When I go see performances of live acts, I tend to over-dramatize their presence on stage?but no words could describe the musicianship I was privy to tonight. ?How the West Was Won?, the new DVD compilation being released this coming Tuesday, represents the progression of Led Zeppelin as a live act? from the early days, to their final collective performances. Tonight, I was able to see the premiere of the live footage, a 1hr and 58 min epic of mind numbing solos by guitar virtuosos and drum demons. 20 songs were extracted from the DVD set, spanning Zeppelin?s whole career? from Communication Breakdown to Kashmir. Not only was it the best next thing to seeing the four piece live, it also exhibited the diversity of the band: from start at you hard rock, to intricate blues songs. Even some rare live songs popped in the mix, a blessing for the hardcore fans of my generation. So, as far as I can remember, the set list broke down like this:
Royal Albert Hall, January 1970
We?re Gonna Groove
I Can?t Quit You Baby
Dazed And Confused
White Summer
What Is And What Should Never Be
Moby Dick
Whole Lotta Love
Communication Breakdown
Bring It On Home
Australian TV Excerpt- 1972
Immigrant Song
Madison Square Garden, July 1973
Black Dog
Misty Mountain Hop
The Ocean
Earl?s Court, May 1975
Going To California
In My Time Of Dying
Stairway To Heaven
Knebworth Festival, August 1979
Rock n? Roll
Nobody?s Fault But My Own
Kashmir
Whole Lotta Love
I entered the theatre with a bunch of teenagers who thought it would be fashionable to go to a Led Zeppelin IMAX experience. Most of the audience either were not born during the reign of Zeppelin, or were casual viewers who just liked the sound of the name? hey, man it?s cool. Whatever drew them there, they all left with the same feeling of ?this was something special?. Although I was pumped entering the theatre? an hour and a half early mind you? the night had a rocky start, where they misspelled the band?s name on the ticket, and the line was very long. All was worth it though, when the feature started, and the band ?came out? from backstage. Starting off with their Royal Albert Hall performance, and We?re Gonna Groove. Although the camera work left something to be desired? the music stood alone, and did so for the next 2 hours.
The first few songs were very blues revivalist? with Page showing off his adeptness with the solo and blues vibrato (understatement). It was especially apparent in Bring It On Home, where Bonham and Page squared off by trading the spotlight in a musicians duel. Plant held up the vocals, mind you this was still during the early days of the band, standing out in the performance of I Can?t Quit You Baby. The best guitar track by far was White Summer, where Page gave a clinic in guitar technique, using complex picking patterns, as well as harmonics. Of course there were also the hits for the audience, including Whole Lotta Love? that was very close to studio form. The unfortunate aspect from this section of the show came from the fact that the volume muted for a while during Moby Dick. This deprived the audience of the John Bonham show, but from the parts that were audible, we definitely felt the vibrations of the country squire.
After arena footage from Royal Albert Hall, the stage shifted to an outdoor stadium venue. I have never seen very much live Zeppelin in a stadium setting, and I wasn?t disappointed from the change. A blistering version of Immigrant Song was the only one from that outlet, but it was definitely the best I have ever seen? Plant?s vocals were enormous.
Then, the more familiar Zeppelin appeared at MSG, very reminiscent of The Song Remains The Same; dim lighting and fancy outfits (zso zso) was the showcase of this set? they started off with one of their most requested songs, Black Dog. This was followed by two of my favorites, Misty Mountain Hop and The Ocean? songs that do not get enough credit as live juggernauts. From this point, the stage shifted again to a more personable arena, from an earlier performance. It was highlighted by Going To California, a song which sparked a man in the audience to say ?oh yeah, that?s my wedding song?? and how I wish I was his best man. In My Time Of Dying followed, a great deep blues tune that again showcased the talent of one Jimmy Page (now you say, doesn?t everything?). Then, the opening bars of Stairway To Heaven broke and I thought to myself ?all of my kingdom for a lighter?, but no such luck. In my opinion, it was one of the best performances of the double-necked solo I?ve ever heard from Page.
But, like all good things, this exhibition was almost over. Only an encore from the Knebworth Festival remained, with the return of the Cadillac of Zeppelin songs? Rock n? Roll. If you think about it, that?s a pretty arrogant title for a song, but then you?re reminded of the source? and all is well. I guess it?s not as bad as Gary Glitter creating a Rock n? Roll Part II
? Anyway, the best performances of the night were left for last, as Kashmir rolled out. It had to be one of the longer live versions, but flawless nonetheless. Then, at the end, there was an encore of Whole Lotta Love. The great part about it, was the fact that the solo changed? no longer was there a gaseous void of instrumentals that lacked direction. In its place were walloping chords, and good old-time rock and roll.
