Only the first two songs of this show are publicly extant, and I always have love for the runt of the litter, so here we go! Led Zeppelin played Wallingford, Connecticut on August 17, 1969 and we are able to hear Train Kept A Rollin’ and I Can’t Quit You Baby, at least. Thank god for tapers!
If you would like to download this short little snippet, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/3xtSQTiB#s67IIEQfkknn9_PgUprYkQ
There’s a good reason I’m coming back to this show, after almost 5 years. Watchtower has released a version of this show in fantastic quality, without the noise reduction that muffled prior releases. It’s also one of the best shows from one of the best years of one of the best bands around. So there’s that.
This is band’s first night of their first Japanese tour and they’re out to impress the people of Tokyo. I play a superlative Since I’ve Been Loving You, which you should listen to right now. I also play an exceptional Stairway to Heaven with an amazing solo, and I finish with the small acoustic set of Bron-y-Aur Stomp, That’s the Way, and Going to California. The sound is fantastic as is the performance.
If you would like to download this complete concert recording you can do so, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/ig9BBJKZ#-L9MAWvyhiRbb6mbX3X6fQ
On August 19, 1971 Led Zeppelin began their North American tour in Vancouver, BC and we have the pleasure of hearing peak Zep, thanks to an intrepid taper. Last time I touched upon this show we featured the first few songs; this time we’re back for more. I play a scorching Black Dog (sung like the record), a powerful (better than the European ones, imo) Gallows Pole (on the doubleneck 12 string), and a raucous and frenzied cover of Eddie Cochran’s Weekend. Each performance is pure fire, as is the rest of the show. Truly awesome.
You can download this show, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/rt9GlbBB#7C1T7-AGVsyJeeCgZd8evQ
May 11, 1986 is the date The Firm played the Cleveland Colosseum for concert which was broadcast on the Westwood One Radio Network, back in the day. Thus the quality is professionally mixed stereo. The fantastic sound quality brings out the virtuosity of the band. Tony Franklin and Chris Slade are a beautifully solid rhythm section, fluid enough to let Jimmy weave in and around the beat like a dervish.
I play fantastic performances (I mean it) of Prelude/Money Can’t Buy, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling, and Live In Peace. This is a really fun and enjoyable concert and I hope you liked it as much as I did. I covered this show awhile back, but after listening I decided it needed a redux.
If you would like to download this complete concert recording you can do so, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/WpEEFbJL#smOUcZA9ybwpbLxFSc9X3g
“It’s not the side effects from the cocaine. I’m thinking that it must be love”
David Bowie struggled a bit in the late 80’s/90’s, in a comparative sense, after the stratospheric success of Let’s Dance with the MTV generation. In the tour he is partnered with King Crimson/Zappa alum Adrian Belew, with whom Bowie had recorded Pretty Pink Rose (a minor hit and an awesome song).
On July 23, 1990 the band played Hartford, CT. This is the show we’re listening to in this bonus episode. I play Ashes to Ashes, Pretty Pink Rose, & Station to Station. It’s a very high energy gig and Belew’s signature sound really suits the material.
You can download this complete recording, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/GlFnwJaJ#FqAhZ-ZAOYemw04h4-mldw
Led Zeppelin played Kyoto, Japan on October 10, 1972 on their second (and last) tour of the country. This is a merge of two excellent sources, put together and speed corrected by Dario Romero. The sound is very good as is the performance. You’ll like it. Where else are you gonna hear The Rain Song played with a wah wah?
The band are now the biggest band in the world and were set on making sure everyone knew it. They play songs from the as yet unreleased Houses of the Holy album. I love hearing audiences hear Zep songs for the first, and this doesn’t disappoint. I play The Song Remains the Same (called The Campaign at this point), The Rain Song, and an Over the Hills and Far Away in which Robert sings the original higher melody for one of, if not the last time.
This is a great gig which you can download, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/z48DTSKQ#03aiYJqYseCPcIuRke8IDg
Ep. 296 – The Heart of Markness Led Zeppelin Podcast
1995 was a great year for Zep fans. Jimmy Page and Robert Plant had finally reunited, and were touring with a huge ensemble including (not one, but) two orchestras, and the guitarist for the Cure…. and a hurdy gurdy. It worked out splendidly.
This is October 26, 1995 at Madison Square Garden, where Jimmy and Robert played a smashing gig. I play No Quarter (Unledded version), In the Evening/Carouselambra (unreal how good it is), and an incendiary Kashmir, with real strings and not synth or mellotron. It’s good stuff, people.
If you would like to download this show you may do so, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/qxdD3CSJ#hfzFqBkDBwxGHHy8BNrB5Q
December 20, 1972 at the Brighton Dome in good old Brighton, UK. This is digital transfer of the original master cassette, courtesy of KRW_Co. Being a master recording all the clarity which the recorder could capture is preserved.
I play Misty Mountain Hop and a 30 minute, everything but the kitchen sink, rendition of Whole Lotta Love. So many medleys!
You can download this complete recording, courtesy of my Patrons, for free right here: https://mega.nz/folder/a8NkCYiB#_hp0j6bXpl4Bzr4FnkVE-g
The 1998 Walking Into Everywhere Tour is a goldmine for great music. The rhythm section of Michael Lee, and Charlie Jones, had really jelled with Jimmy Page, and were a formidable force live. This show is the penultimate show of the tour, December 1, 1998 in Ghent, Belgium.
I play Tangerine, Babe I’m Gonna Leave You (great work from everyone on this one), and the final encores of Ramble On and Rock and Roll. Enjoy one of the last performances of the fabled Page/Plant reunion. We shan’t see their like again.
You can download this complete show, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/j8VGmZob#RcuB8_YtAl_p7DllFjh8rQ
This is one of Robert Plant’s greatest shows. He’s full blast and the rest of the band is right there with him. August 7, 1971 in Montreux, Switzerland right before heading the US for another amazing tour. You can’t get better than 1971 Led Zeppelin, and it’s so cool to hear them play Zep IV songs to an audience that had never heard them yet.
I play what is possibly the first live performance of Celebration Day, an incredible Black Dog in which Robert may very well exceed his album vocals, and one of my favorite encore numbers of theirs, Eddie Cochran’s Weekend.
It’s a great show and I hope you enjoy it. You can download the complete performance, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/GhtDiCCC#Xydj3ZKqurTfsQq_qCpHqQ