Introduction:

It couldn't have been done better. The three glorious surviving old-timers and the mature son of the late drum leader of the Dirigible prepared well and performed as best as possible in this una tantum reentry held over ten years ago at London's O2 Arena. This, taking into account the deteriorated vocal cords of the then 59-year-old Plant, Page's moderate arthritis at almost 64, the human unreachability of father John for the still explosive Jason Bonham who at that time had crossed 41, and… that's it, because in the case of the nearly 62-year-old Jones of that period, no ailment or decadence can be highlighted.

Context:

Ameth Erthegun, the boss of the Atlantic record label who instantly believed in them in 1968 and made their fortune, had passed away the previous year: dedicating a tribute concert to him was, therefore, a good, excellent reason for such a challenging and significant reunion. In the past, the band had made a couple of (patchy) exceptions to the break they had wisely imposed on themselves after the unfortunate death of Bonham, and always in favor of exceptional events (the American megaconcert of Live Aid in 1985, the fortieth anniversary of the Atlantic label in 1988), but on this occasion, the noble desire to celebrate an important and esteemed person was adequately accompanied by conviction, sound, power, concentration, organization, a state of form suitable for the immense quality of the repertoire to be proposed again.

Strengths and weaknesses:

The Led Zeppelin sound that emanates from the powerful amplification system is the same, unchanged over time, superb: deep bass, pounding drums, guitar neither too clean nor too distorted, far from precise at the risk of being lifeless, but not uncertain. Page's guitar is… too right: this musician has always had the perfect style, sound, and soul for the music he intended to create in his fruitful youthful years. Endowed with good but not transcendental technique, with agility within the professional norm, what made him immensely peculiar is that mix of priceless sense of the piece and its arrangement dynamics. He is truly a guitarist-producer, self-producing as he plays, managing to be spontaneous while having everything under control: a born talent.

In excellent form then, this over-sixty Page, back to being slim and therefore at his ideal weight, even though no longer with the agility of youth that allowed him contortionist moves on stage obviously, after several years spent overweight (see the end-of-millennium concerts with the Black Crowes for reference). Without too many frills, he maneuvers his Gibsons, Gretsch for slide technique, Danelectro for the odd tuning needed for "Kashmir," playing everything there is to play, maybe a shred less pyrotechnic than before but always penetrating and effective.

John Paul Jones, as already mentioned, has not lost an ounce of musical exquisiteness with age. Like all great players, he has aged far better, and less, than the leading figures enjoying his services: zero show, a thousand substance; his bass lines and keyboards are impeccable and foundational.

Jason Bonham is a great hard rock drummer, although there are many others as good as him. Tested here in the concert of a lifetime in his mythical father's shoes, lost at the age of only twelve, he manages as best as possible, slapping his kit as if there were no tomorrow (and indeed there won't be, as this kermesse is a una tantum), having meticulously prepared what must be played, i.e., his father's exact parts, which he knows and plays since childhood. In the end, he makes a great figure and the audience gives him a big hand too, well-toned after more than two hours of major maneuvers at the Dirigible's heavy artillery.

The evident weak point of the record is the already mentioned frazzled, depowered, falsetto-lacking voice of Plant. Indispensable to the cause, namely the focal issue that such production should still be credited to Led Zeppelin, the old lion expertly navigates through the challenging vocal parts he had conceived in his youth, often resorting to lower keys, at times removing himself quickly from a high note instead of pushing it all the way, occasionally forcing the band to lower a song's original key, sometimes having the enraptured audience sing… in short, managing to save the day with his irreplaceable contribution. But it's a fact that he can no longer sing his decades-old repertoire.

We are at the end of our tether, or rather at the point of the café ammazza, he like so many other great rock screamers of the past, like Daltrey, Gillan… but clearly, better this half-service Plant than any other frontman at full strength and vocal extension. It is certain, indeed, that among the many peculiarities of the Dirigible, the style and vocal timbre are among the most important and fundamental, and the forced absence of father Bonham already digs an enormous hole, an abyss… Hence, at least in his case, the original vocalist's presence, equally indispensable, is preserved. Unfortunately, his vocal cords can no longer astonishingly push songs from the repertoire upward and forward. Still, at least they characterize them, making them instantly plausible, credible, enjoyable, Zeppelin-like. The youthful breath may be gone, but the distinctive style remains, always priceless.

Highlights of the album:

On the heady blows of the still young and vigorous family drummer, also an alcoholic like his father but… redeemed for his own good and health, a savory slice of the celebrated Zeppelin repertoire (sixteen songs, drawn from the just under a hundred of their career) is unfolded for one last live pass for the joy of the twenty-thousand attendees, and then for all of us listening to this double album.

