In 1996 Led Zeppelin released ‘BBC Sessions’, a two-disc set of live recordings selected from the band’s appearances on BBC radio between 1969 and 1971. This was then revised and updated in 2016 as ‘The Complete BBC Sessions’ which had been newly remastered with supervision by Jimmy Page and expanded with eight unreleased BBC recordings, including three rescued from a previously “lost” session from 1969. While the original set was snapped up by fans, those who already have that will also have sought this one out as it contains a third disc which includes eight unreleased performances. In addition, the set includes extensive session-by-session liner notes written by Dave Lewis which provides accurate details and notes about all of the band’s BBC sessions. Included in that long-lost session, originally broadcast in April 1969, are “I Can’t Quit You Baby”, “You Shook Me”, and most importantly the only recorded performance of “Sunshine Woman”.

For me it is elements such as John Peel introducing “Immigrant Song” which really makes this stand out, as it takes us back to a time when the top bands of the day were brought into BBC studios and just allowed to play. Here is the band who were at the time one of the biggest bands in the world (true global stardom would come later in their career), taking the blues as a base and then taking it into new directions. All the musicians were accomplished old hands, relishing in the freedom of the time to create something new, with a singer more than willing to deal with anything they laid on him. Just listen to the restrained energy of “You Shook Me” which feels both ponderous and freeing, with a beck and call and final vocal flourish which can only be ended with a basic blues progression. There is the sheer delight and effervescence of “What Is and What Should Never Be” with one of the gentlest intros, which then turns into something harder and with more passion, which is followed by “Communication Breakdown”, truly one of their most explosive numbers. “Whole Lotta Love” is, for me and millions and others, the music which was the theme for the most important music show on TV, Top of The Pops (although the version used was by C.C.S. which was led by Alexis Korner). Even those who say they have no idea who Zeppelin are (heathens), will know “Immigrant Song” which has become Thor’s theme tune.

Here is a band, prior to the release of their classic fourth album (none of the songs from ‘IV’ feature on this set), who were taking heavy music, moulding, and taking it new directions. Absolutely essential.

Rating: 10/10

Links:
https://lz50.ledzeppelin.com/
https://www.warnerrecords.com/