Maybe I?ve taken this review a little far, but can you blame my earnestness? How often do you get a chance to see a band like Led Zeppelin, in a medium so close to the realm of live performance? Not many opportunities arise, and I definitely am looking forward at the chance of more live material. A Whole Lotta Live.
?Thanks. I didn?t know how to say it, but thanks for the last 11 years.? ? Robert Plant after Whole Lotta Love Reprise.
cujo
Royal Albert Hall, January 1970
We?re Gonna Groove
I Can?t Quit You Baby
Dazed And Confused
White Summer
What Is And What Should Never Be
Moby Dick
Whole Lotta Love
Communication Breakdown
Bring It On Home
Australian TV Excerpt- 1972
Immigrant Song
Madison Square Garden, July 1973
Black Dog
Misty Mountain Hop
The Ocean
Earl?s Court, May 1975
Going To California
In My Time Of Dying
Stairway To Heaven
Knebworth Festival, August 1979
Rock n? Roll
Nobody?s Fault But My Own
Kashmir
Whole Lotta Love
I entered the theatre with a bunch of teenagers who thought it would be fashionable to go to a Led Zeppelin IMAX experience. Most of the audience either were not born during the reign of Zeppelin, or were casual viewers who just liked the sound of the name? hey, man it?s cool. Whatever drew them there, they all left with the same feeling of ?this was something special?. Although I was pumped entering the theatre? an hour and a half early mind you? the night had a rocky start, where they misspelled the band?s name on the ticket, and the line was very long. All was worth it though, when the feature started, and the band ?came out? from backstage. Starting off with their Royal Albert Hall performance, and We?re Gonna Groove. Although the camera work left something to be desired? the music stood alone, and did so for the next 2 hours.
The first few songs were very blues revivalist? with Page showing off his adeptness with the solo and blues vibrato (understatement). It was especially apparent in Bring It On Home, where Bonham and Page squared off by trading the spotlight in a musicians duel. Plant held up the vocals, mind you this was still during the early days of the band, standing out in the performance of I Can?t Quit You Baby. The best guitar track by far was White Summer, where Page gave a clinic in guitar technique, using complex picking patterns, as well as harmonics. Of course there were also the hits for the audience, including Whole Lotta Love? that was very close to studio form. The unfortunate aspect from this section of the show came from the fact that the volume muted for a while during Moby Dick. This deprived the audience of the John Bonham show, but from the parts that were audible, we definitely felt the vibrations of the country squire.
After arena footage from Royal Albert Hall, the stage shifted to an outdoor stadium venue. I have never seen very much live Zeppelin in a stadium setting, and I wasn?t disappointed from the change. A blistering version of Immigrant Song was the only one from that outlet, but it was definitely the best I have ever seen? Plant?s vocals were enormous.
Then, the more familiar Zeppelin appeared at MSG, very reminiscent of The Song Remains The Same; dim lighting and fancy outfits (zso zso) was the showcase of this set? they started off with one of their most requested songs, Black Dog. This was followed by two of my favorites, Misty Mountain Hop and The Ocean? songs that do not get enough credit as live juggernauts. From this point, the stage shifted again to a more personable arena, from an earlier performance. It was highlighted by Going To California, a song which sparked a man in the audience to say ?oh yeah, that?s my wedding song?? and how I wish I was his best man. In My Time Of Dying followed, a great deep blues tune that again showcased the talent of one Jimmy Page (now you say, doesn?t everything?). Then, the opening bars of Stairway To Heaven broke and I thought to myself ?all of my kingdom for a lighter?, but no such luck. In my opinion, it was one of the best performances of the double-necked solo I?ve ever heard from Page.
But, like all good things, this exhibition was almost over. Only an encore from the Knebworth Festival remained, with the return of the Cadillac of Zeppelin songs? Rock n? Roll. If you think about it, that?s a pretty arrogant title for a song, but then you?re reminded of the source? and all is well. I guess it?s not as bad as Gary Glitter creating a Rock n? Roll Part II
? Anyway, the best performances of the night were left for last, as Kashmir rolled out. It had to be one of the longer live versions, but flawless nonetheless. Then, at the end, there was an encore of Whole Lotta Love. The great part about it, was the fact that the solo changed? no longer was there a gaseous void of instrumentals that lacked direction. In its place were walloping chords, and good old-time rock and roll.Maybe I?ve taken this review a little far, but can you blame my earnestness? How often do you get a chance to see a band like Led Zeppelin, in a medium so close to the realm of live performance? Not many opportunities arise, and I definitely am looking forward at the chance of more live material. A Whole Lotta Live.
?Thanks. I didn?t know how to say it, but thanks for the last 11 years.? ? Robert Plant after Whole Lotta Love Reprise.
cujo
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I saw it in the Sunday avdertisement. People were calling me and emailing me but I already knew it! My review? EXCELLENT! 
I'm embarrassed to say that this was my first Zepp CD purchase. 