The choice of "Good Times Bad Times" as the prologue comes as an immediate surprise. The first song of the first album, sure, so a sort of historical homage… The fact is that it was very soon abandoned by the group in live setlists, just after the release of the second album, which expanded and wonderfully elevated the repertoire with spectacular and alluring episodes. The rendition of this Zeppelin page at the O2 Arena is… correct: it's the first track, and the four musicians need to acclimate and warm up; the episode certainly is not among the night's most successful, but its emblematic and unexpected retrieval makes it symbolically important.

A quite similar narrative for the second track "Ramble On," for my money, among the career's brightest gems despite a constant, inexplicable sidelining in the band's concert history. That long, articulated bass line, that lingering and quiet clattering of guitars in the verses' full range, then turning up the volume to slam with power chords in the choruses (with the bass still magnificently pulling the cart with unparalleled punch and creativity), are, in my view, one of the absolute peaks of our band in terms of dynamics, personality, frothy supremacy. A pleasure to grasp this belated, conclusive live homage to this pearl, inevitably welcome and exhilarating to the max.

"In My Time of Dying" is lethal. Plant navigates it well, being part of the less shouty second career phase, and he performs it with his usual flair while the spotlights focus mainly on Page's dragged-out, dusty slide guitar performance on a magnificent white Gretsch White Falcon. The trio's performance in the extended, sparkling instrumental phase is invaluable: led by the very attentive and precise Bonham wrestling with many odd bars written in the score, the trio unearths the entire sequence of piercing and tremendously energetic riffs, which stretch this number to its usual near-twelve-minute duration, all well-deserved.

"Nobody’s Fault But Mine" is another challenging number but superbly suitable for live performance, with all its stop&gos marked by a more-than-ever protagonist drum. Here, Jimmy's art of bending time to his will and testing himself and his bandmates on a hard rock execution that needs to remain smooth, spirited, and determined amidst a thousand rhythmic oddities, is at its peak. The four old-timers do not falter and, well-prepared and warm, fire off these nearly seven minutes of this convoluted heavy blues without hesitation.

"Kashmir" is a war machine, probably the night's highlight. At a certain point, the implacable drum thuds, the enchanting staccato clattering of the Danelectro, the inflated synthesizer fanfares, the oriental and serpentine vocal melody create an impression of unmatched prestige, inexorability, and arrogance. It’s rock at its best: thunderous and insinuating, unsettling and satisfying.

The rest:

"Black Dog" suffers a bit in comparison to the original on the fourth studio album, lacking Plant's piercing and sharp voices, the chromatic richness of the studio arrangement.

"For Your Life" is a minor episode of "Presence" and the Zeppelin catalog, and remains so here. A debatable choice, as "Nobody’s…" already represents their sixth album, among others.

"Trampled Underfoot" is excellent, nothing to say. Page's performance is commendable, considering how all that funky hard clattering is quite… exhausting at his age.

"No Quarter" is… interminable, as well as admirable. It’s John Paul Jones' moment, as well as the celebration of the Zepps' dark side, the Fender Rhodes electric piano sound (here reproduced by a synthesizer), Page’s skillful swing on the electric guitar this time set to less abrasive and potent sounds.

"Since I've Been Loving You" is THE blues par excellence. There is nothing better in the world in the field of slow and atmospheric blues. However, the supreme performance on Led Zeppelin III is unapproachable, not only because of Plant’s means, who gets away with it remaining quite buttoned-up even in the otherwise dramatic and haunted last verse but also due to John's cannon shots that no other drum and cymbal hitter can replicate, including his son Jason.

"Dazed and Confused" is too right… maintained as is for the occasion at thirteen minutes, the ideal length. It's no longer the time to "stretch" it to over twenty-six, as happened in 1973 with the album "The Song Remains the Same," nor to forty as it happened on the most inspired and self-indulgent nights. Page doesn't overuse the violin bow, the central instrumental and choral part is still lush and captivating.

"Stairway to Heaven" is that, what can be said. Here, too, the studio-built version in 1970 is in the Empyrean, unreachable with its different guitars, the fabulous and exquisite footwork of John Bonham, the young Plant's voice strength. Not even in the golden years did the Zepps manage to improve it live, after all.

In the immediately following "The Song Remains the Same," Page slings over the mythical double-neck Gibson and unfolds the twelve-string tour de force that characterizes the song. When it's Plant's turn to sing, the feeling of inadequacy remains: this number should've stayed instrumental, the opening fanfare to the fifth album… Page shouldn’t have let his singer win! It's the least successful moment of the night.

"Misty Mountain Hop" is quite extensive compared to the original which opened the second side of the epoch-making Zoso, Untitled… or whatever the hell they called their fourth album. Beautiful, but I would have preferred another selection from the prolific list of the quartet’s masterpieces.

