"Mothership" by LED ZEPPELIN (2007 Swan Song/Atlantic '2CD' vs. '2CD + 1DVD' Version Remasters, including 2015 Jimmy Page Remasters Reissue) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Gonna Make You Sweat...Gonna Make You Groove…" 

There seems to be some confusion over "Mothership" especially with regard to the 'sound'. While it's not exactly the 'Motherlode' in terms of track content – soundwise it's streets ahead of what's been offered before and at times just BREATHTAKING in its clarity. 

And in 2016 there are now two versions - the November 2007 original that used John Davis Remasters - and the November 2015 reissue which uses the new Jimmy Page 2014/2015 Remasters. Here are the heavy on the downbeat details...

CONTENT:

As you'll see from the track list below - all eight official 'studio' albums from 1969 through to 1979 are represented on this newly remastered compilation. The awful live double that is "The Song Remains The Same" from 1976 is wisely not featured at all on "Mothership" – neither is the 8-song odds and sods compilation "Coda" from 1982 which contained studio out-takes and live tracks recorded between 1969 and 1978.

VERSIONS:

There are three 2007 versions of "Mothership" – the standard 2CD issue (minus DVD) is on Swan Song/Atlantic 8122 79961 5 (use Barcode 081227996154 in Amazon to locate it) and a 4LP Vinyl Box Set Edition on Swan Song/Atlantic/Rhino R1 344700 (use the Barcode 081227995133 to locate that). This review deals with what's been called the 'Deluxe Edition' issue that offers 2CDs and 1DVD. 

UK released November 2007 – the 2CD and 1DVD version of the "Mothership" compilation by LED ZEPPELIN on Swan Song/Atlantic 8122 79961 3 (Barcode 081227996130) has all tracks newly remastered by JOHN DAVIS at Alchemy Mastering in London and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (66:18 minutes):

1. Good Times Bad Times

2. Communication Breakdown

3. Dazed And Confused

4. Babe I’m Gonna Leave You

Tracks 1 to 4 are from their debut vinyl album "Led Zeppelin" - originally issued 12 January 1969 in the USA on Atlantic SD-8216 and 31 March 1969 in the UK on Atlantic 588 171

5. Whole Lotta Love

6. Ramble On

7. Heartbreaker

Tracks 5 to 7 are from their "Led Zeppelin II" LP - originally released 22 October 1969 in the USA on Atlantic SD-8236 and Atlantic 588 198 in the UK

8. Immigrant Song

9. Since I've Been Loving You

Tracks 8 and 9 are from their "Led Zeppelin III" LP - originally released 5 October 1970 in the USA on Atlantic SD-7291 and Atlantic 2401 002 in the UK

10. Rock And Roll

11. Black Dog

12. When The Levee Breaks

13. Stairway To Heaven

Tracks 10 to 13 are from their "Untitled" LP – released 8 November 1971 in the USA on Atlantic SD 7208 and Atlantic 2401012 in the UK. Officially their 4th album was 'untitled' but of course is often referred to as "Led Zeppelin IV", "Four Symbols", "Runes" and "ZoSo" (the ZoSo title derives from the four symbols that appear at the top of the Atlantic Records label on the November 1971 LP - Zodiac letters for each member of the band – ZoSo being Jimmy Page).

Disc 2 (69:21 minutes):

1. The Song Remains The Same

2. Over The Hills And Far Away

3. D’Yer Maker

4. No Quarter

Tracks 1 to 4 are from the "Houses Of The Holy" LP – released 23 March 1973 in the USA on Atlantic SD 7255 and in the UK on Atlantic K 50014

5. Trampled Under Foot

6. Houses Of The Holy

7. Kashmir

Tracks 5 to 7 are from "Physical Graffiti" – a 2LP set released 24 February 1975 in the UK on Swan Song SSK 89400 and Swan Song SS 2-200 in the USA. It went to Number 1 in both countries and shipped over 8 million copies in the USA alone.

