Led Zeppelin Coda CD - Import

UK remastered reissue of 1982 album, packaged in a limited edition miniature LP gatefold sleeve. 8 tracks. Warner. 2003.

Led Zeppelin: Robert Plant (vocals); Jimmy Page (guitar); John Paul Jones (keyboards, bass); John Bonham (drums).
Recorded at Morgan Studios, London, England on June 25, 1969; Olympic Studios, London, England on June 5, 1970; Royal Albert Hall, London, England on January 9, 1970; Rolling Stones Mobile At Stargroves on May 15, 1972; Polar Studios, Stockholm, Sweden on November 11, 16, and 21, 1978; Mountain Studios, Montreux, Switzerland on September 12, 1976.
A Dutch issue of the 1982 classic from the English rock group; repackaged in a limited edition slipcase LP sleeve replica of the album artwork. 2003.
An odds-and-sods collection assembled after John Bonham's death, Coda is predictably a hit-or-miss affair. The best material comes from later in Led Zeppelin's career, including the ringing folk stomp of "Poor Tom," the jacked-up '50s rock & roll of "Ozone Baby," and their response to punk rock, the savage "Wearing and Tearing." The rest of the album -- sadly including the Bonham showcase "Bonzo's Montreux" -- is average, despite the presence of some stellar playing, especially on the early blues-rock blitzkrieg "I Can't Quit You Baby" and "We're Gonna Groove." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
John Bonham's death in 1980 made the previous year's IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR the last album Led Zeppelin would record together, but two years after his passing, the faithful were still hungry for more. Hence the release of this previously unreleased material from the Zeppelin archives. Kicking off with an equal mix of swing and crunch on Ben E. King's "We're Gonna Groove," CODA showcases the less grandiose side of Zeppelin, also casting a backward glance toward the band's roots with a reverential treatment of Willie Dixon's "I Can't Quit You Baby" from a 1970 rehearsal.
Much of CODA is comprised of outtakes from the IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR sessions. "Ozone Baby" bobs and weaves with punky vigor, and "Darlene" grooves along with John Paul Jones's piano as the rudder. The grinding power of the stop-start rhythms on "Wearing and Tearing" ably displays Zeppelin's might, and the instrumental "Bonzo's Montreux" offers a rare glimpse into Bonham's percussive range, revealing his irreplaceable role and clearly demonstrating why the band broke up after his death.