Bonzo_fan
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Posts posted by Bonzo_fan
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2 hours ago, ZepHead315 said:
Lol. In all seriousness, I can stop posting my uploads here if people are getting annoyed by them.
No, we love it! Keep 'em coming! Speaking of which, spinning the remaster you posted of 5/18/75 as we speak for the 45th anniversary! Belongs in the Top 5 of '75 along with Seattle, Long Beach and the two Vancouver shows IMO.
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May 13, 1973 - Mobile -- Insane listening schedule for me the next little bit between Zepp and the Dead (two shows a day until the 27th!), so I'm listening to this a day early. I know it gets talked about a fair bit, but I forgot how good Page's solo on OTHAFA is at this show 🔥 Without question a "must hear" show...
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2 minutes ago, Rich Holt said:
Why do you think Plant's decline started in August 1971 or did you mean after the June 1972 Denver show?
No, I meant August '71. To my ears, his decline started after the 8/21/71 show in L.A. It was gradual, for sure, but I feel that was the last show where he could hit any high note he wanted with power and conviction. Sure, he rebounds in the States in June '72, but the high notes sound a bit hollow to me. I'm a drummer, not a singer, so I'm not sure if that's the best way to put it, but they just sound kind of breathy, whereas at his peak he hit the highs with his full chest voice. Compare 5/3/71 Copenhagen or 8/21/71 L.A. or 9/19/70 N.Y. (Evening) -- especially the beginning of "Heartbreaker" -- with anything from '72 and the difference is substantial IMO.
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2 hours ago, Badgeholder Still said:
Please, enough already with the weak attempt at definitive statements. Nothing was impossible if LZ was so inclined. For the most part, all of their live renditions were interpretations of their studio work. They could have produced a great live interpreted version of ITL if they wanted to. They chose not to.
What is and what should never be. Everything that happened was perfect in it's own way. While the set list remained static, every show, every song, every moment was unique, and that is why the shows are still collected and scrutinized. If we had 76 versions of "The Rover" or "Custard Pie", we would be here wondering why we don't have any live versions of "Sick Again".
Led Zeppelin delivered and truly, you've got everything you need to be satisfied. And new recordings/remasters keep coming. Just enjoy.
That much is true. I always remind myself of that when I find myself wishing setlists had been different. I wish the Stones played "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" more often, even though I've been blessed enough to catch it at two of my five shows, but if they swapped it for one of the warhorses it wouldn't take long before I'd be saying "how come they never play 'Brown Sugar'?!" There is no perfect setlist approach. Even if you go with the sort of method used by the Grateful Dead and Phish, it's great for the diehards, but casual fans might walk away thinking "No 'Sugar Magnolia'? WTF!"
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41 minutes ago, Archetype said:
Regarding June 19, 1977: The acoustics at the Sports Arena in San Diego are horrendously bad. Notoriously so. Huge, deafening echos that go on and on and on, with an almost subwoofer-esque enhancement of low end. I wonder if Bonzo was slowing down in an effort to hear himself and the rest of the band, perhaps to separate the monitor sound from the echoes of the arena by ensuring the tempo of the song (variable, by him) was different than the tempo of the echoes (fixed, by the acoustics of the arena). Especially at the beginning of the show as the front-of-house sound folks worked to tame the Sports Arena using 70's-era PA technology. (Afternoon sound check gets you part way, but the acoustics are different in a full house so there's always adjustment in the first few songs of any show).
I didn't know that about the Sports Arena. That's an interesting theory. They played there once in '73 and twice in '75 though with no such issues from Bonzo 🤔
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10 hours ago, Hobknobs said:
I want to make some comments about Jimmy Page. I am a lifelong fan of Led Zeppelin and a lifelong guitarist.
First, he was a top session guitarist. Not just a session guitarist but a top one. I have read comments by people in the record industry that he was "the best, period." My point here is that this ultra rigorous training would always stay ingrained in him.
My opinion, and it is just that, is that the best live period was 69 to 73. After that, life events factors came into play.
There are many bootleg recordings but my issue with these is the recording quality especially with LZ. Perhaps the 77 MM Forum recordings are an accurate representation but I'm not sure.
What we do have is the official live records. Now, I know there has been a lot of comment how TSRTS has been edited etc but for reference I have listened to the Garden Tapes and it appears that the guitar solo on NQ is as played on the night. I'm specifically singling this solo out because I believe it to be one of the best solos I've heard, anywhere. I think it shows JP at his best, with superb phrasing and beautiful legato runs. JP has said a solo should take you on a journey and this solo talks to me on that journey. I want to contrast this with Jeff Beck's playing which, though amazing, consists of very short sharp runs. I think JB would struggle to play such a fluid solo as Jimmy does here on NQ.
