What does it sound like?:
Recorded over three nights at Madison Square Garden at the end of July 1973 and released originally in the autumn of 1976, for many a year this was the only official live recording of Led Zeppelin. Oddly the album and the film of which this was ostensibly the soundtrack did not contain the same songs, although that anomaly was corrected in the 2007 reissue, which reinstated the missing music and corrected the running order. I don’t recall ever hearing that new version of the album at the time, but this 2018 edition, which concludes this series of reissues of the Zep catalogue, repeats the exercise. Having been sonically tweaked by Jimmy Page in conjunction with Kevin Shirley, this version does sound noticeably better than the original – in particular the 5.1 mix on the bluray is very powerful. For me though, this is a set of two halves. The first cd contains the generally shorter pieces, and is a great record of the band really firing on all cylinders. Perhaps surprisingly, the slower, more atmospheric songs work best – No Quarter, The Rain Song and Since I’ve Been Loving You – but there’s no denying the energy of The Ocean, Over The Hills and Far Away and Rock & Roll. The second cd is less successful, containing overlong bloated versions of Dazed And Confused and Moby Dick, before being redeemed by a storming Heartbreaker and the inevitable Whole Lotta Love. Although the subsequent How The West Was Won set arguably has the band in leaner, hungrier form the previous year, this set is still a good record of their live show at the time, capturing as it does every nuance of their performances over those three seminal summer nights when they were at the peak of their powers and influence.
What does it all *mean*?
In the band’s fiftieth anniversary year their music is still essential listening.
Goes well with…
Recalling the days when giants still walked the earth.
Release Date:
Might suit people who like…
Hard rock, blues, looking back.
Rigid Digit says
Was this album peak Zeppelin?
Physical Graffiti is a good album, but does it need to be a double?
Presence (my personal favourite) is not often mentioned in hushed tones as “Classic Zeppelin”, and In Through The Out Door was hard work – Jimmy Page and John Bonham were finding enjoyment in “other pleasures” and Plant an Jones seem to be pulling in different directions
Bargepole says
Physical Graffiti had too much good material for a single album, but maybe not quite enough for a double. I agree though that Presence is vastly underrated (Tea For One for example) – the forgotten Zep album?
Arthur Cowslip says
Presence has Achilles’ Last Stand, Nobody’s Fault But Mine and Candy Store Rock. I think on those three songs alone the band touched heights that no-one else has matched. An impossibly funky blues rock.
Arthur Cowslip says
“Funky blues rock” – uuughhh that sounds HORRIBLE. But Zep made it good, and there’s no other way to describe it. Candy Store Rock is almost a twisted rockabilly sound?
Moose the Mooche says
…twisted rockabilly makes it sound like The Fall, not a band I’ve ever heard of in connection with Led Zeppelin.
Bet Planty likes ’em, though.
fatima Xberg says
Physical Graffiti (Original running order before they noticed it was too long for vinyl at 53 min.):
1 Custard Pie 4:17
2 In My Time Of Dying 11:08
3 Trampled Underfoot 5:37
4 Kashmir 8:39
5 In The Light 8:49
6 Ten Years Gone 6:35
7 The Wanton Song 4:09
8 Sick Again 4:44
(It’s a proper album without “In My Time Of Dying” OOAA)
Mike_H says
In my mind, the album title is now forever associated with John Otway, who had a tour some years back “The Set Remains The Same”.
tkdmart says
I love a good synchronicity, me. Just today, Whole Lotta Love from this very album came up on a random iTunes shuffle in the car!
nickduvet says
‘How The West Was Won’ is the best Zep live album. It wasn’t released until much later, but it’s miles better than this.
Like all doubles, Physical Grafitti has one or two duds, but they were at the height of their regal phase in 75 and most of PG is majestic in its pomp.
fitterstoke says
I’m struggling to think of an actual dud on Physical Graffiti…..certainly if we consider, eg, Hot Dog as an actual dud…..just for reference….
