Led Zeppelin soars again.

An extensive reissue program of all nine of the band’s studio albums will rollout in chronological order from Rhino/Atlantic/Swan Song, commencing with the June 3 release of deluxe editions of Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin II, and Led Zeppelin III. Each album has been remastered by Zep founder, guitarist, and producer Jimmy Page. The series will also feature previously unheard studio and live recordings, with each album containing a second disc of companion audio comprised of unreleased music related to that album. In the official press release, Page notes, “The material on the companion discs presents a portal to the time of the recording of Led Zeppelin. It is a selection of work in progress with rough mixes, backing tracks, alternate versions, and new material recorded at the time.”

We Zep fans have been waiting semi-patiently for these releases after they were first discussed seriously around ... Read More »]]> BY MIKE METTLER

Led Zeppelin soars again.

An extensive reissue program of all nine of the band’s studio albums will rollout in chronological order from Rhino/Atlantic/Swan Song, commencing with the June 3 release of deluxe editions of Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin II, and Led Zeppelin III. Each album has been remastered by Zep founder, guitarist, and producer Jimmy Page. The series will also feature previously unheard studio and live recordings, with each album containing a second disc of companion audio comprised of unreleased music related to that album. In the official press release, Page notes, “The material on the companion discs presents a portal to the time of the recording of Led Zeppelin. It is a selection of work in progress with rough mixes, backing tracks, alternate versions, and new material recorded at the time.”

We Zep fans have been waiting semi-patiently for these releases after they were first discussed seriously around the 2012 release of Celebration Day, the band’s December 10, 2007 tribute concert at London’s O2 Arena for Atlantic Records founder (and early Zeppelin champion) Ahmet Ertegun. At the October 9, 2012 Celebration Day press conference in New York, I asked Page if vinyl was the best way to listen to Zeppelin’s music. “Personally, I never let go of vinyl, even when CDs came onto the scene,” he told me. “But what I would recommend to you is that you don’t listen to Led Zeppelin on MP3s, that’s for sure.” I have to second that. Zeppelin on vinyl has always been my preferred listening choice — though I am also quite partial to the Dolby AC-3 Surround 5.1 mix on DVD-A that producer/engineer Kevin Shirley did for How the West Was Won and the 48kHz/24-bit DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio-only Blu-ray mix for Celebration Day.

Here’s what we’ll get. The Super Deluxe Editions will feature the remastered album on CD in a vinyl replica sleeve, and the companion CD in a new sleeve and on 180-gram vinyl. Led Zeppelin features a previously unreleased October 1969 concert from Paris, while II and III feature previously unreleased studio outtakes. The remastered album is on 180-gram vinyl in a sleeve replicating the first pressing. A high-definition audio download card of all content at 96kHz/24-bit (with live tracks at 48kHz/24-bit). A hardbound, 70-page book is filled with rare and previously unseen photos and memorabilia. Also included is a high-quality print of the original album cover, the first 30,000 of which will be individually numbered. Led Zeppelin will also include a replica of the band’s original Atlantic press kit.

The step-down Deluxe Edition CD sets will feature the remastered album plus a second disc of unreleased companion audio. Led Zeppelin features the October 1969 Paris concert, II and III feature the previously unreleased studio outtakes. Deluxe and original edition vinyl, single CDs, and digital downloads will also be released separately.

Will the song remain the same? I’ll let you know as soon as I get a chance to wrap my ears around Zep remastered.

BY MIKE METTLER

“Nothing moves me like the sound of a guitar.” It’s the opening sentence to author Lisa S. Johnson’s passionate introduction to 108 Rock Star Guitars (Glitterati Incorporated), her lavishly photographed and beautifully bound ode to a score of axes ‘n planks that have created some of the most indelible sounds in our lifetime, and I swear I could have written that line myself. I was enamored with guitars even before I learned how to form the chords that open Yes’ “Roundabout” on a no-name acoustic in a junior high school guitar class, and to this day my attention is rapt whenever I hear certain riffs or see guitar wizards both budding and seasoned practicing their own special brands of fretboard magic live.

