LED ZEPPELIN-THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME-VINYL.

dereksmusicblog ♦ November 18, 2018 ♦ 1 Comment

Led Zeppelin-The Song Remains The Same-Vinyl.

Label: Atlantic Records.

By the ‘22nd’ of October 1976, Led Zeppelin were one of the biggest selling bands in the world. Their first seven studio albums had sold seventy-nine million copies in America alone, and worldwide Led Zeppelin’s albums had sold over 100 million copies. This resulted in an impressive array of silver, gold, platinum and even diamond discs adorning the walls of each member of Led Zeppelin. Critics wrote that they had achieved just about everything in music. That wasn’t true, as there was still several things that Led Zeppelin had to do.

They hadn’t released a soundtrack album and they had yet to release a live album. Only then could Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham and John Paul Jones say that they had achieved everything possible.  

On the ‘22nd’ of October 1976 Led Zeppelin released the live soundtrack album of the film The Song Remains The Same. It reached number one in Britain and number two on the US Billboard 200. The Song Remains The Same sold well across Britain, Europe and North America and it was certified gold in France and Germany, platinum in Britain and four times platinum in America. This was pretty good considering the critical response to The Song Remains The Same.

When critics heard The Song Remains The Same many weren’t impressed with the live double album. Some critics believed that the album was over produced, and others felt it lacked the energy of Led Zeppelin live. However, not for the first time would critics change their mind about a Led Zeppelin

Before that, even members of Led Zeppelin, especially Jimmy Page expressed their reservations of The Song Remains The Same. He felt that the album wasn’t a true representation of Led Zeppelin live and at the peak of their powers.

The Song Remains The Same was recorded and filmed  between the ‘27th’ and ’29th’ of July 1973, at Madison Square Garden, in New York. By then, Led Zeppelin were one of the biggest bands in the world and already released five hugely successful albums. These albums would provide the material for the three nights at Madison Square Garden, which would feature on the double album The Song Remains The Same.

Led Zeppelin open with a memorable version of Rock ’N’ Roll, which gives way to Celebration Day, Black Dog and Over The Hills and Far Away. It’s Led Zeppelin in their prime and they power their way through Misty Mountain Hop Since I’ve Been Loving You, No Quarter, The Song Remains The Same and The Rain Song The Rain Song which featured on their fifth and latest album The Same from Houses Of The Holy. By now, the listener is transported back in time to 1973 when  Led Zeppelin were one of the greatest bands on planet rock. They show why as they close side two with The Ocean. That is only half time in soccer parlance.

A near twenty-seven minute version of Dazed and Confused which is a reminder of Led Zeppelin at their most inventive and a group  at the peak of their powers. From there Led Zeppelin lock into a groove and work their way through series of classics from Stairway To  Heaven, Moby Dick, Heartbreaker and roof-raising version of Whole Lotta Love. With that,  Led Zeppelin who were regarded by many as the greatest rock band take their leave to a standing ovation.

Forty-five years after Led Zeppelin played the three nights at Madison Square Gardens, in New York, The Song Remains The Same has just been reissued by Atlantic Records. This is remastered reissue of the 2007 edition and the remastering has been supervised by Jimmy Page. The new our LP 2018 remaster is the perfect way to discover what’s one of Led Zeppelin’s most underrated albums.

When The Song Remains The Same was released in 1976, it wasn’t regarded as Led Zeppelin’s finest hour, and was criticised as being an over produced and lumbering album. However, recording a live album isn’t an exact science  and instead is snapshot in time and is a reminder of Led Zeppelin at the peak of their powers. Probably the finest Led Zeppelin live album is How The West Was Won. Coming a close second is The Song Remains The Same which was recorded in 1973 and released in 1976.

By 1973, Led Zeppelin were vying for the title the greatest rock band in the world when they recorded The Song Remains The Same. The new remaster belongs in the collection of every Led Zeppelin fan, and The Song Remains The Same is a reminder of the biggest and some would say the baddest rock ’n’ roll band in the world at the peak of their powers. 

Led Zeppelin-The Song Remains The Same-Vinyl.