In the audience recording of the 7-27-73 show, in the middle of Jimmy's STH solo when he slows it down, someone (Rick Flair?) yells "Whoooo!" A very appropriate reaction.

In addition to Seattle, you should do the first Detroit show (7-12-73).

What exactly is a "waterhead"? I suspect I am one, but it never hurts to check.

Agreed, the sloppiness that would creep in on some American shows like New Orleans or Dallas is nothing compared to Southampton. Still, killer sound, and it's still '73, so some tolerance is called for. Overall I find the first leg of that British tour (in Dec72) to be unfairly overlooked, Manchester and Glasgow are two of my favorite shows. (From the second leg, Bradford also cooks.)

I guess I'll have to find some way to carry on, without you thinking I'm a Zep fan.

Ha ha, no sooner do I slam '77, then I'm reminded, this is indeed a very good solo.

Not sure which is worse: that horrid bass, or Page's terrible playing. Sorry, I just don't understand why people enjoy '77.

Fair enough, I just think the 7-6-73 show had a number of extenuating circumstances that make its choice problematic for that exercise. I would say the New Orleans show or Kezar better fits the bill (both definitely overrated by '73 standards).

I'm not sure the first Chicago show is the best one to "nitpick". They doubtless needed a bit of a warm-up after the break from the first leg, and the audience was clearly a distraction (that's what Plant was referring to after DC, also was surprised people said something "sucks" back then). And ultimately of all the night's problems, Plant is by far the biggest one. The next night would have been better to nitpick, it's an excellent, overlooked show. Ironically both this show and the previously reviewed Vienna show highlight how important the interplay between Page and Bonham was to the band. And I have to say I'm puzzled how these shows and the '75 ones that have been reviewed get lower grades than the LA '77 shows. I'm not a musician, but it just seems clear to my ears that Page's fluidity and (more important) spontaneity were always better even in sub-par 73/75 shows than even the best of '77.

Impeccable version, and great video.

Slightly OT, but there's a funny story about Maiden sending a demo tape (with their pre-di'Anno singer, I believe) to Swan Song offices in the late '70's, but it was of course lost in the drug haze there. (And also probably irrelevant, but Priest was on the bill at the notorious final Zep shows in Oakland in '77.)

I'm a huge fan of both bands. I generally agree with the observations here re. Priest's superior overall variety, esp. their 70's output, and I'd probably also give Maiden a very slight edge on 80's stuff alone. I still follow Priest actively (love Firepower, their latest), but to be honest I stopped following Maiden after Dickinson left the band after Fear of the Dark, and for some reason I couldn't get motivated to check out their material after he returned. (I still listen to their older material regularly.)

Have to disagree with the previous two posts about the '73 and first '75 SD show. I've generally found the San Fran and LA shows in '73 to be overrated, I think SD is the best of the Cali bunch (a tad on the sloppy side by '73 standards, admittedly). I've always really liked the first SD show in '75, it definitely gets overlooked. You can sense throughout that the band is energized to be back on the West Coast, esp. after the lackluster Texas shows. A caveat, I enjoy the gloomy, murky vibe from the audience recording, it's possible the show will be a disappointment when the soundboard comes out, akin to Landover. The 2nd SD show in '75 is indeed shit, except for the epic NQ. The band really sounds like they woke up late that afternoon and realized they had a show that night, they sound completely unprepared.

I don't think you need to bother with Landover (2-10-75), the soundboard has exposed this show as a dud, the rather poor audience tape (enjoyable because of the wintry vibe it imparted) covered up a lot of flaws.

So they're going to start recording "soon"? Which means the album will be released when, 2020? I like Tool, and I understand they've had legal issues, but this is just ridiculous.

It's a great album, really enjoying it, but of the albums they've made since Halford returned, I think Redeemer of Souls and Angel of Retribution are better.

Tons of great pics there, many of which I've never seen, thanks for posting.

Or how about, "He also has a knack for singing 'b-b-b-baby' better than most." Talk about a back-handed compliment! Great review of the '73 show, BTW.

Agreed, the first leg (in Dec72) of the UK tour is particularly excellent, Manchester and Glasgow are two of my favorite shows.

Yes, this is true; I believe he broke a string on the Les Paul, before the song. You can definitely hear him use the whammy bar. (Supposedly he uses the strat on the 5-18-75 version, but I haven't listened closely enough to tell.)

Sad news about Tipton, did not know he had Parkinson's: http://loudwire.com/judas-priest-glenn-tipton-bow-out-of-tour-last-thursday/

I actually like the shorter, doomier '73 versions the best (Milwaukee, Seattle, and Pittsburgh all deserve mention). A lot of great versions from '75 though (Vancouver, Long Island, etc.), love the directions they took the song.

Tough choices, even top 10 would be hard. I'm going to cheat and go with six (and I hate leaving off St Louis '75): NYC 3rd night 7/29/73, very heavy and doomy NYC 2nd night 7/28/73, all-time classic LA 2nd night 3/25/75, very frenzied and inspired Long Beach 2nd night 3/12/75, unique version, a primal vibe Seattle 2nd night 3/21/75, similar to LA 2nd night Providence 7/21/73, Page pulls out all the stops

Credit where it's due, I'm not a '77 fan, so I've never listened to the 6-22 version, but after checking it out, I have to agree, it's very hot.

Sad news: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/11/obituaries/fast-eddie-clarke-dead.html