This week Led Zeppelin continues the overhaul of its catalog, which started in June with the rerelease of its first three albums.
This batch includes two of the biggest-selling albums of all time: 1971’s untitled album, most commonly known as “IV,” and 1973’s “Houses of the Holy.” In fact, the only albums to have sold more copies than “IV” in the U.S. are Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and the Eagles’ “Greatest Hits 1971-1975.”
The rereleases include newly remastered sound and bonus discs featuring alternate versions of songs from the albums. Many of those songs – “Stairway to Heaven,” “Black Dog,” “Rock and Roll,” “Over the Hills and Far Away,” “Misty Mountain Hop,” “The Ocean” – are among the band’s best-known tracks.
So, taking a different approach, here are five great overlooked Zeppelin tracks:
“Hey, Hey, What Can I Do” (1970)
Released as the B-side to “Immigrant Song,” this catchy folk-rocker somehow was deemed unworthy of inclusion on “III.” It finally became widely available as part of the “Led Zeppelin” 1994 box set.
“The Rover” (1975)
One of Zep’s thickest grooves, “The Rover” features some of the most memorable interplay between guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones, who alternate between rhythm and lead effortlessly.
“For Your Life” (1976)
Another heavy groove, this one containing some tricky turnarounds, “For Your Life” spent most of its life stranded in the underappreciated “Presence” album. Zeppelin performed the song live for the first time during its one-off reunion show in 2007; the spirited rendition was a highlight of the show.
“Poor Tom” (1982)
Also recorded during the sessions for the band’s third album, “Poor Tom” sat unreleased until the band’s clearinghouse album, “Coda.” The stripped-down arrangement features light vocals and harmonica stabs from Plant, airy acoustic guitar from Page and tasteful, intermittent bass runs from Jones. Chugging along underneath everything is a booming, syncopated train beat by John Bonham that is impossible to resist.
“The Girl I Love She’s Got Long Black Wavy Hair” (1997)
Performed during a 1969 session for the BBC, and finally released on “BBC Sessions” in 1997, “The Girl I Love” is a cousin of sorts to blues-rock ravers “The Lemon Song” and “Moby Dick.”
Contact Jon Fassnacht: 610-371-5017 or jfassnacht@readingeagle.com.
