Day 113: 6/27/1972 Long Beach, CA

6/27/1972 Long Beach, CA (see below)

Immigrant Song^, Heartbreaker^, Black Dog+, Over the Hills and Far Away+, Since I've Been Loving You^, Stairway to Heaven^, Going to California^, That's the Way+, Tangerine+, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp^, Dazed and Confused+, What is and What Should Never Be*, Dancing Days*, Moby Dick*, Whole Lotta Love+, Rock and Roll#

^- source 1: (unknown gen)

#- source 2: (reel master>vhs>dat>cdr)

+- source 3: How the West Was, Too!

*- soundboard: (master quads>dat)

The second of two shows used to create 2003's How the West Was Won, the tape begins with Immigrant Song already in progress. Black Dog is introduced as "a story about a dog who liked to boogie." Plant comments on the show at The Forum two nights earlier, telling the crowd "that was too much, it was really great" before Over the Hills and Far Away, which is dedicated to "the freak" throwing firecrackers. Page's frantic soloing lends a sense of urgency to the mournful tone of Since I've Been Loving You. A highly dramatic rendition.

Stairway to Heaven features another dramatic guitar solo from Page. Plant tells the crowd "all parents can join in the choruses" at the beginning of That's the Way. A mournful Tangerine is introduced as "a nice little song that people usually chatter in." Plant jokes that Bonzo's rendition of It's Only Make Believe was meant to be on the last album, "but he paid us enough money to keep it off" before Bron-Y-Aur Stomp. The lead-in to the bow solo during Dazed and Confused features a great driving rhythm before everything slows down to a cool, jazzy tempo to accompany Page's ethereal wanderings. Bonzo is like an out of control locomotive during the guitar solo/workout section, with Page racing to keep up. The Mars, the Bringer of War section is extremely heavy. Page solos wildly as Plant's echoed chants soar over the crowd during the outro, causing someone near the taper to comment "look at Page... incredible!"

Plant comments on Americans' tendency to dismiss new songs that they don't know before Dancing Days, adding "this is one of those." Bonzo is introduced as "percussionist, second vocalist, fighter, drinker, lover of the world... in fact, general odd job man... and king of the coffee shop" before Moby Dick. The Everybody Needs Somebody to Love breakdown during Whole Lotta Love is explosive. The medley includes Boogie Chillen', another great rendition of Elvis Presley's Let's Have a Party, a raucous Hello Mary Lou, the first appearance of Blueberry Hill since 9/19/1970, and Goin' Down Slow, which includes a dynamic blues improvisation. The show ends with a quick and dirty Rock and Roll, the crowd is left begging for more.

The audience tapes are clear and well-balanced, save for source 2, which is a bit distant and noisy. The soundboard tape is superb.

For a fascinating breakdown and analysis of how How the West Was Won was created, visit Eddie Edwards's The Garden Tapes.

Day 112: 6/25/1972 Los Angeles, CA

6/25/1972 Los Angeles, CA Burn Like a Candle

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Over the Hills and Far Away, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Dancing Days, Moby Dick, Whole Lotta Love, Rock and Roll, The Ocean, Louie Louie, Thank You, Communication Breakdown, Bring it on Home

The first of two shows used to create 2003's How the West Was Won, the tape begins with the familiar droning intro before Immigrant Song comes crashing through the gate like a thunderous stampede. Page shreds through the frenzied guitar solo during Heartbreaker. Plant tells the crowd "we'd like to try a number out off the new album," but warns "we haven't really decided what we're gonna do at the end of it yet, so you'll have to bear with us" before the first complete recording of Over the Hills and Far Away. The choruses find Plant in all his high-pitched glory.

Before Black Dog, Plant assures the crowd that the song is about "a poor dog" and has "nothing to do with a chick in Detroit." Since I've Been Loving You is a bit subdued despite some inspired soloing from Page. Plant's introduction of Stairway to Heaven draws a loud cheer from the crowd. Page blazes through the guitar solo. Plant's voice gets a bit rough during the final rock section. Before the acoustic set, Plant criticizes the security staff for "cartin' people out with little flash cameras," calling them "the gestapo." Going to California is absolutely beautiful. Following an excellent That's the Way, Plant tells the crowd "we got a long, long time to go... we've been known to play for twelve and a half hours." He calls for a spotlight on Bonzo before Bron-Y-Aur Stomp.

