Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin II [Remastered & Extended 2CD Edition]

The recent remastering of Led Zeppelin II, with a bonus CD of outtakes, is truly spot on, both in terms of sound quality and for the chance to listen to the gems this album is filled with in the Rough Mix versions, that is, during the recording sessions or before overdubs, meaning with totally different parts (especially vocals and guitar solos). Little to nothing had leaked out until now through bootlegs, not even in the monumental Japanese box "Studio Sessions Ultimate" (12CD: with the sole exception of the worktape of Moby Dick), but it must be said that the sound quality of the tapes offered here is exceptional, and luckily in 1992 Jimmy Page stated that he had very few tapes of alternate versions or unreleased tracks.

I won't waste time discussing the immense value of the album Led Zeppelin II, limiting myself to commenting that in my opinion it is by no means inferior—as many critics have claimed over the years—to the debut album: perhaps the element of surprise is missing here, but the mastery of sound, arrangements, and studio effects by the musicians is greater, and no one should dare to question the repertoire. Instead, I'll briefly highlight the eight additional tracks, which almost entirely cover the album's lineup, excluding Bring It On Home but including the notable song/session La La, an instrumental sketch of a longer never-completed track, characterized by a delightful organ sound (the more I listen to John Paul Jones, the more I like him) and many layered guitar parts. Among alternate solos (Heartbreaker), different vocals, and scattered variations, there's a treasure here to be appreciated along with the impeccable final version of the album, with its famous and resonant drum timbre, highly processed vocal parts, deep bass, and Page, who has a sound here that I find unmatched.

Then it's clear, one might prefer the fourth album, the progression of Zeppelin's early works is almost unparalleled, but this two-CD version seems to me the best of the three released so far, given that the first album is enriched by a good 1969 concert but not the best one (I would have chosen the Texas Pop Festival in Dallas), and I like the outtakes of the third album less. As is known, the reissue of the fourth album is currently on hold pending an agreement with Randy California's heirs, but the outtakes in possession give hope for another remarkable reissue. It’s true, finally, that they could have released the additional material without forcing us into a new purchase of records we all have, but the music market is what it is, and it exploits the repertoire of artists no longer active to the maximum, and then I must say that in my opinion, this definitive edition (who knows if it's true) sounds better on my system than the previous ones.