The man worked well under pressure lol. I agree about the following 2 DAC performances on the 28th and 29th. They're very good, but you can really hear the fatigue in places. Mobile is an energetic and enjoyable listen for sure. I particularly like what Page is doing in the first workout section - just groovin', raunchy rock n roll! I would put Mobile and New Orleans renditions as best of May shows (1st leg). As far as best Plant DAC vocals for 73, that's a good question. I'd have Detroit 7/13, Providence, NYC 7/27, LA 6/3, Paris 4/1, Aberdeen and maybe Bradford at the top of my own list. Plant is fantastic in the Pittsburgh rendition as well, once he gets past the opening verses.

Happy golden anniversary to Bradford 1.18.73 entry 4 on the list. A great show (and Dazed) that deserves its place in the sun. ☀️

This is indeed a nice one! Jimmy's playing in January 73 is on par - and on some nights better - than the March 73 shows which tend to get more love on this forum. I've been listening to those January second leg shows a lot lately, and now have some new favorites for OTH, at least as far the solo goes. Oxford, Aberdeen and Edinburgh are my personal favorites from that leg. I would put any of those solos up against Vienna 73 (which I've loved for many years). Just a great period of time for both Jimmy and Bonzo. I should also add that since stating my opinions above a year ago, my preference has changed from 75 to 73. While 75 solos are more fully realized and - to an extent - more interesting from a creative perspective, the 73 OTH solos are more fluid, focused and fun to listen to. When listening to 75 solos, I'm almost holding my breath like "please Jimmy keep it together" whereas in 73 I never do that.

I now have a new favorite version of this song. Thanks for drawing attention to this. I've never been a big fan of the 77 tour and am not well-versed on every show. This version Houston 5-18-77 is a killer combo of a great performance with easily the best sound I've heard from this year. Nice one. I've been on a bit of a kick with 77 Kashmir lately and recently discovered the Birmingham 5-21-77 version which also has great sound and performance. But Houston is better on both fronts and is my new go-to. I suppose I should also mention the O2 version as today is the anniversary of the show. An incredible headphone experience. You get to be completely immersed in Jimmy's guitar sound, it's a religious experience.

Kashmir is the one song from 77 that, to my ears, is better than 75 versions. My favorites are Cleveland 4-28-77 and MSG 6-13-77. Others I love are: 4-30-77 (best sounding Plant to my ears), MSG 6-10-77, MSG 6-14-77, LA 6-21-77, LA 6-22-77 and LA 6-25-77

😛 I thought it was appropriate for the title and season. Having said that, I'm definitely not poking fun at anyone who believes in that stuff or is a practitioner. I'm not a practitioner myself, or even a dabbler, but do have a very healthy respect for it.

Wow, thank you very much! I really appreciate the kind words. Your positivity is a boon to this forum.

Thank you! And you hit the nail on the head with them really making you feel it. I think 6-3 is unmistakably a special show. You can feel the energy, emotion and power coming off both the crowd and the band ... it's like an aural glow, for lack of a better term. My go-to for the show is the Winston as well. One fun thing about this version of Dazed is the tape warble sort of adds to the magic lol. I mean, it only happens during the beginning of the bow solo (thankfully only a small portion) and kind of "fits" in a way. I realize this stuff is all subjective, and everyone has their own favorites. One great thing about Dazed in 73 is that, for the most part, they're all good. I'd say all are "good", most are "very good" and about half are "excellent". Which when you think about it, is kind of amazing, considering how many versions we have available from that year. Regarding 7-27, I came to have a much fuller appreciation for it when putting the list together. It was the first live version of Dazed I heard myself (SRTS original soundtrack), back in the mid 80s when I got into Zep. And after all these years, it's still the favorite. Who woulda thunk it.

No, I bounced around between the tours when listening. I was already familiar with many of them when I started the project, and it was nice to take my time with it. 🙂

Always good to have a little humor in the mix 😀

Haha, yeah I think the word "erratic" best sums up that tour. Still some great nuggets in there, though. Especially with NQ (as you might have guessed from my username).

Hamburg's great, I just like the other ones more. The 14 on the list are all essential listens, imho.

Oh wow, that's really cool. Must have driven your parents nuts tho with all the noise coming over lol. I'm with you on Providence. If we had a complete performance from that night, it would absolutely be on the list, probably in the top 5 somewhere. Offenberg is definitely a great gig and one of my favorites from that tour, along with both Paris shows. I left off DAC from the list because that particular performance has never been my favorite. It's a strange one for me. Page is having an incredible night, and it's fun to hear him go ham on the song - but at the same time, it feels very erratic, rushed in some places, and all over the place. The band doesn't seem to be gelling like they do with the song on other nights. It's just kind of bonkers lol. Some parts of it are pure "wow", where I'll sit back and just listen to Page be amazing - especially when he's doing stuff that he typically doesn't do for the song. But other sections, it just sounds kind of chaotic and weird, at least to my ears. Does that make sense?

