Led Zeppelin - The Song Remains the Same. 1976 England

If I was forced to choose just one Led Zeppelin album that I could keep, then it would be The Song Remains the Same. It essentially compiles the best of the pre Physical Graffiti tracks in one convenient place, and there's plenty of room for improvisation, thus making it a live album worthy of multiple listens. In particular 'No Quarter' and 'Dazed and Confused' are revelations. While the latter probably could have used some filtering (29 minutes on the CD version), most of it is very engaging. I tend to agree with those that say Robert Plant is one of the greatest - if not the greatest - lead rock singer of all time (in his prime that is). A perfect front man. And as I'm likely to say in any review of Led Zeppelin, I think their X-Factor is John Paul Jones, whose keyboard work and lowkey nature is the perfect balance for the machismo's that surrounded him.

One funny personal story regarding this album. Well actually the movie / documentary. While in college my roommate was dating a pretty lass, who happened to also be a cheerleader for Texas Tech's basketball team. However, she was very religious (common in Texas, especially in the 80s). It always seemed to me she was more interested in converting him rather than dating. Whatever the case, she was over visiting our apartment, and I started watched the VHS I had of this concert. After some time, she wandered over curious as to what I was looking at. She became mesmerized by a one Robert Plant. She practically was drooling... and muttered while sweating "he... has.....sexxx.... appeal". Hmm-hmm I responded. Shower is to your right, sister. Might want to keep it on Cold.

Ownership: 

1976 Swan Song (2xLP). Gatefold with booklet. 

Swan Song (2xCD).

1985 (acquired); 8/11/22 (review)

Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti. 1975 England

I don't think we'll ever see the kind of popularity bands achieved in the 1970s. And Led Zeppelin were at the top of that stack. Too many dynamics, parameters, and options for today's youth to engage like they did back then. Music was often the only game in town, and groups like Led Zeppelin were the megastars of the moment, to never really be surpassed. Even today, we see the bands from the 70s go out up in wheelchairs or stooped over on a cane - and play to a packed arena filled with crowds that look just like them - while bringing their kids and grandkids along for the ride.

1975 was arguably Zeppelin's peak year in terms of popularity. And Physical Graffiti was their grand excess statement. I've been long skeptical of the quality of this double LP set, but in retrospect the band is to be admired for mostly sticking to their patented heavy blues rock sound of the late 60s. Album #1 is exemplary whereas Album #2 admittedly has many holes, but even still at least 4 excellent songs can be found. And 'Kashmir' is a track for the ages, brilliant in every way. Surprisingly not a bloated album, as it might seem on first inspection.

LP: 1975 Swan Song (USA)
CD: 2008 Swan Song (Japan)

A good candidate for the Japanese mini-LP format given the multiple gimmix cover options. My original copy was likely a beat original found in some dusty used store during college, long sold off. Classic Zeppelin shows up in garage sales all the time, only a matter of time before I pick up a nice copy of this as well for all of $2. And if not, no biggee. Need the shelf space.

October 19, 2019 update: And, well, found one at a sale. OK it was $3, but hey!