Doing two of my favourite things: record shopping and going to a concert (The Muffs). I'm sure some drinking will be involved, as well. Wine most likely.

"Misfits" happens to be one of my favourite Kinks albums. If your voice is like Audrey Hepburn's or June Christy's, I won't mind. Frankly, this is embarrassing. In no way do I deserve a separate birthday thread...any birthday greetings for me can be posted on the birthday thread in the Meet n Greet section. You may find it hard to believe, given how passionate and prickly I can be with my opinions, but I am a very shy and private person who doesn't like the spotlight. I certainly don't think I warrant a thread above other members...I'm no better or special than any other member here. There are those here who think I have a connection with the mods and get special treatment and I'm afraid threads like this further their belief. But I am still touched and grateful for everyone's wishes. Thank you Kiwi for starting the ball rolling again. That is an AMAZING CAKE apantherfrommd! Sue, I am speechless...I had no idea. Lipslikecherries, TypeO, CJW, Disco Duck, reswati,ebk, Walter, Paul C, jabe, jb126, Ddladner, and anyone I forgot...MERCI BEAUCOUP! VIELEN DANKE! It's been a little hard to feel "happy" lately...but your cheer helps. A toast to you all.

^^^ Merci beaucoup jb! I'm afraid I was amiss in missing two fellow Zepheads birthdays...Melcórë and my fellow Jane's Addiction freak, Wolfman! Happy belated birthday fellow Leos! Party on...

Oh yeah, I love this show...once I got Godfatherecords "Rock Saint Louis Roll". When I first got EVSD's "St. Louis Blues", it didn't impress me as much as 2.12.75 or 2.28.75. But the improved sound of the Godfatherecords made me hear the St. Louis show in a new light.

