Led Zeppelin/Canada 1973

Just a month ago, we released the Seattle performance on July 17, 1973 as “SEATTLE 1973 MASTER REELS”. It has long been famous as a great performance where Robert Plant, who had been in a rough mood in July, sang in the best condition before reaching Madison Square Garden. However, when it came to the live performance in Vancouver the next day, Plant suddenly turned around and was in a terrible state, and the show ended up being significantly shortened. What on earth happened to Plant, who gave such a great performance in Seattle? First of all, the July schedule of the 1973 tour was a difficult start, with Plant’s throat being in very bad condition from the first day in Chicago. Despite this, the soundboard recording of the first day in Chicago has been around for a long time, and it seems that there were many enthusiasts who were overwhelmed by his too bad singing voice. From there, Plant’s throat condition gradually improved (this was better than during the 1975 US tour), and the best performance was the famous Seattle performance. Unlike MSG, who was in high spirits due to the filming of the movie “THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME” combined with the state of the final stage of the tour, Seattle was only one day on the tour. Despite this, Plant sang a song that conveyed so much spirit. However, perhaps the strain there was a hit, and it may have reverberated on the stage in Vancouver the next day. The Vancouver audience recording to be released this time will be an incomplete version that captures only the first half of the live performance. However, even just listening to it, Plant’s condition was clear. The difference from the previous day’s Seattle performance was clear even with just the first two songs. Plant seemed to be having a hard time singing. It’s true that he wasn’t at full throttle in the beginning of Seattle. However, Plant’s condition on this day was beyond that level. It’s no exaggeration to say that the nightmare of the first day in Chicago is over again. In addition, after finishing “Black Dog”, you can even hear the MC as if he was actually in a bad mood. It is clear that Plant was in a state of disarray at this point. Ironically, the other three members were in top form from the opening. For example, the ending of “Celebration Day” ended with a fairly high tension and the performance was piling up. Not only in America, but in the 1973 stage of ZEP, the more Plant was in a bad mood, the more the other three members stood out, and this day was no exception. The performance was filled with a simmering spirit. Plant’s condition was probably clear even before the show started, and it seems that the professionalism of having to perform on stage was reflected in the spirit of this performance. Plant’s throat trouble also seemed to take a break around “Misty Mountain Hop”, and then “Since I’ve Been Loving You” and “No Quarter”, which were longer in the performance parts than the singing parts, seemed to be a further salvation for him. However, in reality, Plant seemed to be in a bad mood, and the next songs to be played, “The Song Remains The Same” and “The Rain Song”, were omitted. This was also thought to have been decided before the live started. When a version of the entire show was discovered, it was clear that Plant’s voice was still painful, even when moving to “Dazed And Confused”, which also had more playing parts than singing parts. After this, it seems that it was possible to buy time with Bonzo’s drum solo “Moby Dick”, but in fact, they were forced to play “Stairway To Heaven” and end the show. Of course, it goes without saying that his voice was still painful there. After “Stairway To ~”, which was the climax of every night on the 1973 tour, the audience who thought that the final stage of the live performance was waiting for them was cruelly told, “Led Zeppelin has left the venue, Robert Plant has been taken to the hospital”. The unexpected development made the venue, which had been buzzing until just a moment ago, quiet down. There is speculation that this incident was caused by a drug-like foreign substance being mixed into the drink Plant had in the dressing room before the performance, causing him to fall into a bad trip. However, listening to the sound source in this way, it seems that the main cause was that his throat was fundamentally in bad condition. And yet the performance of the other three was really fulfilling, and Jimmy Page’s wonderful playing shone brilliantly at the end of “Dazed And Confused” and in the second half of “Stairway To Heaven”. In addition, the sound quality of the audience recording on this day was quite good, and it boasts a quality that is comparable to the previous day’s “SEATTLE 1973 MASTER REELS”. On the contrary, this is a stereo recording. It is true that there is a problem that the beginning of “Black Dog” is not recorded, but since there has been no item for the past few years, I think that many people are surprised at how easy it is to listen to. The performances of the three members other than Plant mentioned earlier are just as fulfilling. For this release, the master recording was done again, and the pitch that was slow in the second half of the show was accurately adjusted. The noises scattered in “Stairway To~”, where Page performed as if to cover for the unwell Plant, were carefully removed. The ultimate documentary sound source of the 1973 American tour, which was full of happenings in a single night show, will be released in the best condition for the first time in a long time! Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, BC. Canada 18th July 1973 Disc 1 (47:39) 1. Rock And Roll 2. Celebration Day 3. Black Dog 4. Over The Hills and Far Away 5. Misty Mountain Hop 6. Since I’ve Been Loving You 7. No Quarter Disc 2 (36:57) 1. Dazed And Confused 2. Stairway To Heaven 3. Announcement