Last month, Led Zeppelin manager Peter Mensch confirmed that guitarist Jimmy Page was holed up in a west London studio "remastering every Led Zeppelin LP."
Now, in a new session with Rolling Stone, Page is stepping forward to discuss the long-term project.
"The catalog was last remastered 20 years ago," said Jimmy, referring to the 1990 release of the four-CD box set, "Led Zeppelin." "That's a long time. Everything is being transferred from analog to a higher-resolution digital format. That's one of the problems with the Zeppelin stuff. It sounds ridiculous on MP3. You can't hear what's there properly."
The group did not record a lot of additional songs for each LP. "But there was an overage of material – different versions of things, different approaches to the mixes," Page explained. He mentioned experiments with equipment and sound on early alternative takes at Headley Grange, the English manor where Zeppelin recorded some of their most iconic work, particularly their 1971 untitled fourth album.
"The classic there was 'When the Levee Breaks,'" Page said, "where the drums were set up in the hallway. You know what it sounded like – immense – from the recorded version. But we used the drums in the hall for a number of things, like 'Kashmir' [on 1975's "Physical Graffiti"] – some with closer miking. So there were a lot of different approaches. It will be fascinating for people to witness the work in progress."
As far as a timeline on the remasters, Page says "I would hope it is sooner rather than later. But it will be in the course of next year and going on for awhile."
Zeppelin just released their new live set, “Celebration Day,” which captures the band in concert at London’s 02 Arena in December 2007.
Led Zeppelin See also:
Jimmy Page hoped for Led Zeppelin reunion tour
VIDEO: Led Zeppelin - Black Dog from Celebration Day
VIDEO: Led Zeppelin - Jimmy Page interviewed on Jools Holland
Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day guitar tab book to be released
Led Zeppelin songs to be featured on NBC’s Revolution
VIDEO: Led Zeppelin share Celebration Day TV commercial
VIDEO: Led Zeppelin issue new Celebration Day preview
Robert Plant tops the hennemusic Hot 10
VIDEO: Robert Plant knocked over as fan rushes stage in Buenos Aires
Robert Plant records new material with Band Of Joy’s Buddy Miller
Jason Bonham on Celebration Day and the future of Led Zeppelin
VIDEO: Led Zeppelin - Kashmir from Celebration Day
Led Zeppelin: Robert Plant to guest on new Primal Scream album
Jimmy Page remastering Led Zeppelin catalog
Led Zeppelin: Additional Celebration Day screenings announced
KISS’ Gene Simmons given $320 million to reform Led Zeppelin
Robert Plant: South American shows available for download
PHOTOS: Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page at Celebration Day premiere in Japan
Led Zeppelin: Watch complete New York press conference for Celebration Day
Led Zeppelin: Jimmy Page interviewed at London premiere of Celebration Day
Led Zeppelin top the hennemusic Hot 10
VIDEO: Led Zeppelin preview Rock & Roll from Celebration Day
VIDEO: Led Zeppelin - New York press conference highlights
VIDEO: First clip from Led Zeppelin’s New York press conference
Led Zeppelin clash with media at New York press conference
Led Zeppelin: Jimmy Page talks about Celebration Day
VIDEO: Led Zeppelin preview Kashmir from Celebration Day
Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day widget available
Led Zeppelin add Celebration Day premieres in Berlin, Tokyo
Led Zeppelin to attend Celebration Day premieres
Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day director comments on reunion talk
VIDEO: Black Sabbath guitarist remembers Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience adds more fall dates
VIDEO: Led Zeppelin – Watch complete Celebration Day press conference
Led Zeppelin dodge reunion questions at Celebration Day event
VIDEO: Led Zeppelin preview Black Dog from Celebration Day
Led Zeppelin members to attend Celebration Day event on Friday
Metallica top Rolling Stone’s Greatest Heavy Metal Albums poll
Led Zeppelin, Queen & Iron Maiden members rock Sunflower Jam
Led Zeppelin: Excerpt from new Jimmy Page book available
Led Zeppelin top the hennemusic Hot 10
VIDEO: Led Zeppelin officially announce Celebration Day package
Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day DVD cover surfaces online?
Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day to premiere in theatres next month
Led Zeppelin among 2012 Kennedy Center honorees
Led Zeppelin continue countdown to announcement
VIDEO: Led Zeppelin preview 2007 reunion DVD
REPORT: Led Zeppelin 2007 reunion DVD due on U.S. Thanksgiving
VIDEO: Led Zeppelin tease 2007 reunion DVD announcement
Led Zeppelin tease forthcoming announcement
RUMOR: Led Zeppelin 2007 reunion show set for DVD release this fall
New Led Zeppelin book due in November
New Led Zeppelin book due next week
Robert Plant announces South American tour
Led Zeppelin’s 2003 DVD certified 13 times platinum
Robert Plant inspired Kelsey Grammer to use his song on Boss
Led Zeppelin: New Jimmy Page book due in October
Robert Plant tops the hennemusic Hot 10
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience announces fall US dates
Robert Plant confirms marriage to Patty Griffin
VIDEO: Robert Plant & the Band Of Joy – Gallows Pole
VIDEO: Robert Plant & the Band Of Joy live DVD preview
Robert Plant announces US concert date
Robert Plant: Band Of Joy live DVD due this summer
Led Zeppelin II dies
Jimmy Page Fine Art Photo Print Collection available
Jimmy Page photo prints archived at UK National Portrait Gallery
VIDEO: Robert Plant debuts new band
Robert Plant announces London show
Robert Plant to debut new band at UK gig
Led Zeppelin: 2007 reunion funds $41 million donation to Oxford University
VIDEO: Sebastian Bach covers Van Halen, Led Zeppelin classics
Led Zeppelin bassist receives fellowship from UK college
Led Zeppelin IV re-enters Billboard 200 album chart after 25 years
British MP lobbying for Jimmy Page knighthood
VIDEO: Jimmy Page joins Roy Harper in London
PHOTO: Robert Plant & Patty Griffin welcome kids on Halloween
Did Robert Plant get married to Patty Griffin?