When Monotony Takes Hold, Grab a Little Osaka....

[davidp@xxxxxxxxxxx]

And I mean, a large gulp of September 29, 1971...One of the most 
memorable performances in rock history, and a concert that leaves 
you panting and sweaty.

Why do I bring this date up?  I have been grooving to it for about a 
month now whenever I have gotten the chance to listen to it in my 
car.  Time has taken away my review pen for the time being, but 
not my need for Led Zeppelin nourishment--the lack of time gives 
me only precious moments to savor the music inside my car.  And 
what better moments to savor than this masterpiece of Led 
Zeppelin rock and roll fury.

I'll speak of only a few highlights of a show which features many.  
Perhaps no show in Zeppelin history starts with such awesome 
musical power and energy.  "Immigrant Song" features a Page solo 
whose notes rise high to almost touch the heavens, raised even 
higher by John Bonham's resounding impacts against the drums, 
both sharp and sweet like a fine white wine.  Jones is ever present, 
holding the music on top of his shoulders.  Plant is there, but in all 
honesty, he really isn't needed.  This will be Page and Bonham's 
night--you know it from the start.

IS then leads to perhaps the best recorded version of 
"Heartbreaker" ever captured on tape.  Page is beyond description, 
so I won't even bother to try.  The pace is furious and intoxicating.  
When it's over, you can hardly breathe.

A little later, "Dazed and Confused" makes its mighty entry.  The 
improvisation is miraculous after the bow interlude.  With Bonham 
crushing the drums with explosive, steady hits, Jones providing an 
incredible robust bass line alongside him, Page's play streaks 
across Festival Hall like bolts of musical lightening.  He is a master 
this evening--swift and dynamic, perfect in his execution of melodic 
ideas that never seem to end.  Page is at his peak.  Led Zeppelin 
has never been stronger.  I urge every Led Zeppelin fan to spend a 
few weeks with just this one song alone.  It's a breathtaking trip 
through the most devastating music you'll ever hear.

The show features a wonderful, almost erotic acoustic set.  "Going 
to California" features wonderful melodies between Page and 
Jones.  There's even some tension as Bonham disappears for a 
lengthy time, the victim of a bout of diarrhea.  It makes for some 
amusing moments, and just adds an even more special flavor to 
what turns out to be perhaps the most special and unique acoustic 
set in their history.

The "Whole Lotta Love" medley is, again, perhaps the best ever 
conceived and played in their history.  I won't bother to elaborate, 
because I am running out of time tonight, but suffice to say it's 
magnificent.  It ends with a return to the main theme that features 
perhaps John Bonham's finest display of power and speed in his 
great life.  It really is amazing.  Saying the word "powerful" to 
describe this finale pales in its affect against the listener.  I literally 
feel exhausted when the last notes fade amid the cheers of the 
Japanese crowd.

The encore features a dazzling version of "Communication 
Breakdown"--fast and furious.  More Page and Bonham wizardry, 
and Jones' incredible force of rhythm.  "Rock and Roll"--a raw, 
inspired, youthful version--ends the night as it began:  in musical 
perfection.  What an evening.

Therapy is like religion--it's personal.  That's what a show like 
9/29/71 does for me.  I'm a better person after I hear it.  You can't 
help but to be inspired yourself when you listen to Led Zeppelin 
play in 1971.  They gave us something miraculous to hear for 
ourselves in those days--something we'll never hear again.

Isn't that right, Korn fans?

I'll check for typos, but forgive if I miss....

Until we meet again,

David