9/29/1971 Osaka, Japan Fatally Wanderer 929Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Since I've Been Loving You, Black Dog, Dazed and Confused, Stairway to Heaven, Celebration Day, That's the Way, Going to California, Tangerine, Friends, What is and What Should Never Be, Moby Dick, Whole Lotta Love, Communication Breakdown, Thank You, Rock and Roll
The final night of Led Zeppelin's first tour of Japan begins with a simple "good evening, welcome to Osaka" from Plant. Bonzo can be heard shouting "louder!" before the count-in to Immigrant Song. Page's guitar solo is drenched in wah-wah. Bonzo can be heard saying "I can hardly play... me legs are like jelly, they won't do what I tell 'em to" as Plant greets the crowd after Heartbreaker. Page's guitar solo during Since I've Been Loving You is breathtakingly emotional. Someone in the crowd shouts "Black Dog!" as Plant is talking about the new album before introducing the same song. Bonzo sings along with Plant during the "sweet jelly roll" line. Page blazes through an excellent solo. As the song ends, Bonzo can be heard shouting "I'm falling apart!"
Plant jokes "common complaint in Osaka, rice in hair" and praises Japan to the crowd before introducing Dazed and Confused. The band are in a playful mood, joking with each other and having a good time between songs. Bonzo can be heard saying "they love a bit of comedy, don't they?" to Plant during the intro. Page's bow solo is hypnotizing. The epic guitar solo/workout section includes an amazingly beautiful, mournful rendition of Pennies From Heaven. A truly awe-inspiring performance, one of the best.
Bonzo shouts "more comedy, less work!" before Plant introduces Stairway to Heaven. Celebration Day is brutally frantic. Page plays a bit of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at the beginning of the acoustic set. Plant asks if anyone in the crowd was at last night's show before another beautiful Going to California. Bonzo has gone missing before an excellent Tangerine, so Plant has the crowd shouting "Mister Bonham!" "Fuck you mate" Plant responds when Bonzo refuses to return to the stage. After explaining "we don't usually do things like this", the acoustic set ends with the first and only appearance of Friends. It's a shame this never became a regular part of the set. Plant sings a bit of Smoke Gets in Your Eyes before What is and What Should Never Be.
At Bonzo's urging, Plant introduces him as "Max Wall!" before the best Moby Dick thus far. Plant mentions "tomorrow we shall be in England" before Whole Lotta Love, which is preceded by an excellent heavy jam. The medley begins with an amazingly heavy intro to Boogie Chillen', followed by a great Tossin' and Turnin'. Page leads the band in an excellent, raucous rendition of Twist and Shout before a riotous Fortune Teller. Plant comes in early during the first verse of Good Times Bad Times, but the band quickly rights itself. The medley ends with a great funky jam followed by a very loose You Shook Me. An amazing performance, one of the best.
Plant sums up his feelings by saying simply "thank you very much for being great" before Communication Breakdown, which is preceded by a great herky-jerky intro. Page blazes through a frenzied solo before an excellent extended funky breakdown. One of the best performances of Thank You thus far is followed by a riotous Rock and Roll to close the show. A truly awe-inspiring performance from beginning to end, one of the best ever. Divine inspiration. Must hear.
The tape primarily consists of the so-called "soundboard" source, also thought to be just an audience recording captured from very close to the stage. The tape is excellent, perfectly clear and balanced. It gives the feeling of being onstage among the band, part of every interaction. Outstanding. This is augmented by a variety of alternate sources to fill the gaps.
