Led Zeppelin

This is a great no frills collection of some of the greatest performances of what many consider the greatest band of the 1970's. The first disc features a great performance from a 1970 show at the Royal Albert Hall. The second disc shows the band's evolution throughout the decade that they dominated. Of particular interest is the chapter featuring the 1973 Madison Square Garden show that was filmed for The Song Remains the Same featuring outtake performances including wonderful versions of their classics "Misty Mountain Hop" and "The Ocean". Also, you get to see several songs from what would be their final British concert at the 1979 Knebworth Festival. However, the whole two disc set is a treat for all Zeppelin fans.

This two disc set is incredible! If you're like me and never had the opportunity to actually see the band live, then this is the next best thing. Jimmy Page, who in my opinion is the second best guitarist ever to walk the face of the earth (second only to Slowfingers himself), He puts on an amazing show in every piece of footage in this film. John Paul Jones, although not as up front as Page, puts on one hell of a show. Although in the live atmosphere, his rythmic bass lines aren't as defined as they are on studio recordings, except of course in songs like Dazed and Confused, or What is and What Should Never Be), but his wide array of instumental talent is well displayed in these DVD's. John Bonham is John Bonham, what can I say? There is no comparison, his beats stand out like no other, and this DVD is proof. Last, but not least, Robert Plant wails like no other can wail. If you've ever read Hammer of the Gods, you'll be wondering the same thing as Page was when he first met Robert Plant, why the hell isn't this guy already famous? And so concludes my review, sorry about and spelling or grammar mistakes, Zeppelin rocks.

Led Zeppelin are amazing. How can music touch your soul so much and lift you so much. Actually it isn't music well its half music half magic. I recommend anyone to watch their DVD 'the song remains the same' it contains many of their famous tracks but performed in a different way. The DVD has me trance every time i watch it, it truly contains ultimate magic and power. No matter how bad a mood I'm in as soon as i hear zep I'm quickly put back on top of the world. They are an inspiration to everyone. They know things about the world we don't. Robert Plants voice is an instrument in itself, any noise he made would sound amazing. Their music is about feeling not the lyrics. My favourite tracks are... Over the hills and far away, dazed and confused, since I've been loving you and whole lotta love. I guess i would say I'm an ultimate life long fan!!

Let's not psycho analyze the quality and artistry of this Led Zeppelin DVD set. Led Zeppelin was such an innovative group that many of their efforts and attitudes resulted in a large void today.

When Zeppelin ruled the world (yes, they were bigger than the Beatles), their confidence allowed them NOT to bow to pressure to put out singles, name albums (their forth has no title), and most importantly, not allow recording or photographing of concert footage. Peter Grant (manager) was notorious in his violence towards bootleggers.

Here we are over 30 years later begging for something, ANYTHING that will allow us to remember the power and drive of Led Zeppelin in its prime.

This Led Zeppelin DVD does just that.

Yes, the quality is waning in some shots. But who cares? We take what we can get from the vaults of Jimmy Page.

Here are some of my thoughts:

I can not believe all the 'heavy lifting' Bonzo did in the performances. While Plant merely sang and JPJ kept it simple, often times Jimmy Page and Bonzo would face each other and hammer the rhythm and guitar together. Bonzo had to be thoroughly exhausted after each and every show.

The acoustic sets were unbelievable! Led Zeppelin was 'unplugged' 15 years before MTV knew the meaning of the word!

Watch Jimmy Page up close. You'll quickly see that Slash, Joe Perry, and even Eddie Van Halen (and his 'hammer-on') were wannabes at one time. The way they copied Jimmy Page is uncanny!

Songs of note: Trampled Under Foot is especially cool. A good 10 minute jam! All of the Royal Albert Hall performance is worth the price of the DVD alone. The acoustic ballads including Going To California and That's The Way were wonderful. They were of excellent quality as well! To here Achilles' Last Stand live in 1979 was absolutely riff bashing!

Any die hard Zep fan will be very pleased.

What is sad and profound about the DVD is Robert Plant's last words in Knebenworth 1979: 'Thank you for a wonderful 11 years'

It was as if he knew it was their swan song.

I bought my first Zep album in 1974 (at 17) and have been hooked ever since. This DVD has now taken pride of place in my music collection. It is not often that a band can boast 4 virtuosos in their lineup but here we can. Each member made their own contribution to the band but on the stage together, the electricity they generated was bigger than the 4 individuals. This masterpiece covers the band's entire career from Led Zep 1 to Coda and this is captured magnificently on this DVD as each concert shows how the band became bigger and bigger over the years. Recently my copy disappeared, but I'm happy to say was found in my 17yo son's room as the new generation discover just how great these guys were. This is a must have for anyone who has an appreciation of rock music. Long live Led Zeppelin.