The Complete BBC Sessions

What is it about Led Zeppelin that makes normally sane rock fans seemingly lose all sense of perspective? Yes I know they are one of the greatest bands to have walked this earth, but other equally great bands such as the Stones and Floyd don't seem to get us quite as excited about their re-issues. Over the past couple of years we have happily purchased the remastered re-issues despite the remastering on a few of the album's hardly making night and day difference, and the extras, apart from the odd few, not exactly making us feel we'd missed a lot and yet we quite happily went on buying them. When this re-issue was announced I initially said 'hold on, wait and see if the remastering and extras are worth the spend', but immediately there was a little voice in my head saying 'But it's Zeppelin' and I of course immediately caved in and ordered it, after all the voice was right, it's Zeppelin. So do I blame the voice or thank it?Firstly I always liked this album, it was an excellent late addition to the Zeppelin catalogue, part live recording part studio, it presented the band when they were still a hungry young band blasting out their brand of electric blues and acoustic folk. One of the pleasant surprise was hearing the intro to Stairway without screams from the audience, IV had yet to be released. Yes, many of the songs were repeated, but this was Zeppelin, they knew how to cut loose and there are enough differences between the different versions of the songs to ensure they remain interesting. Added to that there were three previously unreleased covers and we had a genuinely interesting new album and not just some kind of cash in. So what about this new version? Firstly the remastering, some on here have said they can't hear the difference between this issue and the original. I have to disagree, the difference is quite clear, and as I said earlier I struggled to hear a difference on some of last year's re-issues. Here the roughness has been smoothed out, which may not appeal to everyone, and it is quieter and Bonham's cymbals have an extra zing to them. That brings us to the extras, 50 minutes of them. Are they essential, probably not, are they interesting, to some of us yes, are they enjoyable, well of course. The last three tracks had the original tapes disappear so these are recordings taken from a radio recording, remember sitting there with a tape deck microphone next to your speaker diligently trying to record your favourite songs off the radio, well that is what these three tracks sound like and no amount of Page pixie dust can hide the fact, they still make for an interesting listen though.So, to answer my own earlier question, I thank the voice for convincing me to buy this re-issue, I'm really enjoying listening to these recordings again. If you have never bought this album before I recommend this version, if, on the other hand you are wondering whether or not to replace your old copy I would suggest you do, go on you know you want to, after all, it's Zeppelin.

A very good 3CD complete set of the bands sessions at the BBC between 1969 and 1971.The set includes the classic tracks- Communication Breakdown, Dazed and Confused, Immigrant song, Black dog, Heartbreaker, Whole lotta love and Stairway to heaven, plus other not so well known tracks by the band.A great addition to any Led Zeppelin fans collection.

Just like the original studio albums, continuing the 'extra' disc of Led Zeppelin rarities, in this case 8 more tracks on a third CD making the BBC Sessions now The Complete BBC Sessions.Great to hear the extra tracks and buying the album again just for the extra disc. That's marketing for you. The tracks have been around on various bootlegged albums over the years but this is legit and the sound quality is all Jimmy Pages work in the studio.The album comes in a digipak, which folds out, complete with a booklet and the 3 CDs. If you haven't got this album, go for it as it shows Led Zeppelin in their raw live sessions at the BBC covering Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin ll, Led Zeppelin lll and Led Zeppelin lV albums. If you are just getting into Led Zeppellin do not pass this album by, the music is brilliant and a very reasonably priced album.

Led Zep, in the prime and pomp, classic live radio performances at the Beeb.It may be a "complete" release. BUT...not in the correct order of broadcast dates and year. Shame.....

Several repeated tracks and quality is dubious on some but still a must for any true Zep fans

"Do I really need another Led Zep compilation", I asked myself? Well for the price, I decided I could risk disappointment. What I got was far from that - a really good compilation of rare recordings with a slightly different presentation than one gets from listenting to studio recordings. May not have quite the raw power of a stadium performance experience (not just the music but the audio 'experience' and fan adulation between tracks, but a great set of songs with a bit of improvisation thrown in. Well worth adding to the collection if you like Led Zeppelin. And who in their right mind doesn't? :-)

Definitely 1 for the Zeppelin fan unique performances comes with a streaming copy on Amazon music

This is the 1997 release expanded to 3 cds and re-mastered. The sound quality is only marginally improved with Plant's vocals clearer and more upfront. The extra disc is worth having for the previously unreleased Sunshine Woman and a superb live version of Dazed and Confused. Recommended to all Zep fans!