I would agree about the under-rated nature of Presence….in fact, this site is the only place I’ve read consistent praise for it and a number of contributors here (me included) could muster an argument for it being their best album….
nickduvet says
Down By The Seaside?
fitterstoke says
At a pinch….it’s positively Mozartian compared to Hot Dog…..
Tiggerlion says
As a general rule of thumb; a double album is improved by cutting out sides 3 & 4. How does Physical Graffiti fare?
nickduvet says
Not sure where you got that from Tig, but OK I’ll bite.
Taking a selection of my vinyl doubles, excl. live albums and comps.
White Album
Blonde On Blonde
Layla
Quadrophenia
Songs In The Key of Life
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
Something Anything
Todd
Hooker and Heat
Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter
Chicago Transit Authority
Electric Ladyland
There’s only one of those where your ‘rule’ might apply – The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway.
But then some Genesis fans think it’s their masterpiece
Mike_H says
“The Lamb” does indeed start to flag once you get onto side 3. Although “Anyway” is a good strong one. It positively slumps on side 4 until the final track “It”, which I love.
Tiggerlion says
The first two sides of Songs In The Key Of Life are way better than 3&4. The White album, probably sides one and three are best. Blonde On Blonde is exceptional in any category. Quadrophrenia can be cut down to a single 45 and I’d be happy. London Calling’s first two sides are best.
TRMagicWords says
Side one of Quadrophenia is superb, side two patchy, side three excellent if only for Moon’s drumming on “Drowned” and “Bell Boy”, side four a bit of a let-down.
Daltrey’s voice sounds too strained on some of the tracks, like he’s trying to sing in a key that’s wrong for him.
Carl says
Those words are less than magic, Sir.
Side 4 of Quadrophenia has my two favourite songs from the album – Dr Jimmy and the very best song on the whole shebang – Love, Reign O’er Me whereas the very presence of Bell Boy on 3 ruins the whole side for me.
dai says
Love Bell Boy. Album not a masterpiece. All Led Zep albums improved by reducing to double A side or EP at best.
duco01 says
Marvin Gaye’s “Here, My Dear”:
Sides 1 to 3: Hurrah!
Side 4: Boo!
Rigid Digit says
Sorry Tig, but Quadrophenia is the greatest thing ever to be committed to vinyl
(and I am adamant in that)
Other opinions are available … but they are wrong
attackdog says
Not sure about Stevie’s Songs in the Key of Life. I have a hazy memory of side 4 of the original vinyl issue being fantastic. (I tried googling this on my phone and inadvertently hit ‘D’ instead of ‘S’ for ‘Songs’ – don’t try it).
Tiggerlion says
Side one
Love’s In Need Of Love Today
Have A Talk With God
Village Ghetto Land
Contusion
Sir Duke
Side two
I Wish
Knocks Me Off My Feet
Pastime Paradise
Summer Soft
Ordinary Pain
Side three
Isn’t She Lovely
Joy Inside My Tears
Black Man
Side four
Ngiculela – Es Una Historia – I Am Singing
If It’s Magic
As
I rest my case.
MC Escher says
Delete ‘Black Man’ and your case is a bit dodgy.
No-one cares about ‘sides’ today. Take that track off and you have a wonderful listening experience from start to finish.
Tiggerlion says
Isn’t She Lovely makes my toes curl. Don’t forget the EP with an extra four tracks.
Mike_H says
If it wasn’t for the baby gurgles etc. “Isn’t She Lovely” would be perfectly acceptable.
Nothing of great note on the “extra” EP but nothing terrible either.
The album is what it is and I wouldn’t change it at all.
Junior Wells says
Lamb would be improved by removal of 3 sides
Twang says
On “Waiting for Columbus” that means losing (excuse blatant wiki copy – it’s early):
Side three
“Dixie Chicken” (George, Kibbee) – 9:00
“Tripe Face Boogie” (Hayward, Payne) – 7:02
“Rocket in My Pocket” (George) – 3:42
Side four
“Willin'” (George) – 4:42
“Don’t Bogart That Joint” (E. Ingber, L. Wagner) – 0:57
“A Apolitical Blues” (George) – 3:41″Sailin’ Shoes” (George) – 6:18″Feats Don’t Fail Me Now” (Barrere, George, Kibbee) – 5:17
Crazy talk.
