THE SOUNDTRACK FROM THE FILM - THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME

This live album once was in a format that graced record stores in the 70s as a vinyl 4 record treasure. It has since found its way to CD and even with a lengthy full concert remastered version. It went from a 100 minute concert to a 132 minute version. I grew up with the original, but the CD is of course better quality.

This soundtrack is best watched live but it still has merit as a live record of the penultimate Led Zeppelin experience. I missed seeing the iconic Plant bending backwards with tiny open vest, Page in starry pants clad in black maintaining poise as he saws a violin bow across his guitar strings, Bonham going manic with the drums and Jones looking aloof. When all that is stripped away we are left with straight rock solid gold. The performance is magnificent of course and goes down in the annals as one of the greatest live shows. There is so much to like about this set list.

CD1 begins with crunching speaker blowing riffs in 'Rock And Roll', then moves on to 'Celebration Day' and 'The Song Remains The Same' which was kind of new at the time. 'The Rain Song' is fine but it is not until 'Dazed And Confused' that it really takes off into a magical realm. The sounds of the violining are as preternatural as the film clip that accompanied it. We can only imagine the psychedelic images. It is still a powerful aural experience. You have to have patience listening to a full 26 minutes of this but it is definitely worth checking it out on the live DVD where it is never as much of a laborious exercise.

CD2 certainly starts well with a 12 minute version of No Quarter and then the ultimate classic 'Stairway To Heaven' clocking 11 minutes. It is an incredible performance from Plant and Page who absolutely destroy the studio version. This is the way to hear this iconic piece of mystique. 'Moby Dick' follows with lengthy drum solo and Bonham is brilliant. It ends with masterpiece 'Whole Lotta Love' which is very different than the original and just as compelling.

Overall this is one to seek out but I highly recommend the DVD as that is the full experience of a Led Zeppelin concert. I will give 3 stars for original, but 4 stars for the remaster as it features classy live performances of 'Black Dog', 'Over The Hills And Far Away', 'Misty Mountain Hop', 'Since I've Been Loving You' and 'Heartbreaker'. Grab the remaster definitely!

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