Here… the era rock’n’roll inserts further extending the historic "Whole Lotta Love" have never been my favorite. I think the band considered them to "stretch the broth" when the repertoire was still limited, but then never stopped including them. In my opinion, it was a mistake: "Whole…" is an unmatched shard of psychedelic hard rock, four minutes launched into the cosmos without taking a breath, without prisoners, with the most instinctive and inane text of all time, but who cares. In this occasion, the rendition of the song still lasts the usual many, too many minutes (nine), and, in my view, the middle variations dilute that dangerous, testosteronic, urgent, aggressive aura of this unparalleled rock beauty marked 1969. Amen.

"Rock’n’Roll" is the second and final encore after "…Lotta Love," and that's just right, certain songs are meant to open or close, not to be in the middle. Here Page is great and hops between the many guitar parts crafted and recorded in the studio original, ensuring plenty of instrumental fullness and “punch.” A nice goodbye… and if they had wanted to go on that night, people wouldn't have moved an inch even at the tenth encore, oh well.

Final Judgment:

Almost 120 minutes of Zeppelin music, for the last time captured in concert. It must, by necessity, be placed among the best live legacies of the British supergroup, certainly the best in terms of sound and recording (we're in 2008, and technology has advanced compared to the group’s seventies season). On the other hand, it cannot rival "cousins" like "How the West Was Won" (2003 album, recordings dating from 1972) and "BBC Sessions" (1997, recordings from 1969 to 1975), mainly because there the young Plant pumped like a siren, without restraints, liberating (and squandering, in a few years) the vocal cords beyond every limit. And then John Bonham was in the engine room, the rhythm machine every rock bassist and guitarist dream of being accompanied by.

Top marks, of course. There's also the film, the DVD, whatever you want to enjoy the event.

I was compelled to write these things by the only review on the subject already present on the site, exceedingly foolish, disrespectful, and ignorant.

Tracklist and Lyrics

01   Trampled Under Foot (06:19)

Greased and slicked down fine, groovy leather trim
I like the way you hold the road, mama, it ain't no sin

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love

Trouble-free transmission, puncture will explode
Mama, let me pump your gas, mama, let me do it all

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love

Dig that heavy metal underneath your hood
Baby, I could work all night, believe I've got the perfect tools

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love

A model built for comfort, really built with style
Specialist tradition, mama, let me feast my eyes

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love

Factory air-conditioned, heat begins to rise
Guaranteed to run for hours, mama it's a perfect size

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love

Groovin' on the freeway, gauge is on the red
Gun down on my gasoline, I believe I'm gonna crack a head.

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
I can't stop talkin' about...

Come to me for service every hundred miles
Baby, let me check your points, fix your overdrive

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love

Fully automatic, comes in any size
Makes me wonder what I did, before we synchronized

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love

Feather-light suspension, coils just couldn't hold
I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love

Oh, I can't stop talkin' about love.

02   Whole Lotta Love (07:26)

You need coolin'
Baby, I'm not foolin'
I'm gonna send you
Back to schoolin'
Way down inside honey, you need it
I'm gonna give you my love
I'm gonna give you my love

Oh, wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love

You've been learnin'
Baby, I been learnin'
All them good times, baby, baby
I've been yearnin'
Way way down inside, honey, you need it
I'm gonna give you my love
I'm gonna give you my love

Oh! Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love

I don't want, ah

Ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, ahh
Ah-ah, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, ah! No, no, no, no
Ah

Lord!
Lo-ooh-whoa-ooh-whoa-ooh-whoa-ooh-whoa!

You've been coolin'
Baby, I've been droolin'
All the good times, baby
I've been misusin'
Way way down inside
I'm gonna give you my love
I'm gonna give you every inch of my love
Gonna give you my love
Hey! Alright! Let's go!

Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love

Way down inside, woman, you need it
Lord!

My, my, my, my
My, my, my, my
Oh!
Shake for me, girl
I wanna be your back door man
Hey, oh, hey, oh, hey, oh
Oooh ahh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Ooh my, my babe

Keep it coolin' baby
A-keep it coolin' baby
A-keep it coolin' baby
Ah-keep it coolin' baby
Ahh, ahhh-hahhh-oh

03   For Your Life (06:40)

Well, well, oh, hoh, hoh
You said I was the only, with my lemon in your hand
Uh-oh, uh-oh-hoh
Exhibition is your habit, emotion second-hand
Uh-oh, uh-oh
Had to pull away to save me
Well, maybe next time around-a, oh

And she said
"Don'tcha want, a-don'tcha want cocaine, cocaine, cocaine"
Hadn't planned to, could not stand'a try it, fry it, ow
Now, now, now, now, yeah

Wooo-oooh-oooh-oooh-ooh-ooh
Heard a cry for mercy, uh, in the city of the damned-a
Uh-oh, baby, damn...
In the pits you go no lower, the next stop's underground
A-ho, how low underground
You wanna know, is it quite over
To fame it deals a losin' hand

