LED ZEPPELIN - ATLANTA POP FESTIVAL 5-7-69

 

'Ain't Gotta Worry 'Bout My Sins!'

Any 'new' or previously unheard Led Zeppelin recording is always an event. The show stopping late afternoon performance at the Atlanta International Pop Festival on July 5th 1969 - the first date of their third US Tour - is the stuff of legend. Already a fearsome live act with a huge reputation, Peter Grant strategically put together a two month 35 date tour that included club, theatre and arena shows and no less than 10 Festival appearances.

For decades it's been widely rumoured and probably true the Soundboard of Zeppelin's set exists as it was recorded professionally and remains in the hands of the promoters. Up until now the only circulating recording has been some 49 seconds of silent 8mm cine film, plus lots of memorabilia including various posters, tickets, pictures etc. 

Now, finally, some of the audio has emerged. Sadly not the soundboard, but a good if distant audience recording that captures 42 minutes of the show. The fact it's genuine is both a magnificent gift to us fans of the Live Zeppelin experience and also a relief considering the steady stream of misdates and deceptions that have circulated over the last 50 plus years. 

So what do we have? Well, we have five of the six tracks known to have been played in the set (from reviews). We're missing the set closer 'How Many More Times' and the reported encore of 'Communication Breakdown'.

The tape cuts/fades in during the opening moments of 'Train Kept A-Rollin'. Wow. The audience are already in near hysteria, screaming and clapping along, bursting into ovations spontaneously. The sound is fairly well balanced, only John Paul is 'missing' at times is the mix. The first thing that hit me is Robert's voice. He's wild, overwhelming with an incredible range and potent confidence. Bonzo drives the band along as only he can and Jimmy is indeed on fire. It sounds almost out of control but the perfect stop/start puts the incredible dynamics into focus. Superb!

At 2 minutes 42 seconds Zeppelin segue into 'I Can't Quit You, Baby'. The playful introduction theme (extra to what we hear on the LP version) is light and syncopated, Bonzo flexing that right foot and Robert howling to the moon. From then on it's spine tingling. Dynamic, sexually charged and incredibly deft. It comes to an end at 8 minutes 43 seconds, greeted by a huge standing ovation from the 90,000 plus crowd.

Robert greets the crowd, talks about how hot it is then introduces 'something we managed to put on the first album. At 9 minutes 13 seconds we're into 'Dazed And Confused'. Already extended, the tension is palpable as Bonzo matches Jimmy's wah wah harmonic twirls with loud and powerful gong crescendos. Again Robert is all over everything, drawing whoops and cheers from the already mesmerised crowd, until some 3 minutes in and Jimmy takes it to another level with the bow. Brilliant stuff, and followed by the frenzied call and response 'chase' before a perfect return to the main theme. But it's not over yet! After the last verse and Robert proclaiming 'Ain't gotta worry 'bout my sins', the band bring it down to a whisper while Robert ad libs with scats, yodels and cries. Incredible as 'Dazed' climaxes at 10 minutes 36 seconds.

Barely time to catch our breath, it's time for Jimmy's 'White Summer'/'Black Mountainside' showcase. His playing is so fluent and inspired, including some incredible cascades and flurries in the second half of the 9 minutes and 45 seconds version, just before Bonzo powers it to a climax.

Next up, and sadly the last part of the tape we have, is 'You Shook Me'. No organ, but some fantastic harmonica before Led Zeppelin slip so easily into that groove. This is a band on fire. And yes, it's only the first night of the tour! Of course, unlike later years gigs were coming thick and fast and they'd last performed just a week before with two set at the 'Pop Proms' at London's Royal Albert Hall.

This version of 'YSM' is special. Already one of my favourite versions ever (up there with the Winterland 25-4-69 version) it runs almost 11 minutes and is sheer joy, intensity and sexual groove. And when we get to the Jimmy/Robert call and response... You've never heard anything like it, truly!

So there we have it. Yet another unique and essential piece of Led Zeppelin's history for us all to enjoy. For those of us able to look beyond the quality, edits etc it is simply incredible. Enjoy my friends, and it makes me wonder - What's Next!?