108 Rock Star Guitars captures many of those jamtastic fretboard-induced feelings between its covers, so if you’re ... Read More »]]>

BY MIKE METTLER

“Nothing moves me like the sound of a guitar.” It’s the opening sentence to author Lisa S. Johnson’s passionate introduction to 108 Rock Star Guitars (Glitterati Incorporated), her lavishly photographed and beautifully bound ode to a score of axes ‘n planks that have created some of the most indelible sounds in our lifetime, and I swear I could have written that line myself. I was enamored with guitars even before I learned how to form the chords that open Yes’ “Roundabout” on a no-name acoustic in a junior high school guitar class, and to this day my attention is rapt whenever I hear certain riffs or see guitar wizards both budding and seasoned practicing their own special brands of fretboard magic live.

108 Rock Star Guitars captures many of those jamtastic fretboard-induced feelings between its covers, so if you’re looking for an extra-special tome for the music lover on your holiday shopping list, then you’ve come to the right place.

“Living guitar art” is a phrase used to describe the photos Johnson took over the course of the 15 years needed to compile this book, and it’s quite apt. The angles are dramatic and the luthiers’ detail work well evident in each guitar shown within. It’s not easy to choose favorites — especially since I continue to comb through the book like it’s a lost rune, and I could probably cite them all — but, ok, fine, I will list some of them here nonetheless: Jack White’s crackled early-’60s Airline. Eric Clapton’s 1956 Fender Stratocaster, a.k.a. “Brownie.” (Yes, that’s the one he used to record “Layla.”) Geddy Lee’s 1972 Fender Jazz bass. (Natural wood, people!) Rick Nielsen’s checkerboard Hamer “Enola.” Phil Collen’s 1985 Jackson Custom Shop “Crackle.” Brian Setzer’s 1959 Gretsch 6120 “Stray Cat.” Jimmy Page’s 1968 Gibson EDS 1275 SG double neck. Bonnie Raitt’s “Brownie” Stratocaster. Lou Reed’s Bolin NS with customized silver skull control knob. Tommy Shaw’s Fender Electric XII and 1998 Gibson Les Paul. James “JY” Young’s 2001 Fender Stratocaster and JY Custom “Cerberuscaster” — and yes, the look of the mythical three-headed creature on the latter axe is as cool as you think. And as I recently discovered, I happened to be in the house and backstage when the two Styx men’s guitars were being photographed on August 2, 2011 at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. “Tommy and JY play off of each other so well — they’re two pros who are a joy to watch,” Johnson told me recently about her experience at that show, and I have to agree.

Naturally, I also asked Johnson a few SoundBard-ian Qs, and herewith is our exchange on those weighty topics.

Mike Mettler: What was the first album you bought with your own money, and what do you remember about how it sounded to you?

Lisa S. Johnson: My first album was Kiss: Hotter Than Hell [1980]. I loved their costumes and the album cover art. I played it over and over on my very cheap turntable. I clearly remember the sound of the needle dropping on that record. I was 11 years old and so impressed with the hard-rock sound and sexy lyrics, but my ear was not trained yet to hear for anything specific; I just knew that I loved it. Until then, I had pretty much grown up on a lot of country classics, so it was quite a revelation.

Mettler: Do you still own that record?

Johnson: I still own the LP, yes. It’s stored up in Canada at my mother’s house.

Mettler: What’s your favorite guitar-oriented album, and why?

Johnson: Led Zeppelin [1969] is a real favorite. Jimmy Page is such an innovative guitar player. Everything he did was new to my ears, so I love the originality of this material — and I especially love “Dazed and Confused.” Jimmy playing his guitar with a bow is incredibly moving, and it takes me out of my body.

Mettler: Is vinyl still the best way to listen to music?

Johnson: I don’t own a turntable anymore, but I’m seriously thinking I’d better get one again. [Please do!—Your LP Lovin' SoundBard] Vinyl is back in a serious way, despite that digital is here to stay. Vinyl just offers a deeper, more luscious listening experience that adds an organic feeling to the sounds you are hearing.