Led Zeppelin / Madison Square Garden 1975 1st Night / 2CD

Led Zeppelin / Madison Square Garden 1975 1st Night / 2CD / Non Label

Translated Text:
Live at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY. USA 3rd February 1975

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It is also at the time of the 1973 had Noboritsume to super band until the US tour, which was divided into two times ZEP, but still received that popularity had continued to expand, in 75 years the stroke around the United States to divide into two times, of course, it made which was to to thus scheduled to be braided tour over in the first half and the second half of the two times is organized. Of course, this is is a translation that has become a phantom by the traffic accident of the plant, had won stardom up so much in the United States was the ZEP of this era.
In 70 years or 73 years in the bonus is a tour of the final day to selected have the Madison Square Garden (below MSG), but you are surprised because what has been organized in the first half of the tour stroke in 75 years. Moreover, to say that it was the final day in a row and three nights in 73 years, say that here three times in a discrete schedule. Previously MSG that was thought of as a proof of success in the United States for the ZEP is, in 75 years I had become a transit point handling of the tour. Rather, around the west coast in the second half from this year of the tour, it was transferred to the final day in the LA Forum, it was the beginning of a new golden age in ZEP live.

Nonetheless, the 75-year US tour ZEP is a place well known came to end up in the challenge Jin backwater with. Jimmy Page will cause is sandwiched between a finger on the subway door first at the time of movement of the timing that leave the United States. The poured oil on the fire to this situation, after the arrival in the United States, and woe that was moving rock star natural To scantily-clad remains of the plant that had fairly caught a cold. Come on now, tour from the accident that the health of the front two people is impaired in the place that it has become in the end up to start.
Tour the first day of Chicago that had to be snap decision in such a state of our release, “FINGER FLU: 1975 CHICAGO TAPES VOLUME 2” also has been documented. Of course, though it is far from the situation in the band from the previous reason is referred to as the engine fully open, and two of unwavering rhythm, play the front two were combined to be wisely Konaso each of a role, in recent years it is where they will be re-evaluated. That is too good to put away in the “upset of the first day of Chicago” … and.
But rather sensible performance there was in Chicago fresh even reflected, does not increase quite tone subsequent ZEP. While Paige had been gradually showing recovery Speaking more, more of the plant is literally of seesawing. Of the three days, from Chicago to two days worth of sound source it has been excavated, and the subsequent show, for example, such as Indianapolis of January 25th will have fallen plant until the disastrous appearance state, of finally 27 days St. Louis concert plight that would be allowed to defer to the final day of the first half of the season. Schedule is also disaster hard thing after all, in the “FLYING CIRCUS” to greet the MSG performances of familiar February 12 days, I condition of the plant was not able to complete tone. However, he had already finished the performance of MSG in twice between up there.

Good sound quality from the era of audience recording, for February 12, with a feeling that has become more and more enduring presence by “FLYING CIRCUS” of the sound board recording, does not deny is thin feeling the impression of 75 years MSG other day. It is thought that it is most of the reason is that there is a bad impression of the audience recording of the other day, but, with respect to the February 3, is among them the first day, still of TDOLZ “HEAVEY METAL HULLABALOO” There is only that it has been released . In almost all of the sound source is ZEP live sound source community that feeling did his released, and only this title over the nearly 20 years the item does not exist. ZEP live, the first wave of the excavation of the sound board recording was the same label it seems to select for his produced many valuable audience recording items after you have calmed down.
So far, the biggest factor that it only would not have been released, it’ll be around the taper would be raised to the extreme at the beginning. It has raised before the opening “Rock And Roll” begins considerably, considerably harsh, etc. the moment that the song began. “HEAVEY METAL ~” and at that time available has been mania, actually there tired of going to was a person who had stopped the CD. Madashimo if it’s just, unfortunately will be late the surrounding friends, Do was and flashed the play of Paige to show signs of recovery, “Over The Hills And Far Away” begins “delay! (You gotta late, man!) “” I’m sorry, conversation at the bad timing gone to bother with (sorry interrupted) “of the luck I have begun.

It is, however. And lower than the conversation of this live early, how their surroundings would point that is overlooked that extremely became quiet. After tells “The Rain Song” is in the place that began “Jimmy Page!” “I know, Brother!” (Such a thing is Is the know, brother!) In much conversation that pops out, rather of ZEP heyday frenzy to me it reflected even in pleasing scene. Familiar but rather in the “1975 WORLD TOUR”, people of Montreal will think so harsh throughout the live defintely after three days.
Why not rather by this release, of being surprised that have been captured by the sound image of easy-listening surprisingly essential playing balance. As in the first half of the live coming state also clearly conveyed the tone of the plant of the singing voice in advancing the song it has been engaged in a seesaw. On the contrary, “The Song Remains The Same” and later is also surprised by the way singing and demodulates up to as much as to say that the engine is fully opened. It may be said that it was extremely difficult to feel this around the generator dropped cassette sound source use from “HEAVEY METAL ~”.