Tiggerlion says
Live albums don’t count. But, a triple live is too much.
Mike_H says
Warner Brothers committed a stupid sin in originally re-releasing WFC on a single CD, omitting “Don’t Bogart That Joint” and “Apolitical Blues”, to save making it a double.
Rectified in spades with the Rhino Records double CD with copious extras (not all up to the same standard but worthy nonetheless).
The best bits of Waiting For Columbus are still inferior to the best bits of the magnificent complete “Electrif Lycanthrope” radio concert, though.
Junior Wells says
Correct Mike.
Twang says
The White Album being another case in point.
Chrisf says
I notice that the Record Store Day 2018 single of “Rock And Roll (Sunset Sound Mix)” / “Friends (Olympic Studios Mix)” have been released today on the various digital / download platforms.
What’s the difference to the original tracks and is it worth getting ?
Bargepole says
Carl says
I would suggest, with respect to Zep, the sensible thing to do is head off into cyberspace and seek out a torrent of Destroyer – the 2CD version, then you don’t have to endure Moby Dick. It was recorded 27th April 1977 at Richfield Coliseum, Cleveland, Ohio. It’s generally considered to be one of the very finest LZ performances.
But make sure you buy legitimate copies of their records too, just in case the Zeppelin children should starve.
Twang says
I’m intrigued but I don’t do torrents etc and the semi legit sources don’t seem to have it……
attackdog says
Agreed. I too have googled this – the track listing sounds fantastic. The problem is I can’t find a download or hard copy from any source. Don’t leave us hanging on Carl. Where can we get out mitts on this?
Carl says
Sorry @attackdog, I have just browsed this thread after seeing it pop up on the left hand side of the homepage. I can’t have returned here since you posted your request.
So only 16 months since you asked, you can find it here:
Led Zeppelin – Destroyer – 3 CD soundboard
I can’t see the 2 CD version so sadly you DO have to have Moby Dick.
attackdog says
Dear Carl,
Come in, sit down, please relax. What appears to be the problem?
Try to free your mind of everyday things, work, The Afterword, work, responsibilities, burning CD’s of illicit, copyright protected music, unprotected material, …….
Try if you can to cast your mind back to happier, carefree days when you very kindly provided me with a link – or very possibly in return for my address here on Earth, you provided me with a hard copy spread over two CD’s of the very same!
Did I not thank you?? Well, how remiss of me.
Thank you – it’s great (with or without Moby Dick).
Thank you again.
Now, deep breath, relax ……..
geacher says
“Rattle & Hum” and “Miles Of Aisles” are the only two double albums worthy of four sides of vinyl… no fillers in either album.
Tiggerlion says
Bitches Brew?
Moose the Mooche says
Nobody messes with that… except when they added Feio to make it even loooooonger!
fitterstoke says
So, you’re providing the definitive argument AGAINST your own theorem, stated above, Tiggs? That’s very even-handed…
geacher says
OK, I’ll give you sanitation….
Twilight Alehouse says
A few tracks on Rattle and Hum are live: Either covers or their own songs.
Moose the Mooche says
“Ah yeah, Silver and gold……”
“This is a song Charles Manson stole from the Beeedles, now we’re stealin it back”
Ughhh.
“Desire” was brilliant though.
MC Escher says
Rattle & Hum??? Possibly…. possibly not.
You want 4 sides of AKNF? Look no further than Sign O The Times. And “Gonna Be a Wonderful Night” does not exclude it – that track was live, but had never appeared on a record before, so it counts!
Tiggerlion says
I see they are being sued for plagiarism. Again.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45685401
fitterstoke says
How did that pan out?
Junior Wells says
A few comments from downtown Tangier
Love Reign O’er Me is a triumph so that puts paid to the Quadrophenia naysayers.
