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. 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. 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

Customer Rating:
Summary: Rock n Roll Deluxe
Comment: In my opinion this is the definitive live album from the greatest rock band of all time. I would say this is Zeppelin in their prime, but after seeing footage of their 02 Arena reunion in December '07 it appears that they've never left their prime. Needless to say, this collection is fantastic from beginning to end. From the extended guitar solo on the Immigrant Song to the extended jam on Whole lotta love, this album delivers. If you want Zeppelin baby then you've got it!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Be careful when ordering
Comment: I ended up getting a refund as this was not what I had hoped to get. The shipment included two dvd AUDIO disks only. I could only play them on my dvd player, and they displayed a still shot for each song. NO VIDEO. The seller claimed I got what I ordered, but both the Amazon and their(Caiman) descriptions mentioned a dvd. Thanks to the Amazon guarantee, I received a refund. Thanks guys.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Led Zep's lost concert recordings from 1972 was the album of 2003
Comment: Led Zeppelin's third live album (and first triple live album) How the West Was Won was released in May of 2003.
Despite the fact it was recorded in June of 1972, this live album sounds like it was recorded yesterday.
This live album was released in conjunction with the Led Zeppelin 2-DVD set that came out in May of 2003.
The other two live releases, 1976's The Song Remains the Same (which was re-released in a much better version in 2007) and 1997's BBC Sessions, whilst both great, arguably don't match the fire and passion this 3-disc live effort has!
How the West Was Won was recorded in June of 1972 in California during the warm-up tour for Houses of the Holy which would not be released for almost an entire year. Jimmy Page's guitar work, Robert Plant's vocals, John Paul Jones' bass playing and keyboard work and the late John Bonham's drumming were just arguably at their best on this set.
Led Zeppelin turn out superior live versions of "The Immigrant Song", "Heartbreaker", "Going to California", "That's the Way", "Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp", "What Is and What Should Never Be" and the closing "Bring it On Home" I have ever heard.
"Since I've Been Loving You", "Stairway to Heaven", "Rock and Roll" and "Black Dog" are excellent here although am more biased to the versions on the re-issued The Song Remains the Same.
Also, Zeppelin were not afraid to stretch out live as demonstrated on "Dazed and Confused" with Page's eerie violin bow guitar solo (and teasers of the then un-released tracks "The Crunge" and 'Walter's Walk" in the middle section after the violin bow solo where the band jam), "Moby Dick" is phenomenal with Bonham's killer drum solo showing us why he was one of rock and roll's greatest drummers and lastly the extended "Whole Lotta Love" which rivals the version on The Song Remains the Same (either the original 1976 release or 2007 re-release).
Also, Zeppelin previewed the then-upcoming Houses of the Holy album (not released until March of 1973) with stellar versions on "Over the Hills and Far Away", a teaser of "The Crunge" in "Dazed and Confused", "Dancing Days" and of course "The Ocean".
Kevin Shirley plus Zeppelin mastermind Jimmy Page remixed and remastered this album in a painstaking fashion and the results are extremely superb.
When How the West Was Won was released, the public spoke (I helped the cause) and pushed How the West Was Won to #1 in its first week on Billboard (last "from-the-vault" live album to reach #1 as of this moment) and went Platinum with a bullet! Superb for a so-called "from the vault" live album.
Highly recommended!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Zeppelin live
Comment: Possibly better than The Song Ramains the Same. If you like Led Zeppelin (considered one of the best rock bands and revalued generation after generation) I think this triple is a good choice. The singer is O.K (now his "Raising Sand" is astonishing), the guitarist is wonderful, the bassist sounds fine and the drummer was one of the best in this genre.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great live collection
Comment: These are a set of live recordings that were rediscovered in 2003 and re-mastered.
They sound fantastic and are a must-have for any zeppelin fan. I've recently had
to start driving to work one day a week and these cds have made me look forward
to the ride (which is otherwise miserable).

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