First time I've weighed in on this thread, I think. But with the 35th anniversary of "In Through the Out Door" looming, I've got the brown paper bag on my mind. This is another case where I believe the thread title is misleading. "Dislike" is the wrong adverb, in my opinion. Just because ITTOD isn't beloved as much as "Physical Graffiti" or "IV" doesn't necessarily equate to it being disliked. Say you like ice cream. You may enjoy many flavours...chocolate, vanilla, rum raisin, cookies n' cream, strawberry, whatever. Now, there may be a flavour you love more than the others but you still like the other flavours...just not as much. But you don't dislike them. It is the same with me regarding Led Zeppelin albums. There is not one album of theirs I dislike. I may not love them all with equal fervor, but they each have their high points that always reward each listen. Some albums suit particular moods more than others...some more introspective and contemplative rather than raucous party albums. Is there a scientific study that posits the notion that ITTOD is the most disliked album of Led Zeppelin? Just from my own admittedly unscientific survey, none of the Zep fans I meet say in no uncertain terms that they hate ITTOD. One of my brothers ranks it his third favourite after "Presence" and "Physical Graffiti". I know several people who, if not their favourite, still have a sentimental attachment to ITTOD due to it being the first Led Zeppelin album they heard/bought. They weren't alone. I remember lining up early that August morning in front of Licorice Pizza on Van Buren in Riverside, waiting for the store to open so I could buy ITTOD the day it was released. Many others made the same pilgrimage...and kept on making it, for ITTOD was the #1 album for seven consecutive weeks. It pulled up the rest of Zeppelin's catalogue to the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart in its wake. I'm not blind to some of the album's flaws. The songwriting is uneven. It could be mixed better, especially with regard to Plant's vocals. You can barely decipher the lyrics. Which is okay for songs like "South Bound Saurez" and "In the Evening", but criminal for "Carouselambra", one of Plant's better and sharper lyrics. The songwriting may not be as consistent as previous albums, but I like all the various grooves the band experiments with, in particular "South Bound Saurez", "Fool in the Rain", "Hot Dog", and "Carouselambra". People complain about Jimmy being too laid back on ITTOD; that there's not enough guitars. First of all, Jimmy exhausted himself so completely with the intricate guitar work on "Presence", that he deserved to take a rest for the next album. Actually, after his (and Bonzo) dominance of "Presence", I kind of welcomed Jones and Plant asserting themselves the next time around. One of the things that endeared Led Zeppelin to me even more was the fact that the members weren't running off all the time making silly solo albums a la Kiss, the Who, and the Rolling Stones. That's because each member of Led Zeppelin was allowed to have his say...to contribute equally. Even so, I disagree with those who say Jimmy doesn't play enough, that his guitars aren't prominent enough on ITTOD. I think his playing is forceful when needed ("In the Evening"), playful ("Hot Dog"), and tastefully restrained ("All My Love") when necessary. After the technical showcase of "Presence", it was bracing to hear him unleash the solos of savage fury on "In the Evening" and "South Bound Saurez"...just letting it rip. His approach to "All My Love" is perfect, with the stately acoustic flourishes and those incisive wah wah scratches. I also love how Jimmy is playing around with his rhythms...deconstructing them in a way...on songs like "Fool in the Rain" and "South Bound Saurez". The solo on "I'm Gonna Crawl" simultaneously makes my heart throb and leaves a lump in my throat. A soaring six-string squall of emotion. Then there's "Carouselambra"...good god almighty, people, there are guitars scorching all over this track!!! I absolutely was floored by this song when I first heard it...it's stupendous in my book. I'll take on the whole bar, if I have to, defending this song. Lyrically and musically, it's one of the more richly textured and adventurous songs in the Led Zeppelin canon. It's a perfect snapshot of where Led Zeppelin was in 1979. Best of all, it wasn't "The Lemon Song" or "Black Dog" Part Deux. To me "In Through the Out Door" was a band in flux. A band grappling with the shifting musical and technological tides. ITTOD was a means to an end...the only problem was that Bonham's untimely death prevented us from ever hearing what that end would be. No, "Coda" doesn't really give us any clue...with the exception of "Wearing and Tearing". Think of it like this: in Led Zeppelin's album chronology, two of their most esoteric/eclectic albums, often misunderstood by fans and critics alike, were III and "Houses of the Holy". Both albums were followed by jaw-dropping masterpieces: IV and "Physical Graffiti". One could argue that it was the band stretching out on albums like III and "Houses" that gave them the know-how and confidence to deliver the towering epics that followed in their wake. That is how I look at ITTOD. It was the band trying on new hats and playing around with their formula to see what to keep as they moved into the 80s and what to jettison. With ITTOD and the 1980 tour under their belt, whose to say that when they reconvened for their next studio album that they wouldn't have a firmer grasp on their sonic direction. A bolder confidence. I think the 9th studio album would have been a monster...a sort of summing up of the best parts of the new directions explored on "Presence" and "ITTOD", mixed with some of the German and minimalist avant-garde influences that were creeping into some of the live performances on the 1980 tour. Listening to some of the solos on "Trampled Underfoot" or "Whole Lotta Love" in 1980, I have to think Jimmy was listening to Neu!, Cluster, Popol Vuh, and maybe some Frippertronics. Also, think of how Bonham's drumming and grooves had grown exponentially from Presence to ITTOD and his playing on the 1980 tour. Is there any doubt his beats would be monstrous and supple/complex on the next album? Just think if the 1980 US tour had happened...they would have been exposed to the hip-hop scene that was then rising from the underground and hear the playing around with beats and samples that was the bedrock of the sound. I believe that would have had a profound and positive effect on Bonham and the band...much like it did on The Clash when they toured the U.S. around the same time. But then, I was always an optimist when it came to Led Zeppelin. Finally, for the record: In the Creem Readers Poll of 1979, ITTOD came in #1 for Album of the Year and Led Zeppelin was Band of the Year. If memory serves, Robert, Jimmy, Jones, and Bonham all placed at or near the top in their respective instrumental/vocal categories. Doesn't sound like an album that was "disliked" to me.

