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HOW THE WEST WAS WON REMASTERED RELEASE – OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT /LZ NEWS/ LED ZEPPELIN JANUARY 1975 SNAPSHOT/JIM RODFORD RIP/DAVID ‘KID’ JENSEN-NEIL DIAMOND /DL DIARY BLOG UPDATE

24 January 2018 3,059 views 10 Comments

 

TBL Celebrates Led Zeppelin at 50…

LED ZEPPELIN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT 3pm – WEDNESDAY – JANUARY 24, 2018: 

LED ZEPPELIN

Live Album How The West Was Won 

To Be Reissued With New Remastering Supervised By Jimmy Page 

Including The Album’s Debut Release On Vinyl And Blu-ray Audio, 

Along With Super Deluxe Boxed Set, CD, And Digital Versions

 On September 7, 1968, John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, and Robert Plant first took the stage together in Gladsaxe, Denmark. Then billed as “The New Yardbirds,” the band would assemble in the studio for the first time later that month to start recording their debut album as Led Zeppelin, and rock ‘n’ roll would never be the same again.

Before the band’s 50th Anniversary celebration officially begins in September, Led Zeppelin will continue their reissue campaign with a new edition of their celebrated live album How The West Was Won, originally released in 2003, featuring newly remastered audio, which was done under the supervision of Jimmy Page. Details of additional Led Zeppelin 50th Anniversary releases and events will be announced later this year.

HOW THE WEST WAS WON will be released on March 23 in multiple formats from Atlantic/Swan Song, including the first ever vinyl and Blu-ray Audio editions (with the Blu-ray containing hi-res 5.1 surround sound).

  • CD – Remastered audio on three CDs.
  • Vinyl – Remastered audio on four 180-gram vinyl LPs.
  • Blu-Ray Audio – 96kHz/24 bit 5.1 (DTS-HD Master Audio Surround) and stereo mixes (PCM Stereo and DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo).
  • Streaming & Digital Download – Remastered audio.

Super Deluxe Boxed Set

o   Remastered audio on three CDs and four 180-gram vinyl LPs.

o   DVD of album in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround and PCM Stereo, plus photo gallery.

o   High-def download card of all stereo audio content at 96kHz/24 bit.

o   A book filled with rare and previously unpublished photos of the band at each of the concert locations, plus memorabilia and ephemera.

o   High-quality print of the original album cover, the first 30,000 of which will be individually numbered.

 HOW THE WEST WAS WON highlights the best performances from Led Zeppelin’s legendary concerts at the Los Angeles Forum and Long Beach Arena on June 25 and 27, 1972. Melded together and sequenced to replicate a single concert from beginning to end, the three-CD and four-LP collections capture the band at the height of its formidable powers. Standouts include a 25-plus minute version of “Dazed And Confused” and a 21-minute medley based around “Whole Lotta Love.” The performances also capture the band introducing songs from its then-unreleased album Houses Of The Holy, which would be released nine months later.

Pic by Neal Preston

So there we have it…step one on the 5oth Anniversary trail…

I’ve always felt that the How The West Was Won album somewhat slipped under the radar when it was initially released at the same time as the five hour official DVD back in May 2003. The focus back then was more on the merits of so much unseen footage -it was all a bit too much to take in. So this stand alone release of what might be described as the great lost live Zep  album will bring renewed attention to an amazing recording.

The time is absolutely ripe for a re assessment of this expansive live set – and what better way to do that than in this newly remastered edition on vinyl for the first time. This much welcomed 4 LP record release will be a throwback to the era of great live albums such as The Who Live At Leeds, Frampton Comes Alive, Wings Over America, ELP’s Welcome Back My Friends, Thin Lizzy’s Live And Dangerous etc.

This is Led Zeppelin live on stage captured during a hugely creative period. For many fans this is one of the last genuine live remnants of the band when it really was all about the music and nothing else.

Get ready to soak it all up in 61 days time…the countdown is on…

Dave Lewis – January 24, 2018

…………………………………

Led Zeppelin News Update:

In conjunction with the Led Zep news site, each week I will be re- producing highlights from their weekly email update news summary. This goes out every Sunday. Sign up details are below. Many thanks to James Cook.