On the other hand there is also a Page of the finger problem, of any song fresh is that they are playing in the still compact deployment took over the flow from Chicago at this point. But rather “Trampled Underfoot” and the like in spite of the fact that has burst Paige is clearly, interesting because of the whole still playing time remains on a modest scale. Remarkable was resurrected from this day “Dazed And Confused”. From the example of the problem, but for a while from the tour start you “How Many More Times” has been playing in place, the same song ZEP from 73 years 75 years was a place most enjoy the improvisation finally it was resurrected from this day. To get started with it, the point that explanation that the plant had been sealed this song because of again Paige of injury, it would be extremely valuable as the first half of the document of the 75-year tour.
Here you a place great of ZEP, but nice is already playing, you also may be of only stage repertoire continued to play indeed many years. Only, from where the end of the play bow of Paige, from up-tempo deployment breath of John Bonham and Paige in the place where the rush “of What do you want to do? Which is mount?” Not meeting the specific sense of urgency comes through Happening extent to which the blank has been glimpse to say that after a long time of playing. I start point of the song improvisation went more and more hypertrophy is here in the United States of 75 years more than anything.
And “Communication Breakdown” from the last funky improvisation led to the plant, which regained the tone. Surprisingly the clearness of Throughout this audience recording, of course, 75 years MSG first day that showed more and more fulfilling as playing also advance. It is when this release not only Mise use the First Generation master, to adjust accurately the pit, also precisely adjust to anything than the sound was remarkable in part the performance began also ups and downs. Finished in upper version has undergone a significant improvement than the “HEAVEY METAL HULLABALOO” in every sense of the word. Release by the press CD of so familiar if of course limited, up to here, “listen” or was the sound source and play? Definitely be surprised with!

1973年の時点でも二回に分けたアメリカ・ツアーを行うまでのスーパー・バンドに登り詰めていたZEPですが、さらに人気が拡大し続けていたことを受け、75年にはアメリカを回る行程を二回に分けるのはもちろん、そうして組まれたツアーを上半期と下半期の二回に渡って行う予定が組まれるまでになっていたのです。もちろん、これはプラントの交通事故によって幻となってしまった訳ですが、それほどまでのスターダムをアメリカで獲得していたのがこの時代のZEPでした。
おまけに70年や73年にはツアーの千秋楽に選ばれていたマディソン・スクエア・ガーデン(以下MSG)ですが、75年には何とツアー行程の前半に組まれているから驚かされます。しかも73年には三夜連続で千秋楽だったというのに、ここでは飛び飛びで三回と言うスケジュール。以前はZEPにとってアメリカでの成功の証とも言えたMSGが、75年にはツアーの通過点扱いとなってしまったのです。むしろ、この年からツアーの後半で西海岸を回り、千秋楽をLAフォーラムに移したことは、ZEPライブにおける新たな黄金期の始まりだったのですが。

とはいえ、75年アメリカ・ツアーをZEPが背水の陣で挑む羽目になったのはよく知られているところ。まずアメリカを発つというタイミングの移動時でジミー・ペイジが地下鉄のドアに指を挟まれてしまいます。この状況へ火に油を注いだのは、アメリカに到着後、ロックスター然と薄着のまま移動していたことが災いし、まんまと風邪をひいてしまったというプラント。さあこれから、というところでフロント二人の健康が損なわれてしまうというアクシデントからツアーがスタートする羽目になってしまいました。
そんな状態でも見切り発車せざるを得なかったツアー初日のシカゴは当店リリースの「FINGER FLU: 1975 CHICAGO TAPES VOLUME 2」にもドキュメントされています。もちろん、先の理由からバンドがエンジン全開と呼ぶには程遠い状況でありながら、揺るぎないリズム隊の二人と、賢明にそれぞれの役割をこなそうとするフロント二人が合わさったプレイは、近年になって再評価されるようになっています。つまり「不調の初日シカゴ」で片づけるにはもったいない…と。
むしろ賢明な演奏が新鮮にさえ映るシカゴではありましたが、その後のZEPはなかなか調子が上がりません。もっと言えばペイジが徐々に回復を見せていたのに対し、プラントの方は文字通りの一進一退。三日間の内、二日分の音源が発掘されているシカゴより、それ以降のショウ、例えば1月25日のインディアナポリスなどはプラントが目も当てられない状態まで堕ちてしまい、遂に27日のセントルイス公演は前半戦の千秋楽へと延期させられてしまう有様。結局スケジュールがハードなことも災いし、「FLYING CIRCUS」でおなじみ2月12日のMSG公演を迎えるまで、プラントの調子が完調することはなかったのです。ところが、そこまでの間で既にMSGでは二回の公演を終えていました。

