Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Day 266: 5/14/1988 New York, NY

5/14/1988 New York, NY  Reunion Collection
Kashmir, Heartbreaker/Whole Lotta Love, Misty Mountain Hop, Stairway to Heaven

Nearly three years after their haphazard appearance at Live Aid, the surviving members of Led Zeppelin have reunited once again in honor of Atlantic Records' fortieth anniversary. The crowd's excitement builds to a frenzied peak as the band, now with Jason Bonham filling in for his father, launches into a thunderous Kashmir. Unfortunately, equipment issues plague the performance from the beginning with Plant's microphone alternately dropping out and feeding back on separate occasions throughout the song. However, the band's performance is unaffected by these glitches. 

The crowd goes wild as Page plays the familiar opening riff of Heartbreaker. The band sounds confident and enthusiastic as they hammer through the initial verses. Unfortunately, Page's nerves get the best of him as he fumbles through a lackluster a cappella solo, which is immediately followed by Whole Lotta Love. The song is played in an arrangement similar to the band's performances at the Knebworth Festival nine years earlier. Plant's introduction of Bonham as the song ends is met with a loud cheer from the crowd. The band hammers through an excellent Misty Mountain Hop, with Bonham delivering a particularly inspired performance. The crowd erupts as Stairway to Heaven begins. Page blazes through a somewhat subdued guitar solo. As the song ends, Plant introduces the band one last time before telling the crowd "it's been a wonderful night... see you all again soon."

The tape is an excellent television broadcast.

1 comment:

cheap write said...

The performance was intriguing to the public. This drove everyone into insane delight due to the inimitable solo of the performer and the support of the rest of the group.