One of the most frustrating things about bootleg collecting, especially long lost archive recordings from over 40 years ago, is getting fragments, edits, incomplete shows. The 12th show of Led Zeppelin's 6th US tour at Milwaukee Arena, Wisconsin is a case in point. A brilliant performance, well recorded by the way, is a particular case in point. Not a tape that's been circulating since the year dot, but a more recent discovery. And we have (almost) the first hour. I've not been party to any trader discussion about this tape, but it could be the rest has been 'hoarded', it could be the second tape was lost or it could be that was all that was recorded in the first place. Hmm. Whatever the reason, let's at least be thankful for what there is and keep somewhere in the back of our minds more MAY one day burst forth blinking into the light.
The original date of August 27th was postponed due to the sad death of John Paul Jones' father Joe. Jonesy flew home and the show was rescheduled 4 days later.
Led Zeppelin hit the stage with a vengeance. Robert's sirens bear down on the enthusiastic crowd as they punish Immigrant Song into oblivion. Jimmy's solo is getting longer and looser with his cascading beat pop figures held in check and answered by Bonzo at every turn. Heartbreaker opens the sound up and the crowd responds to the stomping boogie. Jimmy's solo is again masterful, the one handed figures bringing huge roars and sighs before he brings it down for some lovely jazz figures. After some screaming sustained notes we get a brief Bouree before the blast off. 2 tracks in and Led Zeppelin have then eating out of their hands.
Dazed And Confused continues the onslaught. It sounds angry and brutal, Bonzo killing his Ludwig snare behind Robert's garbled lyrics. The bow is extended and teeters between pure showmanship and whispered delicacy. When once again Led Zeppelin blast off, the half speed post 'chase' section has Robert throwing in lines from Rock 'n' Roll Is Here To Stay before Jimmy twists the riffs again with some amazing off the cuff riffing. Bring It On Home is even more remarkable, the 4-way instrumental getting longer and longer as Robert's harmonica is the star as it fights against more of Jimmy's 60's beat almanac licks including hints of Baby Please Don't Go.
The welcome breather of the 2 track acoustic interlude has Robert talking about the West Allis Festival gig the previous summer and the new confident Led Zeppelin is really starting to shine through the longer the tour goes on. Since I've Been Loving You is a beautifully paced blues by now, and still able to twist and wriggle inside a pretty straight arrangement.
And sadly that is that. The rest, which judging by what's here could well have been an outstanding gig. The rest of the tour we do have points that way too. There are several bootlegs by the usual suspects, all using the same recording with similar results. Wonderful show, sadly only a part, but a great listen.
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