Back in the '70s, there was one absolute constant on rock radio (stoned DJs excepted): Led Zeppelin. It seemed impossible that an hour could go by without hearing one of the following: "Communication Breakdown," "Dazed and Confused," "Heartbreaker" (which always went into "Living Loving Maid"), "Whole Lotta Love," "Black Dog," "Rock and Roll," or "Stairway To Heaven."
On into the '80s, the band's radio popularity would remain strong. Sure, it can be argued that this was part of what made some of us burn out on what became known as "classic rock." That didn't change the fact that most of us had copies of all of Zeppelin's albums, and that we'd reflexively crank the volume when one of the songs came on the radio.
Ah, but did everybody own The Song Remains The Same? No. Some folks just don't care for live albums. Other folks, having heard their friends' copies, or maybe having actually seen the accompanying film, were less than impressed. I never saw the film back in the day, but I'd definitely borrowed (Uh oh, did I just type an RIAA keyword? I admit it, I swiped food right off Page and Plant's dinner table.) the album and was not thrilled with the performance and the muddy sound. Wasn't Zeppelin supposed to be the world's greatest rock band? Man, they sure seemed tired.
So, all of these years later, how does a remastering job manage to kickstart the performance? I bought the reissue yesterday and listened to it late last night. Okay, the level of play might not reach the heights of How The West Was Won but it still seems to have way, way more energy than I expected. Also nice to hear all of the tunes that they left off of the original soundtrack LP. Oooh yeah, I had to crank that iPod volume just a little!
In just a few moments, me and TheWife™ are going to jump into the Jeep and head to the coast of Maine for the weekend. Both of us worked the week of Christmas and have had this week off. Now is the time to really celebrate the new year — with some seafood, books, and much quiet.
Oh, and maybe a little blistering hard rock straight from the heart of 1973.
Happy New Year, everybody.
Article comments
1 - Connie Phillips
Happy New Year to you too, Mark. Enjoy the weekend away with your wife.
Thanks for the little walk down memory lane. Reading this reminded me of when I was introduced to Zeppelin and the guy on my college debate team who was the huge fan.
I think this is one reissue I need to check out.
2 - Miss Music Nerd
Mr. Miss Music Nerd is a HUGE Led Zep fan, so I'll be sure to bring this to his attention!
Enjoy your coastal vacay! :)
3 - Tom Johnson
I'm pretty much feeling the same way, Mark. This is way, way better than I remember it being. In fact, I actually like the loose performance that I had called sloppy in the old version. Is it the remastering or just me maturing that has changed my perception?
Speaking of the radio-staple that Zeppelin is, I got my wife an XM radio for her car for Christmas. One of the stations is - I kid not - all Led Zeppelin, all the time. And that, really, is kind of awesome. Nothing else on? Turn on the Zep channel.
4 - El Bicho
I am looking forward to checking this out. I got a boot of the London show and it sounded better than I expected.
5 - Josh Hathaway
I could have sworn I left a comment on this yesterday. Allow me to correct that now.
I was supposed to get a copy of this but it never arrived, so I bought one yesterday and will be cranking it up in just a few minutes. I haven't listened to the original version of it in 10 years or more, so I can't wait to find out what I think of this incarnation.
6 - Paul Roy
I've been watching the new remastered DVD for the past week and just like with the Led Zeppelin DVD, the remixed and remastered audio tracks sound incredible. The DTS track is especially powerful, rivaling any of the brand new DTS concert DVDs I own. Jimmy Page is a master. And, oh, how it brought me right back to the first time I watched it in a big movie theater in high school.
7 - bobby
For many years I heard that Led Zeppelin were the greatest rock band of all time and to not, therefore, judge them soley on the mediocre TSRTS movie and soundtrack. Well I recently bought the newly remastered movie and soundtrack, all I can say is that if this is mediocre by Zeppelin standards, then Led Zeppelin's mediocre is far better than virtually anyone else's best. I plan on acquiring some Zep boot's from the very early 70's that I'm told run rings around even 'How The West Was Won' concerts. Enjoy your trip...
8 - Mark Saleski
yeah, this is really weird. i just know that i thought this was weak back in the day. it's not really quite up to the "how the west.." performance, but it's still very good.
9 - Tom Johnson
I think this just says that we're going to have to say that Zeppelin had two sides - one was the ferocious monster that West displays and the other, the looser, weirder, somewhat wilder one is here on Song Remains. I'm happy to relegate my old feelings toward this as simply being young and dumb, not to mention a terrible mix. The new mix and remaster have done wonders to this show, plain and simple. It's a beast.