Led Zeppelin II UK 1st press NM- Red/Plum Label

$

212

Led Zeppelin II is the second album released by English rock band Led Zeppelin in 1969. Here they further developed ideas established on their debut album, creating a work which became even more widely acclaimed and arguably more influential!!!!!!

The album was recorded during a hectic and much-traveled period of the band's career from January through August 1969, when they completed four European and three American concert tours. Each song was separately recorded, mixed and produced at various studios in the UK and the U.S. The finished tracks reflect the raw, evolving sound of the band and their innovations as live performers.

It has been suggested that Led Zeppelin II largely writes the blueprint for 1970s hard rock.[Blues-derived songs like "Whole Lotta Love", "Heartbreaker", "The Lemon Song" and "Bring It on Home" are now standards of the genre, where the guitar-based riff (rather than vocal chorus or verses) defines the song and provides the key hook. Such arrangements and emphases were at the time atypical in popular music. As such, the album is generally considered to be very influential on the development of rock music, being an early forerunner of heavy metal, and inspiring a host of other rock bands including Van Halen and Guns N' Roses

Led Zeppelin II also experimented with other musical styles and approaches, as on the alternately soft-and-loud "What Is and What Should Never Be" and "Ramble On" (which featured Page's acoustic guitar), or the pop-influenced ballad "Thank You". With its mysterious atmospherics, "Ramble On" helped develop hard rock's association with fantasy themes, which had partly derived from the psychedelic rock of two to three years before, but also from lyricist Robert Plants personal interest in the writings of J. R. R. Tolkien. This direction would later culminate on Led Zeppelin's untitled fourth album (and countless subsequent groups would later carry the influence to further extremes). Conversely, the instrumental "Moby Dick" features an extended drum solo by John Bonham, which would later be extended to a half-hour or more in live Led Zeppelin concert performances.

Jimmy Page's contribution to this album was significant, as his electric guitar solo on the song "Heartbreaker" was emulated by many younger rock guitarists, and exemplifies the group's intense musical attack. Page's innovative recording and drum miking effects on tracks such as "Ramble On" and "Whole Lotta Love" also demonstrated his considerable skill, resourcefulness and originality as a producer. This was the first Led Zeppelin album to feature Page playing a 1959 Gibson Les Paul, the guitar he helped make famous

Side one

1. "Whole Lotta Love" (John Bonham, Willie Dixon, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant) – 5:34
2. "What Is and What Should Never Be" (Page, Plant) – 4:45
3. "The Lemon Song" (Howlin' Wolf, Bonham, Jones, Page, Plant) – 6:19
4. "Thank You" (Page, Plant) – 4:50

Side two

1. "Heartbreaker" (Bonham, Jones, Page, Plant) – 4:14
2. "Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman)" (Page, Plant) – 2:39
3. "Ramble On" (Page, Plant) – 4:24
4. "Moby Dick" (Bonham, Jones, Page) (instrumental) – 4:22
5. "Bring It on Home" (Page, Plant) – 4:20

The matrix

side 1. 588198 A 2

side2.  588198 B 2

The Vinyl

This is the heavier and thick type of vinyl only found on early pressings later are much more flimsier and less robust!!!! Also from my experience the thick vinyls produce the best audio quality!!!!!

On initial inspection the vinyl lays perfectly flat on the turntable!! The vinyl retains its original glossy sheen from new and looks AWESOME\superbe for an unbelievable 38 years old!!! On intitial inspection of the playing surface I CAN'T SEE A BLEMISH!!Only in very strong light can any and very (very) few surface marks in the form of whispy lines and maybe 3 hairline scratches can be seen! These are very very light and do not affect play at all!  This plays through crystal clear and vibrant throughout with (no) signs of groove ware or that this has been overplayed WHAT SO EVER!!!! I heard no major problems and rate the audio at the top on all frequencies!!!! Please note! Please allow for  light static crackle\ticks that might be heard during some quiet parts (not consistent throughout the audio! I would class myself as highly critical! Please look at my completed listings of records that i have sold of this caliber and you will see that i normally get it right!!!!!! I would rate this audio top on all frequencies!!! very vibrant\awesome!!! UNBELEIVABLE FOR A 38 YEAR OLD ZEP. ALBUM!!!!!

Points to note! I have played this vinyl at very loud volume using a top system!  I always add this disclaimer! I have given my very honest opinion on the audio quality as I heard it! Please allow for the odd very (very) light static crackle here and there and perhaps the light static ticks (not) consistent throughout the audio!! Please remember this is a genuine 38 year old vinyl that would have been played on a 38 year old system!!!!! TOP AUDIO!!!!

The labels NM

These labels are superb the original plum\red Atlantic labels (only found on early press)  Features ''THE LEMON SONG'' credit (only on 1st pressings (later press feature ''KILLING FLOOR ''MADE IN GT BRITAIN'' is featured (UK press)

The Cover VG++

This is the original Ist press unlaminated gatefold cover  printed by E.DAY & CO (ENGLAND) Only 1st press!!!!!!  These are very very hard to find in good condition!!! There is (no) splits or tears in fact amazingly there is hardly any creases worth to mention!!!!! There is light storage ware to the corners and spine and light rubbing to the edges light marks both front and back and light ringwear, writing on the spine can be read clearly (see photos)very light scuffing at the spine but square! (extremely minimal indeed) light marks on the inside of the gatefold, but in general this is strong and straight!!! The inside of the gatefold features blue green (only 1st press covers) a superb example for 38 years old!!!!!!  

As always I have tried to give my honest personal opinion when describing items listed! Although it is my honest opinion! I always urge others to do their own personal research on any items that they are interested in purchasing, before, they commit to bidding!) I have Highlighted all aspects as clearly as possible!! I have taken time to play this vinyl track for track to give a clear and accurate description of the audio quality. I have also provided as many photos as I can and supersized so that all aspects can be seen clearly in strong light!!!!!

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions regarding this item or any other items that I have listed!