Led Zeppelin/Germany 1970 Vintage LP Edition

A truly nostalgic reissue of a live recording of Zeppelin! The 1970 Düsseldorf concert was fully revealed in the long-sold-out “DUSSELDORF 1970,” but it also served as one of the few recordings to capture the 1970 European tour in the LP era. That’s the ultra-nostalgic “LIFE.” Released in 1975, this LP offered the first glimpse into the spring European tour, at a time when the only live performances from 1970 were Blueberry Hill, piano, or the Mudslide copy. Not only that, “LIFE” is a mono audience recording with exceptional sound quality, featuring exceptional clarity and a close sound image. Even today, the quality is excellent. It’s a shame that no recordings other than those heard on this LP have been unearthed, likely due to the recordings being released by the original artists themselves. With so much time having passed, it’s unlikely that any recordings other than those on the LP will ever be unearthed. It’s also a highly desirable item. The unusual jacket prominently features the Zeppelin airship symbol used in Zeppelin’s advertising in 1970. The title was intended to be “LIVE,” but the initial release was misprinted as “LIFE,” a tragic mistake. As a result, the original, but misprinted, “LIFE” has become rarer. In fact, “LIFE” has become commonplace on the used market, often commanding higher prices than “LIVE.” Still, the title of a live album is rather lame. On the other hand, it was the Japanese-made copy “WHITE SUMMER” that brought this surprisingly high-quality audience recording to the public’s attention. First of all, “LIFE” and “LIVE” were rare from the start, so copying them was a clever idea. The label that released it, MARC, is known for its sophisticated, direct-print jacket designs. As a result, “WHITE SUMMER” became a huge hit, and their strategy was a complete success. In the 1970s, when information was scarce, a recording of a previously unheard-of Zeppelin live performance was considered a masterpiece in itself, and even a copy of “LIFE” still sounded high enough. Furthermore, “WHITE SUMMER” is easy to listen to for a copy thanks to the addition of a slight echo, while “LIFE” has a more understated track selection and ample recording time. To add a bonus, two tracks from 1969’s Winterland from Wizardo’s “CAUTION EXPLOSIVE” were added at the beginning and end, and even Wizard, who had no connection to Zeppelin, borrowed a playful “ABCD…” from the same album. It’s nostalgic that this was also mistaken for a Zeppelin performance. And despite being credited to Hamburg, not Düsseldorf, “WHITE SUMMER” became a worldwide classic, and in the 1980s, it was copied by the RSR label, which also released “LISTEN TO THIS EDDIE.” In other words, “LIFE” even spawned a copy of a copy. Even during the CD era, many items were copied from “WHITE SUMMER” rather than the original. This time, we’ve meticulously reissued the venerable “LIFE” from the master. Because it’s a vintage LP, scratches are easily removed. Yet, there’s no unsophisticated noise reduction that alters the sound quality. The exceptional freshness and clarity of the recording are breathtaking, as if capturing the atmosphere of 1970. Even the “WHITE SUMMER” recording is clearly different from the original. Compared to the frenetic Montreux in Europe in the same 1970s, it even conveys the sense of the band concentrating on their performance in a more relaxed environment. The pre-release “Since I’ve Been Loving You” and the early 1970s-inspired “Dazed and Confused” are also captivating. Not only is the sound quality exceptionally clear, but the quiet surroundings also contribute to the ease of listening. The sound quality is truly outstanding. Nowadays, even Pink Slick copies are rare, and even the first edition’s misprinted cover, “LIFE,” is a distant memory. In 2025, this truly mega-rare, original 1970 Düsseldorf masterpiece has been meticulously reissued on CD. This reissued audience album allows you to easily enjoy the stunning clarity of a vintage LP! Recorded directly from the master, this is the first title to be recorded directly from this incredibly rare recording! While there have been vinyl transcriptions of this performance in the past, most have been copies of “White Summer” from this LP. This recording is from the original, ensuring exceptional clarity! While the crackle has been removed, aggressive processing has been avoided. Live at Rheinhalle, Dusseldorf, Germany 12th March 1970 TRULY PERFECT SOUND Taken from The Vintage LP “LIFE”(Best Nr. 1017M / M-1013-A/B) (38:26) Side A 1. MC 2. Since I’ve Been Loving You 3. White Summer Side B 4. MC 5. Dazed And Confused