Bitches Brew is a case of there is no filler or it is all filler. If you geddit there is no end if you don’t one track is too many.
Miles of Aisles, to use the Tigger criterion, is ineligible – it is live.
Most doubles will have an extended track/jam somewhere that stretches the collection out to 4 sides.
Moose the Mooche says
I’ll say this quietly… I really don’t understand all the wussiness around Bitches Brew. Difficult? It’s like getting in a warm bath…. with a fuckoff bifter, to be fair. It’s hardly Kluster.
nickduvet says
Capt Haddock had it right when he said he never realised til now there were people who thought the White Album needed extending. As with all things, there are those who have listened to Revolution 9 all the way though maybe once – and those who want 5 CDs worth of out-takes.
But the key point for me is that a double album is a different animal. It’s an opportunity for the artist to show a wider range, and yes, to indulge themselves. If every track is not a classic and the whole is less than sum of its parts, who cares? For every Don’t Pass Me By or Isn’t She Lovely there’s a 1983… or Ten Years Gone or Fourth Time Around, that might not have made it onto a single album.
Moose the Mooche says
Word em up Holmes.
A world with a single-volume White Album or Welcome to the Pleasuredome or Songs in the Key of Life is cheerless.
Mousey says
I thought the accepted wisdom with TSRTS was that they did it to, in FZ’s phrase, Beat the Boots. Unfortunately after going to all that trouble to record and film it they had a couple of rare off nights. Hence, decades later, HTWWW. Word is that Page is planning a bunch of remastered live stuff for the 50th anniversary, given that Plant still doesn’t want to do Zep live again (thankfully)
Mike_H says
Unlike Page, Plant has no need to do a LedZep reunion any more. Did it once and that was enough.
He has his own very successful thing now and the more current stuff is the primary focus of his shows. He throws a few LZ classics into his shows for the sake of nostalgia only.
nickduvet says
I saw Plant’s recent show and there were at least six Zep numbers in the set, mostly played faithful to the originals. Having said that, his current band manages to give them an immediacy that Zeppelin just wouldn’t have if they reconvened. Zeppelin the live band belong to a different age.
duco01 says
Afterworders; no one has yet mentioned the classic rock double album that’s pure brilliance from start to finish. No weak tracks. All 100% diamonds.
I refer, of course, to Stephen Stills’s “Manassas”.
nickduvet says
Yes, missed that one on my scan through the vinyl. What a belter of an album
Bartleby says
Apart from the yeehaw country ones, obvs
fatima Xberg says
Especially for the “yeehaw country ones” (as you call them in your blissful ignorance).
retropath2 says
In fact, they are the only good ones.
fitterstoke says
“As a matter of fact, it’s all good…”
Junior Wells says
Well put Fatima.
MC Escher says
I refer you to my comment above on Sign O The Times.
Rufus T Firefly says
For me, “Tusk” is one of the few rock doubles that remains compelling from start to finish. And that’s been the case since its release almost 40 years ago. Two albums on the ECM label that once on remain on (chez Firefly) are “The Koln Concert” (Keith Jarrett) and “80/81” (Pat Metheny).
duco01 says
1. Re: “Tusk”. Yes, absolutely. An impeccable example. Superb from beginning to end.
2. Re: “the Köln Concert”. According to the strict criteria laid down by duvet and Tigger above, this cannot qualify, as it’s a live recording. But yes, of course, it’s all fab.
Michael says
A bootleg soundboard recording of one of Led Zeppelin’s finest shows was released yesterday.
29th September 1971, Osaka, Japan.
http://ledzepnews.com/2018/09/23/a-soundboard-recording-of-led-zeppelins-september-29-1971-show-will-be-released-this-month-but-it-wont-be-the-full-show/
Here’s The Immigrant Song
Twang says
Brilliant. Classic falling-down-the-stairs solo from Jimmy.
SteveT says
Since Tusk has already been nominated and Songs in the Key of life then my also rams would be Julian Copes Peggy Suicide arguably his best album and Eels Blinking lights and other revelations also excellent.