And I said, "Didn't mean to, did not a-mean to fluff it
You didn't plan it, you overran it, aah-ha-ha-how, yeah"

Do you wanna, do you want, do ya, d-do
Do you, would you wanna
Do you wanna, do you wanna, do you, d-do
Do you, would you wanna

When you blow it, babe, you got to blow it right
Baby, if you fake it, mama, baby, fake with all your might
When you fake it, mama
please-a, a-fake it right for yourself, babe
When ya fa-fa-fa-fake it, baby
You're fakin' it for your life, for your life
for your life, for your life

Do you, do you, do you, do you, do you
Do you, would you wanna
Do you, do you, do you, do you, do you
Do you, would you wanna

Oh, like to help ya, baby
but I don't know what to do-ooh-ooh, yeah
Sometime, baby
Nothin' I can do-ooh-ooh, yeah

With the fine lines of the crystal payin' through your nose
And when they couldn't resist ya
I said, "Just go with the flow"
And now your stage is empty
Pull down the curtain, baby, please
Fold up your show

Hadn't planned to, could not stand to fry in it
I hadn't planned it, I overran it
Fry it for your life, for your life

04   Nobody's Fault But Mine (00:00)

05   Misty Mountain Hop (05:08)

Walking in the park just the other day, baby
What do you, what do you think I saw?
Crowds of people sittin' on the grass with flowers in their hair said
"Hey, boy, do you wanna score?"
And you know how it is
I really don't know what time it was, whoa-oh-oh
So I asked them if I could stay awhile

I didn't notice but it had got very dark and I was really
Really out of my mind
Just then a policeman stepped up to me asked us if "please, hey, would we care
To all get in line, get in line"
Well you know
They asked us to stay for tea and have some fun, whoa-oh-oh
He said that his friends would all drop by, ooh

Why don't you take a good look at yourself and describe what you see
And baby, baby, baby, do you like it?
There you sit, sittin' spare like a book on a shelf rustin'
Ah, not tryin' to fight it
You really don't care if they're comin', whoa-oh-oh
I know that it's all a state of mind, ooh

If you go down in the streets today, baby, you better
You better open your eyes, whoa-oh yeah
Folk down there really don't care, really don't care, don't care, really don't
Which, which way the pressure lies
So I've decided what I'm gonna do now
So I'm packin' my bags for the misty mountains, where the spirits go now
Over the hills where the spirits fly, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
I really don't know
I really don't know

06   Black Dog (00:00)

Hey, hey, mama, said the way you move
Gonna make you sweat
Gonna make you groove

Ah, ah, child, way you shake that thing
Gonna make you burn
Gonna make you sting

Hey, hey, baby, when you walk that way
Watch your honey drip
Can't keep away

Oh yeah, oh yeah, ah, ah, ah
Oh yeah, oh yeah, ah, ah, ah

I gotta roll, can't stand still
Got a flamin' heart, can't get my fill

Eyes that shine, burnin' red
Dreams of you all through my head

Ah ah, ah ah, ah ah, ah ah, ah ah, ah ah, ahhh

Hey baby, whoa baby, pretty baby
Darlin' makes 'em do me now
Hey baby, oh baby, pretty baby
Move me like you're doin' now

Didn't take too long 'fore I found out
What people mean by down and out

Spent my money, took my car
Started tellin' her friends she gonna be a star

I don't know, but I been told
A big-legged woman ain't got no soul

Oh yeah, oh yeah, ah, ah, ah
Oh yeah, oh yeah, ah, ah, ah

All I ask for, all I pray
A steady rollin' woman gonna come my way

Need a woman gonna hold my hand
Won't tell me no lies, make me a happy man

Ah ah, ah ah, ah ah, ah ah, ah ah, ah ah, ahhh

07   Kashmir (00:00)

Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream
I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been
To sit with elders of the gentle race, this world has seldom seen
They talk of days for which they sit and wait and all will be revealed

Talk and song from tongues of lilting grace, whose sounds caress my ear
But not a word I heard could I relate, the story was quite clear
Oh, oh.

Oh, I been blind... mama, there ain't no denyin'
I've been blind, ain't no denyin', no denyin'

All I see turns to brown, as the sun burns the ground
And my eyes fill with sand, as I scan this wasted land
Trying to find, trying to find where I've been.

Oh, pilot of the storm who leaves no trace, like thoughts inside a dream
Heed the path that led me to that place, yellow desert stream
My Shangri-La beneath the summer moon, I will return again
Sure as the dust that floats high in June, when movin' through Kashmir.

Oh, father of the four winds, fill my sails, across the sea of years
With no provision but an open face, along the straits of fear
Ohh.

