• Led Zeppelin Reissues Chart Statistics –

UK and US Reissue Sales Analysis –this report from Martin Tait:

LED ZEPPELIN:

Who’d have thought this one would be the best seller of the reissue packages! In the UK charts it was sitting at No.4 all the way to Friday in the Midweek charts, but unfortunately slipped a few places down the chart on Saturday, having to eventually settle for a No.7 placing on Sundays OCC Top 100 album chart and thus, ever so narrowly missing out on beating it’s previous UK chart peak of No.6, set way back in May 1969. In it’s opening week it managed to shift 12,423 copies and has shifted 337,500 (lowest total of the three) copies since Millward Brown started compiling the charts for OCC in February 1994. Millward Brown/OCC only compiles retail sales, so additional sales through Music Clubs, such as Music Direct, Britannia etc would also have been sold during this period. It is the albums 6th week within the Top 10, 22nd Top 20, 52nd Top 40 and it’s 77th within the Top 100 and first appearance since the chart of 26th June 1971, although it did spend 1 additional week, within the Top 200 album chart, re-entering at No.187 for 1 week on the 22nd December 2007.

LED ZEPPELIN II:

I honestly thought this would be the best seller, given it’s previous and continued chart performance, sales and critical acclaim, but alas, it was the only one to actually miss the UK Top 10. It had been sitting at No.7, then No.8 until Friday on the UK Midweek chart, but like Led Zeppelin slipped a few places to end up at No.12 on Sundays OCC album chart. In it’s opening week, it registered sales of 11,302, the lowest of the three, quite in contrast to it’s post February 1994 sales, which at 435,838, are easily the highest of the three. Again Music Club sales would need to be added to get a picture of this albums full post February 1994 sales figures. It is the albums 79th week with in the Top 20 (it has 54 within the Top 10), it’s 111th Top 40, it’s 127th Top 100 and it’s first appearance since the chart of 2nd August 1975, when it bowed out at No.52. It has also charted for23 weeks within the Top 200 chart, between 1994 to date, peaking at No.102 on the 7th January 2006 and spending a total of 150 weeks in this extended chart, usually only available to Industry insiders, but published every week.

LED ZEPPELIN III:

Easily the most panned of the first three releases upon it’s original release, with the poorest chart performance, but the years have been extremely kind to it, as is testified by it’s higher sales than Led Zeppelin, of 346,071 since 1994. It had been sitting at No.6, then No.7 until Friday on the Midweek chart, but had to settle for a final entry position of No.10 and an opening week tally of 11,476 sales It is the albums 22nd week within the Top, it’s 23rd Top 20, 37th Top 40, 41st Top 100 and it’s first chart appearance since it bowed out of the chart on the 18th September 1971 at No.50. It has also spent 4 weeks on the Top 200 chart between 2004 and 2007, peaking at No.152 in December 2007.

Additional Info on Audience/Vinyl/Download:

Led Zeppelin’s audience doesn’t seem ready for the digital age yet, with downloads accounting for far fewer sales of the newly expanded sets than the deluxe vinyl editions. Led Zeppelin sold 453 downloads and 2,534 copies on vinyl, Les Zeppelin II sold 445 downloads and 2,268 copies on vinyl, and Led Zeppelin III sold 457 copies on downloads and 2,372 copies on vinyl. They take the top three places on the Record Store vinyl album chart but their download chart positions, respectively are 81 , 85 and 79.

Some additional UK info:

UK ROCK CHART

1. (RE) LED ZEPPELIN (56WKS)

2. (RE) LED ZEPPELIN III (74WKS)

3. (RE) LED ZEPPELIN II (100WKS)

8. (20) MOTHERSHIP (297WKS)

UK ROCK SINGLES CHART

7. (34) WHOLE LOTTA LOVE (20WKS)

14. (19) STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN (282WKS)

UK CATALOGUE ALBUM CHART

1. (NE) LED ZEPPELIN

2. (NE) LED ZEPPELIN III

3. (NE) LED ZEPPELIN II

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US Chart Analysis:

Led Zeppelin re-enters the chart at #7 (surpassing its original peak position of #10 in May 1969), Led Zeppelin II re-enters at #9 and Led Zeppelin III re-enters at #10.

