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The eleventh US tour of Led Zeppelin is remembered by rock historians as a disastrous tour, concluded in the worst possible way, with the tragic death of the very young Karac Plat, only five years old.
It's certain that the post-Earl's Court period was not smooth sailing for the group, amidst accidents and substance abuse, but it's also true they never looked back, continuing on the challenging path of success during a time that wasn’t easy for bands like the Zeppelin. It’s also true that if 1977 rightfully belonged to the rising success of punk rock, Led Zeppelin ignored the media and the journalists’ petty stories in NME and Creem, to awe the States with massive sold-out concerts, months before the actual tour began.
Unfortunately, there are no official records (unlike the brief glimpses from 1975 and 1979 available on the 2003 official DVD) that can prove the power of most shows, leaving as always the challenging task to the much-loved/hated bootlegs.
While there are numerous audio testimonies, the video ones are indeed very rare. To date, it is known that some private videos are held in Page's archives. These are mostly low-quality footage taken from the large screen behind the band during concerts. Only one show has been rescued from oblivion and has been clandestinely copied on VHS and more recently on DVD for years. Among many, this one, simply titled "SEATTLE 1977," is the complete document of the massive show held at the Kingdome in Seattle, on July 17, 1977.
The audio and video quality is not excellent, just to be clear, but this extraordinary historical artifact provides the best demonstration of the band in their last days of glory on American soil. Unlike the previous tour, Robert's voice seems slightly pulled back together, particularly thanks to the setlist change that places The Song Remains The Same at the start and elevates Rock And Roll to the encore rank.
The singer, no longer forced to start full throttle, manages to slowly warm up his vocal cords, reaching (especially during the last part of the concert) the ecstatic peaks of the ninth US tour. The Song gives way to the hard Sick Again, Jimmy, in all white and with a Gibson hanging low, churns out note after note, delivering during Over The Hills And Far Away a superb solo. Since I’ve Been Loving You seems slower than its counterpart in the film based on the 1973 New York concerts, but always hypnotic. No Quarter, perhaps too long, with John Paul Jones intending to change the show’s atmosphere, moves skillfully from synthesizer to grand piano. Yet of great class. The acoustic set is fun and implausible at the same time. Jonesy on second voice on The Battle Of Evermore (with Bonzo on tambourine) unfortunately is not convincing.
John Bonham delivers one of the last versions of Moby Dick, renamed Over The Top, for which the opening riff is preferred from Out On The Tiles. Scruffy beard and a few extra pounds, but who would have stopped him anyway? Bonzo shows his usual agility and strength during this much-applauded performance.
The climax is reached in the final part of the show, with a surprising triple shot. Kashmir, which has now become a classic, is cheered by fans, as well as the incredibly fast Achilles Last Stand, for which Jimmy does his part with a knockout solo.
Great performances, but they do not match the magic of the evening's highlight, one of the best Stairway ever. Robert interprets the text with his usual solemnity, while Jimmy Page, with his double-neck guitar, performs a musical miracle. The success undoubtedly lies in the strong artistic bond with Bonzo, who accompanies the guitarist’s adventures through various and complicated improvisations. A version not far from the splendid Stairway officially released on DVD in 2003, i.e., Earl’s Court on May 25, 1975.
What makes this bootleg version more surprising is precisely the tug of war between Page and Bonham; the two leave and rejoin each other, accompanied by Jones’s grand piano, making the piece even more epic. Robert’s finale is among his best after '73.
The encores, short but intense, consist of a taste of Whole Lotta Love giving way to a fiery Rock And Roll; needless to say, Robert Plant is phenomenal.
The concert was certainly not perfect (often between songs, Robert coughs and can be seen drinking his beloved honey tea), Jimmy is unpredictable as usual in these latter years of the band, but in this case, to his credit, he doesn’t miss a beat.
The DVD is recommended for true fans of the band, those who still crave more of the Zeppelin beyond the hills despite loving the 2003 DVD and all its treats.
Tracklist and Lyrics
04 Sick Again (00:00)
From the window of your rented limousine, I saw your pretty blue eyes
One day soon you're gonna reach sixteen, Painted lady in the city of lies.
Oh, do you know my name? Do I look the same
You know I'm the one you want. I must be the one you need, yeah
Clutching pages from your teenage dream In the lobby of the Hotel Paradise
Through the circus of the L.A. queens. How fast your learn the downhill side
Oh, do you know my name? Do I look the same
You know I'm the one you want. I must be the one you need,.
Lips like cherries and the brow of a queen, Come on, flash it in my eyes
Said you dug me since you were thirteen,Then you giggle as you heave and sigh.
Oh, do you know my name? Do I look the same
You know I'm the one you want. I must be the one you need.
Hours, hours, and the moments in between, Oh, baby, I couldn't count the times
the fun of comin', oh the pain in leavin', Baby, dry those silver eyes
Oh, do you know my name? Do I look the same
You know I'm the one you want. I must be the one you need,
Ooh, that's right.
