Get the Led Out

Rhino Records put out a whole album of Bruce Springsteen cover songs. The Coolies cut an entire record of Paul Simon tunes. But now we’re talking about sacred turf . . . Led Zeppelin. The Independent Label Alliance is releasing a compilation next month titled “The Song Retains the Name,” which will feature 11 Zeppelin covers by a noisy brigade of Sacramento-based bands. What makes the project so much fun--even for non -Zepp fanatics--is the groups’ widely disparate approaches. Special faves included a rap version of “Black Dog” by the Royal Mixxers with KGIG & Konan Kelley, a DB’s-style rendition of “In the Evening” by Twice Shy, a metal-warrior blast of “The Immigrant Song” by Headface and a preppie-rock look at “Good Times Bad Times” by the Dalai Lamas. . . . The week’s other highlight package is “Just Say Yo,” a CD-only collection of pop oddities compiled by Sire Records exec Howie Klein. The collection follows up last year’s “Just Say Yes” package which has sold more than 70,000 copies. The new compilation has plenty of pop gems, ranging from “Galbi,” a new cut by Yemenese songstress Ofra Haza (who’s featured prominently on Eric B and Rakim’s spectacular “Paid in Full” single) to remixes of Depeche Mode and Erasure hits as well as an upcoming pop beauty, “Call Me Blue,” by the new Irish group A House. Better still, the CD package is list-priced at $7.98. But beware--Sire staffers glumly report that they’ve spotted area stores selling the compilation for as much as $12.98. We suggest you shop elsewhere--and ask the manager why the store is gouging its customers.