Bonzo attacks his drums with incredible ferocity during the initial verses of Dazed and Confused, his snare cracks like gunfire during the frantic lead-in to the bow solo. Page's fingers get a bit sticky as he solos wildly during the guitar solo/workout section. The extended outro is fantastic, Page's soloing is particularly inspired. Plant jokes that the next album will be called "Burn That Candle" before Dancing Days. Bonzo mounts a full-on sonic assault during Moby Dick, his thunderous pounding is like a violent earthquake. Whole Lotta Love is dedicated to LA. The excellent medley includes Boogie Chillen', an excellent rendition of Elvis Presley's Let's Have a Party, a fantastic Hello Mary Lou, Heartbreak Hotel, a riotous Slow Down with a frenzied guitar solo from Page, and an exceptional Goin' Down Slow.

Page shreds through the guitar solo during Rock and Roll. Someone near the taper can be heard shouting "When the Levee Breaks!" as Plant introduces Jones before another raucous rendition of Louie Louie. Jones plays a bit of Everyday People during the organ solo before Thank You. The show closes with a laid-back Bring it on Home. Another epic marathon at the LA Forum. Must hear.

The tape is excellent, very clear and well-balanced.

For a fascinating breakdown and analysis of how How the West Was Won was created, visit Eddie Edwards's The Garden Tapes.

Day 112: 6/25/1972 Los Angeles, CA (part two)

Since Blogger has seen fit to impose a limit of twenty labels per post and Led Zeppelin saw fit to occasionally perform more than twenty songs in one evening, I've been forced to carry those extra couple songs over to this supplemental post. For the full review of this outstanding performance, please see 6/25/1972 Los Angeles, CA (part one).

Day 111: 6/22/1972 San Bernardino, CA

6/22/1972 San Bernardino, CA Excellence in San Bernardino

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Moby Dick, Whole Lotta Love, Rock and Roll

The tape begins with the familiar deep droning intro as someone near the taper repeatedly shouts "we're ready!" Plant's Valhalla cries are almost nonexistent during the initial verses of Immigrant Song. Page solos wildly during the lead-in to an exceptional a cappella solo in Heartbreaker. Plant sounds tired while introducing Since I've Been Loving You as "a song of distressed love." Page plays in extremes, quiet and restrained one moment, wild and dramatic the next. His epic soloing paints a vast emotional landscape.

Plant introduces Going to California as "a song about experiences." Page is barely audible over the chattering crowd during Tangerine. Bron-Y-Aur Stomp is introduced as "something for everybody with a loud mouth in the audience." There is a tape speedup/cut two minutes into the song. Page's fingers fly across the fretboard as Bonzo and Jones hold down a funky rhythm until everything slows down for an ethereal intro to the bow solo during Dazed and Confused. The guitar solo/workout section is an explosion of energy with Page's high-flying acrobatics leading the way. Plant encourages the crowd to "do The Crunge!", adding seductively "c'mon you white folk sisters..."

A firecracker explosion just before What is and What Should Never Be is dismissed as "greasy kid's stuff" by Plant. Bonzo is introduced as "the gentleman... you've all been waiting for, ever since this rodeo started... our percussionist... one hundred and sixty-eight pounds... John Henry Bonham" as Page quietly jams on a bluesy riff before Moby Dick. The medley during Whole Lotta Love includes Boogie Chillen', Elvis Presley's Let's Have a Party, Hello Mary Lou, and Goin' Down Slow, with Page unleashing a flurry of wild licks during the extended blues improvisation. As the band returns to the stage to close the show with Rock and Roll, Plant announces "it's very nice to be back again." A fairly standard performance with Page providing most of the excitement.

The tape is very clear with Page and Plant in front.

About three minutes of excellent color footage featuring fragments of Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Stairway to Heaven, Dazed and Confused, and Whole Lotta Love is available on Hercules's Film Noir Vol. 1. The film, which focuses primarily on Page, is shot from close to the stage and is very clear and enjoyable. The footage is also available on Celebration's Early Visions, but is not properly synched on that release.

Click here for a video sample courtesy of Black Beauty.

Day 110: 6/19/1972 Seattle, WA

6/19/1972 Seattle, WA Dancing Again

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, The Ocean, Since I've Been Loving You, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, Black Country Woman, That's the Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Dancing Days, Moby Dick, Whole Lotta Love, Rock and Roll, Louie Louie, Let's Dance, Thank You, Money, Over the Hills and Far Away, Dancing Days

The tape begins during the final verse of Immigrant Song. A thunderous Black Dog is followed by the first appearance of The Ocean. Bonzo pummels his drums during an urgent Since I've Been Loving You. Someone near the taper exclaims "oh wow, oh wow!" as the song ends. Page blazes through the guitar solo during Stairway to Heaven, repeating licks to mesmerizing effect. The very beginning of Going to California is cut. There is quite a bit of chatter going on around the taper, destroying the delicate atmosphere.

