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When The Levee Breaks (Music of Led Zeppelin)

Vanessa Fernandez

20,9930,99
(3 press reviews)
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Original Recording Format: Analog Tape
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Singer Vanessa Fernandez covers Led Zeppelin tunes in “unplugged” acoustic arrangements.

Brilliant rhythm guitar and solos from arranger-guitarist Tim Pierce 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 on many of the tracks; 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“.

And throughout every song the magnificent incomparable vocals of Vanessa Fernandez. Yes – the album was recorded all analog multi track.  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 some listeners breathless.

Engineered by Michael C. Ross, the mixing of the all analog album, “When the Levee Breaks” by Vanessa Fernandez, was completed at United Recordings (formerly known as Oceanway Recordings). The mixing was done in the legendary studio A with its 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 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!!

Vanessa Fernandez says “It’s a daunting task trying to do legends like Led Zeppelin justice. Working with these few helped. It’s been inspiring and humbling to work with Tim Pierce, Jim Keltner, Luis Conte, Jim Cox, Chris Chaney, Mike Ross, and Ying Tan. It took us 4 days to make this record together and while it feels like a tiny blip in the grand scheme of musical moments, I will cherish it for a lifetime. As it now travels through your ears, I hope the passion and energy we all felt also journeys into your heart.” 

NativeDSD exclusively offers this album in Stereo DSD 128, DSD 256 and DSD 512.

Vanessa Fernandez – Vocals
Tim Pierce – Guitars
Jim Keltner – Drums
Chris Chaney – Bass
Jim Cox – Keyboards
Charlie Bisharat – Violin
Luis Conte – Percussion

Tracklist

Please note that the below previews are loaded as 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.
1.
Immigrant Song
04:34
2.
Black Dog
03:55
3.
Kashmir
07:19
4.
Trampled Underfoot
03:41
5.
When the Levee Breaks
05:05
6.
The Lemon Song
07:12
7.
Whole Lotta Love (acoustic)
04:58
8.
Ramble On
05:07
9.
Babe I'm Gonna Leave You
06:36
10.
Immigrant Song (acoustic)
03:24

Total time: 00:51:51

Additional information

Label

SKU

GRV1088

Qualities

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Channels

Artists

Composers

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Genres

,

Analog Tape

Ampex 2 Inch 24 Track Analog Tape

Cables

Kubala Sosna

Executive Producer

Ying Tan

Mastering Engineer

Bernie Grundman, Analog to DSD 64 Transfer by Dave Glasser, Airshow Mastering, DSD 128 and DSD 256 Download Files Created by Tom Caulfield at the NativeDSD Mastering Lab, Marshfield, MA

Microphones

Neumann U-67

Notes

We are pleased to announce the availability of Groove Note releases in DSD 128 and DSD 256, in addition to the original DSD 64 releases. These higher bit rate DSD 128 and DSD 256 releases are all pure DSD created. 

They are not up samplings, for there are no PCM or DXD conversions involved in their production. They are re-modulations of the original DSD 64 encoding modulation that produced the DSD 64 releases. The sonic advantage to these new Stereo and Multichannel DSD 128 and DSD 256 releases, as with all higher DSD bit rate releases, is the wider frequency passband prior to the onset of modulation noise.This results in the listener’s DAC using gentler and more phase linear filters for playback of the music.

Instruments

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Original Recording Format

Producer

Ying Tan and Michael C. Ross

Recording Engineer

Michael C. Ross

Recording Location

United Recording Studio B on November 12, 13, 14 & 16, 2015

Recording Type & Bit Rate

Analog

Release DateSeptember 26, 2019

Press reviews

Analog Planet 10 out of 5

If you go into this ambitious acoustic Led Zeppelin covers project hard wired for Robert Plant and Jimmy Page you’re probably bound for disappointment but if you just relax into it, you might be pleasantly surprised by what you see in your mind’s eye. You’ll surely like what the production brings to your ears.

Vanessa Fernandez tackles the Led Zeppelin assignment with an occasionally seductive feline intensity, growling and purring where necessary. She convinces on the banshee call opener “Immigrant Song”, which is followed by the crucial “Black Dog”.

The result is a spectacularly natural and ultra-dynamic drum sound like what Glyn Johns achieved on the latest Eric Clapton album. Tim Pierce’s guitars are equally well-served in a recording by Michael C. Ross that’s nothing short of stupendously transparent, dynamic, and natural… I’ll put it to you this way: if you play this record really loud and you don’t enjoy what you hear, blame your system!

HRAudio.net 5 out of 5

What does one think and opine about a set of Led Zeppelin cover songs that is released in the DSD format? Well, in the case of the artist Vanessa Fernandez, her interpretations are a fine example of a strong vocal performance supported by a group of first-rate session musicians portending a musical success for an album entitled “When the Levee Breaks“.

