Product Description

John Bonham's death in 1980 made the previous year's IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR the last album Led Zeppelin would record together, but two years after his passing, the faithful were still hungry for more. Hence the release of this previously unreleased material from the Zeppelin archives. Kicking off with an equal mix of swing and crunch on Ben E. King's "We're Gonna Groove", CODA showcases the less grandiose side of Zeppelin, also casting a backward glance toward the band's roots with a reverential treatment of Willie Dixon's "I Can't Quit You Baby" from a 1970 rehearsal.
Much of CODA is comprised of outtakes from the IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR sessions. "Ozone Baby" bobs and weaves with punky vigour, and "Darlene" grooves along with John Paul Jones's piano as the rudder. The grinding power of the stop-start rhythms on "Wearing and Tearing" ably displays Zeppelin's might, and the instrumental "Bonzo's Montreux" offers a rare glimpse into Bonham's percussive range, revealing his irreplaceable role and clearly demonstrating why the band broke up after his death.

Track Listing

1. We're gonna groove
2. Poor Tom
3. I can't quit you baby
4. Walter's walk
5. Darlene
6. Ozone baby
7. Wearing and tearing
8. Bonzo's Montreux

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4186 in Music
• Released on: 1997-08-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered

Amazon.co.uk Review
Coda, released in 1982 after the break-up of the band, was the result of a trawl through the studio archives in search of leftover material. In fact, they had already used up almost all of the good stuff and, compared to their other releases, this was Led Zeppelin's only disappointing album. Nevertheless, even relatively poor material by Led Zeppelin still represents a decent level of quality and some tracks are classic, particularly "Poor Tom", "Ozone Baby" and "Wearing And Tearing". The latter song, one of three out-takes from the In Through The Out Door sessions, features a particularly high-octane blend of stripped-down and grungy rock and roll and is often spoken of as their response to contemporary punk. As so little studio material was found, they added live versions of "I Can't Quit You Babe" and "We're Gonna Groove" from 1970, the first of which in particular features some blistering playing. Even so, it was still their shortest ever release. --James Swift

Customer Reviews

70s review
I grew up in the 70s, my son Ryan always said how unique it is that you were there sorta in the making. I have to tell you Zeppelin has the kind of hard hitting power that to me has become a true legend. It was the party music, love making music, fighting drinking or whatever the mood you may be experiencing, Zeppelin can take you there. I for one have always given a full 5 stars to the originality & stage power I have been fortunate enough to enjoy through the years. I still find myself a frequent listener.

Just buy this to complete your collection...
This collection of odd material from the Led Zeppelin vaults is well below the standard we have come to expect from the band. The songs were clearly never meant to be released and this album was rushed out with almost indecent haste following Bonzo's tragic demise. It is a grave disappointment. You may wish to just buy it to complete your Led Zeppelin collection, otherwise I urge you not to bother.

A Completist Curiousity
Make no mistake this is not a Led Zep album, it has no cohesion and it doesn't hang together as an album at all. However, the tracks contained are all pretty decent although I confess to not being a fan of Bonzo's montreux, which like Moby Dick from the second album was a set piece for John Bonham to show off his not inconsiderable licks.

We're Gonna Groove, is to my recollection the only non album track that was a for a while a real live favourite. Surprisingly this is a reworking of the Drifter's Ben E King's (Stand by Me)song.

The latter day stuff that did not pass muster for In through the Out door are all worth a listen, there remains some debate as to whether some of these tracks would have made a stronger album. I really don't know. But other than that it will collect dust, its not something you will just fancy putting on for the enjoyment.

A completist curiousity indeed, there are eight studio albums and 2(or 3 if you count the Beeb collection live albums to buy before you even consider this.