Thanks, I agree the sound isn't so clear on EVs set for the 71 tape. It's a bit distorted , not crank-able. There have been a couple newer releases on boot labels , one is a 6 CD set, that looks intriguing. It has the Pre FM Japanese Broadcast and a Pre FM Master. I read somewhere that Scorpios 4 disc set is also a good transfer from the Pre FM recording. Feel So Bad is missing also from Communication Breakdown?

I ask this in all sincerity. Is there any really good reason, music wise, to get this new release if one already has the Empress Valley box set or other releases of this material? Is it sonically superior than previous releases, particularly the '71 show? Also, when I previewed Communication Breakdown on Spotify it was missing the Feel So Bad bit. Seems to me there is nothing revelatory with this set.

Totally agree. I hate seeing images that don't correspond to the actual music. I'd rather see a band shot and focus on whomever I choose that close ups of Bonzos face from anither song.

Nice , thank you! Never knew about this gig. Jonesy showing his Jamerson and Duck Dunn influences here. He sounds great! I just ordered the 2LP from Montreux Jazz Shop.

Well said. The albums had so many layers of guitar overdubs and vocal harmonies, which couldn't be easily replicated live so I think he was helping to fill out the sound in concerts by being more aggressive and interactive.

Alternate mixes? Meh. Mostly ok for one or two listens . Alternate takes and previously unreleased tracks? That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!! When The Levee Breaks, St Tristan's Sword. That's the shit!! Wish there was more like that...but what we got is what we get. I do love the alternate mix of In The Evening though, Jones bass is much more pronounced and you can really hear him playing his ass off. Lotta Duck Dunn and Jamerson in there!

Lots I could say here but there was a posted version on YouTube which was sped up, this one is not. Hence the debate. While this is impressive its not super fast, its just the way he is phrasing and scrambling it up makes it sound really fast. This is a really ass kicking example of his unique phrasing. There are moments in Moby Dick where he is playing faster than this but speed isn't what makes him special IMO. Cool post, thanks.

Two little things...whenever he sings " push, push, push!" ...or "Oh My Jesus!!" One big thing...Plant's vocal abilities after summer 1972. Cracking notes left and right, vocal range pretty much gone by 73. There are so many cringe worthy moments that I often wish I could fade down his vocal track and just listen to the band.

This is a really interesting thread to read! I am surprised by many of the choices, all of which I never skip ( except the noise solo ). I'm a drummer so every version of Moby Dick is interesting to me, but I understand completely why non-drummers would hurry to cue forward on that track. But, IMTOD and Dazed? TSRTS.... SIBLY??!! Never. I almost always skip Babe I'm Gonna leave You, Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp , Hot Dog ( always) and occasionally skip White Summer/Black Mountainside (especially in 77). I also often pass on No Quarter bloated middle JPJ/JP solos from 77. I must say when Plant starts screeching "Oh My Jesus" live...I fast forward. I can't stand that ! Awful, always awful.

I always laugh when I hear someone yell " I like you!!" just before Plant introduces Dazed and Confused from Sep 23 1971 . LOL.

Really surprised to see a clear bass drum batter side head on the green sparkle kit! The mounted tom head looks clear too. I assumed he always had coated heads before he used the vistalites. Interesting...great shot!

Artie and his crew , Uniondale NY June 15 1972 during Stairway.... one guy " Do you know what a piper is??" ...other guy " I'll tell ya later". LOL

Just listened to Communication Breakdown from Paris Theatre on Spotify...its bright and crispy. EV's sounds better to me, warmer though a bit more distorted. Feel So Bad is cut as well. I'm sticking with the EV box set when I want to hear the BBC recordings.

Yawn, another tepid reissue/remaster hyped as a " holy grail" from our beloved Page and Co. Hopefully the remaster isn't the common denominator friendly mash compressed for Beats and I-phones. If the mastering isn't significantly better than the Empress Valley BBC box set then I don't see myself getting this anytime soon. If I do succumb to the inevitable jones to have the latest release then I think I would most likely re-arrange the bonus tracks to align in proper order with their respective shows. Haven't done the math for the timing but I assume they put the extras on a 3rd disc because to put them in proper sequence they would need 4 discs. ?? At any rate, this release will help offset the $800K in legal fees that a judge denied in a recoup attempt by Page and Warner/Chappel. It was a BS lawsuit but ...LOL. I wonder why, with all the multitude of board tapes out there that have been released ,Zep don't release any more live material officially? Is it because multi-tracks don't exist? There must be some shows that were recorded to multi track or even two track, not just house or monitor feeds. I'm sure there are some serious experts in this area who are knowledgable about Zep's live recording methods. Board feeds were (most likely) done straight to tape, correct? I mean, even a raw remaster of a decent soundboard released officially would be snatched up by real fans. WTF? Just one!?? This was done with Miles Davis bootleg series recently to great effect. Is it perhaps because Plant's voice was embarrassingly bad after 1972? Or Page's playing was so sloppy after 1973? Despite these faults, no rock band came close to the improvisatory brilliance and fire of Zep live. I guess true fans have to cherish the bootlegs because all we keep getting with these reissues is nothing new, except for a few unreleased tracks and alternate mixes. The first album reissue was the most promising to me because it featured a live show as the bonus disc. How great would it have been to have a corresponding era live show as a bonus to each studio album?! I know, keep dreaming. Still, by now there should at least be an officially released complete Knebworth !!