Led Zeppelin are sharing a preview of an unreleased version of “Whole Lotta Love” from the forthcoming reissue of their 1969 sophomore album, “Led Zeppelin II.”
The BBC reports there are significant differences between the unreleased version and the final one that appeared on the band’s second album: the original is missing the first chorus and middle section, while new vocals appear on the finished version, as well as a slide guitar.
"You realize just how important all of those additional layers and the filigree work is," says Jimmy Page. "There's all manner of bells and whistles to make it the song Whole Lotta Love as we all know it."
Due June 2 (June 3 in North America), the band are also releasing reissues of “Led Zeppelin I” and “Led Zeppelin III” the same day.
Deluxe editions of the group’s first three albums are the first projects announced as part of an extensive reissue program that will see all nine of the band’s studio albums reissued in chronological order, each remastered by Page.
The guitarist spent two-and-a-half years combing through the vaults, listening to hundreds of quarter-inch tapes before choosing the best material for the reissues series.
"I don't want to die and have somebody else do it," he said. "I'm authoritative about what was done in the first place."
Page says the new material "deserves to be heard" because "it's performance art". It will give fans the first chance to eavesdrop on some of the band's key recording sessions.
The reissues will be available in a variety of formats – learn more details here.
Hear a preview of the unreleased “Whole Lotta Love” here.
See also:
VIDEO: Led Zeppelin – Debut album reissue preview
AUDIO: Led Zeppelin stream unreleased live track from reissue project
Led Zeppelin preview unreleased tracks from Led Zeppelin I reissue
Robert Plant and Steve Winwood team up at UK charity show
Search Led Zeppelin at hennemusic
