During their first year of existance Led Zeppelin quickly adopted San
Francisco as their home away from home. The shows performed there actually
set the mark for how amazing the band could be live. This particular show
definitely does just that. Long rumoured to be stolen directly from Bill
Graham's vaults, this show has everything a Zephead could want and so much
more. Pure Psychodelia with a mixture of raw power make for a Red Hot set.
Every member of the band is in fine shape and turns in an inspired
performance. Robert's voice sounds amazing and the rest of the group are as
tight as can be. Halfway through this recording John Paul Jone's Bass Amp
blows up but he somehow manages to get through the rest of the gig.
Upon writing this review I sat down and compared this version to the
Empress Valley release "Listen To The Difference" and I'm leaning towards
this release sounding a bit cleaner. There's just a bit more body and depth
to this release which definitely takes it to another level. This recording
has long been thought to be a soundboard recording due to how well balanced the instruments are. Robert's voice is a bit lower than everyone else. Coming from two microphones placed directly on stage could explain why his voice is a bit lower. The instruments are picked up well but the
microphones are placed behind the throw of the main PA speakers.
The packaging is the standard Godfather Gatefold packaging with 3
panels. All contain great period shots of the band both on and off stage.
Mr. Paul De Luxe contributes another essay to the inside panel. Godfather's
advantage over alot of other labels is that their packaging is always simple
and to the point, all the while looking just as exciting and as professional
as many of the boutique labels.
This source was previously released on LP as "The Rising Of The
Zeppelin (no label) & San Francisco '69 (no label)" and on CD as "Best Of
1969 Tour (Forever Standard Series), Black Beauty (Wendy Records), Blues
Anytime (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Cabala (CD Company SRL), Conquering California (Dinopower Records), Cracker Jack Blues (Jelly Roll), The Dancing Avocado (Small Fish CD-R), The Dancing Avocado - Supreme Edition (Small Fish CD-R), Fillmore 69 (House Of Elrond), Fillmore West (Last Stand Disc), Fillmore West 1969 (Scorpio), Fillmore West - January And April 1969
(Aulica), Go West Young Man! (Scorpio), Listen To The Difference (Empress
Valley Supreme Disc), More Than Something Else (Aulica), Psychedelic Raw
Blues (Immigrant), San Francisco '69 (Aulica), Shenandoah (Aulica), Through
The Years (Big Music), & Who's Country Joe (Flying Disc Music)".
Even if you own numerous versions of this show I highly suggest adding
this one to your collection. I for one am pleased with it and am glad I
decided to add it to my collection. Godfather never disappoints me with
their releases and I honestly doubt anyone else gets disappointed either.
Turn It Up!!!!!
|