When discussing live performances of Led Zeppelin, the year 1973 is the one most likely considered their musical peak. And when discussing 1973, you have to talk about "Dazed and Confused". This is the year this song peaked, and really any version from this year is enjoyable. I decided to make a list of my 14 favorite performances of this song, listening to all available shows from the first 7 months (January - July) of the year. It took about 7 months to put together. While the below performances are my own favorites, you can't go wrong with any of them. Some people may have Berlin, Preston, or New Orleans as their own favorite (all excellent btw). It's all subjective. I can hear magic and inspiration in the below performances which is what inspired me to create this list. T 1. NYC, 7.27.73 - During the band's final 3 nights of the July tour, they famously filmed all 3 shows at Madison Square Garden. This electric performance takes place on the first of those 3 nights. They were coming off of a 2 day break and were well-rested. The fatigue that can be heard at the end of the Pittsburgh show on the 24th is gone (it would return the next night on the 28th); what we have here is Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin at the peak of their powers. They had 3 nights to put down the perfect performance for "Dazed and Confused", the centerpiece of the show and movie, and were able to make it happen on the very first night. Besides Page putting in one of the finest performances in rock history, Robert Plant sounds incredible. He's a lion roaring in the golden dawn morning. He's Apollo, bringing holy light to his flock, his pangendered, sun-dappled vocals echoing across the Garden. There's an alchemy at work with all 4 band members that can be seen, felt and heard. 2. Essen, March 22nd - On the subject of balance, a famous mystic once wrote "Balance every thought with its opposition. Because the marriage of them is the destruction of illusion." He was essentially paraphrasing Jung who believed true individuation/awakening could only be achieved through integrating our shadow self with our ego self (Jung himself was following ancient Eastern thought with this philosophy). There's a time for restraint and temperance, and a time for wild abandon. With this near perfect rendition, Page and the band strike a balance between the two. From the opening notes through the bow solo, there is restraint - the creative fire is funneled carefully into artful musicianship. Once the second solo begins, Page allows the fire to slowly build into a creative inferno and consume him. He becomes one with it. The band is locked in with him, and they achieve a level of play ordinarily beyond their own capability. The result is a truly magical performance that we are lucky enough to have access to. Page hints at "Train Kept A 'Rollin" in the second solo, and the outro is best left undescribed - better to just have a listen. 3. Seattle, July 17th - "Walk don't run" could be considered the theme for this unbelievable performance. The tempo is just a touch slower here, and it feels like Page and the band are intentionally slowing things down a fraction to make sure they get everything just right. Sometimes patience is the key ingredient when manifesting artistic success, and every facet of this performance feels like that - art. From the opening notes through to the mind-blowing outro, this is as good as Zeppelin got on a stage. 4. Bradford, January 18th - Here we have an absolutely blistering performance that just zips by - it's over before you know it. It's been a favorite for many years and has always sounded perfect to my ears. Both Page and Bonham are in peak form and are playing like they're psychically joined, raving in twin rapture, each pushing the other forward, faster and farther, reflecting off each others musical direction like two rainbows reflecting off the sun. The outro is almost too intense, as their twofold Oneness spirals chords and rhythms directly into the collective brain and spine of the crowd below. Plant chants "do what you want". He almost sounds like he's performing an incantation to complete a spell. 5. Stoke, January 15th - Another stunning performance from the UK winter tour. While much well-deserved praise has been given to the March European shows, it should be noted that both Page and Bonham were playing insanely well on this tour, particularly in January. To my ears, the playing is as hot - or even hotter - than any other tour. The energy is palpable. Bonzo is playing with fire and frenzy, and Jimmy is razor-sharp. Bonzo shouts "nice one!" after the song's finale, and Robert repeats it in agreement. 6. Detroit, July 13th - There are some flubs here and there, and Page gets lost in the transition piece of a couple of sections, but he and the band more than make up for it with red-hot, dynamic playing. Jimmy Page is absolutely bursting with creative energy here. The bow section is one of the best I've heard, and there is a strong sense of drama throughout the entire performance - light and shade at its best. Plant sounds fantastic and is giving it his all. While the performance doesn't flow as perfectly as the night before, the peaks are sublime. This cinematic listen is like watching a movie about sun gods reveling in their power and showering light down onto the mortals below. 