When I'm on, when I'm on my way, yeah
When I see, when I see the way, you stay-yeah

Ooh, yeah-yeah, ooh, yeah-yeah, when I'm down...
Ooh, yeah-yeah, ooh, yeah-yeah, well I'm down, so down
Ooh, my baby, oooh, my baby, let me take you there

Let me take you there. Let me take you there

08   Kashmir (09:06)

Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream
I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been
To sit with elders of the gentle race, this world has seldom seen
They talk of days for which they sit and wait and all will be revealed

Talk and song from tongues of lilting grace, whose sounds caress my ear
But not a word I heard could I relate, the story was quite clear
Oh, oh.

Oh, I been blind... mama, there ain't no denyin'
I've been blind, ain't no denyin', no denyin'

All I see turns to brown, as the sun burns the ground
And my eyes fill with sand, as I scan this wasted land
Trying to find, trying to find where I've been.

Oh, pilot of the storm who leaves no trace, like thoughts inside a dream
Heed the path that led me to that place, yellow desert stream
My Shangri-La beneath the summer moon, I will return again
Sure as the dust that floats high in June, when movin' through Kashmir.

Oh, father of the four winds, fill my sails, across the sea of years
With no provision but an open face, along the straits of fear
Ohh.

When I'm on, when I'm on my way, yeah
When I see, when I see the way, you stay-yeah

Ooh, yeah-yeah, ooh, yeah-yeah, when I'm down...
Ooh, yeah-yeah, ooh, yeah-yeah, well I'm down, so down
Ooh, my baby, oooh, my baby, let me take you there

Let me take you there. Let me take you there

09   For Your Life (00:00)

Well, well, oh, hoh, hoh
You said I was the only, with my lemon in your hand
Uh-oh, uh-oh-hoh
Exhibition is your habit, emotion second-hand
Uh-oh, uh-oh
Had to pull away to save me
Well, maybe next time around-a, oh

And she said
"Don'tcha want, a-don'tcha want cocaine, cocaine, cocaine"
Hadn't planned to, could not stand'a try it, fry it, ow
Now, now, now, now, yeah

Wooo-oooh-oooh-oooh-ooh-ooh
Heard a cry for mercy, uh, in the city of the damned-a
Uh-oh, baby, damn...
In the pits you go no lower, the next stop's underground
A-ho, how low underground
You wanna know, is it quite over
To fame it deals a losin' hand

And I said, "Didn't mean to, did not a-mean to fluff it
You didn't plan it, you overran it, aah-ha-ha-how, yeah"

Do you wanna, do you want, do ya, d-do
Do you, would you wanna
Do you wanna, do you wanna, do you, d-do
Do you, would you wanna

When you blow it, babe, you got to blow it right
Baby, if you fake it, mama, baby, fake with all your might
When you fake it, mama
please-a, a-fake it right for yourself, babe
When ya fa-fa-fa-fake it, baby
You're fakin' it for your life, for your life
for your life, for your life

Do you, do you, do you, do you, do you
Do you, would you wanna
Do you, do you, do you, do you, do you
Do you, would you wanna

Oh, like to help ya, baby
but I don't know what to do-ooh-ooh, yeah
Sometime, baby
Nothin' I can do-ooh-ooh, yeah

With the fine lines of the crystal payin' through your nose
And when they couldn't resist ya
I said, "Just go with the flow"
And now your stage is empty
Pull down the curtain, baby, please
Fold up your show

Hadn't planned to, could not stand to fry in it
I hadn't planned it, I overran it
Fry it for your life, for your life

10   In My Time of Dying (11:10)

11   Rock and Roll (00:00)

It's been a long time since I rock and rolled
It's been a long time since I did the stroll
Ooh, let me get it back, let me get it back, let me get it back
Baby, where I come from
It's been a long time, been a long time
Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time, yes it has

It's been a long time since the book of love
I can't count the tears of a life with no love
Carry me back, carry me back, carry me back
Baby, where I come from, whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh
It's been a long time, been a long time
Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time

Oh, seems so long since we walked in the moonlight
Makin' vows that just can't work right
Ah yeah, open your arms, opens your arms, open your arms
Baby, let my love come running in, let it
It's been a long time, been a long time
Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time

It's been a long time, been a long time
Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time

12   Nobody’s Fault but Mine (06:43)

13   Stairway to Heaven (00:00)

There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold
And she's buying a stairway to heaven
When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for
Ooh ooh, and she's buying a stairway to heaven

There's a sign on the wall, but she wants to be sure
'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings
In a tree by the brook, there's a songbird who sings
Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven
Ooh, it makes me wonder
Ooh, it makes me wonder

There's a feeling I get when I look to the west
And my spirit is crying for leaving
In my thoughts I have seen rings of smoke through the trees
And the voices of those who stand looking
Ooh, it makes me wonder
Ooh, it really makes me wonder

And it's whispered that soon if we all call the tune
Then the piper will lead us to reason
And a new day will dawn for those who stand long
And the forests will echo with laughter