Following a cue from Plant, the rest of the band joins in for the first complete performance of Black Country Woman. Someone near the taper inquires about his tape recorder after That's the Way, taking time to say "hi" into the microphone. There is a cut near the beginning of Tangerine due to a tape flip. Bron-Y-Aur Stomp transforms the crowd into a foot-stomping hoedown. Plant comments on the previous night's show and the trouble in Vancouver before Dazed and Confused, the opening notes of which cause someone near the taper to yelp and howl with excitement. The lead-in to the bow solo features some excellent interplay between Page, Jones, and Bonzo. Page solos wildly during the outro, which Bonzo and Jones turn into a menacing imperial march. Unfortunately, the tape is cut during the frenzied race to the finish.

What is and What Should Never Be is followed by the first appearance of Dancing Days. Still unsure of the changes, the band gets a bit mixed up a few times. Plant mentions Bonzo's efforts to lose weight this tour, introducing him as "John Bonham, at the beginning of this tour, two hundred and ten pounds... right now he's at a hundred and seventy-five pounds!" before Moby Dick. During the drum solo, the taper says "I hate drum solos, I hate them... hate 'em a lot" directly into his microphone. There is a cut about fourteen minutes in. The theramin freakout during Whole Lotta Love is a cacophonous explosion. The medley begins with a new slow arrangement of Boogie Chillen' before the familiar fast riff kicks off a marathon of classics including Elvis Presley's Let's Have a Party, Hello Mary Lou, an out of tune rendition of Only the Lonely, Heartbreak Hotel, and Goin' Down Slow, which is cut during the "please write mama..." verse, leaving us at the end of the finale.

Plant introduces Rock and Roll as "an old one." Jones's organ solo includes hints of Everyday People before the rest of the band joins in for an excellent rendition of Louie Louie followed by Let's Dance. Page tears through a great guitar solo during Thank You. The crowd goes absolutely wild as the band returns to the stage for a riotous rendition of Money, which is unfortunately cut after two and a half minutes. After the cut, we're left in the middle of the first appearance of Over the Hills and Far Away. If all of this wasn't enough to push the crowd over the edge, the recording ends with the second performance of Dancing Days of the night, with Plant joking "this is one that you might have heard about two hours ago." A marathon performance of epic proportions. Must hear.

The tape is fairly clear, if somewhat noisy and overloaded.

Click here for an audio sample courtesy of Black Beauty.

Day 110: 6/19/1972 Seattle, WA (part two)

Since Blogger has seen fit to impose a limit of twenty labels per post and Led Zeppelin saw fit to occasionally perform more than twenty songs in one evening, I've been forced to carry those extra few songs over to this supplemental post. For the full review of this outstanding performance, please see 6/19/1972 Seattle, WA (part one).

Day 109: 6/18/1972 Seattle, WA

6/18/1972 Seattle, WA  (master>dat)

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California

The tape begins with a brief stage announcement explaining that the show is being delayed until everyone is in the building as a lot of people came from Vancouver after an earlier incident prevented the band from entering Canada. Immigrant Song comes thundering out of the gate. Bonzo thrashes at his drums like a madman during Heartbreaker. The volume shifts a few times during Page's excellent solos. The fast guitar solo is particularly electrifying. 

Plant comments on the trouble in Vancouver and greets those in the crowd who came down for the show before Black Dog. Since I've Been Loving You is intense and powerful. Plant asks if anyone in the crowd remembers the first time the band came through with Vanilla Fudge before introducing Going to California as "a song about California and all the different buzzes you get off it." The interplay between Page's guitar and Jones's mandolin is absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, the recording ends just as the song does.

The tape is very clear and well-balanced. It's too bad the recording is so short.

Day 109: 6/17/1972 Portland, OR

6/17/1972 Portland, OR  (cassette3>dat>cdr)

Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Moby Dick, Whole Lotta Love, Rock and Roll

The tape begins during the guitar solo in Stairway to Heaven. The final verse is cut after Plant sings the first line. He comments on a regulation that's keeping the house lights on before attempting to calm the crowd for the acoustic set. Plant is in good form, hitting some great high notes while chanting "it ain't right!" near the end of That's the Way. He introduces Bron-Y-Aur Stomp as "a song about a blue-eyed dog... the best friend I ever had." Unfortunately, the middle of the song is missing.

Dazed and Confused is introduced as "one from a long, long time ago." The lead-in to the bow solo includes a slow, haunting jam. There is a cut near the beginning of the bow solo, as well as a few during the guitar solo/workout section. Plant introduces Bonzo as "our one hundred and eighty pound wonder" before Moby Dick. The medley during Whole Lotta Love includes Boogie Chillen', Carl Perkins's Boppin' the Blues, Hello Mary Lou, and an extended Goin' Down Slow. The recording ends with a thunderous Rock and Roll.

