Day 91: 11/16/1971 Ipswich, England

11/16/1971 Ipswich, England  Feelin' Groovy: Definitive Edition

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Rock and Roll, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Tangerine, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Celebration Day, Whole Lotta Love, Weekend, Gallows Pole

The tape begins with a brief introduction from Plant before the explosive one-two punch of Immigrant Song and Heartbreaker. Plant is in top form, belting his lungs out with incredible power during Black Dog. Bonzo's pounding is like cannon fire during Since I've Been Loving You. The crowd is oddly quiet between songs. Rock and Roll is a raucous explosion of energy. Plant tells the crowd "the finest thing in the world is to smile" before Stairway to Heaven.

Plant's speech about San Francisco is repeatedly interrupted by feedback before Going to California. Page plays a bit of Black Country Woman after That's the Way. Plant acknowledges the unusual circumstance of the concert being held on temporary flooring over a swimming pool, jokingly telling the crowd "just think of the drop beneath you and the drop that might come eventually... we're all of one mind." The lead-in to the bow solo in Dazed and Confused continues to develop as a venue for heavy improvisation. Page, Jones, and Bonzo jam on The Crunge theme during an excellent guitar solo/workout section. Page is highly improvisational, with Jones and Bonzo locked in close behind.

Plant gives a rambling introduction about New York before a blistering Celebration Day. Page solos wildly during the extended theramin freakout section in Whole Lotta Love. The medley features an extended Boogie Chillen' jam, another great Hello Mary Lou, Elvis Presley's A Mess of Blues, and Muddy Waters's Honey Bee followed by an excellent blues jam. The band closes the show with Eddie Cochran's Weekend followed by the second and final appearance of Gallow's Pole, as requested by someone in the crowd. Similar to the heavy electric arrangement from 5/3/1971, it's a shame this wasn't played more often. An excellent performance.

The tape is a combination of at least two sources. Clear and well-balanced with a good sense of atmosphere.

Click here for an audio sample courtesy of Black Beauty.

Day 71: 5/3/1971 Copenhagen, Denmark

5/3/1971 Copenhagen, Denmark  Previews & Novelties

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Since I've Been Loving You, Dazed and Confused, Black Dog, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, What is and What Should Never Be, Four Sticks, Gallows Pole, Whole Lotta Love, Communication Breakdown, Misty Mountain Hop, Rock and Roll

Plant's frenzied wails battle feedback from his microphone during Immigrant Song. Page shreds through the a cappella solo in Heartbreaker. Just after the song ends, Plant sees a guard causing trouble with the crowd and shouts "Whoa! Stop! Stop!" before threatening to end the show if the trouble persists. He then asks that the crowd sit down before Since I've Been Loving You. The infamous Danish rhythmic clapping returns as Jones begins the intro to Dazed and Confused. Page performs some incredible finger acrobatics during the guitar solo. Bonzo and Jones are like a driving locomotive behind Page's ever-evolving guitar workouts. There is a slight cut just before the return to the main riff.

As Plant is introducing Stairway to Heaven, he quips "it goes on for some time, then it gets nice." He lets out an elegant howl just before the "bustle in your hedgerow..." section. That's the Way begins with a brief improvisation from Page. Plant announces that the band is going to try something they've never tried before, warning they may have to stop and try again if it falls apart. Instead they opt to play What is and What Should Never Be before attempting the first and only performance of Four Sticks (still without a title at this point). The rhythm is set in motion by Page with Bonzo and Jones joining in before the main riff begins. Once they settle into the groove, Plant's wails faithfully recreate the version on the fourth album.

After a surprisingly clean ending for a first attempt, Page begins playing the opening chords of Gallows Pole. The rest of the band joins in for the first complete performance of the song in a heavy electric arrangement. Before Whole Lotta Love, Plant announces "this number features Richard Cole on tablas, conga drums, and meditation." The medley includes John Lee Hooker's Bottle Up and Go, Elvis Presley favorites That's All Right and A Mess of Blues, and an excellent rendition of Muddy Waters's Honey Bee. 

Communication Breakdown features a bass solo followed by the first reference to Celebration Day during the breakdown. As the band returns to the stage, Plant introduces "another new thing from the next album" before the first appearance of Misty Mountain Hop. Plant gets a bit lost at times, but the band quickly recovers. The show ends with Rock and Roll, introduced as "it's been a long time." Plant sounds exactly like he does on the fourth album. Amazing.

The tape is clear and well-balanced, with the drums sounding a bit distant. Definitely a must hear for the amazingly rare setlist.