lynxwizard Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Loved the show, but I was dissipointed with the gutiar solo in Stairway To Heaven. it was very brief and to my ears the shortest live one I have heard, maybe Page did not feel comfortable enough to extend it, any thoughts ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynxwizard Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 Loved the show, but I was dissipointed with the gutiar solo in Stairway To Heaven. it was very brief and to my ears the shortest live one I have heard, maybe Page did not feel comfortable enough to extend it, any thoughts ? P.S. Kind of supriesed this has not came up yet as a topic of conversation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huw Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 (edited) Random thoughts: ( a ) They were trying to get as many songs in as possible, rather than do the long improvs like in the past, ( b ) They were playing to an audience of whom many would only be familiar with the studio versions (or TSRTS), ( c ) Maybe he just didn't like playing it tuned down a tone, & kept it brief for that reason. Or... ( d ) Maybe Jimmy was just so thankful that Robert had actually agreed to do the song again that he kept it short for Robert's sake... Take your pick Edited May 28, 2008 by huw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marolyn Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 (edited) maybe he just wanted to leave us begging for more... ...pleeeease, oh pleeease!!!! Edited May 28, 2008 by marolyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynxwizard Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 Random thoughts: ( a ) They were trying to get as many songs in as possible, rather than do the long improvs like in the past, ( b ) They were playing to an audience of whom many would only be familiar with the studio versions (or TSRTS), ( c ) Maybe he just didn't like playing it tuned down a tone, & kept it brief for that reason. Or... ( d ) Maybe Jimmy was just so thankful that Robert had actually agreed to do the song again that he kept it short for Robert's sake... Take your pick It would not be option B as the stairway solo on TSRTS was a bit extended Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stryder1978 Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Personally, I LOVED the solo at the O2 and preferred it to the past extened solos. I always thought the studio version was much more powerful than the extended versions they did live. Most of the songs they did at the O2 were arranged to more closely match the studio versions...I believe this was done in the interest of time management. Also, it was my understanding that there was actually a noise curfew at the O2, and that exceeding that time (2330 hours) meant a hefty fine. The boys appeared to cut out the long improvs to be able to increase the song list! In my opinion, they did it to accomodate the wishes of the fans..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickZepp Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I think Jimmy's pinky may have factored in the solo being so short. But I have no proof and haven't had a feeling. Just more of a gut feeling. Plus Robert has said how he hates long solos because he has nothing to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunChild Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I think Jimmy's pinky may have factored in the solo being so short. But I have no proof and haven't had a feeling. Just more of a gut feeling. Plus Robert has said how he hates long solos because he has nothing to do. Yeah, god knows giving brilliant musicians room to play is such a chore... But, I digress... All of the above seems like a good combination of explanations. Keeping it short and sweet for Robert's sake, so that in fact the lyrics and vocals were center stage; the pinky thing; and the choice to play as much as possible, as well as not break the noise curfew. What an awful thing, a noise curfew on Led Zeppelin. What is the world coming to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Now and Zen Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Personally, I LOVED the solo at the O2 and preferred it to the past extened solos. I always thought the studio version was much more powerful than the extended versions they did live. Most of the songs they did at the O2 were arranged to more closely match the studio versions...I believe this was done in the interest of time management. Also, it was my understanding that there was actually a noise curfew at the O2, and that exceeding that time (2330 hours) meant a hefty fine. The boys appeared to cut out the long improvs to be able to increase the song list! In my opinion, they did it to accomodate the wishes of the fans..... The studio version was just plain magical to say the least. I loved many of the live versions, dont get me wrong, but the studio version is what it is. I play the guitar myself. I remember one guitar player thirty yrs ago or so saying, it was so great he wonders if Jimmy Page could ever play it again like that. To me its the greatest solo of all time. Then Id say dazed and confused. Outside of Led Zepp Id say some of the best were Hotel California, Freebird, Dreams Ill Never See, Sympathy for the Devil (Get yer ya yas out), Aqualung and many more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moondog Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I would have to agree with NickZepp. His finger was IMO, a factor. Dont know about the curfew, who would have the guts to ticket the band after such an important event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mos6507 Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 He already said his goal for the solo was to play it as close to the record as possible because he's gotten too much heat over doing it