Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti (50th Anniversary) (Atlantic)
Led Zeppelin – Live EP (Atlantic)
Anytime there’s unreleased Led Zeppelin music, that is certainly reason to get excited. This new 50th Anniversary of Physical Graffiti boasts the original, 2-LP set, a third, bonus disc of previously issued outtakes (we’ve already covered that here). The big fanfare is a bonus, 4-song EP, featuring a quartet of live performances, all of them previously unreleased. In fact, none of these songs have ever appeared in live form, except for their reunion show in 2007, Celebration Day.
Starting out side one is “In My Time of Dying,” which comes from a May 1975 stint at Earl’s Court in London, just months after Physical Graffiti hit stores. It’s a blistering version, marked by some killer slide work from guitarist Jimmy Page. The track begins with just Page and Robert Plant, before jumping into a ferocious, off-kilter beat, courtesy of drummer John Bonham. Plant gets the audience clapping as the song breaks down in the middle. The tempo does lag near the end, as if the guys kinda ran out of gas a little. It’s still a great version.
“Trampled Under Foot” also comes from Earl’s Court. John Paul Jones bangs on the clavinet, but this live version misses his bass (which he’s probably to cover, playing with his feet!). Plant’s vocals sound a little raspy. The tempo is considerably faster than the studio version. In fact, there are times when things seem to careen on the verge of falling apart in the middle, yet somehow they hold it together. The extended jam at the the end gives Page a chance to really rip a solo, while everyone else locks into a tight groove.
“Sick Again” and “Kashmir” come from five years later, in August 1979 at the Knebworth Festival. The audience is obviously much larger. The band sneers through “Sick Again,” Plant’s vocals treated with heavy echo. John Bonham’s drums are incredible on yet another insane beat.
“Kashmir” sounds larger than life in this setting. Somehow, they manage to even put a flange effect on Bonham’s drums. Plant offers up some great ad libs of the “ma ma ma ma ma” type, which are great. You could argue that the years of relentless touring and partying had taken away some of his growl, but there’s also a maturity that wasn’t present in the studio track. The song drags a little at the end, but is still fantastic.
It would be great to get more live Zeppelin material. A complete Earl’s Court or Knebworth would be great (one can always dream, right?).
Talking about this new, 50th anniversary LP set – the entire package faithfully reproduces the original, two-album set, complete with the crazy, die-cut cover (the windows are cut out, allowing you to make different images appear there, depending on which inner sleeve faces out). There’s also a bonus, promotional poster for the album, which will look great on your wall. Nice touch. An excellent way to celebrate this colossal album’s anniversary. —Tony Peters