Led Zep O2 Live album
Discussion
Got this yesterday, hmmm not very impressed actually, really thought production would be better for such a huge show.
Other thing is Jimmys playing, listened to stairway, and to be honest the solo was appauling, sounded like a worse than 3rd rate cover band playing it, no feel,timing all over the place, crikey, it really surprised me how bad it was. It really shows how great the playing on the live footage of stairway from earls court ( think it was earls court ) on the how the west was won dvd...
Leave it Jimmy, youve peaked, retire now....
Other thing is Jimmys playing, listened to stairway, and to be honest the solo was appauling, sounded like a worse than 3rd rate cover band playing it, no feel,timing all over the place, crikey, it really surprised me how bad it was. It really shows how great the playing on the live footage of stairway from earls court ( think it was earls court ) on the how the west was won dvd...
Leave it Jimmy, youve peaked, retire now....
I'm a bit biased as I was one of the fortunate to be there that night. Overall, they completely nailed it. I agree with you on 'Stairway'....probably the weakest song of the night. 'In my time of dying' and 'Kashmir' were the pinnacles without a doubt. Going to watch the Bluray tonight with a few mates. I've heard it captures the evening incredibly well....here's hoping 
As a massive, massive Zep fan - and a drummer - I'm staggered by how good I found this.
John Bonham wasnt ever the best drummer in the world, but his playing just suits me in a way I cant really describe. I absolutely adore all his work, and Jason nailed it. He has a different feel, and sound, but there's some seriously good playing here.
Yeah some songs kind of fall down in places, but remember this is a live gig played as a one off - that's a huge undertaking, given the music they're playing.
And Zeppelin were never the greatest live band.
John Bonham wasnt ever the best drummer in the world, but his playing just suits me in a way I cant really describe. I absolutely adore all his work, and Jason nailed it. He has a different feel, and sound, but there's some seriously good playing here.
Yeah some songs kind of fall down in places, but remember this is a live gig played as a one off - that's a huge undertaking, given the music they're playing.
And Zeppelin were never the greatest live band.
I am sure if you where there then the occasion would of being great, likewise I am sure the dvd will be worth a watch too, but really cd wise its a poor listen, and maybe its just me but expected Jimmy to put on an epic version of stairway at such a show,sadly it was the worse version ive ever heard!
Been listening to this album recently, must say I'm a bit disappointed; I expected the vocals to be 'tired' but the guitar work is really not up to Page's standard of old (and hard to hear), I suppose the man is nearly 70 but other guitarists of the same era haven't lost it as much (Clapton for one) and I was expecting more TBH. JPJ and Jason Bonham sound good though.
Anyway a 1hr version of the concert is showing on BBC2 on Saturday 8th December so I'll be watching for old time's sake whilst trying to remember them as they really were all those years ago.
Anyway a 1hr version of the concert is showing on BBC2 on Saturday 8th December so I'll be watching for old time's sake whilst trying to remember them as they really were all those years ago.
Essential that you all watch the DVD. A whole WORLD of a difference!
Oh and Jimmy?....he's ALWAYS been 'sloppy' on a live stage but the Man has all the chops required and that's his style. He conducts the rest of them and really keeps them all in that louche Zep groove. Fascinating to watch. You REALLY need to watch the DVD to appreciate it. Make sure it's on a good 5.1 system and your neighbours are out...
Oh and Jimmy?....he's ALWAYS been 'sloppy' on a live stage but the Man has all the chops required and that's his style. He conducts the rest of them and really keeps them all in that louche Zep groove. Fascinating to watch. You REALLY need to watch the DVD to appreciate it. Make sure it's on a good 5.1 system and your neighbours are out...
DavidY said:
The sound on the DVD/BluRay is a lot better than the CD
Then there's no excuse for the CD. I've only listened in the car but am struggling to hear much guitar work.On a long car journey the other day I listened back-to-back 'Dazed and Confused' from Celebration day and The Song Remains The Same, everything else aside I can properly hear the guitar on TSRTS, you'd think 40 that years on recording/mixing techniques would have improved?
Don't get me wrong I am a huge Zeppelin fan & have all their albums plus several 'bootlegs' & most solo/other project albums from the various band members, in 1980 I made an 800 mile return trip over the alps on an old 250cc motorbike to see them in concert, but based on this album I'm glad they didn't re-form, some things are best left as they were...