This marks just the second time that an act has had three or more catalog albums in the top 10 simultaneously since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking music sales in 1991. Whitney Houston had three catalog albums in the top 10 for two weeks in February and March 2012, following her death. Two other acts would have accomplished this feat in 2009, but catalog albums were barred from The Billboard 200 at the time. Michael Jackson would have had six albums in the top 10 for two weeks in July 2009, following his death. The Beatles would have had five albums in the top 10 in September 2009, after their catalog was digitally remastered.

The Led Zeppelin albums are the top three albums on Top Catalog Albums. These three albums have sold a combined 5,730,000 copies in the U.S. since 1991, when Nielsen SoundScan began tracking music sales. Led Zeppelin is just the fifth album from the 1960s to reach #1 on the catalog chart since 1991. It follows three Beatles albums and the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s immortal A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Led Zeppelin’s Led Zeppelin re-enters the chart at #7 (37K). 2nd Top 10/34th  Top 20/51st Top 40/96th Top 200

Led Zeppelin’s Led Zeppelin II re-enters the chart at #9 (34K). 25th Top 10/27th Top 20/30th Top 40/99th Top 200

Led Zeppelin’s Led Zeppelin III re-enters the chart at #10 (32K). 15th Top 10/18th Top 20/ 20th Top 40/43rd Top 200

Led Zeppelin had Soundscanned 1,684,022 from 1991 until December 2012, so has roughly SS’d 1,750,000 to date

Led Zeppelin II had Soundscanned 2,484,826 from 1991 until December 2012, so roughly SS’d 2,560,000 to date

Led Zeppelin III had Soundscanned 1,139,000 from 1991 until December 2006, so adding LZ (1,750,000) to LZII (2,560,000) we get 4,310,000, so taking this away from 5,730,000, we get a LZ III roughly at 1,420,000 to date

I believe this represents a record for longest gap between weeks in the album Top 10, as well as longest span of top 10 weeks from first to last. The first top 10 week for “Led Zeppelin” was May 17, 1969… 45 years and 6 weeks ago. In fact, Led Zeppelin II, which hit the top 10 for the first time on November 22 of that year, would seem to have the second longest span from first to most recent Top 10 week, at 44 years 7 months. The first Top 10 week for Led Zeppelin III was October 24, 1970… 43 years and 8 months ago.

I checked other candidates… The Beatles had five 1960s releases in the top 10 on September 26, 2009 (Comprehensive chart only). In chronological order of release year, they were Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver (1966), Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), The Beatles (White Album) (1968), and Abbey Road (1969). The first of these, Rubber Soul, reached the album chart in the last week of 1965 and was not in the top 10 until January 8, 1966. So the top 10 span for these albums is 43 years 8 months and change – a couple more weeks between Rubber Soul’s first top 10 week and its most recent, than the gap for Led Zeppelin III – that is, if you consider the September 2009 Top 10 entries to be “official”, as Catalogue albums were not allowed to chart on the BB200 at the time, only the Comprehensive Album chart. These are the only other albums from before 1970 to reach the top 10 in recent years.

Top Catalog Albums      

1. (RE) Led Zeppelin (36wks)

2. (RE) Led Zeppelin II (64wks)

3. (NE)Led Zeppelin III   (1wk)

2nd catalogue No.1 album after (Mothership) and 6th Top 10

 Digital Albums 

17           New      1              Led Zeppelin      –              Led Zeppelin      –              Atlantic | Rhino

18           New      1              Led Zeppelin II  –              Led Zeppelin      –              Atlantic | Rhino

21           New      1              Led Zeppelin III –              Led Zeppelin      –              Atlantic | Rhino

Vinyl Albums   

1              New      1              Led Zeppelin      –              Led Zeppelin      –              Atlantic | Rhino

2              New      1              Led Zeppelin II  –              Led Zeppelin      –              Atlantic | Rhino

4              New      1              Led Zeppelin III –              Led Zeppelin      –              Atlantic | Rhino

Internet Albums

1 New 1 Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin – Atlantic | Rhino

2 New 1 Led Zeppelin II – Led Zeppelin – Atlantic | Rhino

3 New 1 Led Zeppelin III – Led Zeppelin – Atlantic | Rhino

Tastemakers

1 New 1 Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin – Atlantic | Rhino

2 New 1 Led Zeppelin II – Led Zeppelin – Atlantic | Rhino

3 New 1 Led Zeppelin III – Led Zeppelin – Atlantic | Rhino

Worldwide Chart Positions:

