Jimmy Page Releases Lighter, Early Version of Led Zeppelin’s “When the Levee”

We’re just days away from the last few releases in Led Zeppelin’s deluxe reissue series, and the band has offered one last advance sneak peek at the newly remastered and expanded albums by posting a previously unreleased version of “When the Levee Breaks”.

“The completed track – which originally appeared on “Led Zeppelin IV” – was recorded in 1970 and is one of several alternate mixes appearing on companion discs included with the revamped “Coda” package”.

Three minutes shorter than the official version, the rough mix begins with a surprisingly upbeat R&B-style bass line and finds Robert Plant singing a slightly different vocal line. Stream the alternate version of “When The Levee Breaks” here.

“The fourth album was a commitment”, Page told Rolling Stone about Led Zeppelin IV. “We were living in a house with a recording truck, eating and sleeping music together. It’s darker than that”.

The band’s ninth and final studio album, “Coda” originally presented 8 unreleased tracks recorded between 1970 and 1978.

In the midst of the nine career-spanning Led Zeppelin reissues and accompanying alternative mixes, it’s a wonder there’s still abundant bonus material left for fans to discover. This rough mix was recorded at London’s Island Studios in November 1970.

The deluxe re-issue of Coda will be available on July 31.