Led Zeppelin

Robert Plant

Robert Plant and interviewer Dan Rather. (AXS TV)

Jason Bonham

Upcoming events:

January 25 – Signed prints of the Led Zeppelin III cover will be sold at auction in the UK.
January 28 – The exhibition at Proud Central in London that includes photos of Led Zeppelin will close, as will Stephanie Ledgin’s exhibition in New Jersey that includes a photo of John Paul Jones.
January 31 – Robert Plant’s 2016 Festival of Disruption show will be released on Blu-ray and DVD in Japan and pre-orders end for “Led Zeppelin Live Times.”
February/March – New Led Zeppelin photo book “Led Zeppelin Live Times” will be released.
February 1 – Robert Plant will perform at the UK Americana Awards in London.
February 3 – Robert M. Knight’s exhibition “Rock Gods” closes in Los Angeles.
February 9 – Robert Plant will perform in Raleigh, North Carolina and the DVD of Plant’s 2016 Festival of Disruption show will be released in the US and Europe.
February 11 – Robert Plant will perform in Charlotte, North Carolina.
February 12 – Robert Plant will perform in Norfolk, Virginia.
February 14 – Robert Plant will perform in New York.
February 16 – Robert Plant will perform in Boston, Massachusetts.
February 17 – Robert Plant will perform in Toronto, Ontario.
February 20 – Robert Plant will perform in Chicago, Illinois.
February 22 – Robert Plant will perform in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
February 24 – Robert Plant will perform in Denver, Colorado.
February 26 – Robert Plant will perform in Phoenix, Arizona.
February 28 – Robert Plant will perform in Oakland, California.
March 2 – Robert Plant will perform in Los Angeles, California.
March 13 – Robert Plant will be interviewed on “The Big Interview with Dan Rather” on AXS TV at 9pm ET.
March 23 – Robert Plant will perform in Sydney, Australia.
March 26 – Robert Plant will perform in Sydney, Australia.
March 27 – Robert Plant will perform in Sydney, Australia.
March 30 – Robert Plant will perform at the Byron Bay Bluesfest in Australia.
April 1 – Robert Plant will perform in Melbourne, Australia.
April 2 – Robert Plant will perform in Melbourne, Australia.
April 5 – Robert Plant will perform in Adelaide, Australia.
April 8 – Robert Plant will perform in Perth, Australia.
May 26 – Robert Plant will perform at the Bearded Theory Spring Gathering Festival in the UK.
May 27 – Robert Plant will perform at the Bath Festivals in Bath, UK.
May 31 – The statue of John Bonham in Redditch is planned to be unveiled.
July 22 – Robert Plant will perform at the Vielles Charrues Festival in Carhaix, France.
July 23 – Robert Plant will perform in Paris, France.
July 25 – Robert Plant will perform at the Festival de Carcassonne in France.
July 29 – Robert Plant will perform at the Stimmen Festival in Lörrach, Germany.
July 31 – Robert Plant will perform in Prague, Czech Republic.
August 1 – Robert Plant will perform in Dresden, Germany.

Many thanks to James Cook

The complete Led Zeppelin News email goes out every weekend. To receive it each week sign up here:http://tinyletter.com/LedZepNews

Led Zeppelin News Website: Check out the Led Zeppelin news website at

http://ledzepnews.com/

……………………………………………

TBL Archive Special: 

TBL Led Zep 1975 Snapshot: Number Two

Snapshot Notes:
MONDAY JANUARY 20th, 1975
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
CHICAGO STADIUM

Set: Rock And Roll/Sick Again/Over The Hills And Far Away/When The Levee Breaks/The Song Remains The Same/The Rain Song/Kashmir/The Wanton Song/No Quarter/In My Time Of Dying/Trampled Underfoot/Moby Dick/How Many More Times/Stairway To Heaven/Whole Lotta Love – Black Dog/Communication Breakdown.

Robert ‘s flue is now in full effect and Jimmy is struggling with an injured finger. How Many More Times’ was recalled to the set to allow space for guitar improvisation. As Page told Chris Charlesworth of Melody Maker: “We’ve had to cut ‘Dazed And Confused’ from the set and substitute ‘How Many More Times’ which we haven’t played for four years. I’m still doing the violin bow routine but we’ve had to alter even that and I can’t do it as well as I’d like to. I can tell it’s not as good as it usually is but the audience don’t seem to notice.

In addition to these problems, the sound system was a little defective, ensuring that press reviews were not all entirely favourable.
“Led Zeppelin: malfunctions reduce power,” reported Al Rudis: “Led Zeppelin is alive, but not well. Robert Plant’s ‘flu-ridden voice hurt the British band in its concert Monday. Jimmy Page was nursing a broken finger too. What was worst of all was the old bugaboo of rock and roll: defective sound equipment. In Zeppelin’s case, it’s understandable that the group wouldn’t want to be burdened with maintaining its own sound system if it only tours every year and a half; but they’re the ones who rented the system used Monday night, so they must be held responsible.”