Finland Top-50 albums sales chart:

#3 (NEW) Led Zeppelin I

#6 (NEW) Led Zeppelin II

#7 (NEW) Led Zeppelin III

 NEW ZEALAND Top-40 albums sales chart

#5 (NEW) Led Zeppelin I

#6 (NEW) Led Zeppelin II

#7 (NEW) Led Zeppelin III

USA Top-100 albums sales chart:

#7 (RE) Led Zeppelin I

#9 (RE) Led Zeppelin II

#10 (RE) Led Zeppelin III

UK Top-100 albums sales chart:

#7 (RE) Led Zeppelin I

#10 (RE) Led Zeppelin III

#12 (RE) Led Zeppelin II

Ireland Top-100 albums sales chart:

# 8 (NEW) Led Zeppelin 1

#12 (NEW) Led Zeppelin 2

#13 (NEW) Led Zeppelin 3

Croatia Top-50 albums sales chart:

#9 from #14 Led Zeppelin 1 and 2 weeks on charts

#10 from #15 Led Zeppelin 3 and 2 weeks on charts

#11 from #29 Led Zeppelin 2 and 2 weeks on charts

Estonia Top-10 albums sales chart:

#10 (NEW) Led Zeppelin 1

Switzerland Top-100 albums sales chart:

#11 (NEW) Led Zeppelin I

#15 (NEW) Led Zeppelin II

#20 (NEW) Led Zeppelin III

Neatherlands Top-100 albums sales chart:

#14 (NEW) Led Zeppelin I

#17 (RE) Led Zeppelin 2

#18 (RE) Led Zeppelin 3

Japan Top-100 albums sales chart:

#15 (NEW) Led Zeppelin I 7,401 copies sold

#18 (NEW) Led Zeppelin II 6,685 copies sold

#20 (NEW) Led Zeppelin III 6,066 copies sold

Austria Top-75 albums sales

#18 Led Zeppelin I

#24 Led Zeppelin III

#25 Led Zeppelin II

Spain Top-100 albums sales chart:

#19 (NEW) Led Zeppelin I

#20 (NEW) Led Zeppelin I

#24 (NEW) Led Zeppelin II

Czech Republic Top-50 albums sales chart:

#31 (NEW) Led Zeppelin “Good times Bad Times” Not sure if this LZI or not

#44 (NEW) Led Zeppelin III

#50 (NEW) Led Zeppelin III

Swiss Album Charts:

11 (NEW) Led Zeppelin

15 (NEW) Led Zeppelin II

20 (NEW) Led Zeppelin III

Germany GfK Entertainment:

11 (RE) 3 Led Zeppelin (new peak)

16 (RE) 10 Led Zeppelin II

18 (RE) 8 Led Zeppelin III

South Korea:

Weekly shipments Top International albums

4 Led Zeppelin | Led Zeppelin II (2CD Deluxe Edition)

5 Led Zeppelin | Led Zeppelin (2CD Deluxe Edition)

6 Led Zeppelin | Led Zeppelin III (2CD Deluxe Edition)

15 Led Zeppelin | Led Zeppelin (Digitally Remastered)

16 Led Zeppelin | Led Zeppelin II (Digitally Remastered)

17 Led Zeppelin | Led Zeppelin III (Digitally Remastered)

37 Led Zeppelin | Led Zeppelin II (2LP+2CD Super Deluxe Edition)

39 Led Zeppelin | Led Zeppelin (3LP+2CD Super Deluxe Edition)

Hong Kong:

HMV Overall chart

29 LED ZEPPELIN 2 (2CD: DELUXE ED) (2014 REMASTERED)

30 LED ZEPPELIN 1 (2CD: DELUXE ED) (2014 REMASTERED)

31 LED ZEPPELIN 3 (2CD: DELUXE ED) (2014 REMASTERED)

Hungary:

4 Led Zeppelin II

5 Led Zeppelin III

6 Led Zeppelin

France:

#8 NEW LZ

#15 LZ II

#16 LZ III

And at number 1, 2 and 3 on Backcatalogue

Sweden:

Led Zep 1 11

Led Zep 2 13

Led Zep 3 14

Sweden Hard Rock albums:

#2 RE LZ

#3 RE LZ II

#4 NEW LZ III

BELGIUM WALLONIA Top-200 albums sales chart;

07.06.2014

#26 Led Zeppelin I Deluxe Edition Remastered 2014

#28 Led Zeppelin III Deluxe Edition Remastered 2014

#33 Led Zeppelin II Deluxe Edition Remastered 2014

Mid-Price Top-50

#16 from #34 Led Zeppelin Mothership and 56 weeks in Top-50. GOLD ALBUM.

Portugal AFP Top albums:

#9 (NE) LZ

#15 (RE) LZ II

#16 (RE) LZ III

BELGIUM FLANDERS Top-200 albums sales chart

07.06.2014

#49 Led Zeppelin I Deluxe Edition Remastered 2014

#55 Led Zeppelin III Deluxe Edition Remastered 2014

#58 Led Zeppelin II Deluxe Edition Remastered 2014

Mid-Price Top-50

#37 re-entry Led Zeppelin Mothership and 69 weeks in Top-50. GOLD ALBUM.

Many thanks to Martin for that detailed analysis.

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Jimmy Page on Johnny Walker show Radio Two:

There’s a Jimmy Page interview on Johnnie Walker’s Sounds of the 70s, BBC Radio 2 on Sunday 15th June from 3pm.

(thanks Tony Walsh) 

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Led Zeppelin Reissues Feedback:

Review of the Led Zeppelin II Companion audio by Ken Winovich  June 11th 2014:

Before I get knee deep on this, I have every scrap of the bootlegged studio outtakes. And again, expectations are not high here.

And also noticing that the first Deluxe Box Set had a live companion disc and not studio outtakes, I expect my review ratings to fall on this Box set. How much so I won’t know till I get through this one. But after reading current and past Jimmy Page interviews, I expected these remasters would include the other 2 takes (Jimmy said they do three takes on every song and pick the best of the three) of at least the hits. Having just listened to this, that didn’t happen.

Is it me or could these discs have included more? Did that perhaps present any legal problems? Who knows. And who among us (serious Zep fans who own bootleg studio outtakes) can honestly say that getting hold of “campfire sessions at Bron-Yr-Aur cottage” or “Stairway sessions” or even “Battle of Evermore”/”When The Levee Breaks” different versions didn’t top this? Before I open my mouth any further and realize I should have also put my foot in it, I’ll hold off for now as we don’t know what’s gonna be on that last Coda disc. That’s gonna be the one.

That’s the big one here because Jimmy has the opportunity to empty the studio vaults. But I hate to wait and get my hopes up high and that Deluxe Box Set ends up for me like this one. But there’s a touch of disappointment so far. “Pat’s Delight” in embryonic form-if such a thing exists-should be on here. Some studio chatter could have been fitted on like Bonzo’s ideas on why he re-arranged “Pat’s Delight” to “Moby Dick” or even something in the flavor of Physical Graffiti’s end of “In My Time Of Dying” with “Cough! That’s gotta be the one I say!” But I will say this – if Page says in an interview “Well, we’ve got three versions of “Stairway To Heaven” that were not live and three say of “Since I’ve Been Loving You” and basically three of every song they ever did, we’re all in trouble! And we’ve all been here before. How many times have you bought software to do something in particular. The side of the box says it can do it for you. Yes it can. But not like you expected. Is it false advertising? No. It’s a mis-alignment of expectations. And it’s usually on the “spoiled” side (us!).

Up first is “Whole Lotta Love” rough mix with vocal. At this stage in it’s development in the studio, it does not contain the backwards echo guitar slide nor a chorus. So we are hearing this song in ‘embryonic’ form. There are no bongos yet added to the midsection or sonic treatments by Page and Eddie Kramer. There’s more theramin than on the official release and it’s crystal clear. When Jones’s bass starts working it’s way back in to start the end of the middle section, you know the guitar solo spot is near but it’s not on this track. A fine example of how Zeppelin laid down the foundations to a key track in their hits catalog before the added enhancements and treatments were added. It’s interesting at 5:36 to hear John Bonham do a 4-note drum lick to stop the track on the fade-out.

“What Is And What Should Never Be” – rough mix with vocals is next. The track sounds pretty much like the original. But at the start of the slide solo, there’s a rough beginning to it which will be edited out. So it shows the track’s basics where laid down well and just a few things like a vocal bit here removed or the rough slide start cleaned up and it shows the band kept it simple and it works. Reminds me of Bono’s (U2) comment once that “Notes are precious and you should only use them when you have to.” Simplicity works and getting a good “live in the studio” basic foundation track down is a must. If you can’t achieve that then the song needs more work on the arrangement.

Next is the “Thank You” backing track. A backing track is usually a track that’s missing some component-vocals, guitar, bass or drums and in this case, it’s the vocals. You get to hear this love song’s musical-instrument construction. It also is missing the nice delicate classical style guitar solo in the middle and the fade out and fade back in at the end of the track as well. At this stage I found myself looking to confirm the only two tracks left off the companion disk as I noticed the songs are in original album order and these left-off tracks are “The Lemon Song” and “Bring It On Home”. Whether one of them had no alternate takes or the other with only one or two tracks laid down could be a possibility but the band make room for “La La” instead to fit on this release.

The hit “Heartbreaker” – rough mix with vocal is next and that’s a good move. We find the drum track may have been replaced with another vibrant one as it’s different than the album and the guitar solo is a “raw” first attempt to remind Page the direction to take it in when he returns to it to redo it alone in the studio by himself. The track has the harmnoic feedback beeps in it as the songs speeds up after the guitar solo which I’ve always liked. What’s really cool is the 3:30 point in the track, reminiscent of the rave-ups the Yardbirds used to do and it’s different which made it an excellent choice for this disc.

“Living Loving Maid (She’s Just A Woman)” is a backing track minus vocals. These are neat for those of us that are in bands to practice their Plant singing or for bars and taverns to avoid botched karaoke attempts because of poor quality backing tracks. So these backing tracks should be received well. “Ramble On” rough mix with vocal was next. We can see the song’s basic construction and that Page will add some embellishments to it. The 2:30 point in the track sounds very nice. Also some backup vocal overdubs are missing. Very nice to hear these type tracks to see how Zeppelin polished them as they are “bare-bones” tracks.

The “Moby Dick” backing track is how the song was originally recorded. As the song stops where the “drum insert” would go, there’s a pause and we hear Bonham count out “1-2-3-4″ and the ending riff begins confirming what we’d been told if you don’t have the bootleg. The real treat was the extra power chord at the end with a rough slide down and right off the fretboard! Lovely!

The new treat bestowed on Zeppelin fans in this box set is the never-before heard track “La La”. It begins with an enticing keyboard hook that draws you in. The whole band comes in and what stands out is the 60′s style song is the acoustic guitar strumming by Page that we all loved so well from the likes of Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers, Johnny Cash to Donovan to name a few. At 0:50, the songs tempo changes reminiscent of Page’s Zep III era composition “Swan Song” before it goes off into another direction as Bonham and Page convert the song momentarily into an electric song but stop soon after. It’s John Bonham’s drumming that holds the track together as a foundation. Very nice descending acoustic chords by Page and we find the track has metamorphosized into electric. This would be a nice piece for those countless tribute bands to slip in to finish an acoustic song. Once again, at 2:13, we find another tempo-flavor change as only Zeppelin and Rush have ever been able to convincingly do. For much of the song to this point it had you questioning if it really even was Zeppelin music as it’s so different to anything you’ve heard but it is Page’s slide work here at two and a half minutes in that confirms it. Bonham slows it all down at 3:06 and Page continues to close out the track with some fine bluesy slide guitar. It’s very similar to “Travelling Riverside Blues” but arranged with a different flavor. And it’s the close-out track on this new companion disc.