The tape is quite muffled, distorted, and hissy.

Day 108: 6/15/1972 Uniondale, NY

6/15/1972 Uniondale, NY  Whole Lotta Led

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Moby Dick, Whole Lotta Love

The tape begins with the first appearance of the droning intro before the sonic attack of Immigrant Song crashes into motion. Someone near the taper sings along with Plant during the first verse. Page tears through the guitar solo as Bonzo causes a stampede of drums during Heartbreaker. Plant asks the crowd "was anybody here last night?" before introducing Black Dog as a song "about a dog who used to boogie too much." There is quite a bit of talking/shouting coming from near the taper between and during songs, including someone who sings along with Plant's "sweet jelly roll" line. Since I've Been Loving You is dramatic and powerful. Bonzo is like a tidal wave, repeatedly crashing against the shore. 

There is an argument about tickets and seat locations near the taper during the initial verses of Stairway to Heaven. The guitar solo and final rock section are absolutely explosive. Prior to a beautiful Going to California, Plant announces "well, twenty-three is old now, so I gotta sit down" before complaining about the PA. The delicate instrumental section before the final verse is interrupted by someone shouting "everybody smokin' that dope?" very close to the taper's microphone. That's the Way is ruined by the talking and random yelping of the tapers. Plant dedicates Tangerine to "the good times." Unfortunately, the tape is cut after just over a minute. There is a cut during the instrumental breakdown in Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, which includes the first appearance of Plant's "Stryder!" call at the end of the song.

The lead-in to the bow solo during Dazed and Confused features an excellent driving improvisation followed by a great jazzy interlude, courtesy of Bonzo. Page is on fire during the frenzied guitar solo/workout section. Another excellent rendition of The Crunge is followed by even more high-flying guitar heroics, even managing to shut the tapers up for a few minutes. The Mars, the Bringer of War section is devastatingly heavy. Page solos wildly as Plant's chants echo over the crowd during the outro. A true epic, one of the best thus far. 

Plant announces "somebody's thrown me a capsule... I'm gonna have to hand this in I'm afraid" before What is and What Should Never Be. He introduces Bonzo as "our number two vocalist" before Moby Dick. Unfortunately, only the intro and outro survive. The Everybody Needs Somebody to Love section during Whole Lotta Love is a frenzied cacophony. The medley includes Boogie Chillen', which Plant introduces by saying "I think this is the national anthem," Johnny Otis's Willie and the Hand Jive, Hello Mary Lou, Money Honey, Heartbreak Hotel, during which Plant defiantly insists that the houselights go down, and John Lee Hooker's Bottle Up and Go. Unfortunately, the tape is cut during Goin' Down Slow, ending the recording. A truly inspired performance. Must hear.

The tape is clear, but the tapers' running commentary can be a bit distracting at times.

Click here for an audio sample courtesy of Black Beauty.

Day 107: 6/14/1972 Uniondale, NY

6/14/1972 Uniondale, NY  (2nd gen>dat>cdr)

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Moby Dick, Whole Lotta Love, Rock and Roll, Communication Breakdown, Weekend, Bring it on Home

The tape begins with Plant telling the crowd "it's nice to be back again." Immigrant Song is a sonic assault. Page blazes through the inspired solos during Heartbreaker. During a long pause after Black Dog, Plant explains that Jones's keyboard is the cause of the delay, adding "it's a nightly problem, it's cool." Plant is in good form during Since I've Been Loving You, his interplay with Page building tension until the climactic release of the guitar solo. High drama at its finest. 

Stairway to Heaven includes the first appearance of Plant's famous "do you remember laughter?" ad lib. That's the Way is beautiful. Plant speaks to the crowd about King Arthur and chivalry before Tangerine. Bron-Y-Aur Stomp is dedicated to Dion and the Belmonts after Plant sings a couple lines from Runaround Sue. Page is absolutely on fire during the guitar solo/workout section in Dazed and Confused. He plays Walter's Walk at lightning speed, causing the rest of the band to race just to keep up. A frantic rendition of The Crunge is followed by another blistering guitar solo. The band is in an intense race to the finish, creating a vast sonic wall until everything peaks at the explosive return to the main riff. A truly amazing performance.

