Led Zeppelin/Tokyo,Japan 9.23.1971

This time, we will release three titles of rare audience recordings from ZEP’s first visit to Japan in 1971. First of all, there was a live performance at Budokan on September 23rd, which was the first day of the performance in Japan. The ZEP legend in Japan has established a firm position through audience recording with the phenomenal performance of this day and the sound sources that have been unearthed one after another since the 1990s. In fact, in the LP era, it was the soundboard recording of the second day in Osaka, known as 929, that conveyed the ferocity of the 1971 performance in Japan, and the items for other performances did not become widespread even after they were released. I don’t think the contents of live shows other than 929 were as well known among enthusiasts as they are now, perhaps because the recorded content itself was insufficient to grasp the full picture of the live performance. Regarding the first day of the Budokan, their popularity suddenly increased due to the excavation of the sound source of “FRONT ROW”, and furthermore, as time passed, the sound source of “FIRST ATTACK OF THE RISING OF THE SUN” or “TIMLESS ROCK” that appeared in the past ten years, There is a feeling that the “ROCK CARNIVAL” sound source reigns as the three major recordings of this day. I’m sure there are many enthusiasts who own one of these sound sources. What can be said in common with all sound sources is that it boasts an amazingly on-sound image for a 1971 audience recording. And “THE CALM AND THE STORM”, which we previously released, was the best example, but in addition to the three major sound sources of the first day of Budokan mentioned above, there are many sound sources from this day, and they have been released. Ta. However, this time we have discovered a new audience recording of the first day of Budokan! How many sound sources are left today? This is a result of the fact that “Japanese fans love Led Zeppelin” and that it was the first day of the long-awaited performance in Japan. However, first of all, I would like to say that this sound source does not reach the level of the three major sound sources mentioned earlier. The degree to which such a sound image is on is what boasts exceptional quality and stereo sound quality at the time of 1971. Furthermore, as for the tendency of the recording condition, it is a monaural sound quality that can be called a series of “TALES OF STORMS” (or “TOKYO TAPES”), which released the full-length version of this live for the first time, and our store’s “THE CALM AND THE STORM”. , this is what can be called an analog-like texture. However, the big appeal is that it is captured with a more active sound image than these sound sources. The same goes for how it captures the realism of a rock concert at Budokan. The unique sense of presence is also the fresh appeal of this sound source. For example, at the beginning of the live performance of “TALES OF STORMS”, a scene of jubilation was captured each time the intro started, saying, “Yay, yay!”, but here, at the same moment, there was a cheer of “Whoa!” Flying around. In that respect, it may seem like it’s only a live performance in Japan. This is also interesting. And as the performance progresses, ZEP’s appearance that draws the Japanese audience into a whirlpool of enthusiasm is also captured as well as other sound sources. After all, the benefit of a week’s vacation from the American tour that ended in Hawaii was immeasurable for Plant. For example, at the LA Forum and our store’s “GOING TO CALIFORNIA” Berkeley, at the end of the American show, even the young Plant seemed to be suffering from throat fatigue, but here at the Budokan, Plant made a strong comeback. The strong scream voice that could only be shown by Plant until 1971. It was already the peak of live activities in 1971, and it was the first performance in Japan that gave birth to the ZEP legend, but among them, Plant’s scream in two days in Tokyo was just astounding. In particular, the only song included in the album “VI” was in 1971, a time when Plant was able to sing it in a state that was as good as the arrangement on the album. Here too, you can listen to the exquisite screams in “Black Dog” and “Stairway To Heaven”. Also, Page’s play is rich in phrases. Combining these elements, ZEP’s performance heard here was so spectacular that it would be no exaggeration to call it a work of art. And “Whole Lotta Medley”, which was performed with strange tension and development from the first day of the Japan tour, was so spectacular! Moreover, as for this sound source, it is wonderful that the sound image becomes even closer here (probably heading towards the front), allowing you to fully enjoy the sharpness of this spectacular medley. The excitement in the venue definitely reached its peak around “Tobacco Road” and “Good Times Bad Times,” which was very popular in Japan. This tremendous enthusiasm can be said to be the moment when the ZEP legend in Japan was born! Certainly, compared to the three major sound sources of this day’s live performance, it is undeniable that it is geared towards enthusiasts. Moreover, “Celebration Day” is not recorded. For this release, we did not intentionally make any edits to compensate for the use of other sound sources, but only made adjustments to the pitch. However, this first appearance sound source that conveys the enthusiasm of the first day of Budokan from another side is also really attractive. It is the magic that is unique to the first performance in Japan that draws you in as you listen. Live at Budokan, Tokyo, Japan 23rd September 1971 Disc 1 (74:37) 1. Intro 2. Immigrant Song 3. Heartbreaker 4. Since I’ve Been Loving You 5. Black Dog 6. Dazed And Confused 7. Stairway To Heaven 8. Bron-Y-Aur Stomp 9. That’s The Way 10. Going To California Disc 2 (65:34) 1. MC 2. What Is And What Should Never Be 3. Moby Dick 4. Whole Lotta Love 5. Communication Breakdown