7. Detroit, 7.12.73 - This is as good as it gets. I love every second of Jimmy's playing on this version and usually have a huge smile on my face when listening. Lucky Detroit fans. It's too bad Robert wasn't in better voice for the San Fran section (which is played beautifully), but you can't have everything. Page is playing with savage ferocity. The solos are unbelievably fast - tangled groves of sonic pandemonium that snare the listener. They attack and intoxicate spirit and soul, body and brain. During the Mars section, Page becomes Mars himself and seems to be drawing fire up from the inner part of the earth, raining it down on the audience who welcome the devastation with euphoria, their minds folding up like flowers at dusk. In the outro, he sounds like he's guiding lightning by hand. This is Page tapping into his full potential, mining creative energy and conforming it to his will - and bringing the whole band with him. They are not only along for the ride but active participants - 4 stars in the creation of a transcendent, transformative performance. 8. Milwaukee, 7.10.73 - "Holy Christ!" This is the taper's exclamation after an amazing bow solo, and it succinctly sums up this white-hot version, lead by an unstoppable Page. Plant himself is in fantastic form and is with Page every step of the way. Tonight, he's a lissome emissary of Venus, radiating passion and valor in his singing. During the San Fran section, his twilight, watery vocals are a panacea for the 1973 audience, washing away all troubles of gas prices and recessions. The entire performance is visceral and heart-racing. It doesn't let up for a single minute until the explosive finale. No wonder they were so tired by the time they reached the Garden! You can't sustain this level of creative and physical intensity indefinitely. 9. St. Paul, July 9th - On this night, Page and the band seem to pull this performance from the dark waters of the subconscious; Sometimes you gotta howl at the moon. It's a wild, exploratory version that is definitely more loose than tight - and a hugely enjoyable listen. Page is playing at an incredibly high level here.. He and Bonham are playing much more loose and letting go a bit, with fantastic results. Plant feels the spirit as well and puts in an equally revelrous performance.Whatever they summoned up this night, it's fantastically unique and a one-of-a-kind performance, start to finish. 10. Vienna, March 16th - Undeniable is the word that comes to mind when I listen to this performance. There's a timelessness to it that makes it seem like it's always been there and is "just so". There is a purity of purpose at work that begins with Jimmy Page, and it feels like the universe is helping him along here, guiding his movements and leading him to success. The whole band is with him, almost as if they sense this precise moment in time has a certain "quality" to it. 11. Hamburg, March 21st - When you have Page and Bonham playing with this kind of conjoined rapture, each plugged into the others corybantic rhythms like twin whirlpool modons dancing across the sea, you get one of the most unique versions of this song ever played. Bonzo is a great beast here, playing with vitriol. It's his world on this lunar night, and we're all just visitors taking in the scenery. A triumphant, epic performance that deserves all the praise it gets. 12. Oxford, January 7th - In this performance, we have an unbelievable Bonzo playing with military crispness, and there's an intense, heavy lead-in to the bow section. Plant's voice is a bit strained so he chooses a subdued approach, making the San Fran section sound woeful and ominous - and also adding perfectly spooky vocals during the bow section. The descending riff from "In the Light" is played in the outro. It suits the song perfectly, giving it a feeling of closure as well as actual descension - hidden truths, power, energy revealed to all and revelled in. In recent years, connections have been explored between what Jung called "the collective unconscious" and God, various areas of mysticism, and ancient texts. Descending into the unknown is often associated with darkness, but there can be many positives to exploring hidden worlds and dreaming of things beyond believing. 13. Pittsburgh, July 24th - Listen closely, and you can hear, ever so slightly, mental and physical fatigue creeping into Page's performance by the time they get to Dazed on this night, which is near the end of the tour. He's not playing with quite the inspired ferocity he was at the Detroit shows or St. Paul earlier in the month. However, he's a professional and is playing with an insane amount of focus and artful temperance with very few flubs. Plant has a few cracks in the opening verses but after that puts in a phenomenal performance. The outro in particular is incredible and has Page hinting at "Train Kept a Rollin'". At the end of this near perfect performance, Plant says "I think this night is gonna be one of the good ones." 14. Chicago, 7.7.73 - This night's version is similar to St. Paul, with Page once again having a rendezvous with Luna. The playing is loose (but tight) and festive,with Page keeping things open. He's tapping into his anima, the midnight pool of the mind, creating a panorama of playful, silvery phrases that result in a fun and unique version with magnetic personality to spare. Page is relaxed but also in complete control, an eagle that finds its target naturally and with ease - the aim of Artemis musically invoked. T There are several performances that are equal to those on the list but were excluded from consideration for various reasons. Notable exclusions: Crowd interference - Boston Audio - Aberdeen, Paris 4/1, Baltimore Incomplete - Liverpool, Vancouver, Providence

