Led Zeppelin (2003)

'Good morning Mum, I've recieved a package from Amazon, it will mean I'll be using the DVD player for the next five hours.' As I push Disc One into the player, my expectation is high and then, the hushed entrance of the band heralds their 1970 Albert Hall Gig. The quality is very high generally, though Moby Dick's extended drum solo and some of the medleys are a little tedious. It's quite interesting to see the pre-megastardom band, with Robert's dancing to the guitar solos, Jimmy's smug grins when he does something good, and Jones smiling when he's having a good time. It opens with 'We're Gonna Groove', which this version of has been previously featured ,with overdubs, on Led Zeppelin's Coda album. White Summer is notable because I've never heard it before being only available on the box set. It does contain Black Mountain Side from the first album in the playing so it's not entirely unfamiliar. Whole Lotta Love is good due to the lack of medleys, and C'mon Everybody makes it's first ever appearance as an encore. The rest of disc one is snippets of other performances, all low quality in terms of picture and sound, but the Danmarks Radio sessions are notable for the inclusion of Babe I'm Gonna Leave You, which is very poignant. Disc Two starts with Immigrant song, which is made of rushes from a show in Australia and sound from the 'How The West Was Won' cd box set. It's not very appealing due to mismatched sound and visuals. Then there are four songs from Madison Square Garden; Black Dog, which is basically the combination of the version from the film 'The Song Remains The Same' and some new clips of visuals and sound. The Same also happens with the version of 'Since I've Been Loving You' on this DVD. Misty Mountain Hop is performed to an average level though it's nice to see something new. The Ocean is actually very well performed, which begs the question why wasn't it on TSRTS? The Earls Court Footage is slightly differently filmed, with more closeups and a general neglect to show John Paul Jones on film. It begins with the acoustic set which isn't fantastically done, but is very personal and loose. In My Time Of Dying is the sole gem from the Earl's court gigs and is fantastic all the way through. Trampled Underfoot is a bit rushed and the sound is slightly dodgy, but the spirit is conveyed well. Stairway to Heaven is exempelary as usual, though I prefer the version on 'How The West Was Won'. The Knebworth Set comprises of perfect renditions of Rock and Roll, Achilles Last Stand, In The Evening and Kashmir, which are all better than their studio counterparts. Also, they play Nobody's Fault but mine which is brilliant apart from some slight timing near-misses and the sound of Jimmy's phaser pedal isn't as lush as on the original. Jimmy sweats like a pig throughout the performance, something you can't realize without the visuals. Whole Lotta Love closes the Knebworth set. Though I understand Jimmy's Theramin broke in the original performance, it aids the song, and it's for once without annoying medleys and overlong 'middle sections'. Also on the DVD are some amusing interviews and some promo videos to keep you occupied for hours. Good stuff.

Over the last two decades bands have come and gone. Countless thousands have debated who is the greatest rock band of all time. "Stop searching" this DVD release proves zeps claim beyond any further dispute. No one could fail to be moved by the shear power displayed in this concert footage. Being lucky enough to have seen this awesome display at Knebwoth in 79 I immediately skipped to that particular footage. I must explain that unlike many I loved the Song remains the same so I was not expecting great things from this remastered footage. The 50 minutes devoted to the Knebworth concert is simply breathtaking, the sound and picture quality is staggering like having them in your living room. Flipping back to disc one and 1970, over one and a half hours of material from an Albert Hall gig with the band looking unbelievably young. A fresh faced Percy Plant at times seems overawed with the venue his vocals soaring over the most incredible rhythm section in rock history. The classic combination of Bonzos drum detonations and JPJ's fluid subsonics could possibly invoke an unplanned bowel movement should you foolishly sit in close proximity to your sub-woofer.The Earls court footage showcases the acoustic section from the bands seventies set list. Once again the sound quality is crystal clear. The band clearly enjoy this section as do the audience whooping and hollering like a huge "hoe down" during Bron Yr Aur Stomp with Percy clapping along.Pleasantly surprised to see Bonzo doing backing vocals during this section. Up to this point I purposely haven’t mentioned Jimmy Page! Over the passing years it is easy to forget what makes a genuine guitar hero. This DVD release demonstrates just how good JP really was, skinny as a rake almost lost under huge hair and at one point wearing a "tank top" he effortlessly coaxes solos from his Les Paul that defy description. I honestly believe that young guitar players watching this footage now, will be responsible for a worldwide rock revival in the coming years. In conclusion: I have never felt compelled to submit a review before now. This release is beautifully packaged, reasonably priced and above all essential viewing. I urge any lover of classic rock to buy it now, slap it in the player, crank up the surround sound and relive those halcyon days when British rock ruled the planet and beer was less than a quid a pint enjoy.

Sound mix a little dubious at times, But it is as a historical archive and symbol of the group live performance that merit its purchase.