Totally disagree Ali, Jimmys playing at the O2 is way behind what he was doing years ago...you want to see excellence get the 'how the west was won' set out. Yes Jimmy has always had a 'rough edge' to his playing, which is fine, love that rawness, love Jimmys playing in general,but to not be able to see how poor his playing is on the O2 set, well you need to be a bit deaf IMHO, as I mentioned in my first post a good example is the stairway solo, ..butchered it, wouldnt of believed it was jimmy playing it
You want proper zep then HTWWW is it, O2 good to hear & see but a poor substitute for 'real' Jimmy
Yes Catsgo...think they probably put jimmy down in the mix intentionally so you couldnt hear how bad it was!
You want proper zep then HTWWW is it, O2 good to hear & see but a poor substitute for 'real' Jimmy
Yes Catsgo...think they probably put jimmy down in the mix intentionally so you couldnt hear how bad it was!
Edited by chris5150 on Wednesday 5th December 10:40
"How The West Was One" was four musicians playing in a band playing at their peak (72/73). For years it was one of the Zeppelin bootlegs to have (For Badge Holders Only) along with the acoustic set from Earls Court 1975. Very few bands manage to be as good 30 years on, I don't think that you are comparing apples with apples! The Song Remains The Same failed to capture the real Led Zeppelin live performance.
The Live at O2 BluRay showed that despite their senority, the band can still produce an energy and create an enjoyable set. There are some obvious highlights, but Mr Plant managed his voice very well, and the band really seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Some of the tracks on the rehearsal DVD are better than the O2 ones though (especially Since I've Been Loving You)
The Live at O2 BluRay showed that despite their senority, the band can still produce an energy and create an enjoyable set. There are some obvious highlights, but Mr Plant managed his voice very well, and the band really seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Some of the tracks on the rehearsal DVD are better than the O2 ones though (especially Since I've Been Loving You)
You're a tough audience!
Well I suppose maybe I'm being a bit biased chaps. When the gig took place Jimmy obviously was not coming off the back of a string of tour dates so maybe understandable that he wasn't technically at his best.
Please watch the DVD and please also remember that the reviews of the Gig were almost entirely HUGELY positive. They were correct!
Well I suppose maybe I'm being a bit biased chaps.
When the gig took place Jimmy obviously was not coming off the back of a string of tour dates so maybe understandable that he wasn't technically at his best. Please watch the DVD and please also remember that the reviews of the Gig were almost entirely HUGELY positive. They were correct!
All fair comment, I will get the DVD ...I wish I had managed to get to the show, undoubtedly the sense of occasion & seeing them would of meant a great experience.
They dont seem to do the 'one big show' very well do they,... still better than Live Aid & all the ensuing criticism, out of tune guitar etc etc and that was back in 85!
They dont seem to do the 'one big show' very well do they,... still better than Live Aid & all the ensuing criticism, out of tune guitar etc etc and that was back in 85!
What comes through on the DVD is very much reflective of the atmosphere that night. Initially we were all just shaking with sheer anticipation as the lights went down. And then they were there!........ LED fookin' ZEPPELIN!.
1st 2 songs they seemed a little 'thin' and nervy and there were obvious sound issues. Half way through Black Dog they just seemed to find another gear. That famous '5th' element JP talks about definitely started to take form.
I think by 'stairway' they were beginning to feel the pace and you'll see on the DVD that Jimmy looks very very tired. It also had a strange effect on the atmosphere in the O2 which I'm putting down to too much expectation. Now Stairway is great obviously but to me it's composition briefly stalled the 'locomotive' they were already on.
They definitely built back up from that point and the last 3rd of the setlist just completely slayed everyone. Legendary performance of Kashmir too!
You'll see......
1st 2 songs they seemed a little 'thin' and nervy and there were obvious sound issues. Half way through Black Dog they just seemed to find another gear. That famous '5th' element JP talks about definitely started to take form.
I think by 'stairway' they were beginning to feel the pace and you'll see on the DVD that Jimmy looks very very tired. It also had a strange effect on the atmosphere in the O2 which I'm putting down to too much expectation. Now Stairway is great obviously but to me it's composition briefly stalled the 'locomotive' they were already on.
They definitely built back up from that point and the last 3rd of the setlist just completely slayed everyone. Legendary performance of Kashmir too!
You'll see......
Watched the TV version last night, actually did sound better than on the CD , but I did have the TV sound system all the way to 11.
Obviously 40 years past their prime but not too bad for a bunch of OAPs - anyway got to be better than a JLS/One Direction/otherrandomboybandcrap concert...
Obviously 40 years past their prime but not too bad for a bunch of OAPs - anyway got to be better than a JLS/One Direction/otherrandomboybandcrap concert...
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