Personnel: Robert Plant (vocals); Jimmy Page (guitar); John Bonham (drums).
Audio Mixers: Eddie Kramer; Keith Harwood; Andy Johns.
Audio Remasterer: John C.F. Davis.
Liner Note Author: David Fricke.
Recording information: A&R Studios, New York, NY (10/1968-12/1978); Island Studios, London, England (10/1968-12/1978); Juggy Sound Studio, New York, NY (10/1968-12/1978); Musicland Studios, Munich, Germany (10/1968-12/1978); Olympic Studios, London, England (10/1968-12/1978); Polar Studios, Stockholm, Sweden (10/1968-12/1978); Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio, Headley Grange, Hampshire, (10/1968-12/1978); The Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, Headley Grange, Hamps (10/1968-12/1978).
Photographers: Dick Barnatt; Carl Dunn; Bob Bruen; Baron Wolman; Ian Dickson; Chris Walter; Neal Preston; Laurens Van Houten; Neil Zlozower; Peter Simon.
Upon the release of MOTHERSHIP in 2007, almost three decades after their demise, Led Zeppelin arguably stood as the only other band in rock history to merit space with the Beatles in the greatest-of-all-time debate. While the latter practically invented the how-to guide for composing and recording modern pop, Zeppelin taught the machinery how to rock with a seismic bravado that decades latter still rattles foundations. In the post-Zeppelin era, rock became a synonym for a heaviness intended to both inspire awe and knock you flat with its weight.
The first six Led Zeppelin records contain nary a less-than-stellar track and define perfection as a canon; yet adequately compiling bits and pieces of this remarkable run has always eluded the band. Though this collection is no substitute for the first six records, MOTHERSHIP succeeds as a greatest hits retrospective on two levels: one, as an introduction for neophytes who want all the band's signature songs, and two, as a sound upgrade for completists. (In fact, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones themselves are all given production credit on these blistering remasters.) While many extraordinary gems--"Going to California," "Battle Of Evermore," and "Your Time Is Gonna Come," among them--are left out, no reasonable Zep head can argue with the cuts that are included, from "Communication Breakdown" and "Black Dog" to "Dancing Days," "Kashmir," and "Achilles' Last Stand." In the end, MOTHERSHIP works as a stirring lecture in Zeppelin 101.
(Note: The deluxe edition includes a live DVD of collected performances that stands with HOW THE WEST WAS WON as proof that the quartet could destroy a stage just as handily as they could a reel of tape.)
Professional Reviews
Uncut (p.112) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "[MOTHERSHIP] gives us an insight into how devastating this arcane, courageous, frontierless, much-loved, much-feared music from so many worlds ago can still sound."
Kerrang (Magazine) (p.46) - "[T]his covers all the rock bases....It's a monument to their power and crunch, riff follows solo follows hammering drums with visceral motion."
Q (Magazine) (p.129) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "[E]verything here does the job. For all the cold ambitions, brutal arrogance and sheer power on display, there's also an exuberance and malevolent charm."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.121) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "[T]estament to the fact that Zep's music remains bold, majestic and utterly untouchable, regardless of format."
Led Zeppelin in all their glory on two discs, this is an amazing compilation album. Every song is brilliant as you'd expect from a Zeppelin greatest hits record, and the packaging is awesome i love the cover design and the booklet you get just adds that extra touch to make it even better. If you want to get better acquainted with Led Zeppelin then buy this one as soon as possible you will love yourself for it.
What can I say? This is a brilliant compilation of some of the best Led Zep songs ever released. It coincides brilliantly with their reunion tour, and it really is a great album. All the great classics are there, so if you already own say Led Zep I, II, III, and IV, chances are you probably own most of the good songs that are on this album. However, you may want to pick up the edition which includes the DVD, because its a great addition to this Best Of set.
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