Jimmy Page, Robert Plant Jimmy Page Robert Plant/Tokyo, Japan 1996

21 years ago, Japanese ZEP fans were at the peak of happiness. Yes, because Page and Plant had arrived and were performing amazing stages day after day. Three years before that, Page came to Japan with David Coverdale, and the ZEP guitarist stood on the Japanese stage for the first time in a long time. That alone had a considerable number of enthusiastic fans, but now with Plant’s visit to Japan, the two ZEP front men stood side by side on the Japanese stage for the first time in 24 years, which was literally a dream come true. As we mentioned when we released John Paul Jones’s Japan tour, the 1990s were a truly dreamlike time for Japanese ZEP fans. However, it is also true that it was a luxurious time at the time when it seemed natural. The enthusiasm brought about by Page and Plant’s Japan tour in 1996 was particularly tremendous. Looking back now, we can see that their visit to Japan was exquisitely timed. Thanks to the completion of the tour that took place from March to October of the previous year, the band had regained their unity and their live instincts (especially Page), and they were in top form. The biggest benefit was that they were able to perform in Japan in the most ideal formation, with Page as the only guitarist, after Paul Thompson had left. This was a big surprise, and at the same time, it made me realize that Page Plant had climbed to the next level. In fact, this formation had already been shown at the South American festival performance before the Japan performance, but compared to now, information was not transmitted as quickly (the Internet was just starting to be recognized), and most fans would have found out about the change in formation on the stage at the Budokan on February 5th. What would have surprised and excited even more fans was the change in the set list for each day. Since the information about the set list for the final part of the US tour of the previous year was already well known, it was expected that it would probably follow that. In fact, the show on the 5th started with the same pattern as before. However, starting with the slow “Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You” on the 6th, the changes in the show every day were more eye-catching than ever before. It is said that Plant (especially) was confused by the reaction of the Japanese audience, who could not understand English and were “listening to the performance” more than anything else, because the long-term US tour the previous year was greeted with great enthusiasm every day. However, the opening on the 6th went well, as if he took advantage of this, which led to the extreme changes in the set list every day at the Japanese performance. The opening of the Budokan on February 9th, which will be released this time, is a pattern that would never be thought of in the United States. After all, it started with the quiet “Rain Song”. The “HOUSES OF THE HOLY” mode pattern of this song and “No Quarter” being played back to back is also attractive. Both songs were songs that demonstrated the great power of the fusion with the orchestra, which became the pillar of Page Plant’s live stage, and the fact that they were performed in front of a Japanese audience that listened carefully was extremely effective. Speaking of the 1996 Japan tour, the live performance of “Tea For One” surprised fans all over the world. This was a repertoire that was introduced from the previous day’s performance, but at that time they were so nervous that they had to redo the performance, whereas here, the second performance, finally evolved into a wonderful performance that fully utilized the potential of the song. Page’s playing and the fusion with the orchestra here are also wonderful. Despite this, the regular “Since I’ve Been Loving You” returned towards the end of the Japan tour, and it was a repertoire that became completely Japan special. The new song “Yallah” at the time was not well received, so it was not played at all in the second half of the US tour, but it was a good idea to revive it in Japan, and it should be reevaluated as a song that fully utilized the new sound that the two originally wanted to play at live performances. One thing that can be said is that the fusion with the orchestra seems to have been an important key point. And what will be released this time is an audience recording that has never been available among traders before. Speaking of the 1996 Japan tour, there is a huge item called the “10DAYS” box. Although the sound source this time does not reach the on sound image of that, instead, it is a sound source with a three-dimensional sound image and warm sound quality. The sound image of the previous box recording is certainly close, but on the other hand, when you listen to it now, it has a flat texture and a lack of sharpness. Rather, you can enjoy the fresh taste that conveys the power of the performance and the realism of the venue with this sound source. In particular, it is no exaggeration to say that Michael Lee, who is the greatest contributor to Page Plant’s live tour, can be fully enjoyed, and the appeal of this sound source is that you can fully enjoy the wonderful drumming or the power of Michael Lee. “Whole Lotta Love” is the best, in which he maintained the atmosphere of the ZEP studio version while showing a free development every night. The Doors’ “Break On Through” is familiar, but on this day, the medley started with Howlin’ Wolf’s “Spoonful”, a thrilling pattern. Please be sure to re-evaluate this release for the fact that it condenses the new sound that the two were trying to create while inheriting the ZEP tradition, and it brings back memories of the days in 1996 when everyone was excited by the changes in the set list every night. Live at Budokan, Tokyo, Japan 9th February 1996 PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1 (58:36) 1. Introduction 2. The Rain Song 3. No Quarter 4. Babe I’m Gonna Leave You 5. Immigrant Song 6. The Wanton Song 7. Heartbreaker 8. Ramble On 9. Hurdy Gurdy Solo 10. Gallows Pole 11. Whole Lotta Love (incl Spoonful / Break On Through / Dazed And Confused) Disc 2 (68:26) 1. Tea For One 2. Dancing Days 3. Yallah 4. Four Sticks 5. In The Evening 6. Kashmir 7. Black Dog 8. Rock And Roll