Well Pagefan55, if you're going to listen to the Wagner operas, you have better have heaps and heaps of time. It takes 16 hours to listen to the complete Ring Cycle alone. When it comes to Wagner, some people think the best way is to approach it slowly, timidly...start with the shorter, stand-alone operas ("The Flying Dutchman", "Parsifal") before tackling the Mount Everest that is DER RING DES NIBELUNGEN, the four opera Ring Cycle. But I say it's best to dive right in...no point in being timid when you're dealing with the boldness of Wagner. Besides, the Ring tetralogy is grounded in Norse mythology...there are dwarves, Rhine Maidens, Gods and Giants, and a gold ring with magical powers. If you like Led Zeppelin and The Lord of the Rings, there is a good chance you'll be inclined to like the subject matter of the The Ring of the Nibelungen. Some of Wagner's Ring has even transcended the opera world and passed into pop culture. Even without realizing it, many people have heard "The Ride of the Valkyries" and "Siegfried's Idyll". The complete Ring comprises of these four operas in order: 1. Das Rheingold 2. Die Walküre 3. Siegried 4. Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods) Each opera is around 4 hours, depending on the production and conductor. There are many recordings to choose from, but for my money, the best introduction is still George Solti's 1960s Ring with the Vienna Philharmonic, which featured many of the great Wagnerian singers of the 20th Century: Birgit Nilsson, Kirsten Flagstad, Gustav Niedlinger, even a young Joan Sutherland. It's on the Decca label and you can find it for a pretty reasonable price. After that, you can explore other conductors interpretations of The Ring of the Nibelungen...Pierre Boulez, Karl Böhm, Daniel Barenboim, William Furtwangler, and of course, the great Herbert von Karajan's '67-'70 recording with the Berlin Philharmonic. After you complete the Ring Cycle, Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" should be next on your list...devastatingly haunting. I'm also partial to "The Flying Dutchman". Other Wagner operas of note that you can explore at your leisure are "Tannhauser", "Die Meistersinger von of Nürnberg", and "Parsifal". I see you also asked about other operas. I have to go to work now so a full answer will have to wait, but any short list of favourite operas would have to include Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro", "Don Giovanni", and "The Magic Flute". Also essential are three of Maria Callas' greatest performances in Bellini's "Norma", Puccini's "Tosca", and Bizet's "Carmen". I would also add in three other great Puccini operas: "Madame Butterfly" and "La Bohème", and "Turandot". Nor can any opera list be complete without the Italian legend Verdi, my favourites being "La Traviata", "Macbeth", "Rigoletto", and "Aida". Lastly, for purely catchy tunes and music, it's hard to beat Rossini's "The Barber of Seville", a sort of prequel to Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro".

Paul, it's not the concert that was dark but the inability of film and video of that era to properly capture concert lighting without special film speed and shutter exposure settings taken in account. If an official release of Seattle '77 came out using the master tape, it would look a lot better than the bootlegs available. I am curious why your DVD is called "Kingdom Come"? It would make more sense for the DVD to be titled "KINGDOME Come", as it was the Seattle Kingdome where the concert was held. And it is insulting for any reference to that lame band Kingdom Come to be linked to anything to do with the mighty Led Zeppelin. As for the Godfather audio to Seattle '77, pm me your address Paul and I might be able to accommodate you.

I have said it before and I believe it to my marrow: July 24, 1979 is not only superior to July 23, 1979, but it is the best and most overall consistent concert Led Zeppelin played post-'77. While 1980 had some great moments in spots...primarily on "Trampled Underfoot" and "Achilles Last Stand" and the Berlin "Whole Lotta Love"...there were many head-scratching moments as well. I get that they wanted to streamline the show and jettison the long drum and guitar solos. But they sure went about it in a clumsy fashion. Why cut off the musical intros to "No Quarter" and "Nobody's Fault but Mine" but then mangle "White Summer" for 10-plus minutes?

Salad: arugula and romaine lettuce, grilled peaches, roma tomatoes, beets, quinoa, roasted pecans, citrus (orange-lemon-lime) vinaigrette. Grilled corn on the cob with chipotle cream sauce, shaved parmesan and cilantro. Ginger hibiscus tea.

You're not a loser, Charles. Classic Rock magazine are the losers for coining that idiotic term. What's next...White Rock?

QFT. Amen. Yet another Raven gets off with a slap on the wrist. Sammy Watkins seems to be wowing them at Buffalo's training camp. I bet Rick is putting bets on the Bills winning the Super Bowl as we speak. Lots of activity in the NFL...poor Paul's Dolphins losing Pouncey, Sidney Rice retiring, Jets blah blah blah...but Pat Bowlen stepping down because of Alzheimer's was sad to hear, even for this Raider fan. I think it is obvious that for as long as Pat Bowlen has owned the Denver Broncos, he has been a model owner. Successful and classy. He is what everyone wishes their team's owner was like. Sports needs more owners like Pat Bowlen and less like Dan Snyder and Donald Sterling.

