Vanessa Fernandez – When the Levee Breaks (Numbered 180g 45rpm Vinyl 3LP)

Vanessa Fernandez covers Led Zeppelin tunes in “unplugged” acoustic arrangements on the 100% all analogue recording When The Levee Breaks. Brilliant rhythm guitar and solos from arranger-guitarist Tim Pierce including an extended electric guitar solo on the rock version of “Whole Lotta Love” as well as killer vintage slide work on “When The Levee Breaks;” awesome drumming and majestic kick drum work from Jim Keltner on “Kashmir,” “Babe” and “Immigrant Song;” driving electric bass lines from Chris Chaney; memorable B3 and Wurlitzer fills and runs from keyboardist Jim Cox; audacious violin solos and fills from Charlie Bisharat on “Kashmir” and “Immigrant Song;” and, last but in no way least, stirring percussion backing from the great Luis Conte on “When The Levee Breaks,” “Black Dog” and “Whole Lotta Love” (acoustic).

And throughout every song the magnificent incomparable vocals of Vanessa Fernandez. Yes – the album was recorded all analogue multi track but several of the vocal tracks are the complete original live track used without any overdubs or fixes. The vocal performance on “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” is gonna leave listeners breathless! Engineered by Michael C. Ross, mixing of the all analogue album was completed at United Recordings (formerly known as Oceanway Recordings). The mixing was done in the legendary studio A with it’s great sounding custom built mixing board. The album was mixed down to 1/4 inch 30 ips tape and delivered to Bernie Grundman Mastering where the mastering and lacquer cutting was done. All the above elements combined to create memorable and immensely satisfying versions of several well known Led Zeppelin songs and the results are in – an album of epic musical and spectacular sonic quality!

“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…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…” – Michael Fremer, analogplanet.com

Musicians:
Vanessa Fernandez, vocals
Tim Pierce, guitars
Jim Keltner, drums
Chris Chaney, bass
Jim Cox, keyboards
Charlie Bisharat, violin
Luis Conte, percussion

Features:
• 180g 45rpm 3LP-set
• Features two exclusive LP only tracks
• Mastered directly from the original 30 ips 1/4 inch analogue master
• Cut by Bernie Grundman
• Triple Gatefold