06 Over The Hills And Far Away (00:00)
Hey lady
You got the love I need
Maybe more than enough
Oh, darlin', darlin', darlin'
Walk a while with me
Ohh, you've got so much
So much
So much
Many have I loved
Many times been bitten
Many times I've gazed along the open road
Many times I've lied
And many times I've listened
Many times I've wondered how much there is to know
Many dreams come true
And some have silver linings
I live for my dream and a pocketful of gold
Mellow is the man
Who knows what he's been missing
Many many men can't see the open road
Many is a word that only leaves you guessing
Guessing 'bout a thing you really ought to know, ohh ohh ohh ohh
Really ought to know, ohh ohh
I really ought to know
08 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
10 The Battle Of Evermore (00:00)
The queen of light took her bow
And then she turned to go
The prince of peace embraced the gloom
And walked the night alone
Ooh, dance in the dark of night
Sing to the morning light
The dark lord rides in force tonight
And time will tell us all
Oh, throw down your plow and hoe
Rest not to lock your homes
Side by side we wait the might
Of the darkest of them all
I hear the horses' thunder
Down in the valley below
I'm waiting for the angels of Avalon
Waiting for the eastern glow
The apples of the valley hold
The seeds of happiness
The ground is rich from tender care
Repay, do not forget, no, no
Oh, dance in the dark of night
Sing to the morning light
The apples turn to brown and black
The tyrant's face is red
Oh the war is common cry
Pick up your swords and fly
The sky is filled with good and bad
That mortals never know, oh, now
Oh well, the night is long
The beads of time pass slow
Tired eyes on the sunrise
Waiting for the eastern glow
The pain of war cannot exceed
The woe of aftermath
The drums will shake the castle wall
The ringwraiths ride in black, ride on
Sing as you raise your bow
Shoot straighter than before
No comfort has the fire at night
That lights the face so cold
Oh, dance in the dark of night
Sing to the morning light
The magic runes are writ in gold
To bring the balance back, bring it back
At last the sun is shining
The clouds of blue roll by
With flames from the dragon of darkness
The sunlight blinds his eyes
Bring it back, bring it back
Bring it back, bring it back
Bring it back, bring it back
Bring it back, bring it back
Oh now, oh now, oh now, ahh
Oh now, oh now, oh now
Bring it back, bring it back
Bring it back, bring it back
Whoa now, oh now, oh now, qhoa
Whoa now, oh now, oh now
Bring it, bring it, bring it, bring it
Bring it, bring it, bring it
Bring it, bring it, bring it
Bring it, bring ahhh
11 Going To California (00:00)
Spent my days with a woman unkind
Smoked my stuff and drank all my wine
Made up my mind to make a new start
Goin' to California with an achin' in my heart
Someone told me there's a girl out there
With love in her eyes and flowers in her hair
Took my chances on a big jet plane
Never let them tell you that they're all the same
Oh, the sea was red and the sky was grey
Wondered how tomorrow could ever follow today
The mountains and the canyons started to tremble and shake
As the children of the sun began to awake
Watch out
Seems that the wrath of the Gods got a punch on the nose
And it started to flow, I think I might be sinkin'
Throw me a line, if I reach it in time
I'll meet you up there where the path runs straight and high
To find a queen without a king
They say she plays guitar and cries and sings, la la la la la
Ride a white mare in the footsteps of dawn
Tryin' to find a woman who's never, never, never been born
Standin' on a hill in my mountain of dreams
Telling myself it's not as hard, hard, hard as it seems
14 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
17 Achilles Last Stand (00:00)
It was an April morning when they told us we should go.
As I turned to you, you smiled at me; how could we say no?
Whoa, the fun to have! To live the dreams we always had.
Whoa, the songs to sing! When we at last return again.
Sending off a glancing kiss to those who claim they know
Below the streets that steam and hiss, the devil's in his home.
Whoa, to sail away! Sandy lands and other days.
Whoa, to touch the dream! That hides inside and is never seen, yeah.
Into the sun of south and north at last the birds have flown.
The shackles of commitment fell in pieces on the ground.
Whoa, to ride the wind! To tread the air above the din.
Whoa, to laugh aloud! Dancing high above the crowd.
Seek the man whose pointing hand the giant step unfolds.
With guidance from the curving path that churns up into stone!
If one bell should ring, celebration for a king.
So fast the heart should beat, as proud the head with heavy feet, yeah.
[Solo]
Days went by when you and I made an eternal summer's glow
As far away and distant, our mutual time to grow.
Whoa, the sweet refrain! It soothes the soul and calms the pain.
Oh, Albion remains! Sleeping now to rise again.
Wandering the wanderings. What place to rest the search?
Where the mighty arms of Atlas hold the heavens from the earth!
Where the mighty arms of Atlas hold the heavens from the earth!
From the earth!
I know the way, know the way, know the way, know the way.
I know the way, know the way, know the way, know the way.
Where the mighty arms of Atlas hold the heavens from the earth!
18 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
19 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
20 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
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