Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin II

Review By Steven R. Rochlin
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Classic Records SD-8236
www.classicrecs.com

  Led Zepplin I was reviewed in our September edition and it seems the good folks at Classic Records will be delivering Zeppelin III and IV to music lovers worldwide shortly. For now we have Zeppelin II on beautiful 180 gram vinyl. This October 1969 release was recorded as the band was touring endlessly in both America and England to promote their first album which was a huge hit. October of 1969. Zeppelin II reached high on the music charts in only two month's time. In fact it spent an outstanding seven weeks in the number one spot securing their stardom! You can hear on this second release from Led Zeppelin that they have become more comfortable and experimental in the recording studio. The recording quality seems higher and much more consistent than their first. With the guitar seeming to float around in your listening room on the sing Whole Lotta Love to the comparatively mellow and sad song titled Thank You. Every time i hear the later song on my stereo i come to tears.

Other songs include the ever popular "Heartbreaker", "Living Loving Maid", "Ramble On" and this drummer's fave "Moby Dick" since there is quite an impressive drum solo offered, showing the world just how talented John Bonham truly is. i personally find the entire album to be more refined than their first release. This may be due to maturing and becoming more comfortable in the studio more than the mere few months difference between the release of their previous, first album.

Overall sound quality may not equal today's state of the art or those great Living Stereo releases of the 50's, yet this is rock and roll baby! The album does sound good mind you, just do not expect crystal clean Spice Girls "digital sound quality". Somehow this record would be less if it was stripped of the classic rock character that has overlaid itself in the recording process. It is like driving a mid to late 60's Ferrari. Might not be the fastest nor the best handling, though it's character is so endearing that you simply fall in love each time you drive it. And this is exactly what you get with the Classic Records reissue of Led Zeppelin II. Long live rock and roll. Best $30 to send you on your way as rock and roll saved my soul... and it can save yours too. Enjoy the music!

Musicians:

John Bonham : Drums, Tympani, Vocals (Background)
John Paul Jones : Bass, Keyboards, Organ, Vocals
Jimmy Page : Guitar (Acoustic, Steel and Electric), Vocals
Robert Plant : Harmonica, Vocals

Enjoyment: 90

Sound Quality: This is 60's rock and roll at it's best!