If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now
It's just a spring clean for the May queen
Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run
There's still time to change the road you're on
And it makes me wonder

Your head is humming and it won't go, in case you don't know
The piper's calling you to join him
Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow, and did you know
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind

And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our soul
There walks a lady we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How everything still turns to gold
And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last
When all are one and one is all
To be a rock and not to roll

And she's buying a stairway to heaven

14   The Song Remains the Same (00:00)

15   In My Time of Dying (00:00)

16   Ramble On (00:00)

Leaves are fallin' all around
It's time I was on my way
Thanks to you, I'm much obliged
For such a pleasant stay
But now it's time for me to go
The autumn moon lights my way
For now I smell the rain
And with it pain
And it's headed my way
Ah, sometimes I grow so tired
But I know I've got one thing I got to do

Ramble on
And now's the time, the time is now
To sing my song
I'm goin' 'round the world
I got to find my girl
On my way
I've been this way ten years to the day
Ramble on
Gotta find the queen of all my dreams

Got no time for spreadin' roots
The time has come to be gone
And though our health we drank a thousand times
It's time to ramble on

Ramble on
And now's the time, the time is now
To sing my song
I'm goin' 'round the world
I got to find my girl
On my way
I've been this way ten years to the day
I gotta ramble on
I gotta find the queen of all my dreams

I ain't tellin' no lie

Mine's a tale that can't be told
My freedom I hold dear
How years ago in days of old
When magic filled the air
T'was in the darkest depths of Mordor
I met a girl so fair
But Gollum and the evil one crept up
And slipped away with her, her, her, yeah
Ain't nothing I can do, no
I guess I'll keep on

Ramblin'
I'm gonna... sheyeah (Sing my song)
I gotta find my baby
I'm gonna ramble on, sing my song, gonna work my way, go around the world (Ramble on)
Baby, baby (Yeah)
Do do do (Baby) do do do, my baby (Ramble on, babe)
Do do do do do do do de do de do de do de do de, yeah, yeah (I can't stop that feeling anymore, everytime I think about my babe I think I got someone)
I gotta keep-a-searchin' for my baby
Baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby babe
Ooh, ma ma ma ma ma ma ma babe
Sheyeah, yeyeah, yeyeah, yeyeah, yeyeah, yeyeah, yeyeah, yeyeah
Ma ma ma ma ma ma baby
Ooh, I can't find my bluebird
I listen to my bluebird sing, but I can't find my bluebird

17   Whole Lotta Love (00:00)

You need coolin'
Baby, I'm not foolin'
I'm gonna send you
Back to schoolin'
Way down inside honey, you need it
I'm gonna give you my love
I'm gonna give you my love

Oh, wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love

You've been learnin'
Baby, I been learnin'
All them good times, baby, baby
I've been yearnin'
Way way down inside, honey, you need it
I'm gonna give you my love
I'm gonna give you my love

Oh! Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love

I don't want, ah

Ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, ahh
Ah-ah, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, ah! No, no, no, no
Ah

Lord!
Lo-ooh-whoa-ooh-whoa-ooh-whoa-ooh-whoa!

You've been coolin'
Baby, I've been droolin'
All the good times, baby
I've been misusin'
Way way down inside
I'm gonna give you my love
I'm gonna give you every inch of my love
Gonna give you my love
Hey! Alright! Let's go!

Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love

Way down inside, woman, you need it
Lord!

My, my, my, my
My, my, my, my
Oh!
Shake for me, girl
I wanna be your back door man
Hey, oh, hey, oh, hey, oh
Oooh ahh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Ooh my, my babe

Keep it coolin' baby
A-keep it coolin' baby
A-keep it coolin' baby
Ah-keep it coolin' baby
Ahh, ahhh-hahhh-oh

18   Stairway to Heaven (08:49)

There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold
And she's buying a stairway to heaven
When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for
Ooh ooh, and she's buying a stairway to heaven

There's a sign on the wall, but she wants to be sure
'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings
In a tree by the brook, there's a songbird who sings
Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven
Ooh, it makes me wonder
Ooh, it makes me wonder

There's a feeling I get when I look to the west
And my spirit is crying for leaving
In my thoughts I have seen rings of smoke through the trees
And the voices of those who stand looking
Ooh, it makes me wonder
Ooh, it really makes me wonder

And it's whispered that soon if we all call the tune
Then the piper will lead us to reason
And a new day will dawn for those who stand long
And the forests will echo with laughter

If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now
It's just a spring clean for the May queen
Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run
There's still time to change the road you're on
And it makes me wonder

Your head is humming and it won't go, in case you don't know
The piper's calling you to join him
Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow, and did you know
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind

And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our soul
There walks a lady we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How everything still turns to gold
And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last
When all are one and one is all
To be a rock and not to roll

