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Rating:
THE REVIEW
Exceptional!!!
There is nothing else to say about this CD prepared by Atlantic from two concerts in the now distant 1972 in Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Meanwhile, the superb recording quality further highlights the thrilling technical level of the four musicians, with Robert Plant having an incredible voice, Jimmy Page with a guitar that sounds like a machine gun, the usual precision of John Paul Jones on the bass, and a monstrous John "Bonzo" Bonham on the drums (for enthusiasts of this instrument, the 19 minutes and 20 seconds of "Moby Dick" are a must-listen).
The classics from the band's early period are of course all mentioned, even with diversions into other pieces, such as in "Dazed and Confused" which also includes "Walter’s Walk" and "The Crunge", or in "Whole Lotta Love", another classic, which contains inserts from pieces by John Lee Hooker, Gene Pitney (!!!) and other rock-blues tracks.
Anyway, let's get into a more detailed description.
The first CD opens with "Immigrant Song", perfectly tense as expected, followed by a superb "Heartbreaker". In "Black Dog" Robert Plant's voice reaches one of its peaks, followed by "Over The Hills And Far Away". "Stairway to Heaven" is perhaps even preferable to the original, while "Goin' to California" (the song Pearl Jam was accused of plagiarizing with "Given to Fly") has a sweet yet majestic flow. "That’s the Way" and "Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp" close the first CD.
The second disc opens with the aforementioned "Dazed and Confused", which magnificently fills almost half an hour of our time, while "What Is And What Should Never Be" and "Dancing Days" are two great tracks, performed here in standard versions. Then there is the incredible performance by Bonham in "Moby Dick" (in the 19 minutes and twenty seconds of the piece, at least a quarter of an hour is occupied solely by his drumming).
The third CD: first "Whole Lotta Love", then the timeless "Rock and Roll", and finally concluding on the note of the highest hard-rock-blues with "The Ocean" and a cover of Willie Dixon, "Bring It On Home".
To be listened to at full volume, because such music cannot be listened to in the background.
To be introduced to the younger generation, because those who listen to Pearl Jam, Phish, and Black Crowes today must know who the Led Zeppelin were and what they represented.
Exceptional!!!
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Summary by Bot
This review praises Led Zeppelin's live album 'How The West Was Won' for its outstanding sound quality and powerful performances from all band members. It highlights key tracks like 'Moby Dick' and 'Stairway to Heaven' and emphasizes the album's significance for both longtime fans and new listeners. Described as a must-listen with an exceptional energy that demands full attention, the album captures the raw power of Zeppelin's 1972 concerts.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in 1968 by Jimmy Page with Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham. They became one of the most influential rock groups of the late 1960s and 1970s; the band disbanded after John Bonham's death in 1980.109 Reviews
Other reviews
By jk
Far surpassing the previous official live album "The Song Remains The Same," this triple offering provides us with a perfect synthesis of our beloved Led Zeppelin at their best.
Every time they are considered defunct (artistically speaking, of course), our guys return to show us once again WHO ROCKS!!!
By glitch
The concert was used as a testing and experimentation ground, leading the music to constant evolution.
How The West Was Won is destined to enter the history of the best live rock albums, succeeding where The Song Remains The Same failed.
By paloz
These 18 tracks are nothing short of extraordinary!!! Almost three hours of magic signed by Zeppelin.
If we want to sum it up, we can safely say that nothing like this live performance has been seen since the 1976 film/concert.
By Cimbarello132
Led Zeppelin are considered one of the greatest live bands of all time, and listening to this triple album one will understand why.
This triple album represents the essence of the group, what they were and can never repeat again.
By claudio carpentieri
An unmissable opportunity to take a sonic ride into a past turned history and understand how four young Englishmen came … To Conquer the West!
The album showcases a full yet essential sound, far removed from the nights at Madison Square Garden, clearly thanking the U.S.A. for its recognition.
