Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II (Full album 1969)

“Led Zeppelin II” is the second album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released on 22 October 1969 in the United States and on 31 October 1969 in the United Kingdom by Atlantic Records. Recording sessions for the album took place at several locations in both the United Kingdom and North America from January to August 1969. The album's production was credited to the band's lead guitarist and songwriter Jimmy Page, and it also served as Led Zeppelin's first album to use Eddie Kramer as engineer. “Led Zeppelin II” exhibited the band's evolving musical style of blues-derived material and their guitar riff-based sound. It has been described as the band's heaviest album.
“Led Zeppelin II” was a commercial success, and was the band's first album to reach number one on charts in the UK and the US. In 1970, the album's cover designer David Juniper was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package. On 15 November 1999, the album was certified 12× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales passing 12 million copies. Since its release, various writers and music critics have regularly cited “Led Zeppelin II” as one of the greatest and most influential albums of all time.

“Led Zeppelin II” este al doilea album al trupei engleze de rock Led Zeppelin, lansat la 22 octombrie 1969 in Statele Unite si 31 octombrie 1969 in Marea Britanie de catre Atlantic Records. Sesiunile de inregistrari s-au tinut in cateva locuri din Marea Britanie si America de Nord din ianuarie pana in august 1969. Productia albumului apartine liderului si chitaristului solo al trupei, Jimmy Page, albumul fiind primul in care e folosit Eddie Kramer ca inginer. “Led Zeppelin II” exteriorizeaza evolutia muzicala a trupei catre un sunet derivat din blues si bazat pe riff-ul chitarei. A fost descris ca cel mai heavy album al trupei.
“Led Zeppelin II” a fost un succes comercial si a fost primul album al trupei care a atins locul 1 in clasamente atat in Marea Britanie, cat si in Statele Unite. In 1970 coperta albumului conceputa de David Juniper a fost nominalizata la Premiul Grammy pentru Best Recording Package. Pe 15 noiembrie 1999 albumul a fost certificate 12x platina de RIIA pentru vanzari trecand de 12 milioane de copii. Incepand de la lansare diversi scriitori si critici au citat cu regularitate “Led Zeppelin II” ca unul dintre cele mai influente albume din toate timpurile.

List of tracks

Side 1

1.       "Whole Lotta Love"         5:34

2.       "What Is and What Should Never Be" 4:46

3.       "The Lemon Song"          6:19

4.       "Thank You"          4:49

Side 2

5.       "Heartbreaker"       4:14

6.       "Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman)" 2:39

7.       "Ramble On"          4:34

8.       "Moby Dick"          4:20

9.       "Bring It On Home"          4:19

Personnel

Adapted from the AllMusic credits

John Bonham – drums, timpani, backing vocals

John Paul Jones – bass, organ, backing vocals

Jimmy Page – digital remastering, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, steel guitar, theremin, producer

Robert Plant – lead vocals, harmonica

George Chkiantz – engineer

Peter Grant – executive producer

Chris Huston – engineer

Andy Johns – engineer

David Juniper – artwork

Eddie Kramer – director of engineering, engineer, mixing

Barry Diament – original CD mastering [19127-2]

Robert Ludwig – original U.S. LP mastering

George Marino – digital remastering