Audio CD review:
Led Zeppelin - How The West Was Won

Led Zeppelin - How The West Was Won

Band: Led Zeppelin Title: How The West Was Won Rating: Release Date: 27 May, 2003 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: LA Drone 2: Immigrant Song 3: Heartbreaker 4: Black Dog 5: Over The Hills And Far Away 6: Since I've Been Loving You 7: Stairway To Heaven 8: Going To California 9: That's The Way 10: Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp 11: Dazed And Confused 12: What Is And What Should Never Be 13: Dancing Days 14: Moby Dick 15: Whole Lotta Love (Medley) 16: Rock And Roll 17: The Ocean 18: Bring It On Home

Editoral Review But this triple-disc live set (culled from 1972 Long Beach/LA shows in advance of Houses of the Holy) addresses history with a vengeance, if a few decades late. For a band with such an overarching legacy, the official record of Led Zeppelin's legendary--and unpredictable--live act has heretofore been poorly represented by the disappointing, scattershot soundtrack to The Song Remains the Same. These shows have rightfully assumed cult status in the bootleg market, showcasing a band at the peak of its creative and performing powers. Zep faithful will welcome the belated release as evidence for enduring loyalty, but younger fans may find its diversity and dynamics even more enlightening--indeed, whole careers have since been built on the musical ideas Jimmy Page and company toss off here as decorative filler. Crucially rooted in the amped-and-hammered American blues of the guitarist's former band, the Yardbirds, the marathon workouts of "Dazed and Confused" and "Whole Lotta Love" (which consume nearly an hour all by themselves) somehow encompass Ricky Nelson, Morocco, James Brown, Holst, Elvis Presley, and Muddy Waters amidst their trademark sturm und drang, while the acoustic set that closes out disc one showcases the band's--and particularly Robert Plant's--good-natured, crypto-Celtic folk appeal with energetic aplomb. Bigger and brasher than just about any rock act that followed in its historic wake, yet ever fan-loyal to its myriad influences, Led Zeppelin's live juggernaut finally gets the monument it deserves. --Jerry McCulley .. You can see a complete list of all Led Zeppelin discography, or go back to the Led Zeppelin tabs