MSG 1973 ramblings

[Trent Thornton <blisstrent@xxxxxxxxx>]

Obviously this was part of the foundation for TSRTS.  If you read some snooty, 
holier than thou art reviews of TSRTS, or even just th '73 MSG series, you just 
might think that Zep's playing is somehow sub-par in some respect.  This Bud's 
for you, Cameron Crowe.

I guess maybe if I lost a few hundred brain cells, I could relate to that line 
of thinking.  But, having (mostly full) possession of my faculties, I have to 
say that these shows are absolutely inspired, most of the time.  I could take 
or leave quite a bit of 07.29.1973, but the other two?  Gold.

You want "questionable" Zep?  Check out quite a bit of 1977.  They sounded 
positively defeated at some points of that tour.  Page is a bit of a sloppy 
player.  It's a stylistic thing.  He's not Steve Vai, he's Jimmy Page.  But in 
1977, his playing lacked that "sloppy dexterity" that tended to characterize 
his playing in previous tours.  Plant's vocal register had obviously diminished 
noticeably.  1977 is Zep at some of their all-time highest... lowest.

NYC '73?  Not even close.  Health permitting, Plant's vocals still had a lot of 
the same old sparkle.  Listen to his howling and moaning in TSRTS from 07.28.  
He did some of those same kinds of yowls in '77... to a more painful effect.  
Page's playing was slick and dextrous.  Again, TSRTS tells the tale here.  It's 
a toss up as to whether he hit his high point in '73 or '75, but either way his 
playing had really hit a whole new level around this period.

In fairness, yeah, the MSG shows have got a few weaknesses.  Plant just 
couldn't keep it going after the STH solo on 07.27.  And was D&C really all it 
could've been on 07.29?  Perhaps not.

But honestly, Page could've done a lot worse in releasing a live album.  I 
mean, cripes, it's not like he chose 07.20.1973, Boston.

Can the '73 MSG shows get some love?

- t