Led Zepplin DVD (1 Viewer)

[Doug Smith]

Just listened to the Led Zepplin DVD (two discs - not sure when released). The most interesting part of the visuals was the comparison between disc one and two. In disc one (recorded at Albert Hall in 1970) the guys were not polished yet - their hair was long and unkempt and their clothing looked slept in and off the rack. In disc two they had obiviously hit the big time - Robert Plant has permed hair, and Jimmy Page's hair is feathered and both are wearing the tight clotes of rock stars. Fortunately the music is great throughout. We are used to today's absolute crass commercialism in the music industry. I guess it was beginning to creep in even with the freaks of the 70's.

 

[questrider]

On disc 1, in addition to the things you mention, I like the way they're so unassuming and unaware of themselves as "Led Zeppelin" because they had only been together less than two years when this was filmed. By disc 2, it is apparent that the legend and myths surrounding "Led Zeppelin" were starting to creep into their own consciousness, especially during the 1979 stuff at the end. They're so aware that they are rock gods, preening and posing during their performances. "I am a golden god!" For my money, nothing on that set beats disc 1's raw and honest energy.

 

[Max F]

Some of the early stuff, they even look kindof shy in the beginning. But as soon as the music starts, man, they rock hard!

I love that DVD. If you look through the DVD one of the menus has a whole version of Song Remains the Same (the song) that was from a bootleg video. Pretty poor quality overall, but its a great song. Thats the only live version that i have seen too.

 

[Kevin C Brown]

Fantastic DVD. There are still a few "jam" bands around, but no more (TIKO) hard rock bands like Zeppelin that really stretch out their songs on stage. I miss that.

 

[Sergio Z.]

Hey Kevin,
Check out The Mars Volta.....they play very long extended sets. Very Zeppish....literally an homage to Zep.

I agree with the raw energy of Disc 1, very hard to beat!

 

[Kevin C Brown]

Sergio- Thanks. I actually have "Mars Volta" written down on a scrap of paper here, but I couldn't remember what the reference was!

 

[Paul_Stachniak]

Foos are a good jam band. Mind you they dont play 3 hour sets, but they jam some songs. Also Dave Grohl worships John Bohnam and Zeppelin so there is lots of Zep inspired riffs in their jams.

 

[Jan H]

There will never be another Led Zeppelin. Mars Volta and the Foo Fighters are bands I admire, but let's get serious. As for the DVD, it is amazing that they can take 30 year-old footage and make it look and sound like that. The greatest rock DVD ever released. The only thing better will be when they release it in HD.

 

[Rob_D]

Jan H,

I agree 100%. What about a DVD2?? there has to be more usable footage - from the 77 tour, more Earl's Court 75 etc.

 

[JonZ]

"especially during the 1979 stuff at the end. They're so aware that they are rock gods, preening and posing during their performances"


I dont agree with you there.I think in 79 they were just happy to be playing together to a large crowd.

The preening and posing was during their prime, which was 73-76.Compare some of the great footage on this set to their concert footage on The Song Remains The Same,when they were hamming it up for the camera crews.The Song Remains The Same shows are so unimpressive its amazing. And for years people thought thats how Zep sounded live becuase its all anyone had heard. During my HS years (84-87) even most Zep fans thought Zep "sucked live" becuase of the TSRTS footage.

I remember playing a bootleg at a party back in 87 of the same show that eventually got released as the second disc BBC Recordings and everyone was shocked at how it sounded (I think I got it from King Biscuit Flower Hour), and everyone was like "wow" that sounds much better than TSRTS(which even the band found to be embarrassing and dull). I dubbed that concert so many times for people who wanted it.

Concerning the 79 Knebworth footage,keep in mind that Zep had "reformed" for those shows. After 77 Led Zep pretty much became a part time band. Towards the end of the 70s,they did few shows and played very little together (compared to 68-76)

 

[Mark Paquette]

I agree with this statement 100% and I felt this way for years. I was in HS from 84-87 as well. I picked up How the West Was Won DVD's and CD's when they were released. The first time I threw in the DVD and was completely blown away. The stuff from Albert Hall was amazing, I couldn't believe I was watching a Zep show because my only point of reference was the weak TSRTS concerts. The stuff from the 79 Kenbworth concert kicks some major butt. Achilles Last Stand is a sweet jam.

 

[dan-0]

Are you folks referring to the 'how the west was won' DVD DVDA? If not, what is the name of this two-disk set?

 

[Jordan_E]

I think the name of the DVD is simply LED ZEPPELIN, although it is the same material (?) as the DVDA. Zeppelin in DTS...

 

[Ryan L. Bisasky]

no, the dvda is from 2 shows in la and long beach, which is also the "how the west is won" just on 2 DVDa's instead of 3 cd's. the dvd is just titled "led zeppelin"

 

[Kevin C Brown]

Man, I completely disagree with how y'all see the Song Remains the Same.

I saw this for the very first time at the King's Court movie theater in Pittsburgh when it came out. I kid you not, at the end of the movie, the crowd erupted in applause.

I also still prefer to this day, that version of Whole Lotta Love.

And it was in the "favorite guitar solo" thread where numerous people mentioned the guitar solo Jimmy did in that version of No Quarter as being especially memorable.

Was at a party a few weekends ago. A bunch of people I did and didn't know. Ended up staying late. Got talking to this dude about all the little things we liked about this film and concert and the band's playing. Really brought me back. I don't think he had a problem with it either.

The new "DVD" that just came out is incredible. No question. But personally, in the context of the time it was released, I certainly also very much enjoy TSRTS too.

 

[Jan H]

TSRTS has some things on it I actually prefer to the studio cuts. 'Rock and Roll' and 'Celebration Day' rock sooo much harder than on the studio albums. The originals sound thinner and twangy-er. TSRTS shows Zeppelin as more of a metal band than their albums would lead you to believe. I really like the soundtrack to the movie. Those fantasy sequences sure are lame, though.

 

[Max F]

I loved the TSRTS. I would like to see it remasted on DVD. Some of the songs that are better (or only found) on the TSRTS vs the Led Zeppeling DVD:

Stairway to Heaven
Rock and Roll
No Quarter
Best version of Dazed and Confused
Whole lotta love

I still like the Led Zep DVD better, but TSRTS still rocks.

 

[Ryan L. Bisasky]

best version of whole lot of love imo was on disc 2 of the live bbc version.