Moby Dick is cut after seventeen minutes. The medley during Whole Lotta Love features Boogie Chillen', John Lee Hooker's Bottle Up and Go, Hello Mary Lou, Lawdy Miss Clawdy, and Goin' Down Slow. The long string of encores begins with the riotous one-two punch of Rock and Roll and Communication Breakdown. The band returns to the stage for another great rendition of Eddie Cochran's Weekend followed by Bring it on Home, which is cut just before the instrumental battle section, ending the recording. An epic performance.

The tape is fairly clear, if a bit distant and hissy.

Day 106: 6/13/1972 Philadelphia, PA

6/13/1972 Philadelphia, PA  Philadelphia 1972

Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Bring it on Home, Since I've Been Loving You, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Moby Dick

The tape begins with Heartbreaker already in progress. Plant's introduction of Black Dog receives a big cheer from the crowd. Page tears through the guitar solo. There is a long pause before the first appearance of Bring it on Home since 3/5/1971. Plant chants "squeeze my lemon" through his harmonica before a short, frantic guitar solo from Page. That's the Way is cut before the final verse. Dazed and Confused features the first appearance of a fully-formed The Crunge, sans vocals, during the guitar solo/workout section. The crowd gets quite loud and rowdy during What is and What Should Never Be. Plant introduces Bonzo as "a wonderful musician, a great friend" to which Bonzo enthusiastically responds "bullshit!" before Moby Dick, which is cut after only twenty seconds, ending the recording.

The tape is muffled, muddy, distant, hissy, and at times overloaded, improving slightly as the show progresses. There is a great performance buried somewhere in the mud, but this is a rather rough listen, even for a pair of seasoned "bootleg ears".

Day 105: 6/11/1972 Baltimore, MD

6/11/1972 Baltimore, MD  Baltimore Jack

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Moby Dick, Whole Lotta Love, Rock and Roll, Communication Breakdown

Bonzo is out of control during Heartbreaker, thrashing away at anything within reach as Page blazes through his high-flying finger acrobatics. Plant mentions that Page's guitar is falling apart before introducing Black Dog. Since I've Been Loving You is an epic drama. Plant calls for a spotlight on Bonzo as he does his best Johnny Cash impression before Bron-Y-Aur Stomp. 

Dazed and Confused is dedicated to "the man with the loud voice" by Plant. Bonzo turns the lead-in to the bow solo into a battleground with his explosive pounding. Page is on fire during the guitar solo/workout section. Moby Dick is a mind-blowing twenty-seven and a half minute epic, even with a cut two-thirds of the way through. The riotous medley during Whole Lotta Love includes Boogie Chillen', Elvis Presley's I Need Your Love Tonight, Hello Mary Lou, a slow, mournful Heartbreak Hotel, a blistering rendition of Don Nix's Going Down, and another excellent extended Goin' Down Slow. Bonzo thrashes away like a madman during Rock and Roll. The crowd goes wild as the band returns to the stage to close the show with a frantic Communication Breakdown.

The tape is fairly clear, but distant.

Day 104: 6/9/1972 Charlotte, NC

6/9/1972 Charlotte, NC  Charlotte 1972

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Celebration Day, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should never Be, Moby Dick, Whole Lotta Love, Rock and Roll, Communication Breakdown

Page has the crowd clapping along with his country-flavored licks during the a cappella solo in Heartbreaker. Plant sounds a bit under the weather, his voice breaking a few times during the final verse. Celebration Day seems a bit sluggish. Black Dog is introduced as "a song dedicated to an old hunting dog in England... he used to go out to see his lady friend and he used to get so wasted that he couldn't get back!" Page blazes through the guitar solo. The tape is cut between songs. Since I've Been Loving You is slow and mournful. Page, Plant, and Bonzo play a bit of Knees Up Mother Brown before Stairway to Heaven. One of the tapers comments "I'm hopin' they'll get better... they look like they're kinda drunk or somethin'... they are much better than this" after Tangerine. 

The initial verses of Dazed and Confused are slow and loose. Plant improvises lyrics to calm the rowdy crowd during the heavy lead-in to the bow solo, which is cut slightly at the beginning. The ever-expanding guitar solo/workout section features an excellent Walter's Walk jam. Plant warns the crowd to stay off the stage before What is and What Should Never Be. He introduces Bonzo as "weighing in at two hundred and ten pounds... two hundred and six pounds, John Henry Bonham, Moby Dick!" Jones pounds on his organ during the theramin freakout in Whole Lotta Love, which is played without a medley for the first time since the Bath Festival. A shout of "fuck your latest album!" can be heard coming from the crowd as Plant introduces Rock and Roll. The show ends with a somewhat sluggish Communication Breakdown. A rather lazy performance overall with a few moments of inspiration.

The tape is fairly clear with Plant front and center.

Click here for audio samples courtesy of Black Beauty.