Led Zeppelin III Original

So clearly the album is a classic and I have the 1970 vinyl, the 2014 180g vinyl, the 1994 remaster on CD and now the 2014 Deluxe 2 disc CD remaster.This is a different beast from Led Zep II 2014 remaster which in my view was a considerable improvement on the 1994.I have had to do many A/B comparisons to gradually appreciate the difference in the different masters in this case - the worst sounding was my 1970 1st press vinyl but the differences between the 1994 and 2014 remasters were minor. However I felt that on my system Plant`s vocals were more clearly defined and more upfront generally, the soundstage seemed a bit wider and with more depth of field in the 2014 v the 1994 - and finally generally there was more bottom end. BUT it was quite subtle and not as obvious as for the Zep II remaster and would require fussy ears and a good system to pick it up.So as to the extras - hmm a lot of hyperbole has been spouted about these - I am a bit underwhelmed but in the end I would agree it is worth it if you havent already got the 2014 remaster AND you are a big fan and here`s why.There are 9 tracks on the companion disc - track 1 is an alternate mix of the Immigrant song which is a little different in terms of use of reverb to the album version but only if you do a direct comparison then an instrumental version of Friends (OK for a karaoke party??) then an alternate mix of Celebration Day which again sounds the same unless you do an A/B comparison.Now we get a bit more interesting with a first take of Since I`ve been loving you - its rough and is a quite dry mix on the guitar and vocals. The early guitar parts are slightly different, more restrained and less developed melodically than the final version and Plants vocal delivery is very different in places with lyric alterations eg instead of "I`ve been the best.......the best of fools", he sings "I`ve been the biggest fool" - overall the is not as emotive as the final version by a long chalk but it is energetic and raw so well worth a listen.Bathroom Sound is track 5 and is a typical extra ie a throwaway instrumental studio play around of Out on the tiles - garbage!Then we get a stripped down Gallows Pole with reduced instrumentation and a dry mix - initially I really disliked it but gradually with repeat listens I appreciate its simpler arrangement and basic stripped down sound compared to the very busy crescendo of the song in the final version - the extras version really does highlight JPJ`s bass playing at the endTHEN we get the rare gem - a beautiful version of That`s the way which is performed at a slightly faster tempo with a more carefree simple arrangement and has a happier summer tone than the mournful slower album version - it really is superb and I prefer it to the final version.Finally we have a mess of guitar overdubs in Jennings farm blues - absolute garbage and not worth listening to once - its just messing about in the studio then at the end a painful Key to the Highway with Page on acoustic guitar playing basic blues in one channel and Plant wailing a heavily processed vocal with loads of tremelo/reverb and some blues harp.To summarise I will probably rip 3 tracks from the extras - Since I`ve been loving You and Gallows Pole for that basic simpler vibe and That`s the way which is a genuine classic - 2 interesting and different tracks and one great track on the extras then - so you decide if that`s worth it.......it`s Zeppelin so of course it is!!

Great cd

I bought this because I love The Immigrant Song and Since I've Been Loving You, but the other songs are great too

Released in 1970, Zeppelin's third album received a lukewarm reception after the explosive impact of the sensational debut and follow-up. What was an iconic world-class rock band doing, releasing an album containing so much acoustic music?In retrospect we can now see `Zep 3' as a more mature release with the band stretching out to embrace styles other than R&B, hard rock and blues. Unlike the first two albums, they took their time composing and recording this one and it shows in the more complex and thoughtful musical arrangements. The developing writing partnership between Page & Plant, and the way the four gel at every level, comes through strongly.So is it worth investing in this 2014 `2CD Deluxe Edition'? For my money the answer is yes.The first disk contains the original album content, with more punch and significantly more nuanced detail evident in the mix. It's both richer and sharper than any previous CD release, and rivals the original vinyl album for warmth and overall sound quality.The reason you should buy this package, however, is the material on the second disk. Some are alternate takes of the album songs from the same recording sessions, every bit as good in their way but slightly different. `The Immigrant Song' & `Celebration Day' are stormers. `Since I've been loving You', a gorgeous version of `That's the Way' and especially `Gallows Pole' with stripped-down sound, no piano and more impassioned vocal from Plant are - for my money - even better than the versions chosen for the original album release. `Jennings Farm Blues' is heard here for the first time, as is `Key to the Highway' - very reminiscent of the original closer `Hats off to Harper' with Plant playing some mean harmonica and reverbed-vocal over Page's busy acoustic slide guitar. The remaining two tracks are instrumental (or karaoke) versions of the originals: `Friends' and `Out on the Tiles' here curiously retitled `Bathroom Sound'. As other reviewers have pointed out, it would have been nice if `Hey Hey what can I do?' had been included too, but its absence doesn't really take away from the package as so much of the second disk is truly great.The 1970 gatefold vinyl album cover was a real work of art, a rock classic (which the band reportedly didn't really like). Here it's carefully reproduced in detail with rotating wheel and myriad photo images visible through holes cut in a unique 3-gatefold sleeve. The 2x CDs bear the green/orange Atlantic Records artwork from the era. You also get a 16-page booklet with photos of the band onstage in 1970 and a couple of amateur snaps from Bron-y-Aur, the remote Snowdonia cottage where much of the material was conceived and worked out prior to studio recording. It recaptures the feel of the original twelve-inch gatefold album cover to near-perfection.If you don't already have this classic, iconic album in your collection, this is the version to buy.

I have little to add to the generally glowing reviews of this cd. It's a truly classic album and a great first example of Zeppelin's variety of approach, and yes, this remastering has improved significantly on the previous version.However, and the reason for the one star deduction, my one very, very big gripe with this reissue is that with an entire extra disc to play with, no room could be found for the non-album 'B' side to the 'Immigrant song' single, ie 'Hey, hey, what can I do'. This could easily have been included without deleting any of the outtakes, and is way ahead in terms of quality of more than a few of these extra tracks. Why on earth was this left off? I doubt very much indeed if I'm the only Led Zeppelin fan left puzzled and disappointed by this omission.Five stars for the music of course, but this really is a missed opportunity to bring a good track in from the cold.