- Led Zeppelin
Reunion Concert
At 7:15 Harvey Goldsmith got things underway
with a short film about Ahmet Ertegun (one of your countrymen) who started
Atlantic Records.
Next up was a 'super group' with Keith Emerson and Chris Squire (Yes)
playing Fanfare for the Common Man. It went on a bit but I was never a great
Emerson Lake and Palmer fan. They were followed by Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings
who provided a backing band for Paolo Nutini, Maggie Bell and Paul Rogers,
who did a blinding version of the Free classic Alright Now. Wyman's band
played a couple of their own songs but they were forgettable.
Foreigner (another band I have little time for) played one song but they
were just a distraction to the main act.
At exactly 9:00 they hit the stage launching into Good Times bad Times -
track 1 side 1 album 1. The sound was a bit dodgy but by the second song it
was sorted out. By the third song - Black Dog - they were fully in their
stride and Jason Bonham's drumming was exceptional. He did his dad proud
throughout the evening. I think the last time I heard such powerful drumming
was 1975 at Earls Court when the man himself was in the seat.
Over 2 hours and 2 encores they played the following set:
Good Times Bad Times
Ramble On
Black Dog
In My Time Of Dying
Your Life
Trampled Under Foot
Nobody's Fault But Mine
No Quarter
Since I've Been Loving You
Dazed and Confused
Stairway to Heaven
The Song Remains the Same
Misty Mountain Hop
Kashmir
Encores
Whole Lotta Love
Rock and Roll
Pretty much the highlight tracks of their career and the bulk of the songs
from the compilations Remasters and Mothership.
This was clearly no quickly thrown together tribute gig for Zeppelin. The
stage lighting was as good as any I've seen and the massive screen back drop
was imaginatively used. Judging by the number of cameras the concert had
been recorded (in HD?) for some future release. I hope so.
On top of that the O2 is a great venue and I was home in less than an hour.
All in all a marvellous night out and worth all the hassle getting tickets
(and the cost).
Personally I don't think they should tour. They should draw a line under
last night and retire gracefully. Jimmy Page looked fit to drop at the end
but he is 61 and it was way past his bedtime!
Andy Wilson
11/12/2007
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