE - 1969
Rock, Pop and Genres Thereabouts
Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £5.95 (Jan 2022 Update)

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When the CD first arrived as a format in 1984 - few Led Zeppelin fans would have thought it would take 30 years for decent remasters of the fave crave - but unfortunately after hearing these dreadfully dull-sounding new versions - they may want to wait another thirty. It's not all bad of course but I'd swear that the "Mothership" 2007 remasters sound way better and far more alive - and the 2012 Japanese SHM-CD again features better sound. Anyway here are the details...

UK released 2 June 2014 (3 June in the USA) - "Led Zeppelin: Deluxe Edition" by LED ZEPPELIN on Atlantic/Swan Song 8122796457 (Barcode 081227964573) is a 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' Remastered by the band's guitarist JIMMY PAGE and breaks down as follows...

Disc 1 (44:56 minutes):

1. Good Times Bad Times

2. Babe I’m Gonna Leave You

3. You Shook Me

4. Dazed And Confused

5. Your Time Is Gonna Come [Side 2]

6. Black Mountain Side

7. Communication Breakdown

8. I Can’t Quit You Baby

9. How Many More Times

Tracks 1 to 9 are their debut album "Led Zeppelin" - originally issued 12 January 1969 in the USA on Atlantic SD-8216 and 31 March 1969 in the UK on Atlantic 588 171 on vinyl LP

Disc 2 – LIVE AT THE OLYMPIA (71:16 minutes):

1. Good Times Bad Times/Communication Breakdown

2. I Can’t Quit You Baby

3. Heartbreaker

4. Dazed And Confused

5. White Summer/Black Mountain Side

6. You Shook Me

7. Moby Dick

8. How Many More Times

Tracks 1 to 8 are a PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED concert recorded live at The Olympia Theatre in Paris France on 10 October 1969 (Broadcast 2 November 1969 by the French Radio Station 'Europe 1')

The 3-way gatefold card sleeve features alternative artwork on the rear with the original back cover of the LP moved to the inside left flap. The two other inner flaps feature classy black and whites but I must say the alternate artwork leaves me cold. The 16-page booklet has gorgeous black and white/colour photos of the band live at the time - but that's where the good news stops. There are two pages at the rear that give you the basic track info but bugger all else - there are literally no liner notes - nor any history of the album and its importance - nothing from Page or Plant. It's good - but it could have been great - and frankly why isn't it? And as one other reviewer has pointed out - relistening to the album in its entirety - only hammers home what an astonishing debut it was (and still is). But in my heart that's nothing to the sound...

I'm certain the sound quality on this album is going to be a bone of contention for many. Don't get me wrong - it does sound very clean - it has power (if you crank it up) - but there's absolutely something missing. To my ears there's no life to these remasters - no air around the instruments - a sort of dead dampened feel to them. I don't know if noise suppression was used and the only reference to 'remastering' is craftily put on the sticker and not any part of the booklet (so no sources are listed). But to my ears the "Mothership" versions are infinitely better. I've done an A/B of the 4 ML remasters with what's on here - and the 2007 versions are full of real presence and power. "Baby I'm Gonna Leave You" for instance is very clean - but again - it feels oddly restrained. Tracks like the Acoustic and Tabla "Black Mountain Side" sound fabulous - as does the barnstorming finisher "How Many More Times" - but "Good Times Bad Times" and "Communication Breakdown" don't thrill like they should.

The live disc fluctuates wildly on the sound front - a best approximation is a passable bootleg recording. On the double-opener "Good Times Bad Times/Communication Breakdown" you can so hear the power and magic of a band tearing into its audience with a point to prove - but tracks like "Moby Dick" and "Heartbreaker" sound like rubbish (even if Jimmy Page's guitarwork is off the charts brilliant). Speaking of his axe - the guitar disappears into the mix way too often as does John Paul Jones' Bass and John Bonham's drums. Bluntly if any major label put this out as an official release they would be loudly panned by everyone – especially fans. Also where is the 1969 studio outtake "Baby Come On Home" or the brill "Travelling Riverside Blues" from the 1990-4CD "Led Zeppelin" Box Set - which would have made ideal bonus tracks on Disc 1?

I suppose it's a matter of taste when it comes to sound - and I'm open to correction. And there will be those who can quite easily accept what's on Disc 1 - but I for one have to admit to feeling major disappointment after all this wait. Thank God I didn't fork out ninety quid for the Super Deluxe. Answers on a missing mastertape please...

PS: see also reviews for the 2CD Deluxe Edition versions of "II", "III", "IV", "Houses Of The Holy", "Physical Graffiti" (3-Discs) and "Mothership: The Best Of" (3-Discs)