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
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
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
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
I was led to this show by a thread on Royal Orleans (a Zep fan site) in which someone wrote a brilliant essay about 1980 and how it deserves another look, as it’s not all dysfunction, addiction, and flat performances. I’ve gotten to the point where I’d say at least half the 1980 Tour over Europe is pretty damn good, even great.
June 20, 1980 the band played Brussels and they completely knocked it out of the park. It’s interesting to hear Jimmy’s newer ‘vocabulary’ in his playing. Trampled Underfoot is crazy good, Since I’ve Been Loving You (not often a high point on this tour) is brilliant, with some nice syncopation and interplay between Jonesy, Jimmy, and Bonzo. It’s mature and intelligent and cogent. I am absolutely gobsmacked at how my 1980 bias kept me from hearing the beauty in these early 1980 shows.
After SIBLY I play a rock solid version on Whole Lotta Love which brings the old and the new together in a flurry of improvisation. It’s good. You’ll like it.
If you would like to hear the complete concert you can do so, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/PklzlbRb#9niBfQQQ4KUSF8ko5EeATQ
We listen to a transfer of Joe Maloney’s master mono reel of Led Zeppelin at the legendary Boston Garden, on Sept. 9, 1970. No surprise this is an incredible show with Robert in full power, and Jimmy, Bonzo, and Jonesy just perfectly locked in.
I play Immigrant Song>Heartbreaker in all one chunk, and the mini acoustic set of That’s the Way and a beautiful performance of the instrumental Bron-Y-Aur (5 years before it appeared on Physical Graffiti) also present in one chunk, to improve flow.
You can download this complete concert recording, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/6oVzxAQD#Awep-YtJhevWC1SxXh_ONA
The 1973 UK tour is not to be slept on. Robert’s voice is rough as he, as he always has in winter, the flu. So they cancelled and rescheduled to preserve the treasure that is Robert Plant’s voice, right? Nope. He pushed himself as always and did his poor larynx no favors.
This show is January 14, 1973 at the Empire in Liverpool. The show is a banger as Jimmy is ingenious, Bonzo is frenetic, and Jonesy just is. He stands rooted in the Tao while all around him is chaos. All hail Jonesy.
I play Dancing Days, a ridiculous Dazed that has notes of Achilles Last Stand as well as some brilliant funk, and a rollicking Ocean. You can download this full recording, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/rkEEnApI#6pvgrZLG_CO38NoOeWhbNQ
This week we listen to a compilation put together by Led Zeppelin Boots, of Copenhagen and Odense (May 4 and 5 respectively). These are shows in which Led Zeppelin truly were exception. In addition to being on top of their game, with a ridiculously powerful Robert Plant at the fore, they played Gallows Pole and Four Sticks! These songs have only been played a small handful of times, and you’re going to hear these amazing rarities, along with a stellar Whole Lotta Love. It’s a great time to be a Zep fan.
You can download this complete compilation, courtesy of my Patrons, right here: https://mega.nz/folder/T5kBhYIb#FRHr8fSXAfHG7oA6L8A7cA