“Kinky Led Zeppelin still king of the funky,” wrote Jack Hafferkamp: “For its part, the band played a new variation on its standard heavy-heavy, super-loud, bare-chested, Victorian decadent, fingernail polish and lipstick, kiss-me-because-I’m-really-funky, cartoon performance. Two hours worth.
“Still there were a few surprises. My companion, for example, noted she owns a blouse just like the one Robert Plant was wearing. John Bonham played what must have been the longest drum solo in the history of mankind. And Plant revealed over, and over, and over again that he has the flu. He said that almost as many times as he mentioned the title of the band’s new record. In fact, I think the final score was New Record 8, Flu 5.”

chicago tick

TUESDAY JANUARY 21st, 1975
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
CHICAGO STADIUM
Set: Rock And Roll/Sick Again/Over The Hills And Far Away/When The Levee Breaks/The Song Remains The Same/The Rain Song/Kashmir/The Wanton Song/No Quarter/In My Time Of Dying/Trampled Underfoot/Moby Dick/How Many More Times/Stairway To Heaven/Whole Lotta Love – Black Dog/Communication Breakdown.

The second night in Chicago was a marked improvement, as Lisa Robinson famously reported: “Fifteen seconds onstage and everyone knows it’s going to be HOT. They’ve been truly depressed and confused all day about the first Chicago show. No matter, tonight they’re playing with that old black Zeppelin magic again, and the audience go wild. It sounds as if The Beatles battled the Stones in a parking lot – and Zeppelin won!”

Snapshot Listen – how it sounded today:

Led Zeppelin Live On The Levee (Silver Rarities)

The January 21st Chicago show is available on various CD releases – It’s actually made up of mainly the 20th night with fourteen minutes from the 21st. I have it on the Silver Rarities purchased from the Victoria Record Fair in the early 90s. The tape is a fairly clear if noisy audience recording but suffers at times with tape drop out and fluctuations.
”I’ve got a touch of flue” admits Robert early on and his vocals are certainly suffering. For his part, Jimmy battles on regardless of the finger problem. Over The Hills is already extending in length with that wonderfully lyrical solo. Jimmy is also well animated for When the Levee Breaks and In My Time of Dying played back to back – instrumentally both are pretty awesome deliveries – what a thrill it must have been to witness this rare double dose of bottleneck bravado live on stage. Levee is particularly menacing.

Kashmir (”Jonesy on mellotron – saves all the bread for the orchestra people”) works well despite Robert struggling at times. The Wanton Song (”from the long awaited album even by us”) is a definite highlight, Page attacking the riff with strong intent. It’s a real shame they did not preserve with this and keep in the set. No Quarter is still in a state of transition before it became something of a marathon, Trampled Underfoot is a fairly standard delivery while Moby Dick is back with usual Bonham aplomb (”One man’s got the flu one man’s fit as a fiddle!”) and then to How Many More Times.

A compact eleven minute delivery that features the bow episode and then switches into the Oh Rosie segment and on to the home straight. Stairway To Heaven is an epic performance and from this point, Robert rallies well vocally. In fact, on any given night in 1975, Stairway was performed with immense dedication. Encores – something of a unique arrangement for Whole Lotta Love with Plant going straight into the ”keep a coolin’ baby, I wanna be your backdoor man” usual closing refrain and then they hit Black Dog head on and boy – after all the physical drawbacks, the power of Led Zeppelin in 1975 is clearly in evidence.

It would be awhile before they were back to 100% fitness on this tour but already there was indication of the onstage embellishments to come.
To be continued…

DL – January 21st, 2018

…………………….

