It's not that I have an axe to grind about the 75 tour (which is my favorite boot wise), it's that every time I make one comment about Jimmy's playing being on a lower level all of a sudden someone wants to argue about it. Then I naturally try to prove my point with examples and evidence, then get told "You weren't there so you don't know!", which is ridiculous. Yes, Page had many flubs throughout their entire career, but the contrast of his technical playing ability (both articulation and phrasing) on average between 73 and 75 is very noticeable. Sure, some people like his solos from 75 and later better, that's fine, but you can't make an argument on a technical level. Broken finger, drugs, whatever the reason, he was a different player after 73. Most people who play guitar and know what good playing sounds like will say the same. I promise I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here, but if someone wants to call me out on it, then I'm gonna argue my case. And nowhere between 70 and 73 did Page play an entire show where he simply sounded inebriated. This happened a few times after 73 and some shows were simply embarrassing. 3/21/75 is one of those shows. Houston 77 is another one. So I don't think it's "Nitpicking". It's just calling it like it is. I don't understand why people get so defensive over something so undeniable. Zep is my favorite band and Page is my favorite guitarist, but I'm not gonna deny his change in ability after 73, just like I won't deny the change in Robert's voice. Edit: Yes, those early shows were quite good and I've argued this many times. The Indianapolis show (posted above) and the Montreal shows have him playing great.

Alright, I'm trying to do some research on Page's technique in 75 and why he changed so much in 75. It's well known to most fans that he injured his ring finger before the 75 tour kicked off. I had always assumed he was a little "off" because he was still using his ring finger although it hurt like crazy. I also assumed the possibility that Page was taking painkillers which may or may not have led to a heroin addiction. Now I've discovered he substituted his ring finger with his pinky when playing. That's kind of mind blowing in itself. Rewiring your brain to play differently than you have been for a decade is pretty unbelievable, especially in just a few weeks. Using your pinky instead of your ring finger will definitely kill your fluidity, so it all kind of makes sense now. What doesn't make sense is why Page was still doing it by the Earls Court shows. Shouldn't a fractured finger tip have been healed by then? I've noticed on the EC shows that he avoids using the ring finger for lateral movement, but still uses it for some quick runs vertically. That honestly sounds like a sprain or carpal tunnel (not being able to move it in one specific direction). It's pretty evident in this part of Black Dog that he's avoiding using the ring finger. Playing this song with your pinky would be a nightmare.

An excellent solo from 1975 (Yes, I said it lol. He did have some good nights). Indianapolis 1/25. Did he have a broken finger at this point? Coz it doesn't sound like it. It's a shame Plant's voice is a wreck for this one.

You need your ears checked then. This desperate attempt to ignore Page's lack of technical ability is getting sad and repetitive. As I've pointed out many times already, "being there" doesn't mean Page wasn't missing those notes. I don't know why you keep falling back on that. Oh wait, I do. Because it's the only anecdote you've got. Just stop it already and accept the fact that Page wasn't as good after 73. Anyone who plays an instrument can tell you that. Edit: Did you hear that folks? If you were actually at the concerts Page didn't actually miss all those notes and his solos didn't wander aimlessly. It's amazing how a recording disguises things that don't have anything to do with a recording.

I'm assuming you replied to me. Just googling "led Zeppelin star groves" will bring up quite a bit. Then you can go from there. There's some interesting pics of Bonham playing guitar (or pretending to).

Never implied I wouldn't pay to see them in 75. Don't know where you're getting that from. Page's playing didn't take a dive in 75? Bullshit. I'll call anyone out on that any time of day. Between a broken finger and heroin use, PAGE WAS SLOPPY. A good audience source is perfectly adequate for being able to hear whether or not a guitar player is on or not. And this excuse of "Can't judge from a bootleg" has no weight anyway because I can easily compare most shows post 73 to most shows pre 75 and easily hear the difference in both Page's articulation and his phrasing. He simply wasn't on the same level for whatever reason. But yeah, keep using that "You weren't there, maaan!" reasoning to smokescreen sloppy playing.