8. Nobody’s Fault But Mine

9. Achilles Last Stand

Tracks 8 and 9 are from the single album "Presence" – released 31 March 1976 in the USA on Swan Song SS 8416 and in the UK on Swan Song SSK 59402

10. In The Evening

11. All My Love

Tracks 10 and 11 are from their 8th and final studio album "In Through The Out Door" – released 15 August 1979 in the USA on Swan Song SS 16002 and in the UK on Swan Song SSK 59410

DVD (2003 Remasters, Excerpts from the "Led Zeppelin" 2DVD set, Digital DTS Surround, Playback All Regions)

1. We're Gonna Groove

2. I Can't Quit You Babe

3. Dazed And Confused

4. White Summer

5. What Is And What Should Never Be

6. Moby Dick

7. Whole Lotta Love

8. Communication Breakdown

9. Bring it On Home

10. Immigrant Song

11. Black Dog

12. Misty Mountain Hop

13. The Ocean

14. Going To California

15. In My Time Of Dying

16. Stairway To Heaven

17. Rock And Roll

18. Nobody's Fault But Mine

19. Kashmir

20. Whole Lotta Love

As you can see - "Zeppelin II" sees only 3 tracks on Disc 1, while the debut gets 4. This misses out on gems from "II" like "Moby Dick", "Livin' Lovin' Maid (She's Just A Woman)" and "What Is And What Should Never Be" - odd omissions for an album that is constantly cited in magazine polls by the public as their "favorite rock album ever". Worse however is "III", often referred to by fans as their 'acoustic' album. By only representing it with "Immigrant Song" and "Since I've Been Loving You", you get the 'feeling' that the album is like its two predecessors - 'hard rock' - when it actually contains some of their most beautiful and underrated softer tracks, especially the gorgeous acoustic workout "That's The Way". Four songs from the iconic and brilliant "IV" are only right and proper - and some would argue the entire album should be on here (the lyrics to "Black Dog" title this review).

Downside: as you can see from the playing time, a full 13 minutes on Disc 1 could have been used up - and isn't. Extending the acoustic theme to "IV", the equally wonderful "The Battle Of Evermore" (Sandy Denny on backing vocals) is missing too when there was room. Coupled with "That's The Way" - both would have made for huge bonuses and more importantly made the disc more representative of the band. The 'acoustic' element of Zeppelin (which was featured in most of their live sets) is oddly absent here - a mistake I think. Their diversity as a band - away from just hard rock - is one of the reasons for their enduring appeal and why fans love them so. "Hey Hey (What Can I Do Now)" the brilliant non-album B-side to the US 45 of "Immigrant Song" would have been a tasty choice too - but again - a no show. It's well cool to see key album cuts like "In My Time Of Dying", "What Is And What Should Never Be", "Bring It On Home" and "The Ocean" featured on the truncated DVD – a single 'excerpts' disc culled from 2003's "Led Zeppelin" 2DVD release – widely praised for its excellence. It also includes rarities like "We're Gonna Groove" and "White Summer"...

Upside: Disc 1 has very clever sequencing on it and listening to the song selection straight through is a superb and impressive experience. The space around the opening guitars of "Baby I'm Gonna Leave You" is ethereal and beautiful. The fabulous guitar-work in the left speaker on "Ramble On" from "II" catches your ear too - and Plant's double vocals - great.  I could hear the band count One Two Three on the fade in to "Immigrant Song". Genius choice however, goes to the stunning blues workout of "Since I've Been Loving You" from "III". Sounding just fantastic, the squeaking of Bonham's drum pedals can be heard just a few milliseconds before Page launches into that blistering guitar riff (lyrics above). And finally - at long last - the remastering has brought out the full ferocity of Bonham's drumming and Plant's harmonica playing in the simply awesome "When The Levee Breaks" - cleverly placed before "Stairway" and not after it - rounding off Disc 1 very nicely.

The sound quality on Disc 1 in particular is BREATHTAKING. Page transferred the original master tapes carefully to digital in 1991 for "The Complete Studio Recordings" and John Davis of Alchemy Mastering in London has used these for the 2007 Remasters. They are better and in some cases unbelievably so.

It's clear the band feel that "Houses" is a bit under appreciated as an album so no less than 4 tracks are featured including the clever placing of the reggae "D'yer Maker" with Bonham and Jones both playing a rhythm section storm. But to leave off the melodic winner that is "The Rain Song" is a huge omission. Three from the mighty "Physical Graffiti" - but again the wonderful "Ten Years Gone" and the rocking "Custard Pie" are not here. For me album number six "Presence" was a tedious listen in 1976 and still is now - despite people trying to reappraise it. I really don't need to hear the 10 minutes of "Achilles Last Stand" ever again when the blues finisher "Tea For One" would have been a braver choice. And last up is "In Through The Out Door" which is featured here by "In The Evening" - the album's great opener. But the truly awful "All My Love" finishes Disc 2 when the funkier "For Your Love" would have been better. Also - as with Disc 1 - with only 69 minutes used - there was enough room for a more varied musical picture. And even though its brilliant stuff - why ask fans to pay for a 2003 DVD of material they will already own - when a live disc should have been Disc 3 - representing the band in what 'they' feel is their best arena?

