The Song Remains The Same - LED ZEPPELIN****

Rock & Roll/Celebration Day/The Song Remains The Same/Rain Song/Dazed & Confused/No Quarter/Stairway To Heaven/Moby Dick/Whole Lotta Love

The double album The Song Remains The Same was the sole live release from rock giants Led Zeppelin at the height of their fame. Considered self indulgent by some, an extended version of Moby Dick must be regarded as a very challenging listen. (US:2 UK:1)

“In 1973 Led Zeppelin were on an US tour and decided to film the three shows they played at the Madison Square Garden. The three shows have been filmed and Led Zeppelin wanted to make a movie out of it, but they never had time to work on the movie so it remained unreleased until 1976.”

“The band sound tired. John Bonham fails to deliver the energy that a Led Zeppelin performance needs and Robert Plant is talking monotonously through half of the lyrics like he doesn't even care.”

“A great live album, but the version of Dazed & Confused is about ten minutes too long, and Moby Dick is too long and boring. The remainder is very good.”

“Warts and all, I rather like this appropriately excessive, bloated testament to Led Zeppelin as a live act. Some of the performances are pretty sloppy, but I rather enjoy the extended improvisations on Dazed & Confused and No Quarter.”

“The first part isn't too bad, you get slightly longer versions of some pretty good songs. Then suddenly, you hit the giant, hulking behemoth that is Dazed & Confused, full of lengthy jamming that just doesn't seem to gel, and that's essentially where the rest of the album lingers. Aimless, heartless, soulless. It's unfortunate, because you know there's so much potential for this album, but it's wasted.”

“The songs on this double LP are even more explosive than the studio recordings. Jimmy Page is unbelievable on the guitar and you can almost see Robert Plant on stage because there is so much emotion in his voice. John Bonham is stellar on the drums in a twelve minute version of Moby Dick and John Paul Jones has a great organ solo in No Quarter. If you want a new twist from Led Zeppelin this is for you.”

“Unfortunately, this great band has only this album to represent their live work, which is largely tedious and self-indulgent. How much Dazed & Confused and Moby Dick can you bear? You'll find out if you buy this album.”