Regarding sloppiness. Applies to all of us at times. I do think though that many believe it to be sloppy as they do not understand what Jimmy is playing. I have read JP saying "it's time somebody else took a chance." This seems a comment related to the whole ethos of LZ in going out and playing "tight but loose" and seeing where it took them and their audience. With such freedom in the playing some musically uneducated people are going to interpret this as sloppiness, which is not quite accurate.
Final comments.
JPJ, by anybody's estimation, a world class musician, has said JP has "always been one of his favourite guitarists." Such a rating by such a musician would clearly not apply to a sloppy player.
Paul Rodgers said JP was "technically the best guitarist in the world, along with JB."
I'll leave it at that for now.
I agree with everything you said, except for the number of enjoyable post-'73 recordings sound quality-wise.
TSRTS version of NQ is a great one to single out, as it highlights something else that I think is key to the Zeppelin magic, that being the sometimes ESP-level chemistry between Jimmy and Bonzo during solo/jam sections -- from about the 8:20 mark to the end of the solo especially. It applies to JPJ too of course, you just have to listen closer to hear it sometimes. In the comments of the Year of Led Zeppelin post about 4/26/69, someone wrote: "the difference between Zeppelin and their predecessors, Cream and Hendrix, is that the band listens to each other more, improvising as one rather than sounding like three soloists going at it all at once," and I thought that was a great observation. Speaking of the Millard '77 tapes, the 6/21/77 NQ is another great example of this, only with Bonham taking the lead and the other two following.
As far as Page's sloppiness or lack thereof, I agree. If you think of guitarists like painters, Jimmy is much closer to Monet or Picasso than he is to Michelangelo. Sticking with '73 versions of NQ, I think The Year Of Led Zeppelin's description of the Providence version sums up Jimmy's playing pretty well: "...until Page's wildly passionate guitar solo explodes across the soundscape." A great illustration of the difference between the two approaches can be found on "Eyesight To The Blind" off of Clapton's Crossroads 2 (Live In The Seventies), where Clapton's furious but orderly and perfectionistic solo is followed by Carlos Santana's passionate, schizophrenic solo which flies off the rails in the best way possible. I don't think you can objectively say that one approach is better than the other. I feel like there's a baseball swing analogy that can be made as well...Mick Taylor would certainly be Ken Griffey Jr. -- so smooth.
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6 hours ago, John M said:
Over the Hills, 22 June 1977. Page really goes for it.
He does indeed. Spectacular version from my favourite '77 show.
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3 hours ago, Zep Hed said:
Mind if I revive this thread?
Anything from September 1968 would be fascinating. What could the set list have been? This pre-dated recording the debut album, of course. How much of that material did they have worked out? Possibly none. The set list must have resembled latter day Yardbirds even moreso than what we've heard from Spokane forward. Probably opened with Train. Played Dazed and White Summer. What would they have done for blues tunes? Did they yet have As Long As I Have You? Was Bonzo doing Pat's Delight? Who knows. The sets may have been on the short side (30-40 mins?) based on their Scandinavian appearances in March 69.
I believe one day we'll hear a live recording that pre-dates Spokane. Probably not from England; I don't get the sense that recording shows from the audience was a thing there as early as 68. But the New Yardbirds in Scandinavia? A distinct possibility.
Great thread to revive! Anything from '68 would certainly be great. I'll try to pick one from each year.
1968: Any
1969: April 29 or 30 - Los Angeles -- Based off of the roll they were on the preceding few days in San Francisco, these were probably phenomenal.
1970: March 31 - Philadelphia -- Falls on my birthday and during a great stretch of shows.
1971: August 19 - Vancouver -- First nights of a tour are always interesting, and they always played well in the Pacific Northwest. Plus it would be the second-last show before the start of Plant's decline.
1972: June 23 - Denver -- Accounts on the official timeline suggest a setlist similar to Seattle and L.A.
1973: May 4 - Atlanta OR May 10 - Tuscaloosa -- Would be really cool to hear the first night of the tour, debut of "No Quarter," but I suspect Tuscaloosa may have been the better show, given the differences between Mobile and Tampa.
1975: January 18 - Bloomington -- The tease of the SBD that surfaced in February makes this even more tantalizing, as it confirms Plant hadn't caught the flu yet -- have to hear "When The Levee Breaks" in SBD quality with a strong Plant! February 27 in Houston would also be really cool for the debut of the grand piano in "No Quarter."
1977: May 19 - Baton Rouge OR May 31 - Greensboro -- by all accounts, both were excellent. They always played well in the Deep South, so Baton Rouge would be cool, but I might have to give the edge to Bonzo's Birthday Vol. II, especially since some accounts on the timeline suggest "Black Dog" was played as the final encore.
1979: N/A
1980: N/A
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9 hours ago, rm2551 said:
Anyone see both the Stones and Zep in '75?
I'd bet dollars to donuts Zep KILLES it in terms of the "better concert experience". Not putting shit on the Stones, I just can't imagine a better rock show with the exception of earlier Zep! 😝 Naturally, that is why I am here and not on a Stones forum, but I still can't imagine the Stones - or anyone else - were as good. No chance. But I would be interested to hear from someone who could offer some thoughts from attending both shows.
I'm a '95, so unfortunately not. Having seen DVDs from both tours, I agree that Zepp's tour was certainly better musically -- once Mick Taylor left, the Stones lost their chance of competing with Zepp in that regard. As far as the visuals, both had interesting elements. The Stones had a lotus flower stage that opened up, revealing the band during the first song ("Honky Tonk Women"). It also featured a giant inflatable phallis during "Starfucker," a gimmick that gets less funny the further removed you are from middle school. I would say Zepp were still better visually since all four members are entertaining to watch, whereas in the Stones' case Charlie and Bill don't really add much that way 😂
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4 hours ago, PeaceFrogYum said:
Plus 75' was the first tour with Woody so I am sure the press was all over that. Kinda a big deal to tour with a new guitarist after having Mick Taylor in the band.
True.
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2 hours ago, joeboy said:
I did not realize that the Rolling Stones were touring North America from June 1st to August 8th, 1975. That is probably the reason why the tour was to start August 23rd,1975. Hard to compete with the Stones.
My apologies to the band for playing armchair expert. Peter Grant was a good manager.
Right. Their tour overlapped with the Stones' tour in 1972 and the Stones got the lion's share of the press, despite Zeppelin playing shows almost three times as long (in the case of Seattle and L.A. at least). Based off of everything I've read, the band and Grant vowed to not let that happen again. Overlapping with the Stones would have been even worse in the Summer of 1975 because the Stones had not been through the States since 1972, but Zeppelin had rolled through in 1973 AND had just spent the whole winter there.
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I would much rather have complete shows officially released as well, but I would still be thrilled to have something from that tour in official release sound quality. It would also be helpful for the band's standing amongst average/casual fans and the general listening public. Even if there are a few hundred thousand of us die-hards, the vast majority of fans and potential fans won't look past official releases, and for one of the greatest live acts of all time, Zepp's official live cannon is I dare say appallingly thin. Any new additions to it are most welcome in my opinion, especially ones from a tour like Japan '71!
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8 hours ago, ZepHead315 said:
Happy anniversary!
Same! Top 10 show of the year IMO.
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April 28, 1977 - Cleveland -- The first great show of '77. Really nice to have it more complete with the emergence of the second source, especially NQ. Great versions of Achilles and SIBLY at this show as well.
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14 hours ago, rm2551 said:
Would one of you kind folk have a link to this boot?
If you meant where to download it, I think someone sent that at the end of the previous page.
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40 minutes ago, Mr_K said:
"March 19 - Vancouver -- The 5/24/75 Dazed was my introduction to live Zepp, but I'm pretty sure this was the first full show I listened to. Other shows (like the two above it) might have slightly higher peaks, but this one is just rock-solid, good to great versions all the way through, including my all-time favourite version of "The Rain Song." One of the coolest, best, most concise (22 minutes and change) versions of "No Quarter" as well. It helps that it's probably THE best sounding soundboard of them all. ..."
This one really grows on me. Maybe the best D and C of 75. Jimmy's guitar is consistently good throughout. And Jonsey's bass is so clear and prominent. What a fine player he was.
For the band in this half hour plus - Not an off moment in the whole.
Thanks for posting the topic so I could relisten to this great show.
37.5 minutes, to be exact 😉 6th-longest version. It is indeed a good one.
My pleasure! '77 seems to get a lot of mileage on here (not complaining), so I thought I'd give '75 some love seeing as it was its time of year...
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3 hours ago, John M said:
Indeed. I love that Plantation. As an added bonus, Kezar may be Bonham's greatest ever count in to The Ocean. "A one, a two, a three, a four" in a jolly tone.
Yeah, it is a good one! One of the better performances of the song too, especially considering the sound quality.
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8 hours ago, wordev1977 said:
gibsonfan129 As a song that was only performed mostly in 77 with two from 79 what would you say were the best performances of Ten Years Gone overall from this tour I really like the badgeholders show version but what others stood out to you from the tour?
Not gibsonfan129, but I've always thought the June 13 version is a really good one but suffers from the sound quality. The source for TYG on June 22 is damn-near indecipherable unfortunately, as it may well have been the best given how great the rest of that show is.
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I wish the soundboard covered the epic one from Seattle!
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2 minutes ago, Sticks of Fire said:
Thanks bro. I’ll be listening all night!
Of course 🤘 Enjoy!
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1 hour ago, Sticks of Fire said:
Man I’m going to have to revisit some of these March 1975 shows. I listened to 3/12/75 again and yep totally loved it all over again!! Bring on the soundboard. Best ever No Quarter intro. It was one of my first live tapes and back then all you could get was a 80 min recording of the middle of the show. We’re really lucky now!
I really need to give the two night run of Vancouver a good listen.
You sure do!
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2 minutes ago, JohnOsbourne said:
TU and OTHAFW are killer from both nights, but both are a tad better on the 20th. But while NQ is superb on both nights, there's definitely more improvisation on the 20th. I also love the version of IMTOD on the 20th, Page mixes it up a lot more than on other nights (but Plant's pussy-licking lyric on the 19th is always worth a laugh).
All good points. I love the 20th NQ -- it's got to be the least-talked about great version. Page does shake it up a lot on IMTOD on the 20th, true. Yeah, Plant's "LYP" ad-lib on the 19th always cracks me up. I wish he sang the "Oh Georgina" part more often...
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3 minutes ago, JohnOsbourne said:
The 18th is a very good show, yes, Page is playing really well, esp. NQ. I agree with you re. DC from the 24th (probably the 2nd best version of the year, after 3-21), but I would also take Tangerine, TU, and STH from the 24th over the versions from the 18th. Maybe I'm biased by the soundboard, but I've always loved those particular versions, they sort of color my opinion of the 24th overall. (OTHAFW from the 25th is also killer.) I'd agree that the 18th and 23rd are the most improvisational of the EC shows and probably overall the two best of that run. (NQ from the 17th is a really cool, unique version, a predecessor of the '77 versions.) But I still think the West Coast shows from March had more energy than EC, and there were enough great February shows to keep any EC show out of the top 10 IMO.
Fair enough. The 24th is one of the most confusing shows to me. Tangerine aside, the difference between TUF to the end and the start to TUF is astonishing.
I've thought that about NQ on the 17th before too! Glad it's not just me lol.
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6 hours ago, Cosmic_Equilibrium said:
Standout shows for me:
Feb 12th New York - a very well known show, and possibly the first bootleg that I heard which made me sit up and take notice. Great recording quality - my favourite is Keeper Of The Seasons which I think is a matrix of some sort. Great performance too despite Plant's voice being a bit ragged here and there.
Feb 14th Nassau - a very good vibe to this show, as evidenced by the Plantations. I did wonder if the SB ran slightly fast on the Throwing The Wild Seeds boot I downloaded, so switched to the St Valentine's Day Massacre one.
March 3rd Fort Worth - good SB and a really good fun show
March 19th Vancouver - possibly the best sounding SB ever, Jones is well up front and really clear, top 5 version of No Quarter, very consistent performance
May 18th Earls Court - the best of the EC shows that I've heard, possibly an even better version of NQ than Vancouver. Go to for this is Black Dragon WIth Blue Axe. Whole band very much on it and assured.
Other ones worth checking out are St Louis, Baton Rouge and Seattle. What I've heard of the LA Forum shows didn't impress me a great deal, they seemed to lack energy in comparison to the ones listed above. Baton Rouge I've always wondered if the SB runs too fast as Sick Again is notably faster paced than the versions from the rest of the tour, but I've never read any complaints in this regard about the recording.
Finally Feb 3rd New York is a good one, albeit not so much for the performance but the recording of the tapers and the general audience. Really gets the ambience and vibe of what going to a Zeppelin show was like back then.
It's funny how much the Plantations can add to the experience/vibe of the show and change our impression of it. That's part of why I love 3/21 (and 3/27). 3/24 and 3/25 are interesting because they have some of the great Plantations you'd expect at the Forum without much of the trademark Forum playing lol.
I agree with 3/19 being the best sounding soundboard ever.
Favorite/Best version of Since I've Been Loving You
in Led Zeppelin Live
Posted
Indeed. I was listening to Ft. Worth '73 a few days ago for the anniversary, and Plant's screech at the end of Page's solo is epic!