The 24-page booklet is both tasteful yet ever so slightly (and strangely) disappointing. None of the eight gorgeous and often elaborate album covers are pictured (where the hell is the artwork that was such an integral to their releases?) and there are mentions of US 7" single releases in the track by track details but no pictures of any - nor any fan-pleasing rare 7" picture sleeves from around the world either. There’s no sense of Led Zeppelin's global effect on Rock - not even a UK or US discography with catalogue numbers. But DAVID FRICKE's essay using a November 1968 Atlantic Records publicity announcement as its title ("Hot, New English Group Led Zeppelin") is very good – offering up a brief but highly informative history of this colossal rock band and its output across 12 pages. And at least the wholesale nicking of blues tunes is finally acknowledged in the writer's credits for "Whole Lotta Love" (a Willie Dixon song made famous by Muddy Waters), Anne Bredon for "Baby I'm Gonna Leave You" and Memphis Minnie for "When The Levee Breaks".

Some have said this compilation is 'money for old rope' - I don't see it that way. Without doubt, the 1991 Remasters by Jimmy Page were way better than the crappy 80s issues when issued but these 2007 upgrades have been long overdue and sounding as good as they do - they're to be welcomed. If ever a band deserved lavish attention spent on their catalogue - it's Zeppelin. The set it flawed for sure - but the audio is great - and if you don't already own the 2DVD set "Led Zeppelin" (as yet not on BLU RAY) – then that 90-minute bonus visual disc is going to a serious treat for newcomers.

2014 and 2015 would eventually see their catalogue get a Jimmy Page makeover with double and triple-disc 'Deluxe Editions' of all albums including a 3CD "Coda" (see reviews for I, II, III, IV, Houses Of The Holy and Physical Graffiti). There are even Vinyl variants. November 2015 has seen a 2CD and 4LP reissue of "Mothership" which uses those 2014/2015 Jimmy Page Remasters - the 2CD set is Swan Song/Atlantic 081227950934 and the 4LP Vinyl Box is Swan Song/Atlantic 08122795109 (same digits are their barcodes - use those to locate them on Amazon). And although it's not stated anywhere on the actual digipak or discs – for marketing purposes they've been subtitled "The Very Best Of Led Zeppelin" on shrink-wrap stickers.

In April 2016 (as I write this review) the original 2007 2CD variant of "Mothership" is so past a sell-by-date that it’s been regularly showing up in big supermarkets for a fiver (amazing value for money) – and I recently saw the new 2015 issue do the same only five months after its reissue. But I'd argue if you've the readies plumb for the 2007 "Mothership" ‘2CD/1DVD’ variant instead because that visual stuff really is worth the extra wedge.

What a band and what a compilation "Mothership" is. In any of its forms – Led Zeppelin's "Mothership" tramples (under foot) all pretenders and shows why this best of British Rock groups is so beloved and revered - and nearly fifty years after the event – are still one of the most collectable bands on the planet.

"Hey! Hey! Mama" indeed...

"The Pious Bird Of Good Omen" by FLEETWOOD MAC (1999 Box Set and 2004 Single CD Reissue on Sony/Blue Horizon with Bonus Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"The Pious Bird Of Good Omen" by FLEETWOOD MAC was released on the now famous and much revered Blue Horizon label in the UK in August 1969. With its racy nun sleeve - band name in place and distinctive title - an unsuspecting punter could have been forgiven at the time for believing it to be their 3rd new album. But it wasn't. Instead it was a 12-track ragbag of non-album 7" singles and their B-sides, collaborations and other rarities difficult to find on LP.

The reason I mention this is that there are now TWO variants of this album on CD. 

The standard version from CBS/Rewind re-released in 1995 has the original 12-track line up and is exactly as per the LP release (a non-remaster). 

But this 2004 remastered and remixed version of "The Pious Bird Of Good Omen" by FLEETWOOD MAC on Sony/Blue Horizon 5164452 (Barcode 5099751644521) really screws it around and some explanation is in order because this new variant actually loses tracks from the original...

