Vanessa Fernandez - When The Levee Breaks (3LP, 45RPM)
Vanessa Fernandez, vocals [click here to see vinyl featuring Venessa Fernandez]
Tim Pierce, guitars
Jim Keltner, drums
Chris Chaney, bass
Jim Cox, keyboards
Charlie Bisharat, violin
Luis Conte, percussion
3 LP, triple gatefold
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 45RPM
Size : 12”
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : RTI
Label : Groove Note
Original Label : Groove Note
Recorded at United Recording Studios, Los Angeles
Engineered by Michael C. Ross, Wesley Seidman
Produced by Michael C. Ross, Ying Tan
Remastered by Bernie Grundman
Released in 2016
Tracks:
Side A :
- Immigrant Song
- Black Dog
Side B :
- Kashmir
- Trampled Underfoot
Side C :
- When the Levee Breaks (acoustic)
- The Lemon Song
Side D:
- Ramble On
- Whole Lotta Love
Side E :
- Babe I'm Gonna Leave You
- Immigrant Song
Side F: (LP only exclusive)
- Babe I'm Gonna Leave You (alternate mix - LP only bonus cut)
- Whole Lotta Love (full rock mix - LP only bonus cut)
Awards:
TAS Super LP List! Special Merit: Informal
The Absolute Sound Top New Vinyl Release of 2016!
Reviews :
"Much of the album, spread onto three 180g 45rpm records, is acoustic, but songs like "Kashmir" with Jim Keltner on drums, rocks out big time. These are fresh arrangements by guitarist Tim Pierce whose playing credits include session work with Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Johnny Van Zant, Meat Loaf, Patty Smith, Joe Cocker, Michael Jackson, Joan Armatrading, Madonna, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Roger Waters, Eric Clapton, The Doobie Brothers, Elton John, Alice Cooper and others. The instrumental performances add new luster to the old chestnuts. Old fans will enjoy the new musical environment and some non-Led Zep fans will be won over."
"Most importantly, Ms. Fernandez, a long time Led Zep fan, has the vocal chops and the sensibility to wrap her cords tightly around the lyrics and wring new meaning from them. From what I got to hear later on a lacquer, the performances and the sonics will drop your jaws and maybe even your pants!" - Michael Fremer, analogplanet.com
"This album boasts top-notch production quality, including an all-analog recording, mastering by Bernie Grundman, and an all-star cast of studio musicians. Engineer Michael C. Ross claim that the LP which boasts remarkably clean, transparent, and realistic sound echoes the golden age of audio seems reasonable, but in theory these pristinely-recorded and mostly-acoustic performances move into dangerous territory by reshaping some old-school raunch 'n' roll. Actually, though, that's part of the fun take a huge, billowing sound, scale it down, have a woman sing some very male-centric songs, and see what happens. The best cuts succeed for different reasons. Drummer Jim Keltner and bassist Chris Chaney lay down a killer groove on Kashmir, where violinist Charlie Bisharat adds a wild streak; he also brings some edginess to Immigrant Song. Instead of swagger, Fernandez uses sly seduction to state her case on Black Dog. At the beginning of Babe I'm Gonna Leave You she sounds emotionally drained, like she's been waiting all night to break the news to her lover. As the song progresses she gains strength but not conviction, as if the person she's really trying (and failing) to convince is herself a fine reading of a great song." Jeff Wilson, The Absolute Sound, December 2016
"As with its predecessor, When the Levee Breaks is all analog; engineer Michael Ross recorded to 30ips 1/4" tape. In every sonic sense, it is an extraordinary recording, with vast dynamic range along with inherent smoothness, weight and presence. All of this applies to the hybrid SACD, but the the RTI-pressed 45rpm LPs are even better -- more resolved and natural -- and they include a couple of extra cuts not on the SACD. This is demo material in either format, but I haven't heard an LP that sounds as good since Use Me."
"On its face, When the Levee Breaks has some huge obstacles to overcome, especially among audiophiles who are familiar with great-sounding recordings of questionable music worth. Because of this, its achievement is even more impressive. It defies expectations in so many ways; you'll want to play it for friends and family, in order to show off your system, and you'll want to listen to it yourself when only some Zeppelin in vivid state-of-the-art sound will do." Marc Mickelson, The Audio Beat
Ratings :
Discogs : 4,7 / 5 , Michael Fremer : 9/11 Music, 11/11 Sound , The Audio Beat : 4/5 Music, 5/5 Sound , The Absolute Sound : 3.5/5 Music, 5/5 Sonics