Thanks for the heads-up! Just checked them out, they are fantastic and really sharp which is always appreciated.

Thanks CL! And that is some high praise for Honolulu! Hard to argue with it, Plant in 1970 was just unstoppable.

Been listening to the 13th a lot since you brought it up .. that show is no joke. If I was doing the rankings now, I'd move it up to the #7 spot, tied with the MSG shows. Dazed in particular is one of the best versions I've ever heard, period. It is really addictive. I think it helps that the sound quality on the recording is so good (I found a remastered version from about a year ago that is sharper than what I originally listened to when first ranking). One thing I've noticed recently is the jam on NQ is somewhat Can-like, in terms of how they're interacting and especially with the way JPJ is playing. I'm a fan of the band (who were also peaking hard in 73 funny enough) so it caught my ear.

Nothing wrong with that! We all have our favorite shows, each one is unique and always Zep. The upgraded version of 2/14 is insane to me ... in a good way lol. It's like you're right there. But if you recommend The Diagrams version, I'll make a note to listen to it the next I wanna hear a 75 show. I do agree that the matrix versions of shows blending soundboard and audience are ideal for sound (when done well, hats off to all the people who have that skill set and make it happen).

Totally agree on both points. I kind of wrote off the soundtrack for many years, and since my 73 US tour deep dive (regular part of my listening for 6 months now), I have a newfound appreciation for it. I got the 2018 remaster a few months back, and it's been in the car getting regular play ever since. SIBLY, NQ, SRTS/RS, DAC, STH, Ocean .. all time great versions of all those songs!

Well, I listened to the 13th again ... twice lol. The entire show sounds much better than I remember from previous listens, particularly CD, SIBLY, NQ, SRTS/RS and DAC - basically all the songs you mention above. The solo for OTHAFA is killer as well. It's so weird how taking time off from a show and going back to it can help you hear it with fresh ears. I think previously I wrote the 13th off due to Plant's issues and Page being so low in the mix with a lot of the recording. But giving it another chance over the weekend, I was pleasantly surprised at how good it is. "No Quarter" and Dazed in particular are just knockout versions. They're both very unique and don't sound quite like any other version from July. God Bless Led Zep in July 73 lol. It really was an embarrassment of riches. I like how during that fadeout in the recording of the NQ solo it comes back .. and all of sudden Jimmy's guitar is up front in the mix. Wish the whole solo was as clear. Thanks for drawing my attention to this one. I'd have to agree it has an edge over the 12th.

Interesting .. I like the 12th better! Apples and oranges, I suppose. I've only heard the 13th all the way through maybe twice so I should give it another listen. I remember liking SIBLY the most from that night but being kind of "meh" on the rest of it. I'll give it another spin this weekend and pay close attention to Dazed. I've been on this hunt for a while now to find the perfect DAC from July 73 and realized recently .. there isn't one lol. There are a lot of fantastic versions that are all a bit unique in and of themselves which is a good thing. I love the variety, if that makes any sense.

Still on my 73 kick 5 months later, focusing on July shows. Been listening to Detroit 7-12 quite a bit lately and thought I'd ask you about it since it's your favorite show for the tour. What puts it at number one for you? Any highlights? I love the atmosphere. I think it was a great crowd that night which inspired the entire band, and as per usual in July Jimmy is on another level. Highlights for me are RS, DAC and STH. Robert sounds a bit rough on STH, but it has that "it" quality for me, and I love the solo. Page sounds fantastic on NQ, but Bonham is being way too aggressive during the solo which throws it off for me. Page and JPJ roll with it, though lol. And of course WLL is a fun version with "Going Down" thrown in.

Providence is another favorite of mine. I made a mistake with SRTS on that one, though. We only have 1-2 min of it from that night. The version I've been listening to lately edited in a version from another night to fill in the blanks, and I didn't catch it till today lol.

That's a great metric - gauging by SRTS, I like it! Funny you should mention that about Bonzo, I was just thinking the same thing earlier today. I was listening to SRTS from Providence, and he was really driving that thing! Maybe it was my imagination, but Pagey was sounding a tiny bit tired towards the middle section,, but with Bonzo driving that tempo he really pushed through and delivered. Obviously, Providence is one of his best nights of the tour so he def found his second wind lol. Or maybe never lost it in the first place. I'm with you on LA 6/3 - it's one of my favorite shows. I do think Page is playing at a. higher level in July, but it clearly was a special night, Plant sounds amazing, and the crowd is just insane. I would love for a sb of that one to surface. It's absolutely one of the best nights of the whole tour. I'm not sure where I'd place it vs the top tier July shows, but it would be way up there for sure.

Listening to NQ today from this show today and noticed something new that I love. At the beginning of JPJ solo, someone in the crowd gets chatty. A loud "SHHH!!" can be heard - and the chatting instantly stops haha. Gotta love a polite crowd. Some things *are* sacred. 😛