90051-1 Coda
Produced by Jimmy Page
Released on November 1982
UK CHART POSITION #4 . . . US CHART POSITION #6 . . . PLATINUM RECORD
Find it at GEMM
90051-1 cover
[high resolution scan]
 

A “coda” (as defined by Webster’s) is, “in music, a final passage, which brings a composition to a definite, formal close.” In other words, le mot juste, since Coda is the last word on Led Zeppelin. Released after John Bonham’s passing and Zeppelin’s parting, Coda collects various leftovers from their career. Of course, if you want the tastiest leftovers, get Physical (Graffiti). What you’ll find here are the leftovers left over (“Walter’s Walk,” “Poor Tom”) as well as unreleased tracks accumulated in the late ‘70s (the passed, Presence and a few Door tracks). Although nothing on Coda is as good as a “Houses of the Holy” or “The Rover,” there’s pleasure to be had in hearing “Wearing And Tearing,” “Darlene” and “Ozone Baby.” The ideas are as good as “In The Evening” or “Carouselambra,” just not as polished. For example, it doesn’t sound like Robert Plant got around to writing formal lyrics for “Darlene.” The earlier tracks are interesting if not quite historic. “We’re Gonna Groove” lives up to its name, “Poor Tom” has a catchy acoustic vibe going for it. Coda doesn’t compromise the band’s legacy of greatness when you consider that this is technically their second album of outtakes. In that context, the songs only serve to reinforce what a special band Zeppelin were. Of course it’s not as engaging as the albums before it, but fans will want to own this album, and not just as an afterthought. Also featured here is “Bonzo’s Montreux,” an all-percussion instrumental from John Bonham that’s mildly interesting, and a live sound check version of “I Can’t Quit You Baby” that replicates the elpee version bullet for bullet. Over the years, Led Zeppelin have honored the legacy of Coda by keeping the vaults closed for the most part. Compilations have followed, career retrospectives and live archival concerts have slipped through the gates, but Coda remains the definitive last word from the band who wrote the book on rock and roll.

90051-1 inner gatefold 90051-1 back cover
90051-1 inner gatefold 90051-1 back cover

TRACK LISTING

  1. WE'RE GONNA GROOVE    (Ben E. King/James Bethea)    2:36
  2. POOR TOM    (Jimmy Page/Robert Plant)    3:03
  3. I CAN'T QUIT YOU BABY    (Willie Dixon)    4:16
  4. WALTER'S WALK    (Jimmy Page/Robert Plant)    4:24
  5. OZONE BABY    (Jimmy Page/Robert Plant)    3:35
  6. DARLENE    (John Bonham/John Paul Jones/Jimmy Page/Robert Plant)    5:04
  7. BONZO'S MONTREUX    (John Bonham)    4:15
  8. WEARING AND TEARING    (Jimmy Page/Robert Plant)    5:27

    CD bonus tracks
  9. BABY COME ON HOME
  10. TRAVELING RIVERSIDE BLUES
  11. WHITE SUMMER/BLACK MOUNTAIN SIDE (LIVE)
  12. HEY HEY WHAT CAN I DO

CREDITS

JOHN BONHAM -- drums, drum orchestra
JOHN PAUL JONES -- bass, piano
JIMMY PAGE -- electric guitars, sub octivider, acoustic guitar, electronic treatments
ROBERT PLANT -- vocals, harmonicas
Peter Grant -- executive producer
Andy Johns -- engineer
Eddie Kramer -- engineer
Vic Maile -- engineer
Leif Masses -- engineer
John Timperly -- engineer
Stuart Epps -- mixing engineer
Hipgnosis/Assorted Images -- sleeve design

return to LED ZEPPELIN discography

REGION RELEASE DATE LABEL MEDIA ID NUMBER FEATURES
UK/CAN November 1982 Swan Song LP/CS 7900511/4 gatefold cover, inner sleeve
US November 1982 Swan Song LP 90051 gatefold cover, inner sleeve
ARG 1982 Swan Song LP SLIN-3269 gatefold cover
BRA 1982 Swan Song LP 20.085 gatefold cover
COL 1982 Swan Song LP 23(7331)00348 gatefold cover
GER 1982 Swan Song LP 79.0051-1 gatefold cover
MEX 1982 Atlantic LP LDWA-6161 gatefold cover
YUG   Suzy LP ATL90051  
KOR 1983 Atlantic LP OLW-239  
US August 16, 1994 Atlantic CD 92444 digital remaster
JPN June 6, 2003 WEA CD WPCR-11622 35th anniversary edition
JPN 2008 Warner CDX WPCR-13141 super high material w. bonus tracks

 

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