Here's what the original album 12-track line-up of "The Pious Bird Of Good Omen" LP looked like with added extra info (all tracks are credited to FLEETWOOD MAC except 4 and 9 which are credited EDDIE BOYD with PETER GREEN'S FLEETWOOD MAC):

1. Need Your Love So Bad (a Little Willie John cover) (their 3rd UK single on BH in July 1968)

2. Coming Home (an Elmore James cover) (on "Mr. Wonderful", their 2nd BH album from September 1968)

3. Ramblin' Pony (Peter Green original) (Non-Album B-side of their 1st UK 7" single on BH from November 1967)

4. The Big Boat (Eddie Boyd track) [by Eddie Boyd with Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac] (Non-Album A-side of BH 7" single from 1967)

5. I Believe My Time Ain't Long (Jeremy Spencer song) (Non-Album A-side of their 1st UK 7" single on BH from November 1967)

6. The Sun Is Shining (an Elmore James cover) (Non-Album B-side to "Black Magic Woman" their 2nd UK 7" single on BH in March 1968)

7. Albatross (Peter Green original) (November 1968 4th UK 7" single on BH)

8. Black Magic Woman (Peter Green original) (Non-Album A-side, their 2nd UK 7" single on BH in March 1968)

9. Just The Blues (Eddie Boyd track) [by Eddie Boyd with Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac] (Non-Album B-side of BH 7" single from 1967)

10. Jigsaw Puzzle Blues (Danny Kirwan track) (Non-Album B-side of "Albatross")

11. Looking For Somebody (Peter Green original) (from their debut LP "Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac" on BH February 1968)

12. Stop Messin' Around (Peter Green co-write with C.G. Adams) (as per track 2)

Now here's the track list of this re-sequenced re-issue so you can see the differences and omissions:

1. Need Your Love So Bad (Master Version)

2. Rambling Pony

3. I Believe My Time Ain't Long

4. The Sun Is Shining

5. Albatross

6. Black Magic Woman

7. Jigsaw Puzzle Blues

8. Like Crying

9. Need Your Love So Bad (Version 1)

10. Need Your Love So Bad (Version 3)

11. Need Your Love So Bad (Version 2)

12. Need Your Love So Bad (Take 2)

13. Need Your Love So Bad (USA Version)

When you compare the track list of the original 12-song LP with this 13-track re-issue, you see they bear little resemblance to each other! Why so different? What happened was this. In 1999, Sony issued the stunning 6-disc box set "The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions 1967-1969" by FLEETWOOD MAC to universal acclaim (pictured below). Mike Vernon, the label's producer, had taken the unusual decision to re-sequence the track line-ups of ALL 5 UK albums (one was a double) to feature outtakes, studio chatter, false starts and so on. This was of course fine and dandy on a comprehensive box set. But this 2004 singular re-issue mimics that release, when it really should have been reverted to the 12 track original LP run and added the outtakes on as bonuses at the end. Also, what you can't see from the track listing of the new CD is that Track 9 "Need Your Love So Bad (Version 1)" is Take 1, 2 and 3 combined and runs to 11:35! Track 10 is worse; it has Take 1 and 2 and runs to 13:06! The novelty was ok for the box set, but it quickly wears off. I doubt any casual buyer wants 6 variants of this track on anything - and of course, it isn't the album "Pious Bird Of Good Omen" as it was released.

With regard to the Eddie Boyd collaborations on tracks 4 & 9, I've bought the EDDIE BOYD CD "The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions", which features PG's Mac and it's a genuine peach - an absolute must-own if you're a fan of either artist. I've also acquired the OTIS SPANN 2CD set "The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions" again with PG's Mac, which is also fantastic - not just in its breath, but also in its truly awesome remastered sound and huge haul of primo unissued material on CD2 (see my separate reviews of these for fuller details).

I would advise fans of this period to purchase ALL the Blue Horizon issues that feature Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac because there's magic dripping off all of them! And in order to actually get "Pious Bird" in remastered form, you'll probably have to!

As it stands "Pious Bird" is a still a rocking good bluesy offering (in any configuration) and only makes you pine for more. And "Albatross" - arguably the best rock instrumental ever made - is still truly gobsmacking to this day.

