chofgren@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote: where's Southampton 1.23.73, hm?),In Jimmy Page's closet!!!!! Long rumored this was professionally recorded, I think Jimmy let it out of the bag somewhere that indeed it was. Could it be that they (he) consider TSRTS to be their definative [sic] '73 representation?!
This is an interesting topic........given how many people --rock mavens, Zep fans and detractors [citing "why they suck"...] alike-- have re-hashed the usefulness or worth of TSRTS movie and 'accompanying soundtrack' as an adequate representation of the live band, either during mid-'70s, 1973 only, or for all time. IMO 1973 is probably the most important year in their improvisational evolution, and if you want to be a 'splitter' you can sub-divide it into UK '73, Euro '73, 9th US Tour Part 1, Part 2 etc.
Southampton 1.23 release would be a good start. Then an official release of one of the Euro shows (Vienna 3.16?) ......
The March '73 ensemble playing might be the peak of their energy, proficiency and inspiration as improvisors, but by no means exclusively: there are awesome moments and entire shows the whole year. Stoke 1.15.73 is awesome. as with Parts 1 & 2 of 9th US Tour - many of those soundboards we haven't heard to completion. 5.16.73 Houston - amazing show. 7.21, 7.23 and 7.24 (esp. last two) are awesome.
yes, I know there *are* differences between early '73 and 9th US Tour - e.g., Bonzo's drumming is more 'spread out' (perhaps because he's having more laid-back fun in the US of A) and experimental / chance-taking, which makes the band overall sound a bit 'looser' than most of say, March '73... but it's a sound I also personally happen to love ......... his extended MD solo 7.7.73 is a masterpiece (and Plant seemed to think so too, not that I necessarily care about Robert's Plantation opines but on first listening to that performance I was so blown away that R.P.'s valid observation seconds after the finish was just icing on the cake for me). As a contrast, back in March Bonham and Page in particular seem to be having intense, pyrotechnic 'cutting contests' - almost vendettas - between each other on stage. And the band is just ever-so-slightly more 'uptight' in Europe vis-a-vis their relationship with audiences & actual playing time onstage: contrast the outstanding but perfunctory Munich 3.17.73 performance --and corresponding amount of Plantations between songs, length of actual songs, audience response, etc.-- with, say the Kezar 6.2.73 show vibe. sorry, I can go on and on about '73 ;-)
While HTWWW is an exceptional tour de force, personally I do not think it should be what the world officialy [sic] has to judge Zeppelin's concert career by.
the other complete show from '72 I think they're doing everyone a disservice by not releasing (assuming soundboard exists of course.....) is 6.19.72 Seattle earlier that week. But I'd have no problem with HTWWW being the 'benchmark' by which live Zep should be judged. (9.29.71 might be another......)
as people have mentioned before, 1971 is under-represented on soundboards: IMO that was a transitional year for the band, they were still warming up on how to integrate the 4th LP material into the live show and still-yet to work on new compositions live the following summer '72 (from what would another year later become HOTH album). But many feel that '71 is a peak year for both Plant & Page in each's live performance technique and range....... there is a unique power and drive in the band's 1971 live sound (i.e. Japan). So why won't Page release a 1971 show (or a video/film of the "beards" era - Empire Pool 11.20.71)?
IMO the band as a whole peaks musically from approx. June 1972 thru July '73 - the unity of purpose and presentation at its most coherent. Of course 1975 is awesome too with the newer PG material - and IMO JPJ's bass playing peaks on _this_ tour - but Plant and Page have, with several exceptions seen better days (which doesn't AT ALL diminish my enjoyment or appreciation of '75, btw) - but even if P & P can't sing or play with the exact proficiency or technique of, say '71 their evolved improvisational senses more than make up for it. Plant, just for example is using a lot more of the ululating, melismatic vocal improvisations in his 1972+ singing on "Dazed And Confused" ('75 versions of which are always interesting if sometimes overlong or sloppy). Plus the __sound__ of the whole group live in '75 is unmatched by any tour, in terms of sheer heaviness and crunch. I remember hearing 'Sick Again' on the Dallas sbd. Great Dane boot for the first time - completely changed my perspective on that song (as it did all over again hearing "Led Zeppelin's Flying Circus" version years after that....).
I mean,do you think folks might think they're just gilding the lily by releasing another live set ?
Lilies gilded or otherwise, I say: MORE '73 [complete] SOUNDBOARDS !!! ;-) Chris H. chofgren@xxxxxxxxxxx
From: Nech <tytlane@xxxxxxxxxxxx> To: chofgren@xxxxxxxxxxx CC: zeppelin@xxxxxxxx, green_acres1@xxxxxxxxxxx, john_bindon@xxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: Other things in vaults.... Date: Mon, 15 May 2006 10:04:15 -0400 chofgren@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote: where's Southampton 1.23.73, hm?),In Jimmy Page's closet!!!!! Long rumored this was professionally recorded, I think Jimmy let it out of the bag somewhere that indeed it was. Could it be that they (he) consider TSRTS to be their definative '73 representation?! I should hope not. If anything, I was always under the assumption that was released under duress considering the circumstances of the time.Jimmy has pined away about doing a chronological history of the band forever it seems. I really hope he does not consider DVD to be "it" While HTWWW is an exceptional tour de force, personally I do not think it should be what the world officialy has to judge Zeppelin's concert career by. Maybe part of the problem is that, kinda like us, they collectively or separately can come to a decision as to what is their best of (insert year here )is ? Perhaps striving for the ultimate sound is hampering the whole deal. Having been weened on some of the worst sounding boots ever, I can look past a monophonic tinny aud and enjoy it for what it's worth...a slice of history.I often wonder what Jimmy himself would consider to be the best shows of a particular tour. I mean, has there ever been an interview that delved into that subject with him? I am not a huge interview collector and my brain is like a sieve so if anyone has some insights into that ...SPEAK UP.And then again, here's a thought that was thrown at me not too long ago...maybe they just feel it's time to let well enough alone ? I mean, do you think folks might think they're just gilding the lily by releasing another live set ? Sort of like the never ending greatest hits that wouldn't die packages ? I know I got flack for the box set 1-2-remasters-full etc from my anti-zep ,ahem, friends.Nech