mickey g Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 " i felt it kinda rendered the start of the solo a little anti-climactic" : Exactly the words I should have used initially. "It is so he has time to set up his switch from the 12-string to the 6-string neck for the solo" : Do you mean physically or musically ? I'm thinking I'm hearing some rhythm going on for a few bars there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlyZeppelinaren Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 The switch between the necks is pretty damn perfect on TSRTS, especially when you watch it too, it's so damn good, I really like that performance of it overall even though I love the start/stop thing he does in the solo in the later years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Presence 1977 Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 my top 3 are BBC Sessions(1971) The Song Remains The Same(1973) Earls Court(1975) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sathington Willoughby Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul carruthers Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Forgot to add this to my list of favorites: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stairway is NOT stolen Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 TSRTS is my favorite Version by far. Everything about it is perfect, from the Intro, to when the solo starts, to when the song ends. Out of all of Led Zeppelin's songs, 'Stairway To Heaven' Remains my favorite song. It helped me get through some tough times and everytime I listen to the Song, it feels like the first Time I have heard it. TSRTS has the thing that makes it stand out among all the other versions of the Song - The Solo. It has my absolute favorite solo ever. It's Jimmy doing what he does best, and that's improvisation. No one comes even close to him in that aspect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccer5 Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 TSRTS is my favorite Version by far. Everything about it is perfect, from the Intro, to when the solo starts, to when the song ends. Out of all of Led Zeppelin's songs, 'Stairway To Heaven' Remains my favorite song. It helped me get through some tough times and everytime I listen to the Song, it feels like the first Time I have heard it. TSRTS has the thing that makes it stand out among all the other versions of the Song - The Solo. It has my absolute favorite solo ever. It's Jimmy doing what he does best, and that's improvisation. No one comes even close to him in that aspect. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsj Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 I like the studio solo, although I'd have to go thru a lot of live ones I'd not heard so far. I've always wondered why the solo in almost every live version was delayed a couple of beats/bars/stanzas as opposed to the studio version. I never got used to that. I agree with this. In the studio version the solo starts over the arrival of the Amin/G/F chord sequence, but live page plays through this chord sequence before going to the solo. We're not talking about a slight delay caused by switching between necks, which never caused any problem I noticed, but that the solo starts later compared to the studio version Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul carruthers Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SolitudeIsBliss Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 In my opinion this is the best version. Just because of 4:20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlyZeppelinaren Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 In my opinion this is the best version. Just because of 4:20. Percy's voice in '71 was just perfect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SolitudeIsBliss Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Percy's voice in '71 was just perfect So true, his voice had been damaged/aged to a perfect point in those first shows of '71, then it just spiraled out of control and became what we hear in HTWWW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonzo_fan Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 It is so he has time to set up his switch from the 12-string to the 6-string neck for the solo. At the end of the solo, he would have to switch back to the 12-string and sometimes it took him a couple bars before he could manage it, so there are some live "Stairways" where you hear him play the "And as we wind on down the road..." part on the 6-string before he changes to the 12-string. That's one of the great things about the 6/22/77 version--he manages to jump to the 6-string neck right away at the start of the solo. Also great that Robert actually echoes "laughter" rather than "Does anybody remember..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sathington Willoughby Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 That's one of the great things about the 6/22/77 version--he manages to jump to the 6-string neck right away at the start of the solo. Also great that Robert actually echoes "laughter" rather than "Does anybody remember..." forests? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForceofNature Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 For me the How The West Was Won version is by far my favorite - and not just because it is from an official release! The little vocal interjections Plant does during the would-have-been "makes me wonder" parts are melodic and really cool and Jimmy's solo is so fluid and calculated and has this flow to it that I think he lost after 1972 - the solo section is just more energetic from the drums down to the guitar licks than for example the versions post-73 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIP-IT-UP Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 The fact that TSRTS version of STH was recorded by Eddie Kramer and filmed for the movie was incredible luck for all of us! All though it was fashionable for years to slag TSRTS, the truth is that as far as Jimmy's solos throughout, they are still among