So having now arrived just past the half way point in these three new releases, a close look at the statement in the box set liner notes of “The material on the companion disc presents a portal to the time of the recording of Led Zeppelin II is a work in progress , with rough mixes, backing tracks, alternate versions and new material recorded at that time” is accurate. And with these releases we have our ‘second peek’ if you will, into how that work progressed after having had our first peek with all the bootleg outtakes that came out.

Great to see these new 2014-technology remasters finally come out after Page had mentioned in guitar magazine interviews of their existence. Great stuff for the serious Zeppelin fan so there’s something for everyone on these new box sets whether you choose to hear finely remastered tracks updated with the latest technology to enhance them or to step back into the past to see how the band laid down their songs.

Don’t know why and this is only the Zep II companion review but I’m thinking this summer of doing a campfire/fire pit session at night with these discs. I used to get my telescope set up and play every Rush album sunset to sunrise and that was always great and even did that with the entire Zeppelin catalog as well. It would be neat to listen to the Zep III material like they started constructing it – around a campfire. Disappointed a little but not much overall and found it still well worth the money. So it’s on to the Zep III Deluxe Box set and I may take a tip from another Zep fan to wear white gloves during that one as that package would get dirty otherwise.

Scale 1-5 with 5 the best:

Product – 4.5

Satisfaction – 4.2

Audio – 4.7

Ken Winovich

There weren’t any messages in the runoff groove, dammit!

I looked on both pieces of vinyl and all I saw were the serial numbers and JD. If any album would’ve had them, it would’ve been III. I pulled my normal copy of III out and verified, if for no other reason than my own reassurance that it did, in fact, have that famous message. It did.

Hearing backing tracks to “Friends” and “Out On The Tiles” is always good, because you find yourself providing your own lyrics, seeing how well you measure up to Plant. You can really hear the rhythm section without the vocal tracks in the bridge of OOTT. That’s the essence of Led Zeppelin, that big rhythm section driving the whole behemoth forward.

Alternate mixes: “Immigrant Song” (or as it was called when it was in its formative stages, “Overlord”), has the interesting cacophony of moans and murmuring at the end that made for a rather haunted-sounding end to the track. Weird, but good.

“Since I’ve Been Loving You” is a good alternate mixing on the companion disc. If possible, the lyrics and tone Robert Plant uses are even more passionate than the version that was released in 1970!

I like “Gallows Pole” a lot better with the banjo than without. Lyrics are a little different, but still you hear the big rhythm section without the banjo perhaps distracting from it. It’s interesting how it kind of just dies out with a bass and a snare drum and then just stops. Again, atypical but good.

“Robert’s Song” or “The Boy Next Door” which became “That’s The Way”. Good stuff, that. As is “Jennings Farm Blues”. What an interesting intro to the song that became “Bron-y-Aur” [sic]. Again, without vocals, you can hear very clearly the powerful bass and drums that powered the mighty Zeppelin. A good guitar solo toward the end by Jimmy creates for a good send off.

“Key To The Highway/Trouble In Mind” is a nice blues number with that shimmering, almost warbling vocal that you find on “Hats Off To (Roy) Harper”. Nice harmonica solo from Robert’s mouth organ and the accompaniment with the acoustic gives it a definite Delta Blues feel.

I like the whole experience way better on 180-gram vinyl than on CD or MP3, not that it’s inferior on either of the last two. It’s simply best on a long player.

The companion book was ever-faithful with imagery of the European and Asian releases of the single and albums, which I always find very poignant. They really were a global act with a worldwide following. I specifically liked how it highlighted Zeppelin’s performance at the Bath Blues Festival. If there’s one concert I wish was recorded and videotaped for eventual release, it would be this show. (That and Seattle, 1972.)

I understand they took the stage that night as the sun was setting, as per the strong influence of one Peter Grant. Mr. Page, if you’re reading this, please consider releasing whatever audio and video that may exist of that legendary Bath show. I think that would rival the Olympia Paris 1969 show as well as the show at Royal Albert Hall show the same year.

All of these remasterings and rereleases have, I’m afraid, only whetted my appetite. I know it sounds greedy and self-serving to say, “That was great; but now I want more!” But there it is. I can only imagine the extras that will accompany Untitled, Houses and Physical, particularly the last since it’s already a double album. I’ll have to clear quite a bit of space to accommodate all that!