And she's buying a stairway to heaven

19   Dazed and Confused (00:00)

Been dazed and confused for so long it's not true
Wanted a woman, never bargained for you
Lots of people talk and few of them know
Soul of a woman was created below, yeah

You hurt and abuse tellin' all of your lies
Run 'round sweet baby, Lord how they hypnotize
Sweet little baby, I don't know where you've been
Gonna love you baby, here I come again

Every day I work so hard, bringin' home my hard earned pay
Try to love you baby, but you push me away
Don't know where you're goin', only know just where you've been
Sweet little baby, I want you again

Ah ahh...
Oh yeah, alright
I don't want your lovin' this time yeah
Oh don't leave me so confused, ah
Ohh baby

Been dazed and confused for so long it's not true
Wanted a woman, never bargained for you
Take it easy baby, let them say what they will
Tongue wag so much when I send you the bill?
Oh yeah, alright

Oh oh...

20   Dazed and Confused (11:44)

Been dazed and confused for so long it's not true
Wanted a woman, never bargained for you
Lots of people talk and few of them know
Soul of a woman was created below, yeah

You hurt and abuse tellin' all of your lies
Run 'round sweet baby, Lord how they hypnotize
Sweet little baby, I don't know where you've been
Gonna love you baby, here I come again

Every day I work so hard, bringin' home my hard earned pay
Try to love you baby, but you push me away
Don't know where you're goin', only know just where you've been
Sweet little baby, I want you again

Ah ahh...
Oh yeah, alright
I don't want your lovin' this time yeah
Oh don't leave me so confused, ah
Ohh baby

Been dazed and confused for so long it's not true
Wanted a woman, never bargained for you
Take it easy baby, let them say what they will
Tongue wag so much when I send you the bill?
Oh yeah, alright

Oh oh...

21   The Song Remains the Same (05:46)

22   Good Times Bad Times (00:00)

23   Misty Mountain Hop (00:00)

Walking in the park just the other day, baby
What do you, what do you think I saw?
Crowds of people sittin' on the grass with flowers in their hair said
"Hey, boy, do you wanna score?"
And you know how it is
I really don't know what time it was, whoa-oh-oh
So I asked them if I could stay awhile

I didn't notice but it had got very dark and I was really
Really out of my mind
Just then a policeman stepped up to me asked us if "please, hey, would we care
To all get in line, get in line"
Well you know
They asked us to stay for tea and have some fun, whoa-oh-oh
He said that his friends would all drop by, ooh

Why don't you take a good look at yourself and describe what you see
And baby, baby, baby, do you like it?
There you sit, sittin' spare like a book on a shelf rustin'
Ah, not tryin' to fight it
You really don't care if they're comin', whoa-oh-oh
I know that it's all a state of mind, ooh

If you go down in the streets today, baby, you better
You better open your eyes, whoa-oh yeah
Folk down there really don't care, really don't care, don't care, really don't
Which, which way the pressure lies
So I've decided what I'm gonna do now
So I'm packin' my bags for the misty mountains, where the spirits go now
Over the hills where the spirits fly, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
I really don't know
I really don't know

24   Black Dog (05:53)

Hey, hey, mama, said the way you move
Gonna make you sweat
Gonna make you groove

Ah, ah, child, way you shake that thing
Gonna make you burn
Gonna make you sting

Hey, hey, baby, when you walk that way
Watch your honey drip
Can't keep away

Oh yeah, oh yeah, ah, ah, ah
Oh yeah, oh yeah, ah, ah, ah

I gotta roll, can't stand still
Got a flamin' heart, can't get my fill

Eyes that shine, burnin' red
Dreams of you all through my head

Ah ah, ah ah, ah ah, ah ah, ah ah, ah ah, ahhh

Hey baby, whoa baby, pretty baby
Darlin' makes 'em do me now
Hey baby, oh baby, pretty baby
Move me like you're doin' now

Didn't take too long 'fore I found out
What people mean by down and out

Spent my money, took my car
Started tellin' her friends she gonna be a star

I don't know, but I been told
A big-legged woman ain't got no soul

Oh yeah, oh yeah, ah, ah, ah
Oh yeah, oh yeah, ah, ah, ah

All I ask for, all I pray
A steady rollin' woman gonna come my way

Need a woman gonna hold my hand
Won't tell me no lies, make me a happy man

Ah ah, ah ah, ah ah, ah ah, ah ah, ah ah, ahhh

25   Rock and Roll (04:34)

It's been a long time since I rock and rolled
It's been a long time since I did the stroll
Ooh, let me get it back, let me get it back, let me get it back
Baby, where I come from
It's been a long time, been a long time
Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time, yes it has

It's been a long time since the book of love
I can't count the tears of a life with no love
Carry me back, carry me back, carry me back
Baby, where I come from, whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh
It's been a long time, been a long time
Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time