Michael C. Ross, acting as both Producer and Engineer, builds arrangements that are relatively sparse with accompanying instruments underpinning the vocal range and style of Vanessa Fernandez. Her vocals are the focal point in re-imagining the material from rock legends and, from my listening experience, Ms. Fernandez successfully meets this challenge.

In addition to his mixing decisions, Ross made high quality audio a primary goal. The 24-track analog tapes were delivered as the original first generation 30 IPS ¼ inch analog masters to mastering engineer, Bernie Grundman. In my opinion, Mr. Grundman is one of or perhaps the best in the business. The result is a highly impressive analog type of sound. The sonics are nothing short of stunning!

The vocals from Fernandez typically take on powerhouse performances. One exception is “Black Dog” where she delivers a soulful vocal that is one of restraint by rendering a seductive and slow bluesy swing to it. A beautifully rhythmic acoustic guitar, from Jim Pierce, comes across in a crisp tonality that is supported by delicate percussion from Luis Conte affording a musical undertone for this scant arrangement.

The intro to “Kashmir” plays out on a violin (Charlie Bisharat) like a Broadway tune until Jim Keltner’s moves in on drums with an imposing rock orientation and proceeds with a thrilling, fat kick drum throughout. And the violin, characterized by it’s vibrancy, returns to do an invigorating solo mid-song. The most impressive element, however, is the beautiful rich and very deep tone of the bass played by Chris Chaney. Fernandez’s voice is highly emotive as it rises above the musical support.

For me the highlight is the title song “When the Levee Breaks”. In starting with mesmerizing slide guitar work from Jim Pierce, he also adds acoustic rhythm guitar combining with deft percussion from Conte in providing a lofty rhythmic section to under ride Fernandez’s vocals. She sings in a ‘slow’ blues style as compared to the heavy blues vocal employed by Robert Plant in the Led Zeppelin version. Fernandez effectively personalizes her interpretation as she sings with a strong, inner blues feeling.

The album begins with a rock version of the “Immigrant Song”. Fernandez opens with a wailing vocal. Her voice tends to be pitched high with a breathless tone. Guitar, bass, drums and organ supply a basic rock backbeat. A second “Immigrant Song” acoustic version closes out the song cycle as the final track and it is here where this song shines. Fernandez acquits herself with the same vocal approach. The major distinction is Jim Pierce’s acoustic work as the sole accompaniment with playing that is superb as the guitar resonates with splendid detail and clarity. Mr. Pierce’s guitar work on this album is outstanding and justly deserves special mention.

Vanessa Fernandez and her supporting cast have created a series of excellent and refreshing performances on “When the Levee Breaks” that does justice to the Led Zeppelin catalogue. The audio on this album is downright dazzling. Please turn up the volume as the dynamics of these recordings should be enjoyed at their full potential. The exceptional audio quality unequivocally elevates the achievements of these studio recordings as reference material.

Audiophile Audition

Vanessa Fernandez began her career as part of the hip hop groups Urban Xchange and Parking Lot Pimp. The Singapore native remained a local act and recorded an EP, titled Vandetta in 2013. Additionally she became a renowned radio personality, hosting a hip hop show. It seemed that her musical expansion might be limited.

In keeping with her maverick sensibility, Fernandez has chosen to put together a tribute to rock legends Led Zeppelin. Taking on a stylized, legendary band like this is ambitious, if not daunting. When The Levee Breaks has been recorded in 100% analog.

Joining arranger guitarist Tim Pierce and Jim Cox on keyboards are veteran drummer Jin Keltner, bassist Chris Chaney, violinist Charlie Bisharat and percussionist Luis Conte. It’s clear from the start that Fernandez is not trying to emulate the Led Zeppelin dynamic, no one can!

Perhaps the highlight of this album is “Kashmir”. This iconic track from Physical Graffiti is a bona-fide legacy of rock and roll. Bisharat’s opening Eastern-flavored violin lines are terrific. Page and Plant were known for this aspect of their music and continued the trend as a duo. Then, the band kicks in with the hypnotic, head-thumping rhythm. It is faithful to the original, but maintains the stylization of the album. Fernandez adds just the right amount of toughness.

Vanessa Fernandez’ When The Levee Breaks is a significant release. The combination of paying tribute to a monumental band like Led Zeppelin is framed as a personal musical journey. The sound quality of this album is outstanding. Fernandez’s voice has a visceral, sultry tonality. Pierce’s acoustic guitar has a shimmering, natural quality. The stereo-mix is vibrant and the low-end drum and bass are prominent.

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