Maybe the mythical “St. Tristan’s Sword” and “Lost In Space” will make their way onto Untitled’s companion disc? Time will tell. I know I’ve gotten ahead of myself by talking about titles that haven’t been rereleased yet, but I’m enthralled with the historiography of this legendary band. I know all of you are, too.

Greg Frazho Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Photo by Susan Ross.

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Robert Plant new album to be realised via East West Records in the UK:

This story via Music Week:

Robert Plant’s new album is to be released via East West Records in September, in conjunction with a wider global Nonesuch/WB campaign.

The release will be one of the first on the recently-revived East West label at Warner Music, and is Plant’s first solo studio release since 2010’s Band Of Joy, which hit No.3 on the Official UK chart – where it was issued by Decca.

Max Lousada, CEO, Warner Music UK, said of East West’s deal: “Robert is one of the most influential artists of all time. We’re thrilled to further develop our relationship with him and honoured to work with him on his new music.

“East West’s involvement in releasing Robert’s record in the UK is testament to the strength of the team we’ve established and reflects the great ambition we have for the label now and in years to come.”

Dan Chalmers, president, East West, Rhino & ADA UK, commented: “Robert has created a tremendous, daring and ground-breaking album. He is a truly great artist and it is a privilege for East West to work closely with him and Nonesuch/WB on this stunning LP. We’re pulling out all the stops to ensure we deliver a campaign that mirrors the magnitude of the record.”

Plant’s writing and performing has been fed by his global travels, with influences from West Coast psychedelic rock, roots blues, African music, and traditional American and European folk.

The news of his upcoming album arrives as some of his most classic work makes a commercial impact all over again. In the UK this week, Led Zeppelin reissues occupy three of the Top 12 places in the album chart.

When the global deal was stuck with Nonesuch/Warner Bros last month, Robert Plant said: “I’m pleased to find such a reputable home for our renegade departures. The support and encouragement we have received has been strong and refreshing – Turn It Up!”

 See link at:

http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/east-west-to-release-plant-in-uk/058698

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Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters – Pink Pop Festival, June 8th – tour watch report:

It was a hot pre-summer evening last Sunday as Robert and his band took the 3FM stage. Many people had come to take a look and to see and hear what the Zep fuss was (or should I say is?) all about. Could he still hit those high notes? Oh yes mama, could he ever! Dressed in tan brown pants with a lovely psychedelic blue and gold printed satin loose shirt and snakeskin shoes/boots, he started off with Babe I’m Gonna Leave You –  watching from the right wing of the entrance of the stage to see Skin Tyson’s delicately strumming out the famous intro. The fans recognised it immediately and started to cheer. It was sheer heaven to see and hear this song live.

He let rip several howls during this song and proved what a fine vocalist he still is. Yes, he definitely has got his big voice again! After this song the following songs were played: Tin Pan valley, Black dog (featuring Juldeh Camara on riti), Spoonful (introducing it as from his forthcoming album in September!), Going to California, Little Maggie (also from the as yet untitled new album), Fixin’ to Die with the Who Do You Love intro, Ramble On and the set closer You Need Love erupting into Whole lottla Love.

The audience followed him along with the waving hands movements during this song which he really enjoyed. 65 minutes of sheer bliss, joy and craftsmanship. We lapped it all up eagerly and yelled for an encore, but due to time constraints it sadly wasn’t to be with Plant quipping ‘this is not a Grateful Dead show you know!” He also mentioned having lost some equipment that morning, during the thunder and rain shower, but we didn’t notice it one bit. A 20 year old guy behind me remarked ”Jesus, that was one hell of a show!” Oh yes indeed. The whole concert was filmed by two camera men, so I was very much surprised to my dismay that none of it was shown on TV. Oh well maybe sometime in the near future it all will be revealed. Now roll on the Cologne show this June 23rd. I can’t wait!

Marcel Vallen –  Venlo-Blerick, Holland – photo by Marcel.  

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Rik Mayall 1958 – 2014:

It was very sad to hear the sudden passing of the iconic comedian and actor Rik Mayall. In the mid 80s, Rik performed with the spoof rock band Bad News along with Aide Edmonson, Alan Metcalfe, Peter Richardson and Nigel Planner. On November 9th 1986  they appeared on stage at the  Hammersmith Odeon in a support slot to Iron Maiden. On that occasion they were joined on stage by Jimmy Page and Brian May for an hilarious sketch – check out the You Tube clip below.  