his best work: STH; NQ; TSRTS; D&C. These are some of his best moments, and again-what good fortune that they were captured by film and recorded excellently by Eddie Kramer. That's why in interviews from 1974, Page said "the (MSG SHOWS) were some of the best live stuff they had ever done"; and that the tapes sounded "incredible and beautiful". (This was before TSRTS came out, and got mixed reviews, and P&P suddenly got defensive.) Sure, everyone can find other individual performances of songs on boots over the years that are "better" in one way or another, but to have so many good moments of Page soloing in the 3 concerts that comprise TSRTS, was pretty amazing. Again, I'm centering on Jimmy's performances and solos; and the fact that it was the only time they professionally filmed/ recorded from 1/9/70 thru EC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Dounim Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 I'm sure Nutrocker can back me up on this one. I listened to 1977/06/11 (an old favorite) for the first time in awhile today and I forgot how kickass Jimmy's solo on Stairway was. Like, I always remembered it being good, but wow! Page was a man possessed this night! He's throwing in all sorts of licks and shreds just effortlessly. The audience video really helps the experience too. Hopefully EVSD will put out the rest of the sbd for this show someday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffsofpage Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 I wouldn't want this thread to get off track but the worst stairway solo might be celebration day's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stairway is NOT stolen Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 I wouldn't want this thread to get off track but the worst stairway solo might be celebration day's Is that because it's just exactly the same as the studio's solo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juxtiphi Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 Is that because it's just exactly the same as the studio's solo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IpMan Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 I wouldn't want this thread to get off track but the worst stairway solo might be celebration day's Um, I guess you have never seen the YouTube video of the RAH ARMS show from 83'. The STH solo he did in Celebration Day was flawless and pretty close to the original studio version so I consider this particular solo good. I prefer the longer, improv solos of course but I would rather a shorter, more fluid solo than a 10 min noodling exercise leaving everyone shaking their heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffsofpage Posted December 25, 2014 Share Posted December 25, 2014 The studio version is in a class of its own. I've never tried to equate concert material to studio versions but to answer your question, I think the solo lacks length and improvisation. It is restrained and I suspect or wonder that it may not have been Pages' choice to do so. I've never thought of JP as a "noodler". However, if others somehow appreciate Stairway more outside of Page's role - I can respect that and I would be curious to know why. I was at the ARMS show. I've seen RAH and the you tube stuff. I like what he produced there - sure he misses some picks, frets and strings but I'm able to see through that and find the intent and emotion which is what makes him so brilliant. If I wanted technical perfection I would listen to the studio album over and over again or see John Williams play Bach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluecongo Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Badgeholders 77 to me is the ultimate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 I wouldn't want this thread to get off track but the worst stairway solo might be celebration day's I don't about the solo, but having the song tuned down so much made it the least favorite for me. Other songs from that night, not so much, but Stairway sounded horrible to me that night. There are so many great ones to choose from. May 31, 1973 - as Paul posted earlier - has always been a great one, with the always emotional Forum crowd on a special evening! Pure magick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IpMan Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 The studio version is in a class of its own. I've never tried to equate concert material to studio versions but to answer your question, I think the solo lacks length and improvisation. It is restrained and I suspect or wonder that it may not have been Pages' choice to do so. I've never thought of JP as a "noodler". However, if others somehow appreciate Stairway more outside of Page's role - I can respect that and I would be curious to know why. I was at the ARMS show. I've seen RAH and the you tube stuff. I like what he produced there - sure he misses some picks, frets and strings but I'm able to see through that and find the intent and emotion which is what makes him so brilliant. If I wanted technical perfection I would listen to the studio album over and over again or see John Williams play Bach. I agree, good post. What I was going for with my silly, noodling comment is his Stairway solo from Berlin 1980...just joking. I figure you are correct though, Page may have wanter to do a longer solo but there may have been time constraints or maybe he was afraid of flubbing it, who knows. I do believe had they toured or at least did a run of select cities the set would be very different. Once Page got in his groove, look out, he would have been improvising and such. I still think back to the 98' tour and I feel he did some of his best playing on that tour. In fact I would hazard to say this was Page's peak in live performing, his controlled emotion, expectation, accuracy, and fluidity seemed in perfect synch. What say you.... Whoops, to stay on thread I have to agree with Bluecongo, Badgeholders is now my at moment favorite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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