'Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti (1975) Remaster (2009)'!

'Led Zeppelin / Physical Graffiti (February 24, 1975) Remaster (2009)' Review!



One of my all-time favourite albums, and all-time greatest albums has always been 'Physical Graffiti' from 'Led Zeppelin'. And, in case YOU haven't noticed, most of the discs available for purchase here in China are usually overburn discs, because the Chinese believe in giving the people as much for their money as possible. So, when I came across this 'Remaster' of this great 2LP-set from 1975 that is available here on one mighty compact disc, well, I didn't hesitate to upload for all of YOU, and at 320 KBps! The eight songs with the ^ are considered 'The Belters', according to Robert Plant, the actual songs recorded between January and February 1974 at Headley Grange with production done by Jimmy Page with engineer, Ron Nevison, and additional overdubs as well as mixing done by Keith Harwood in October 1974. The instrumental 'Bron-Yr-Aur' (denoted by the @ sign) was recorded in July 1970 at Island Studios, London, for 'Led Zeppelin III', and was named after Bron-Yr-Aur, a cottage in Gwynedd, Wales where the members of 'Led Zep' spent time during the recording of that album. 'Night Flight' & 'Boogie With Stu' were recorded at Headley Grange, as well, and 'Down By The Seaside' at Island Studios, but all for 'Led Zeppelin IV' (See the % sign). 'The Rover' & 'Black Country Woman' were recorded at the same sessions as 'D'yer Mak'er' at Stargroves using the Rolling Stones' Mobile Studio in May 1972, and 'Houses Of The Holy' was also recorded in May 1972 (See the $ sign), but at Olympic Studios. The group's fifth album, 'Houses Of The Holy', took its title from this song despite the decision not to include the song on that album. So, in a sense, 'Physical Graffiti' is a compilation album, of sorts, and maybe that is one of the secrets to the amazing list of tracks on this belter of an album. So, hop aboard my Time Machine, and check it out now! - Rick Wilson, former Rock Radio Journalist / Personality with Radio Canale Grandé.



01. Custard Pie *****^ I think everyone would like to try a slice!

02. The Rover *****$ Classic Page riffage to a typical Plant lyric!

03. In My Time Of Dying *****^ Predestination? Great Blues, in any case, with some excellent Slide Guitar by the Pagemaster himself!

04. Houses Of The Holy *****$ How this could have been left off of the 1973 album of the same name is anyone's guess, but it certainly strengthens '..Graffiti' with its 'presence'.

05. Trampled Under Foot *****^ The Rock-Dance Hit of 1975! I remember boogeying to this one at the Roller Disco! lol

06. Kashmir *****^ Classic mix of Rock and Arab music influences!

07. In The Light *****^ What a great tune! John Paul Jones lights up that organ on this epic, classic!

08. Bron-Yr-Aur *****@ Nice little ditty from the cutting-room floor.

09. Down By The Seaside *****% This personifies what bands like 'Zep' & 'Queen' were all about, not just rocking out but making some great music!

10. Ten Years Gone *****^ My favourite off of the album! Great overall feel!

11. Night Flight *****% John Paul Jones adding some additional guitar, but it took him nearly 5 years to get Pagey to let them release it! lol

12. The Wanton Song *****^ Wanton for what? Need we ask?! lol

13. Boogie With Stu *****% Correctly, 'Boogie With Ian 'Stu' Stewart, the somewhat secretive 6th member of the 'Rolling Stones' for many years, until his untimely death in 1986. I dedicate this Remaster to him and Billy Powell, the recently departed organist of 'Lynyrd Skynyrd'. Turn it up, indeed!

14. Black Country Woman *****$ When I first saw this title back in 1975 I immediately thought of 'Black Country Rock' from David Bowie with the superb guitar of Mick Ronson. This is nothing like that at all, but it does celebrate the same part of the world, the Black Country of middle England, in and surrounding Worcestershire.

15. Sick Again *****^ Nice riff that inspired other 'Zep' fare like 'Wearing & Tearing', etc.!