Oh, seems so long since we walked in the moonlight
Makin' vows that just can't work right
Ah yeah, open your arms, opens your arms, open your arms
Baby, let my love come running in, let it
It's been a long time, been a long time
Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time

It's been a long time, been a long time
Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time

26   Since I’ve Been Loving You (07:52)

27   No Quarter (09:21)

Close the door, put out the light
Know they won't be home tonight
The snow falls hard and don't you know
The winds of Thor are blowing cold

They're wearing steel that's bright and true
They carry news that must get through
They choose the path where no one goes
They hold no quarter
They hold no quarter

Walking side by side with death
The devil mocks their every step
The snow drives back the foot that's slow
The dogs of doom are howling more

They carry news that must get through
To build a dream for me and you
They choose the path that no one goes
They hold no quarter
They ask no quarter

They hold no quarter
They ask no quarter
They ask no quarter
They give no quarter

28   Trampled Under Foot (00:00)

Greased and slicked down fine, groovy leather trim
I like the way you hold the road, mama, it ain't no sin

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love

Trouble-free transmission, puncture will explode
Mama, let me pump your gas, mama, let me do it all

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love

Dig that heavy metal underneath your hood
Baby, I could work all night, believe I've got the perfect tools

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love

A model built for comfort, really built with style
Specialist tradition, mama, let me feast my eyes

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love

Factory air-conditioned, heat begins to rise
Guaranteed to run for hours, mama it's a perfect size

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love

Groovin' on the freeway, gauge is on the red
Gun down on my gasoline, I believe I'm gonna crack a head.

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
I can't stop talkin' about...

Come to me for service every hundred miles
Baby, let me check your points, fix your overdrive

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love

Fully automatic, comes in any size
Makes me wonder what I did, before we synchronized

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love

Feather-light suspension, coils just couldn't hold
I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors

Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love
Talkin' 'bout love

Oh, I can't stop talkin' about love.

29   Ramble On (05:44)

Leaves are fallin' all around
It's time I was on my way
Thanks to you, I'm much obliged
For such a pleasant stay
But now it's time for me to go
The autumn moon lights my way
For now I smell the rain
And with it pain
And it's headed my way
Ah, sometimes I grow so tired
But I know I've got one thing I got to do

Ramble on
And now's the time, the time is now
To sing my song
I'm goin' 'round the world
I got to find my girl
On my way
I've been this way ten years to the day
Ramble on
Gotta find the queen of all my dreams

Got no time for spreadin' roots
The time has come to be gone
And though our health we drank a thousand times
It's time to ramble on

Ramble on
And now's the time, the time is now
To sing my song
I'm goin' 'round the world
I got to find my girl
On my way
I've been this way ten years to the day
I gotta ramble on
I gotta find the queen of all my dreams

I ain't tellin' no lie

Mine's a tale that can't be told
My freedom I hold dear
How years ago in days of old
When magic filled the air
T'was in the darkest depths of Mordor
I met a girl so fair
But Gollum and the evil one crept up
And slipped away with her, her, her, yeah
Ain't nothing I can do, no
I guess I'll keep on

Ramblin'
I'm gonna... sheyeah (Sing my song)
I gotta find my baby
I'm gonna ramble on, sing my song, gonna work my way, go around the world (Ramble on)
Baby, baby (Yeah)
Do do do (Baby) do do do, my baby (Ramble on, babe)
Do do do do do do do de do de do de do de do de, yeah, yeah (I can't stop that feeling anymore, everytime I think about my babe I think I got someone)
I gotta keep-a-searchin' for my baby
Baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby babe
Ooh, ma ma ma ma ma ma ma babe
Sheyeah, yeyeah, yeyeah, yeyeah, yeyeah, yeyeah, yeyeah, yeyeah
Ma ma ma ma ma ma baby
Ooh, I can't find my bluebird
I listen to my bluebird sing, but I can't find my bluebird

30   Good Times Bad Times (03:11)

31   Since I've Been Loving You (00:00)

32   No Quarter (00:00)

Close the door, put out the light
Know they won't be home tonight
The snow falls hard and don't you know
The winds of Thor are blowing cold

They're wearing steel that's bright and true
They carry news that must get through
They choose the path where no one goes
They hold no quarter
They hold no quarter

Walking side by side with death
The devil mocks their every step
The snow drives back the foot that's slow
The dogs of doom are howling more

They carry news that must get through
To build a dream for me and you
They choose the path that no one goes
They hold no quarter
They ask no quarter

They hold no quarter
They ask no quarter
They ask no quarter
They give no quarter

Loading comments  slowly

Other reviews

By jonny testicolo

 This record is beautiful, a practically perfect concert without any hitch.

 Robert Plant confirms himself a true vocal ace, reproducing all the songs in the same exact original keys and with a vocal tone that in maturity has even improved.