A Song by Song Review of the Led Zeppelin Reunion Concert
59A Review of the 12/10/2007 Concert at the O2 Arena
12/10/2007 was the first time Led Zeppelin had played a full set together since the band broke up in 1980. The band reunited at the O2 Arena in London, England in front of a crowd of 20,000 fans.
The reunited Led Zeppelin consisted of singer Robert Plant, Guitarist Jimmy Page, Bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer Jason Bonham. Jason Bonham was replacing his father, the late John Bonham who was the original drummer for Led Zeppelin.
They open the set with "Good Times, Bad Times" a song from the first Led Zeppelin album. Unfortunately there was a feedback issue with Robert Plant's microphone.
The second song was a fully electric version of "Ramble On." The song is from Led Zeppelin II. The song was performed more electric than the album version and had more of a blues feel to it.
The third song was "Black Dog" from the fourth album. The song contained some improvised guitar solos from Jimmy Page. The song also had the audience participation in the "ah-ah" parts.
The fourth song was "In My Time of Dying." The song featured some outstanding slide guitar work from Jimmy Page. The feedback issue from Robert Plant's microphone sames to resolved. The duo of Page and Plant has some great call and response guitar vocal works in this song. The song is from "Physical Graffiti."
The next song was "For Your Life" off of the Presence Album. This was unique since it was the first time Led Zeppelin had play the song live. A treat for the 20,000 Zeppelin fans who were able to get tickets to the show.
The sixth song was "Trampled Underfoot" from "Physical Graffiti." John Paul Jones bass lines dominate this song. The band is in the grove for this song.
The seventh song is the blues gem "Since I've Been Loving You" from Led Zeppelin III. Again the call and response guitar vocals are highlights here. Jimmy Page is a fine blues guitarist and Robert Plant's vocals are great for the blues.
The eight song is "Dazed and Confused" from the first album. This is a long version of the song. Jimmy Page plays the guitar with a viola bow just like in the old days. The live song is quite a bit longer than the album version.
The ninth song is "Stairway to Heaven" the legendary song from Led Zeppelin's fourth album. No "does anybody remember laughter" line which was common during Led Zeppelin concerts in the 70's. The version at the O2 is pretty straight forward.
The tenth song is "The Song Remains The Same" from the album "Houses of the Holy." This song highlights Jason Bonham on drums.
The eleventh song of the night is "Misty Mountain Hop" from Led Zeppelin's fourth album. Before the song starts Robert Plant praises Jason Bonham, and Jason sings the start to "I Can't Quit You."
The twelve song of the night is "Kashmir" from the album "Physical Graffiti" was chosen for the set closing song. The song is a straight forward version no Egyptian Orchestras from the Page and Plant days. No P.Diddy version from Jimmy Page. A nine minute plus epic Led Zeppelin version of the song is what the band delivers.
The first encore was "Whole Lotta Love" from Led Zeppelin II. The song is complete with what sounds like Jimmy Page's Theremin treatment. It also includes a tease of the John Lee Hooker bit of the medleys the band would add into the live song in Zeppelin's heyday.
The concert is brought to an end with a performance of "Rock and Roll" from Led Zeppelin's fourth album. The song is a straight forward version of the song.
The concert was a triumphant return to the stage for Led Zeppelin. The reunion has started rumors of perhaps more Zeppelin concerts in the future or even a reunion world tour.
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djtphn1 says:
2 years ago
Alas, your favorite fan has come to visit you.....nice hub, I used to have all the Zepplin albums....I think my fav was Houses of the Holy....anyways, you must be a zepplin fan too....rock on!