Robert Plant at Leicester University – It was 30 years Ago …
30 years ago yesterday January 23, I travelled to Leicester with the good lady Janet and friends Kam and Julie and Alan on a tip off that Robert Plant would be performing a secret warm up gig at the University for his forthcoming UK tour
After a set by Shadows look a-likes The Rapiers, on walked Robert with a completely new band. He proceeded to weave a rich tapestry of both old and new in a quite astonishing performance.
The new came via tracks from his forthcoming album Now And Zen including the Zep sampled Tall Cool One, a right old rockerbilly tear up Billy’s Revenge and the then just released chorus filled single Heaven Knows.
The old came courtesy of his former band in the guise of In The Evening, Misty Mountain Hop and Trampled Underfoot. After previous warm up dates in Folkestone and Stourbridge, this was the third occasion in his solo career that he had performed numbers from the Led Zeppelin catalogue live on stage.
In an era of no ‘Led Anything’ it was simply cathartic. As can be seen by this review I wrote at the time in the weekly column I did for the local Bedfordshire Citizen newspaper, I was mightily impressed. 30 years, on that night in Leicester University remains vivid in the memory.
It was the night I first saw Robert Plant successfully reconcile his past with the present. Being there to witness it all unfold was awe inspiring.
It kicked off a great year of Now And Zen appearances which for me included gigs at Colchester University, London’s Marquee club (where I first met Gary Foy) Warwick University, Oxford Apollo, London’s Town and Country Club and Astoria Theatre and twice at Hammersmith Odeon (the second night featuring a surprise and simply amazing Jimmy Page cameo).
Brilliant as they all were, it’s that first night in Leicester all of 30 years ago this week that still resonates the most – it’s right up there in my top ten list of all time favourite gigs…
Dave Lewis, January 24, 2018

   

……………………………….

Jim Rodford 1941 – 2018 RIP

Very sad to here the passing of Jim Rodford, bass player with The Zombies and a former member of The Kinks and Argent age 76 after a fall at his home.

Here’s the details:

Jim Rodford had just returned home to The UK after a short our of Florida with The Zombies. His final performance was on January 14 at the 30a Songwriters Festival in Miramar Beach, Florida.

Rodford’s cousin, Zombies singer Rod Argent, has paid tribute, saying, “It is with deep sadness that I learned this morning that my dear cousin and lifelong friend, Jim Rodford, died this morning after a fall on the stairs.

“When Colin [Bluntstone] and I put together our second incarnation of The Zombies in late 1999, our first phone call was to Jim. He gave us absolutely unflagging commitment, loyalty and unbelievable energy for eighteen years, and our gratitude is beyond measure

See more at:

http://teamrock.com/news/2018-01-21/zombies-kinks-argent-bassist-jim-rodford-dead-at-76

……………………..

David ‘Kid’ Jensen:

I’ve been listening to the voice of the legendary radio DJ David ‘Kid’ Jensen since he presented his Jensen’s Dimensions album show on Radio Luxemburg back in 1970.

He was also the man who walked out on the Earls Court stage on the night of May 23,1975 to utter the immortal words ”Good evening and welcome to the show. After an absence of something like two years, I guess we’re all ready for a bit of Physical Graffiti Please welcome to Earls Court Led Zeppelin!”

In the 1980s, he presented the weekly top 40 chart show when it really meant something. I also heard his always enthusiast tones many times when I managed the WH Smith record department as it was his voice over that accompanied the in store playlist that was compiled for us to promote.

In effect he is one of the true broadcasting legends – therefore it’s very sad to learn of his battle with Parkinson’s disease. However the bravery and humility he has displayed in the various press and TV interviews he has conducted since announcing his illness has been very moving. His wife Guorun is also an incredible support.

Parkinson’s is a progressive condition in which the brain becomes damaged. It can lead to tremors, difficulty moving, speech changes and eventually memory problems. Billy Connolly is another high profile sufferer.

Here’s  an interview with David Jensen that appeared in the press last week:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5290299/Why-DJ-Kid-Jensen-revealed-Parkinsons.html#ixzz54zMpg4UX

Neil Diamond:

Equally upsetting is the news that the legendary Singer Neil Diamond has announced he will retire from touring, after a recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

Neil  was set to perform across Australia and New Zealand in March and April as part of his 50th anniversary tour, but has cancelled all his dates on doctor’s advice.

“It is with great reluctance and disappointment that I announce my retirement from concert touring,” Diamond said.

“I have been so honoured to bring my shows to the public for the past 50 years. My sincerest apologies to everyone who purchased tickets and were planning to come to the upcoming shows.

“I plan to remain active in writing, recording and other projects for a long time to come.

“My thanks goes out to my loyal and devoted audiences around the world. You will always have my appreciation for your support and encouragement. This ride has been ‘so good, so good, so good’ thanks to you.”

On behalf of all reading this…I am sure we all wish them both well…

DL

………………..

