The Milwaukee Post

June 13, 2014 • Milwaukee County Post • 17 By BRIAN HUBER Conley News Service MILWAUKEE – As soon as the Hammer of the Gods strikes again in the latest Led Zeppelin project fans get a whole lot to love. Jimmy Page, guitarist for the band and also its producer for much of its recording career that spanned a little more than a decade, has again remastered the first three albums of the Zep cata- log, but in this project includes a companion disc for each, contain- ing the true gems that make for the real draw here. Language on the jacket of the companion CDs says the material "presents a portal to the time of the recording of Led Zeppelin. It is a selection of work in progress, with rough mixes, backing tracks, alternate versions and new material recorded at the time." That gives an accurate description of what awaits the lis- tener, and pretty much in that order: lots of rough mixes, some alternate tracks and a few things most Zep fans probably have never heard, no matter how many bootlegs they've acquired over the years. Paris concert The companion disc for the first album is completely drawn from a Paris concert of Oct. 10, 1969. Less than a year after the first album was recorded, and mere couple of weeks before the second was released, this concert includes material from both. Highlights of this bonus material include the medley of "Good Times Bad T i m e s / C o m m u n i c a t i o n Breakdown," as well as a version of "Dazed and Confused" that clocks in at almost exactly 15 min- utes – relatively curt compared to the 25-minute marathons the song was to become in concert. It can be easy to forget decades later that Zeppelin was a legendary live band, and the Parisians in the audience that night heard first- hand a Zeppelin hallmark – the ability to go from a studio song to a musical maelstrom that sounds more like barely controlled chaos before the group climbs down from that tangent to bring it all home, the light-shade interplay that became pro forma in many a rock band to follow. Such ear-opening fury is found in "How Many More Times," which closes both the original album and companion disc. More material from 'II' The extra material on "Led Zeppelin II" is mostly rough mixes – songs missing a guitar overdub here, an echo there, or having the vocals delivered in a slightly dif- ferent way than what we've been used to after 40 years of listening to the studio LP versions – or com- pletely lacking altogether on many tracks. "Whole Lotta Love" is one such example, delivering the music almost completely the same as the original, but with a different vocal treatment and some of the theremin overdubs missing. The vocals on this edition also are more evocative of Willie Dixon's version that Zep covered in the first place. The "Moby Dick" on this disc all but eliminates the drum solo that took up much of the original song's time, but its treatment in the Paris concert on the first disc more than makes up for it. And lest one feels that the Zep II "bonus material" is largely little more than leftovers, the addi- tion by subtraction yields the experience of hearing old songs in a new way. And "La La," an instru- mental, leaves one wondering why we haven't heard it until now. The companion disc on the third album also sates the afi- cionado's hunger, containing the most "new" stuff of the three albums. A remixed "Immigrant Song" still conjures visions of con- quering marauders despite being stripped down a notch. The ver- sion of "Since I've Been Loving You" here represents probably the most significant departure from the studio tracks of all three of the albums, with different lyrics, vocal treatment and guitar work, almost to the point that it seems to be born again. The previously unheard "Jennings Farm Blues" is listed as "a rough mix of all gui- tar overdubs that day" but an elec- trified "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp," other- wise missing from the companion disc, is instantly recognizable. And "Key to the Highway/Trouble In Mind" sees Zeppelin at its roots, reconfiguring traditional blues into a powerhouse creation all its own. All told, the bonus materials included in the rereleases give a fresh, new look into the band's evo- lution, enough to give even the diehard fan some new material to digest. The rest of the Zeppelin catalog is expected to receive simi- lar treatment as subsequent albums are rereleased. If those albums get the supporting sound- track that the first three got here, well, that's the way it ought to be. Contact Brian Huber bhuber@conleynet.com Led Zeppelin still soaring with rerelease project Alternate takes, previously unreleased tracks tantalize listener Photo by Brian Huber/Conley News Service The rereleases of the first three Led Zeppelin albums contain not only remastered versions of the band's music, but also much of a 1969 Paris concert as well as alternate takes on songs and previously unreleased material on companion discs that is sure to give even the most knowledgeable fans something new to enjoy. Comedians Fadem, Pemberton to appear at Arcade Theatre 'Rockesha' brings '80s hair bands in concert to Waukesha on June 21 Post Staff WAUKESHA – Fans of "80s hair bands rejoice – Rockesha is coming to the Waukesha County Expo grounds. Rock bands Warrant and Quiet Riot will headline the June 21 concert, which also will feature Lita Ford, Firehouse and Eric Martin of Mr. Big. The show will be led by radio per- sonality and talk show host Eddie Trunk, who will serve as the guest emcee. Gates open at the expo grounds at 2:30 p.m. and the show begins at 4 p.m. Tickets will be $30 in advance and $40 at the door. Guests may also purchase VIP tickets for $100. Retail ticket vendors include Boomers, located at N29-W24483 Watertown Road in Pewaukee, Whammy Bar, 6139 W. Beloit Road in West Allis and the Cue Club of Wisconsin at 2454 N. Grandview Blvd., Waukesha For more information, a full list of vendors or to purchase tickets online, visit the con- cert's website at splatlive.com. Firehouse Post Staff MILWAUKEE – Comedians, television and movie actors Josh Fadem and Johnny Pemberton will appear in Milwaukee for a June 21 show at the Arcade Theatre in the Underground Collaborative, 161 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee. The Summer Boys Do It! Comedy Tour! begins at 8 p.m., and the venue is located in the lower level of the Shops of Grand Avenue, below TJ Maxx. Tickets are $10 in advance and available online at www.milwaukeecomedy.com or $12 at the door day of show. Fadem and Pemberton have been seen on "Just For Laughs" comedy festival stages and they have toured with comedi- ans such as Matt Braunger and members of The Whitest Kids U' Know. They also have appeared on popular television shows like "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and "30 Rock." Fadem was named one of Daily Variety's "10 Comics to Watch" and seen in such feature films as "Miss March," "Small Pond," "I Am Comic," "Awful Nice," "Dear Sidewalk" and "The Guest." Pemberton has been seen in "21 Jump Street," "The Watch," "This is 40," "Aim High" and Armando Ianucci's Oscar-nominated film "In The Loop." Parking is available in the structure attached to Grand Avenue Mall (corner of Plankinton and Wisconsin avenues). For more information, visit www.mil- waukeecomedy.com/see-comedy/summer- boys-comedy-tour/.

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