DL Diary Update:

A week of research and planning for TBL projects ahead with a number of things to get underway during the summer. This has meant a fair few trips up into the loft where I re discovered many a poster and magazine amongst all the files, photos, music papers etc.  Some of these I’ve featured on the TBL Facebook pages notably a few original Led Zep eight track cartridges. Ahead there’s the on going marketing and selling of TBL product, the next issue to begin collating and various other TBL initiatives to get moving.

On Wednesday I took a quick trip into London for some TBL business – as I was in the area of Tottenham Court Road and Windmill Street, I couldn’t resist a pic on the very spot where Led Zeppelin posed for that promo photo taken by Dick Barnett back in December 1968. An historic Zep landmark.

Last weekend when we went to visit Sam in London (a great day out – it was fantastic to see her – see pic ), while the ladies went shopping, I was on the vinyl trail and I snapped up some very nice items – the 1969 UK Atlantic Records sampler Flying High which was issued as a promo item for JAL Airlines at the time – this has You Shook Me lining up amongst Atlantic soul legends such as Otis and Aretha. I also picked up a New Zealand pressing of Led Zeppelin III front sleeve with no wheel and side loading gatefold sleeve – plus a German pressing of Led Zeppelin II with the UK catalogue number and Heartbreaker listed as Heartbreakers. Lovely stuff.

These oddball delights were an added antidote to further intensive listening to the first three Led Zeppelin reissues – reviews of which I will get around to. I’ve already taken a fair few notes of my findings. More on all that to follow.

Many thanks for all your Led Zeppelin Reissues feedback reports which have been hugely inspiring. It’s also been good to soak up the reports and You Tube clips of Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters initial European dates. The singer is in very fine voice indeed – be sure to let us know what you think if you are attending one of the shows this month.

The World Cup is amongst us and we are all set for a feast of football – England as we know have a very tough group that sees them take on Italy first on Saturday. There’s a big Italian community in the Bedford area and the rivalry will be reaching fever pitch come Saturday night at 11pm. Here’s hoping Roy’s boys can get off to a good start but we know it won’t be easy.

Here’s a great quote from the artist Emily Barker her song Nostalgia was the theme tune for the hit detective series Wallander and she recorded a frour track EP Songs Beneath The River? direct to vinyl:

”For me. it’s the warm, rich sound and superior audio quality of vinyl, which allows the full sound spectrum to come through, that makes it so unique. The sheer beauty of the object has never been matched by any other format. The tactility of a vinyl record and its sleeve is something new generations are discovering as a wholesome alternative to digital downloads.

Playing a record takes time. It makes you slow down. And with life moving as fast as it does ,it feels good to allow yourself these little moments of serenity.”

Little moments of serenity here this past week  has been the Led Zeppelin III reissue and I also gave a dedicated listen to the recent David Crosby album Croz. Very fine album it is too.

There’s also a summer playlist developing and alongside the Led Zeppelin reissues and some choice 1969/70 Zep performers, I’m lining up The Byrds  History of The Byrds, Lovin’ Spoonful Best Of, Santana Lotus, Bert Bacharach Hitmaker, Little Feat The Last Record Album, Crosby Stills & Nash CSN and Miles Davis Sketches Of Spain amongst a few others as the perfect summer soundtrack in between the samba sounds that will echo out of the TV as the World Cup unfolds…

DL – June 13th, 2014.

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Milan cine film surfaces: Here’s a recently surfaced short cine film taken at the infamous Led Zeppelin appearance at the Vigorelli Stadium in Italy on July 5th 1971;

Here’s some clips from the Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters Pink Pop Festival appearance:

Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters – new song performed in Gothenburg Sweden on June 10th:

Rik Mayall 1958 – 2014 – RIP

Bad News with guests Jimmy Page and Brian May – Hammersmith Odeon November 9th 1986 – support to Iron Maiden

Bad News: 

Until next time…have a great weekend…

Keep listening, keep reading…

Dave Lewis/Gary Foy – June 13th , 2014.

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