Wasn't the 75 tour supposed to be a sort of "greatest hits" tour? Plant always introduced the shows as "The best of the old and the new". I think the 75 tour was an overdone attempt to turn the band into a circus act and take advantage of their status at the time. Very ironic that Page's playing took a dive and Robert's voice was blown. The shows just don't do justice to all the photos and posing lol.

My brain won't let me accept that that is Bonzo. No way that's the guy who would be seen drag racing and taking his cow for a walk in TSRTS.

That patchwork quilt though.

Missing Bonzo, but what a shot. If there were an official movie made about the band, this would have to be the movie poster.

One of my personal favs offstage.

Page was still wearing that coat in 72 and maybe later. Performed with it onstage in 1970. Gotta be right up there with the dragon suits for most important outfit.

I think that's it exactly. You seem to like the more expressive, epic journey solos. I'm more impressed by Page when he's on point with technique (I.E. SIBLY MSG 73). Page just got a little too loose for me after 73. If you don't mind my asking, what are some other solos from 77 that you could recommend that would hammer home your taste for his playing (I promise I won't critique the shit out of them lol)?

If you listened to the version I remixed I actually brightened it up a bit. The original was very "thumpy". And avoid that shitty Bertha Remix. This version kills me because the solo is amazing, guitar tone is perfectly crunchy, Plant does some incredible singing on the outro, and the recording is phenomenal. But Page flubs the intro twice and Plant does his pre-puberty vocals for the first half. I thought the guitar tuning was alright compared to other versions.

"I call your 1973 Mobile fluidity and phrasing and raise you 6.22.77 4:10-4:57. Yes, 1973 Mobile shreds and he does some nice hammer ons and pull offs. But there's no sense of drama or movement...it's mostly lateral movement." Ok, I really thought about just agreeing to disagree, subjective preference and what not, but I can't do it lol. I will not argue that 6/22 is the most vicious solo of this song he's ever done. Maybe the most expressive playing I've heard him do. He's playing like he's pissed at the world. But to say Mobile 73 had no sense of drama or movement is very undermining (don't get me started on phrasing), especially compared to 6/22 and especially considering what all he's jamming in there in just over a minute. Let's dissect Mobile a little; In a span of one minute and ten seconds he starts a slow build up that keeps moving and building at a steady pace, speeding up toward the end. 6/22 he starts off similar, but seems to get hung up on those low notes and wander a little. 2:54-3:00 are the pull-offs, which are blindingly fast and articulate (There's that word I was looking for to describe what separates 73 Jimmy from any Jimmy afterwards). He does something similar on 6/22 at 3:20 but it's impossible to compare which is more articulate with the sound quality, it sounds good though. 3:01-3:05 is the perfect example of the articulation Pagey had pre 75 that was never heard again. Or at least I've never heard it and I'd love for someone to find me some examples of it from something post 73. Post 73 Page no longer had the nimble fingers that could run a scale in blinding speed with perfect articulation. 3:13-3:22 has something I've never heard Page do before- tapping the strings with his pick. That's some Jeff Beck shit. 3:24-3:30 has something else slightly unique- octave slides, adding a menacing feel. 3:31 he starts improvising a riff that could easily be another Zep song. He's absolutely all over the place playing wise on this solo. So that's five different techniques used in a minute long solo. The very definition of phrasing. And drama and movement. Fluidity? I heard very little of it on 6/22. There's a couple of fast runs, but again, the sound quality makes me cautious to judge his articulation. In the end, I don't think the 73 solos needed to be extended because he was playing them more professionally and doing more in the time frame he used. I kinda think he started these big long extended solos in 75 to make up for not being as impressive with only a short, well-performed solo like he was doing before. " You want to talk about phrasing? That is some sweet phrasing right there" Yeah, that's not really phrasing. I mean, kinda, but not really. That's guitar wankery. The whole solo is. He's playing basic minor pentatonic leads as aggressively as he can and bending the shit outta the strings. There's no way to say this without sounding like my head's up me arse, but I'm just an amateur bedroom guitarist and I promise you I can play something very, very similar to what Page does on the 6/22 solo by just fucking around. The Mobile solo? I'd have to practice that shit for a week. To quote EVH (and God it hurts me to say it), Page really does sound like a teenager playing in his bedroom here. Sure, he's playing like someone kicked his dog, but there's a lot of articulation and technique missing from the solo. Also a lot of innovation. But, he's playing like crazy and for a long time, so it really impresses the listener. "...and never played before or after in any other OTHAFA solo. That's what gives 6.22.77 its one-of-a-kind status as king of the OTHAFA solos." He certainly does some unique stuff, but that's almost true of any Page solo. One reason I value him more than about any other guitarist. He never plays anything the same way twice. And why I love exploring and discussing these live performances. With that possibly unnecessary rant over, I recommend listening to the show right after Mobile (5/14/73). Not as wild as Mobile, but listen to 3:11-3:22. That's the playing that I love about pre 75 Page, those blinding single note runs that are played perfectly. He could no longer do that after 73 (I personally believe he had a fucking stroke or something). Also check 7/21/73 (Providence) 3:18-3:25. Again with the fluidity. This whole solo is an articulation wet dream. There are parts that almost sound like Jason Becker or somebody. Almost legato sounding. (Also the No Quarter solo).

