Led Zeppelin/California, USA 1975

Long Beach Arena in 1975. This can also be said to be an eternal standard in ZEP live sound sources. In particular, the first day, March 11th (the date is a bit off for us now…), was made decisive by Mike Millard’s ultra-quality audience recording. Our store also released the title “CARLIFONIA GRAFFITI” more than ten years ago, and it gained rave reviews. However, about five years ago, a revolutionary item called “LONG BEACH CALIFORNICATION”, a sound board recording of this day, appeared by Empress Valley, and the value of the Millard name recording was halved. After all, in front of the sound board, there is no way to record the highest quality audience. JEMS has released many of Millard’s famous ZEP live sound sources in the best low generation versions. The 1977 tour was also based on the JEMS version, but this time they released a low generation version of the performance at Long Beach in 1975. Indeed, on March 11th, there was now a sound board, and on the 12th, only the final stage of the live performance was recorded. However,… Even now that such a sound board has appeared, I am still impressed by Millard’s work over these two days. On the contrary, among the many real audience recordings he left behind, aren’t these two days Millard’s best masterpiece? Before this JEMS first generation version, our staff members were unanimously overwhelmed by its ultra quality. The so-called “on sound image” has become a common recording standard in mirrored audience recording. However, what can be said about the recordings of these two days is not only the charm of the sound pressure, but also the high level of freshness as if it was recorded yesterday, which stands out compared to other mirrored sound sources. The luster and even the lustful thickness…it has not lost its luster even now that the sound board has been unearthed. Rather, if you have been listening only to soundboards in recent years, you will not be able to help but be surprised by the mirrored quality of the Long Beach recording, saying, “Was it a recording of exceptional quality?” (Similarly, the quality of the audience recording for the MSG performance on February 12th, when the soundboard was completely permeated, is amazing…Has it been overlooked? You can hear it at our store’s “FOUR BLOCKS IN THE SNOW” ). Going back to the analog era, ZEP’s 1975 American tour was not blessed with any items that would make you think, “This is it!” in terms of sound quality. That situation changed in the 1980s, and the above-mentioned February MSG performance was released as the “IN CONCERT” LP, opening up a hole. Furthermore, “HOW MANY MORE TIMES”, which recorded the first day of Long Beach, appeared in the late 1980s. Despite the severe pitch deviation, the sound quality was so good that it received praise from enthusiasts who had been looking forward to a high-quality sound source from 1975. However, from a historical perspective, there was further significance in that this LP was the second mirrored sound source in which items were released following “LISTEN TO THIS, EDDIE”. After all, it is a sound source that boasts outstanding sound quality, so items have been released many times since then, but this first generation version is in such a wonderful condition that it easily shrugs them off. We will release it as the best permanent preservation version. ZEP’s performance on March 12th, which was extremely rough, is more acclaimed among enthusiasts, but unfortunately Millard got stuck in a traffic jam on that day, and by the time he finally arrived at the venue. The situation was that the live show was coming to an end. Still, when listening to the recorded fragments, the sound quality is outstanding. If the second day of Long Beach, which is considered one of the great performances, was heard in its entirety with this sound quality…I can’t help but have a dream that will never come true. Already on this day, our shop has covered all sound sources including this recording with “DEDICATED TO WHO GOT DIVORCED TODAY”, but compared to the version recorded there, the upper feeling of this time is considerable. As expected, the sound quality with luster and elasticity is a wonderful recording. If you want to listen to the entire live performance from this release, we highly recommend “DEDICATED TO~”. The sound quality is inferior to the mirrored sound source, but among enthusiasts you will be overwhelmed by the great performance that will make you say “from this day to Seattle is the peak”. However, that’s not to say that the first day was a mediocre live performance. In fact, Plant, who had caught a cold in Chicago and Page, who had injured his finger, had recovered from his injuries, but the tour had recovered and was in perfect condition for a masterpiece performance on the first day in Long Beach. Sho. In particular, Plant’s voice is in excellent condition, and his powerful singing shines throughout the entire album. It is also known that “The Crunge” was played almost in full with Plant’s vocals on both of these two days. However, the performance is wavering as if it were a lie when it was incorporated into “Dazed And Confused” as an instrumental every night on the 1972 tour. It was none other than the plant that supported such a dangerous performance, and especially regarding this development, the first day shows better performance. And Millard’s recording perfectly captures the funky groove unique to 1975. Civic Arena, Long Beach, CA. USA 11th & 12th March 1975 Mike Millard Unmarked 1st Gen Cassettes Transfer Live at Civic Arena, Long Beach, CA. USA 11th March 1975 Disc 1 (55:35) 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 Disc 2 (52:47) 1. No Quarter 2. Trampled Underfoot 3. Moby Dick Disc 3 (54:47) 1. Dazed And Confused 2. Stairway To Heaven 3. Whole Lotta Love /The Crunge 4. Black Dog Live at Civic Arena, Long Beach, CA. USA 12th March 1975 Disc 4(33:58) 1. Stairway To Heaven 2. Whole Lotta Love/The Crunge 3. Black Dog 4. Heartbreaker