Led Zeppelin/UK 1.15.1973

Zeppelin’s concert tours are often divided and described according to the years, but the UK tour that began at the end of November 1972 after the second performance in Japan was a series of consecutive tours that continued through January 1973. After two performances in Montreux, Switzerland as a warm-up, the band toured the UK from November 25, 1972 to January 30, 1973, spending about two months touring the UK. There were a total of 28 performances (including the two at Montreux). In contrast to the 1973 American tour, which was held in large stadiums, this winter’s UK tour was held in small to medium-sized venues as usual. As a result, there was a very close feeling, and the atmosphere of the audience was good, which was reflected in the performances, and it was a tour that produced many great performances. Many avid fans would probably recommend this UK tour, which took place from 1972 to 1973, as the best tour. This UK tour was the most extensive for Zeppelin, whose main target was the American market. The tickets were sold out within a few hours, reflecting the fans’ desire. The Stoke-on-Trent performance, where this work was recorded, corresponds to January 15th, the final day of the tour. Interestingly, in the UK, where there are not many audience recordings, this tour is also known for the leaking of soundboard recordings. If we mention some reasonably comprehensive recordings, the Oxford performance “BRITISH STORY” on January 7, 1973 and the Southampton performance “SOUTHERMPTON UNIVERSITY” on January 22, 1973 would be representative. This situation accelerated further with the European tour that followed in March, and we can listen to many incomplete soundboard recordings from Vienna, Berlin, Bradford, etc. And this work, the Stoke-on-Trent performance on January 15, 1973, is also one of the concerts that can be listened to with high-quality soundboard recordings. The sound quality is not the thin, piquant sound that is common with tabletop soundboards, but rather a well-balanced, high-quality sound with a heavy bass and bass drum, so much so that the speakers placed on the floor resonate with the bass and bass drum. Plant’s vocals are also somewhat effected, which is the sound that could be heard at the concert venue that day, and this is one of the highest quality sound sources, including the soundboard sound source from the European tour in March, except for Southampton. There are several cuts in the content. Two parts are missing: the ending of “The Song Reminds The Same” and the part that connects to the beginning of “The Rain Song”, and the part that connects to the beginning of “Stairway To Heaven” and “Whole Lotta Love”. After the performance of “Whole Lotta Love”, Plant says “Thank you very much and good night”, but it is unclear whether this is the end of the concert or whether there was an encore after this. Considering other performances on the tour, it is possible that “Heartbreaker” or “Communication Breakdown” were played, but since no audience recordings have been confirmed for this performance, the details are a mystery. In any case, this work records the Stoke-on-Trent performance without damaging the existing sound board for even a second. This work is a recording of the Stoke-on-Trent performance on January 15, 1973, from the 1972/1973 UK tour, which is the largest scale up to that point, and has produced many great performances. This high-quality sound will inevitably attract attention, but I would like you to listen to the performance as well. Jimmy’s guitar, which is so sharp that it sounds like he is playing twice as much as usual, is probably the biggest feature of this period. Stoke-on-Trent performance on January 15, 1973 High-quality sound board recording. TRENTHAM GARDENS, STOKE-ON-TRENT U.K. January 15, 1973 DISC ONE 01. Rock And Roll 02. Over The Hills And Far Away 03. Black Dog 04. Misty Mountain Hop 05. Since I’ve Been Loving You 06. Dancing Days 07. Bron-Y-Aur Stomp 08. The Song Remains The Same 09. The Rain Song DISC T WO 01. Dazed And Confused 02. Stairway To Heaven 03. Whole Lotta Love