Dave Lewis Diary Blog Update:

Friday treats at the Vinyl Barn: At the always excellent Vinyl Barn last week, I was well pleased to find a copy of the Elvis Is Back! album – mono UK pressing on RCA Victor. Released in 1960 in a gatefold sleeve with bonus ‘’Elvis GI snapshots for your collection’’ as it proclaims – probably one of the first gatefold sleeves of the rock era – and therefore a piece of LP history… thanks Darren!

On the way back from London on Monday night, I came across this busker band at Kings Cross station. They were performing a variety of rock classics including Freebird and Sultans Of Swing. They also did a great job of Stairway To Heaven – there’s no getting way from it – in a good at way of course!

I am aiming to be at the VIP Victoria Fair in London on Saturday with the TBL crew. This is the first major Record Fair of the year and it will be great to be out and about amongst vinyl and vinyl buyers. I look forward to seeing all that can make it along.

 

Amongst the doom and gloom of a rather challenging January, we now have some very good news and something to look forward to. The official announcement of the forthcoming remastered release of the How The West Was Won set is very welcome indeed. it was therefore something of a timely moment that TBL designer Mick Lowe and myself worked on the June 25/27 1972 How The West Was Won period of the work in progress Evenings With LZ book earlier today.

61 days to go and counting…

Dave Lewis – January 24, 2018

Until next time, have a great week

Website updates compiled by Dave Lewis

with thanks to Gary Foy and James Cook

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10 Comments »

  • andrew R said:

    Although i would normally be at the front of “come on jimmygive us something new” queue
    on this occasion i must say HTWWW Suffered when it was originally released, from a “dry”
    lifeless mix and under promotion as DVD got all the interest. Plus there was no vinyl option.
    It is a great period live for Zep and deserves a revisit and improved sound. Ialso think
    it should have been released with bbc sessions to avoid the suggestion that it is somehow linked to the 50th anniversary! Iam sure there are many other things to come. Curiously enough the one thing that irked me about this release is the retention of some of the worst cover art to grace a Zeppelin release!

  • Robin D said:

    Never felt necessary to make a comment before but must agree with those below. What is the point of this re-release? The original is relatively recent and there is nothing extra to savour. Will not be buying.

    Sorry Jimmy but I’m completely underwhelmed. Do not take us for granted.

  • Miguel said:

    I love Jimmy’s skills as both a guitarist and a producer. I admire him for his ear as an artist and producer. I like him as a man who admires art and other artist. I thank him for all the Led Zeppelin he has brought to us, and so thankful for his maintaining the Zep legacy. When we thought we had it all, He’s added the box set, the DVD, the BBC, How the West Was Won, new tracks to the soundtrack, and to the deluxe editions. I am looking forward to whatever NEW tracks or video he can conjure up but sorry James, I’ll pass on any previous material. A new How the West was Won with Louie Louie/Thank You,and Communication from the LA Show that is currently missing, would be and should be expected. Anything less is redundant and beneath you Mr Page. You added a whole new 3rd CD to the BBC now time to add a 4th to the West re-release. Otherwise, it will be redundant and Zep should NEVER look that way.

  • Bill Cromwell said:

    Agree with comments I’ve seen regarding the remastered HTWWW, and it’s motivated me to chime in. Come on, boys!! I was one who found the catelogue remasters wanting. And I’m tired of hearing that the vaults are empty after each batch of ‘newly’ found material. It all leaves me feeling taken advantage of. And Jimmy, please don’t talk about getting on the road once this project is finished. Soon it will be time to begin the next cycle of remasters.

  • augusto said:

    Meanwhile, Seattle 1977 Vídeo remains on Jimmy’s vault…..

  • Edward said:

    Hi Dave,
    Not very exciting, this remastering; wouldn’t be a 1977 live album more welcome ?
    Amongst the greatest live albums you mentionned, I’d add Irish Tour by Rory Gallagher …

  • Andy J said:

    Having collected all the other super-deluxe box sets I’m probably going to have to have this, but at £128 on Amazon at the moment I do feel I’m now being milked dry especially as it is product I already own. Yes, I know it’s my choice to take it or leave it but it would have been nice if it had some extra stuff on it to make it really worth while. It would be helpful to know what else we can expect going forward just to get some idea of how much I’m going to have to fork out this year. The problem is if you defer on the exclusive box sets they only seem to go up in price in the future.

  • Mike Wilkinson said:

    DOH! Just found the answer above – first time I read it, I was reading it like it was the original release information!

  • Mike Wilkinson said:

    How did I miss the Super Deluxe version of How The West Was Won? Never even knew it was available or is it due soon?

  • Bob Flux said:

    Another remaster? Another reissue? Yawn.

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