PS: For those wishing for more, the Blue Horizon label Fleetwood Mac UK albums are:

1. "Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac"

1968 original album, known as "Fleetwood Mac" in the USA

2. "Mr. Wonderful"

1968 original album

3. "The Pious Bird Of Good Omen"

1969 compilation of non-album 7" singles, their B-sides, collaborations and other rarities

4. "Blues Jam At Chess"

1969 original 20-track 2LP set often referred to as a Various Artists compilation.

Its full credit is to: Fleetwood Mac, Otis Spann, Willie Dixon, Shakey Horton, J.T. Brown, Guitar Buddy (Buddy Guy), Honey Boy Edwards, S.P. Leary. Originally a 2LP set on release, it was broken into 2 volumes for the "Complete" box set and renamed "Blues Jam In Chicago Volume 1" and "Blues Jam In Chicago Volume 2". It is ONLY these singular re-sequenced releases that are available today.

5. "The Original Fleetwood Mac"

1971 compilation - although released in '71, this LP has recordings from August 1967 through to October 1968, all of which were previously unreleased at the time

All of the above albums are contained in repro card sleeve form in this superlative 1999 6-CD box set

"Everybody Knows EP" by RYAN ADAMS and THE CARDINALS. An 8-track end of year gem for 2007.

I'll openly admit it - I'm a voracious fan of Ryan Adams and his superb song writing - not to mention The Cardinals who seem to play a blinder on everything they touch! So I legged it into my local HMV this a.m. 19 Nov 2007 - day of release - and bought this EP with the grin of a child let loose in a sweet factory! And I'm pleased to say - it's a quiet little peach. In fact, I suspect this limited edition will garnish cult collectability almost immediately.

"Everybody Knows" is from the "Easy Tiger" album of earlier this year (pictured above) and is the same as the album track - so no surprises there. It's a beautiful tune and hopefully it will get airplay for the great album it came from. But then we get 7 bonuses, two new songs and five more 'live in the studio' versions of older songs.

"Follow The Lights" and "My Love For You Is Real" are the `new' songs. "Follow" is good, but hardly great, while "Real" is just gorgeous - brilliant - I'll be playing it to buggery for days!

On to the 5 live. "Blue Hotel" first appeared on Willie Nelson's "Songbird" CD of 2006 (he covers the Fleetwood Mac track from Rumours - hence the album title). Adams wrote it for Nelson and the album project, produced the CD and The Cardinals are the backing band on the track (see my review for further details). It's probably his best `outside' song not officially on any of his own albums. Adams also featured "Blue Hotel" to spectacular effect on the recently aired BBC 4 Sessions program - where the audience cheer was loud and heartfelt. It's fantastic at last to hear his own version - and it's graced with Jon Graboff's beautiful pedal steel guitar work throughout. I can't make up my mind, which version I prefer actually, both are superb. This is a MUST OWN for any fan.

Next follows a cover version and a great choice it is too. "Down In the Hole" is on 1992's "Dirt", the second album from Alice In Chains (written by Jerry Cantrell). It's rockin' in that Cardinals countrified kind of way - a definite highlight on this disc.

"This Is It" was co-written with Johnny T and first appeared on the Ryan Adams "Rock N Roll" album from 2003. The version here is a softer `unplugged' take on the song and is actually a cool reworking of the hard rocking original. "If I Am A Stranger" originally appeared on the first of the 2005 trilogy, the 2CD set "Cold Roses" (May 2005). Again the pace is slowed down and given a softer more acoustic treatment - bringing out the lovely melody buried in the original.

"Dear John" originally turned on up "Jacksonville City Nights" (Sept 2005), the second in his trilogy of 2005 releases. The original version featured NORAH JONES to superb effect on duet vocals (it's also co-written with her), but this version is just Ryan on his own. It's a great song and one that probably got unfairly lost on that album, hence I suspect why he's returning to it here - and why he features it so much in the live sets. It's a good way to end the EP - on a high note - with a real song.

It's not all genius of course, but for me, even his second best is a better listen than most of the bilge I'm told I should like. Bluntly - Ryan Adams and The Cardinals have produced better quality on a throwaway end-of-year EP than more bands do on an entire album. And that's cause to celebrate.

Buy this now while you can. I envy you the journey.

PS: the US version of the EP is called "Follow The Lights", has a different cover and with 7 titles also has 1 less track (pictured below)