differently, people have even questioned whether he really could play it like he did on the record. Personally I never really liked the way they used to slow the tempo down for the extended solo section of Stairway in the latter years. It kind of destroys the buildup and then it has to build back up again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kashmiran Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Personally I never really liked the way they used to slow the tempo down for the extended solo section of Stairway in the latter years. It kind of destroys the buildup and then it has to build back up again. What versions did they slow it down for? I have bootlegs from every year except '79 and '80 and I've never heard this. P.S. Even though I don't OWN bootlegs from '79 and '80, I have heard at least 1 version from each year of their career, including these 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hot dog Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I believe another factor may have been the status of the song for the band. Possibly as a result of Robert's feelings about Stairway, it was given a less prominent position in the set and obviously not given the full works. I actually think it benefited from this - I loved the O2 version. Most people, I guess, would have expected this to be the last number of the main set (indeed, I noticed a few people leave once it had finished! ) but everything lead up to Kashmir instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxie Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Random thoughts: ( a ) They were trying to get as many songs in as possible, rather than do the long improvs like in the past, ( d ) Maybe Jimmy was just so thankful that Robert had actually agreed to do the song again that he kept it short for Robert's sake... I definitely think (a). Makes sense since 'No Quarter' was shortened considerably also. But I like (d) too. Wouldn't surprise me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zep Power Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 I think the '77 version of No Quarter is the longest and IMO the best. Jonesy really shines on that tour! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel With A Broken Wing Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Random thoughts: ( a ) They were trying to get as many songs in as possible, rather than do the long improvs like in the past, ( b ) They were playing to an audience of whom many would only be familiar with the studio versions (or TSRTS), ( c ) Maybe he just didn't like playing it tuned down a tone, & kept it brief for that reason. Or... ( d ) Maybe Jimmy was just so thankful that Robert had actually agreed to do the song again that he kept it short for Robert's sake... Take your pick I pick option (d) along with NickZepp's suggestion of a tender pinky factoring in. ..... What an awful thing, a noise curfew on Led Zeppelin. What is the world coming to? Eh? What'd you say? I can't hear you...lost my hearing from these dadburned young whippersnappers playing their music too durn loud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatisandwhatshouldneverbe Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 (edited) [ Edited May 29, 2008 by whatisandwhatshouldneverbe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatisandwhatshouldneverbe Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Sorry. Typo error. Great solo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigzepfan Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Short but sweet. As I stood at the 02 and watched it I was very disappointed in the solo. I was hoping for the solos of solos as it's been so long...but it didn't happen. I think it's more of a timing matter than the finger. They wanted to fit in as many songs as possible. personally I would rather them have skip a song or two and did the solos, but they can't please everybody...and the show was beyond any other...of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunChild Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 I pick option (d) along with NickZepp's suggestion of a tender pinky factoring in. Eh? What'd you say? I can't hear you...lost my hearing from these dadburned young whippersnappers playing their music too durn loud. Yeah, but what a great way to go deaf... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gr3ll Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 It was brief for the sake of being brief. Regards, Grell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynxwizard Posted May 29, 2008 Author Share Posted May 29, 2008 It was brief for the sake of being brief. Regards, Grell Thanks for the replys, I like the extended solos from the past, but anyhow would you agree its the shortest live one you ever heard ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibson420 Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 I think it was the shortest and possibly the worst acccept for live aid or arms don't get me wrong I love zeppelin but this time around the solo didn't feel like it had any balls to it It was like a rehearsed solo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirchzep27 Posted May 30, 2008 Share Posted May 30, 2008 (edited) It sounds like -plant wants to sing the song this time, where in 85/88, not really. The -page solo never gets a chance to get into any rhythm, or path as it usually does..., cause its cut so short, but its good and interesting to hear. Edited May 30, 2008 by middlezep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirchzep27 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 ^what i mean is that the best parts of the solo were there, but the usual wandering with -bonham backing him up wasnt there. But ofcourse it was cool to hear this version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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