オーディエンス録音の時代から音質が良く、サウンドボード録音の「FLYING CIRCUS」によっていよいよ揺るぎない存在となった感のある2月12日に対し、75年MSG他の日の印象が薄い感が否めません。他の日のオーディエンス録音の印象が悪いということが一番の原因だと思われますが、中でも初日である2月3日に関しては、未だにTDOLZの「HEAVEY METAL HULLABALOO」しかリリースされたことがありません。ほぼすべての音源がリリースされ尽した感のあるZEPライブ音源界において、20年近くに渡りこのタイトルしかアイテムが存在しないとは。ZEPライブ、サウンドボード録音の発掘の第一波が沈静化した後で貴重なオーディエンス録音アイテムを数多く生み出してくれた同レーベルらしいセレクトでした。
これまで、それしかリリースされなかったであろう最大の要因は、冒頭でテーパーの周囲が極度に盛り上がってしまうことでしょう。オープニング「Rock And Roll」が始まる前から相当に盛り上がっていて、同曲が始まった瞬間などは相当に耳障り。「HEAVEY METAL~」を当時入手されたマニアなどは、実際にそこでうんざりしてCDを止めてしまった人がいたはず。それだけならまだしも、運悪く周囲の友達が遅刻してしまい、回復の兆しを見せるペイジのプレイが光った「Over The Hills And Far Away」が始まると「遅れたな! (You gotta late, man!)」「ごめんよ、邪魔しちゃって (sorry interrupted)」と運の悪いタイミングで会話が始まってしまいました。

ところがです。このライブ序盤の会話以外になると、それら周囲の様子は極端に大人しくなっていったことは見過ごされている点でしょう。後は「The Rain Song」が始まったところで「ジミー・ペイジ!」 「I know, Brother!」(そんなことは判ってるさ、兄弟!)という会話が飛び出すくらいで、むしろZEP絶頂期の熱狂を伝えてくれる微笑ましい場面にすら映ります。むしろ「1975 WORLD TOUR」でおなじみ、三日後のモントリオールの方がよっぽどライブ全体を通して耳障りなように思います。
むしろ今回のリリースによって、肝心の演奏が驚くほど聴きやすいバランスの音像で捉えられていることに驚かされるのではないでしょうか。ライブの前半では曲が進む中でプラントの歌声の調子が一進一退を繰り広げている様子もはっきりと伝わってくるほど。それどころか「The Song Remains The Same」以降はエンジン全開と言っていいほどにまで復調して歌い上げる様にも驚かされます。この辺りをジェネ落ちカセット音源使用の「HEAVEY METAL~」から感じ取るのは至難の業だったと言えるかもしれません。

一方でペイジの指の問題もあり、この時点ではまだシカゴからの流れを引き継いだコンパクトな展開でどの曲も演奏されている点が新鮮。むしろ「Trampled Underfoot」などはペイジがはっきりと弾けてきているにもかかわらず、まだ演奏時間全体は控えめな尺に留まっているのだから面白い。極めつけはこの日から復活した「Dazed And Confused」。例の問題から、ツアー開始からしばらくの間は代わりに「How Many More Times」が演奏されていたのですが、73年から75年のZEPがもっともインプロビゼーションを楽しむ場であった同曲が遂にこの日から復活したのです。それを始めるにあたって、プラントが改めてペイジの怪我のせいでこの曲を封印していたことを釈明している点が、75年ツアーの前半ドキュメントとして極めて貴重でしょう。
ここからがZEPの偉大なところなのですが、既に演奏は素晴らしく、さすがに何年も演奏し続けたステージ・レパートリーなだけのことはあります。唯一、ペイジの弓弾きが終わったところからの、アップテンポな展開に突入するところでジョン・ボーナムとペイジの息が合わず「どうする?どっちがしかけるの?」的な緊迫感が伝わってくるハプニングから久々の演奏と言うブランクが垣間見られた程度。何よりも75年のアメリカではインプロビゼーションがどんどん肥大して行った曲のスタート地点がここにあるのです。
そして最後は調子を取り戻したプラントに導かれたファンキーなインプロからの「Communication Breakdown」。このオーディエンス録音の全体を通しての意外なほどのクリアネスはもちろん、演奏も進むにつれてどんどん充実をみせた75年MSG初日。今回のリリースに当たってはファースト・ジェネレーション・マスターを使用してみせただけでなく、ピットを正確にアジャストし、何よりも演奏が始まった箇所に顕著だった音の浮き沈みまでも緻密にアジャスト。あらゆる意味で「HEAVEY METAL HULLABALOO」よりも大幅な向上を遂げたアッパー版に仕上がりました。そうなれば当然の限定のプレスCDによるリリース、ここまで「聴ける」音源と演奏だったのか?と驚かされること間違いなし!

 

Disc 1 (76:03)
1. Intro 2. Rock And Roll 3. Sick Again 4. Over The Hills And Far Away 5. In My Time Of Dying
6. The Song Remains The Same 7. The Rain Song 8. Kashmir 9. No Quarter 10. Trampled Underfoot

Disc 2 (78:35)
1. Moby Dick 2. Dazed And Confused 3. Stairway To Heaven 4. Whole Lotta Love
5. Black Dog 6. Communication Breakdown

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