Jimmy Page Robert Plant / LA, USA 10.01.1998 Complete FM Broadcast Edition

Now a nostalgic look back at Page & Plant’s 1998 “WALKING INTO EVERYWHERE WORLD TOUR,” perfect-sounding stereo soundboard albums such as “SHEPHERDS BUSH 1998 MULTITRACK MASTER” and “LAS VEGAS 1998 : SOUNDBOARD MASTER” have been released. However, even more celebrated in 1998 as a radio broadcast of the latest tour was the New Orleans show on October 1st. This was also a stereo soundboard recording with perfect sound quality, and it’s nostalgic to remember that many items were produced from the time it was broadcast. Now, after a full cycle, even gray-zone CDs have been released. Even if not, many fans have surely heard this original recording. That’s how much of a standard 1998 recording the New Orleans show had become. However, all of these were recordings of the 1998 broadcast airchecked off the radio, and there were no items that were released on CD from the so-called “Pre-FM” recording. It’s true that this was a radio recording from 1998, and even though it was an aircheck, the sound quality was exceptionally high. However, what’s being achieved now is a CD release from the original reel of that classic radio broadcast! For the reasons mentioned above, high sound quality is the norm in New Orleans, but what’s being provided this time is a perfect sound quality version from the broadcast master reel. From there, it was further transferred to CD-R and distributed to various broadcasting stations, but as you’d expect from the original broadcast reel, it’s ultra-high quality that far surpasses items released back in 1998. The sound quality is at a level that should be released as an official live album. Moreover, it doesn’t even come close to the gray-zone CDs that are still circulating today. As a bonus, the opening and closing announcements that were included on the broadcast reel are also included without fail, and the DJ who made those announcements was JJ Jackson. He’s the person who made the opening announcements before the start of concerts like Led Zeppelin’s 1975 show at the LA Forum, so it’s amazing that he narrated the Page & Plant broadcast. Even parts that shouldn’t be cut for such historical significance are included. Furthermore, because it was recorded from broadcast reels, it even includes the interview with Page and Plant that was shown at the end of the program. It’s a short interview with lighthearted conversation, but it shouldn’t be dismissed because the two seem to be enjoying themselves. It’s all the more precious because their 1998 activities ended with Plant’s departure. And the performance is outstanding. We heard some intensely passionate performances in “LAS VEGAS 1998: SOUNDBOARD MASTER” from a week earlier, but this day, being the penultimate show of their second US tour of 1998, the performance is at its most simmering and is recorded in flawless stereo soundboard quality. It’s often overlooked now, but unlike 1995 and 1996, when they were exploring new sounds with the help of an orchestra, this year’s tour was not only undertaken with a completely new studio album, but also with a straightforward, unadorned band sound, which is a major appeal. It is only because it is a stereo soundboard that this tremendous performance is captured in its entirety. The latter part of the live performance, from “How Many More Times,” which Plant introduced as “psychedelic jazz,” to “Whole Lotta Love,” is so intense that it almost feels like a suite, and is truly breathtaking. Jimmy’s shredding playing is just as brilliant as it was during his Led Zeppelin days, and the powerful drumming of Michael Lee, the unsung hero of Page & Plant’s live performances, is captured in perfect stereo soundboard quality. Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena, New Orleans, LA, USA 1st October 1998 STEREO SBD UPGRADE!!! Disc:1 (55:08) 1. DJ Intro. 2. The Wanton Song 3. Bring It On Home 4. Heartbreaker 5. Ramble On 6. Walking Into Clarksdale 7. No Quarter 8. When the World Was Young 9. Going to California 10. Tangerine Disc:2 (62:29) 1. Gallows Pole 2. Heart in Your Hand 3. Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You 4. How Many More Times 5. Most High 6. Whole Lotta Love 7. Celebration Day 8. Rock and Roll 9. DJ Outro. 10. Interviews Jimmy Page – Guitars Robert Plant – Vocals Charlie Jones – Bass Michael Lee – Drums Philip Andrews – Keyboards STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING