"... Whole Lotta Love" - ​​Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin (2014 2CD Deluxe Edition)

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 'Audio Companion' CD Actually warrants the word 'bonus'.

UK released 2 June 2014 (3 June in the USA) - Atlantic / Swan Song 8122796453 breaks down as follows ...

Disc 1 (41:40 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 9 is the vinyl album "Led Zeppelin II" - originally released 22 October 1969 in the United States on Atlantic SD-8236 and Atlantic 588 198 in the UK

Disc 2 (32:44 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 8 are previously unreleased 'rough mixes' of Seven album tracks with one New song - the instrumental "La La"

The 3-way card gatefold sleeve features alternate color 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 tracklist 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 / color 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 favorite rock album) - and nothing from Page or Plant. It's good - but it could have been great - and frankly why is not it?

I moaned about the sound quality on some tracks on the debut - that problem does not 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 did 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 thesis versions were good - just not good enough. The solos in "Heartbreaker" bear this out - most of the finished solo flourishes did we know and love are in there but some are not quite 'there' - so presumably Page simply kept working them later until he got to his satisfaction Those licks , And it's bizarre to hear the first guitar part of "Moby Dick" - then suddenly hear it 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 bop organ 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 2CD Deluxe Edition versions of "I" and "III"