An already sad month just became ineffably sadder. The forum and the NFL pick 'em thread will not be the same without the devoted Led Zeppelin and New Orleans Saints fan Brett. I can't say I was a close friend but I did enjoy our pm exchanges. She was fun. I lost a bet with her but I didn't mind, for it accorded me the opportunity to send her a boot of the 1973 New Orleans show. I hope she was able to take some pleasure and comfort during her illness from listening to Zeppelin. I was just thinking the other day, "where was pottedplant?" and planning on sending a pm to her today after taking a sabbatical over the weekend. Alas..."never put off to tomorrow what you can do today". If only I had followed that advice. I'm going to miss Brett. My deepest condolences to her family and friends. May she rest in everlasting peace, free from pain and suffering. In memory of pottedplant: WHO DAT!

I unexpectedly got today off from work, so I'm going bicycling down at the beach. Going to ride the complete Santa Monica to South Bay Bike Path...44 miles round trip. Which means I've better get going, as I've got plans tonight as well. TGIF to you all!!!

Aye, and lots of Type O Negative too! So TypeO shares a birthday with the French Independence Day? How interesting. Belated Birthday Wishes to you, TypeO! Cheers.

Oh, I'm sure they've been asked...many times over. But it's probably been a combination of bad timing and/or bad vibes that has led they guys to say "no" so far. One sticking point may be Jimmy's reluctance to reveal the master tapes. Remember his refusal to let Guitar Hero use them? Or his anger at the individual tracks for Led Zeppelin II coming out on bootleg?

True. But that doesn't mean there isn't videotape of it deep in the Zeppelin Vault under the Giant's Causeway.

My leafy repast tonight entailed arugula, spinach, and endive tossed with walnuts, cranberries, watercress, coconut shrimp and tamarind vinaigrette. Crisp Riesling wine.

All-Star game? Completely missed it. Somehow survived. I can't say I'm surprised Wainwright was chosen to start. That's his manager, of course he's gonna show loyalty to his guy. I don't blame him. It means nothing in the long run anyway. Nobody remembers who starts an All-Star game...they barely remember who wins. Nice to see Mike Trout do well.

Is it? You may be right...I'm generally selective about what I post about, especially when it comes to tv, books, movies, music, as I learned long ago that my tastes are out of sorts with the majority. I don't even watch that much tv anymore, often preferring to watch a show I like on DVD in one fell swoop. I can't pretend to be a GoT fan. I never read the books and have only caught the occasional episode here and there. I do prefer it to many other current shows, such as True Blood. But since I know many others here enjoy the show and may not have been aware of the LA Times piece, I felt obliged to share it here.

That's why I was happy for you, clw. I see Macca played 39 songs at the Fargo show. Surely your favourites must have been among them? I hope you stayed to the end, especially since the "Golden Slumbers-Carry That Weight-The End" is often the emotional and musical climax of the night.

The kids are alright. It is refreshing to hear you actually went to a concert. So glad you went and had a good time. Yes, Paul puts on a great show with a helluva extensive setlist.

Dude, are you talking about my "signature photo"? That's attached to the bottom of every post...everyone has a choice of a signature quote or photo....and it has no relation to the main body of the post. It's just a tag. Chillumpuffer answered your question already...look above! Yes, as WC host, Russia gets an automatic "in".

^^^ What in God's name are you talking about? I never mentioned the Kings in relation to the World Cup.

Ummm, don't know where you've been or who you hang out with, but there has been no shortage of discussion about this show...here or elsewhere. It has to rank among the 10 or so most talked-about Led Zeppelin boots. Peter Grant unfortunately decided to schedule the beginning of the 1975 tour to coincide with winter in the Northeast U.S., so on top of recovering from throat node surgery, Robert had to deal with the flu caught from touring thru blizzards of snow. And I'm not just talking about the Peruvian kind. Which leaves Robert's vocals very rough and raspy in spots. Which is fine for the PG songs in which his voice was raspy on record...such as "Kashmir", "Sick Again", "IMTOD". But on songs like "Heartbreaker", where his voice cracks on the "That's All Right" part, it mars the performance level a tad. Also lowering my overall grade for this show is the lack of the "Crunge-Funk-Theremin duel" interlude between WLL and "Black Dog", and the missing parts of "Dazed and Confused". Still a worthy show, though, and helped immensely by the much better soundboard quality of 1975 compared to the 1973 soundboards. Chock full of fantastic Plantations. "For a minute I wondered about my anatomy".