Is there a boot from 80 with the keys low in the mix? I've got three shows and my main problem is JPJ's synths being overbearing. Just wondering if there's one with a better mix.

The 6-22 version is pretty phenomenal for 77. Very aggressive and inspired with no dead spots (which Page had a lot of for this solo). But it lacks the same thing Page's solos had lacked since 73- fluidity and phrasing. The 6-22 solo is a constant barrage of triplets and speedy runs up and down the minor scale, although those big, aggressive bends do sound really good. As powerful as that solo is, I personally prefer the short and sweet 73 solos where Page was on his A game when it came to phrasing and improvising. Offenburg 73, Mobile 73, and Providence 73 are all great. He taps into something on Mobile that goes into another world. Edit: Just listened to 3-21-75 to make sure I hadn't missed something. That's a big nope. Very uninspired and sloppy. I can't be the only one to think Page is not great for this show.

Awesome, thanks!

I recently listened to the Providence, RI show from 73 and was very impressed with that version. Page's fluidity during the solo is unreal. I also favor JPJ's grand piano work from 77 and 79 more. I'd like to hear a mashup of his piano with a 73 version.

I suggest everyone check out Two Gallants. They seemed to have faded a little but had a good run the past couple decades. It's just a guitarist/vocalist and a drummer who fuse old fingerstyle blues playing with modern lyrics, very much like The Flat Duo Jets. For the drummers out there, Tyson is superb with his intricate, lead playing.

Excellent recommendations! Although The Avetts have seemed to venture off track lately. I was also disappointed that OCMS decided to cover an entire Bob Dylan album rather than put out original material.

LMAO. My wife does fine until a version of Moby Dick comes on and she immediately requests to change it.

Damn, you're right. I've never realized the lyrical complexity and deeply perplexing concept of honky tonk women before.

Just got done listening to Providence, RI- 1973. A very good audience recording and a great show. Page very nimble, although he scrogged the RnR solo lol.

Man, I've been reading "The Garden Tapes" by Eddie Edwards and it's kinda blowing my mind how much editing went on for both the film and soundtrack. It honestly makes me lose some respect for them. Hell, even the Plantations were spliced from different nights. The whole thing is more or less a sham. It's really hard now to say "The version from TSRTS is the best" because....that's not an actual performance.