Led Zeppelin were the most definitive live rock and roll band Britain has ever produced. It is a shame that there is so little footage of the band but until Jimmy opens the vaults to has vast material this is what we have. From the early days and with the pedigree of the members, Zeppelin were always going to be big. The Albert Hall show in 1970 was when the band were really cooking. Although not the whole show (the band also played Heartbreaker and Thank You) it typifies the "tight but loose" ethic the band showed throughout their shows. To say the medleys and Bonzo's drum solo are a little tedious says to me the reviewer hasn't a clue. The band often would improvise and it shows just how good they were at it.It is often said that you could see Zeppelin 7 nights in a week and they would be always different. How Many More Times is just awesome and if there is any band who needs an explanation on what to do live - just watch & listen to the post violin bow section of Dazed & Confused. Bonzo would always play a solo, whether it would be Pat's Delight or Moby Dick. He was the best rock drummer and it shows.The final blast of Communication Breakdown, C'mon Everybody,Something Else and Bring It On Home with the crowd headbanging away is pure rock and roll. Considering this set is 35 years old and dosen't date says it all. Following the band through the 9 years is fascinating.From 1973(although Black Dog & Since I've Been Loving You are from The Song Remains The Same film) through to the legendary Earls Court gigs of 75 to the final UK shows at Knebworth is fantastic. The Knebworth material,taken mainly from the August 4th show and in superb quality is one of the big pluses of this DVD. Achilles Last Stand & Nobodys Fault But Mine are the highlights here and interesting to see how Whole Lotta Love changed over the years -I remember the gig to this day. Even the beer can melee at the beginning. And finally a rare treat in the extras: "The song Remains The Same" from the LA Forum, California on 21 June 1977 with Mike Millards famous audio audience recording. Just to see Pagey on his knees is worth the price alone!! A Must Buy

What can I add to the Zep Legend..was lucky enough to see them myself in the 70s..Some fab archive stuff here.. particularly the earls court 75 action

Long and very eagerly awaited. The package that many thought would never see the light of day. 'dvd' completely redresses the balance after the patchy Song Remains The Same, and the some-what un-atmospheric BBC sessions discs. Despite being 5+ hours in total, it leaves you wanting more! - where is the rest of Earls Court? What remains locked away from Knebworth? I would also have loved to see footage from the devastating 1977 USA tour What you do have though is truly inspirational - a 1970 version of the band full of energy, getting off on the amazing sound and chemistry they are generating. A 'middle-period' band cocky, self-assured and pushing the boundaries. And later footage - a triumphant, legendary concert from Knebworth with a super funked-up version of Whole-Lotta-Love as a personal favourite (long cherished on a awful sounding bootleg - now in glorious surround-sound!) The extras are well presented and serve as curious interludes to the concert/main features - Jimmy Page states in the liner notes that some of this footage was included to explain why Led Zeppelin shy-ed away from the TV - and indeed there are some surprising settings for the band on display - including an appearance on daytime French TV in front of an unamused audience of pensionné. There are some magical moments from Iceland too. Immigrant song is presented as a bootleg-like collage of images -if this was any longer than 5 minutes this section might have induced epilepsy! What they have achieved with 30 year old tape is quite stunning -only occasionally are you aware of any wear-and-tear i.e. during Knebworth. The Earls Court footage is pristine - the sight of a svelte dragon-outfitted Page holding aloft his double neck Gibson looks like film from the digital age, not an in-concert back projection transmission to aid the folk in the cheap seats. The sound throughout the 2 disc is truly enormous. I was lucky enough to watch the 2 hour edit of the dvd at my local Picture House in Oxford - when the band launch into We're Gonna Groove the effect is shocking, and the place physically rocks. I have personally waited for this collection for 15 years - others have waited far longer. They will not be disappointed!

Oh. My. God. If you've been waiting for this, you don't really need to read a review. Buy one. Buy ten. Buy a hundred and give them to strangers in the street. It's that good. The picture footage is amazingly clear and sharp - the restoration team have performed miracles to transfer some of the old film to digital - and the sound (mixed in 5.1 and DTS) is unearthly. Of course, there are a host of additional features (the total package is well over five hours) but you'll be lost in the music from the start. It's both thrilling and poignant to see such a legendary band, finally captured at the height of their powers and clearly having such a brilliant time. Disc 1 is almost 2 hours of footage from the Albert Hall in 1970. Disc 2 is a mixture of Madison Square Gardens, Earls Court and Knebworth concerts through the 70s. It's interesting to see how the band's bravura changed through the decade. By the end, it's not a question; these guys *knew* they were the biggest live band in the world. That attitude dominates these performances, both in the stadium wide angles and the tight close ups. For that reason Disc 2 is my favourite - Since You've Been Loving You is a masterclass in stadium rock, whilst Kashmir illustrates why the band couldn't survive John Bonham's death. Zeppelin are like Concorde. First flown in the late 1960s and unequalled in power and excitement by anything that's happened since. Fortunately, with this DVD, the Led Zeppelin live act will be in service for years to come. Fantastic!

If you like documentaries about bands that do not include musical performances this is for you.