Celebration Night

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It was Celebration Night around the world, and certainly in my little part of it where no less than 5 theatres within' a 25 minute drive were showing Celebration Day. I must say, minus a few quibbles, it was as good, better, than I hoped for: a magical recreation of a magical night.

The movie is the concert, full bore. A few edits to keep the pacing going, a few small parts of the show where cut for brevity. But ultimately, it was the show. They didn't mess too much with the music, although they tried to fix the little mess in "Dazed and Confused when the rhythm section seemed to not be connecting." But otherwise it was the show, just the show, and nothing but the show. On that note, here's what I said about the show at the time:

...I won’t equivocate: this was a great concert by a great band that was in great form. I simply can’t imagine how good these guys would be after a few shows to get the groove going. If they do tour, and it would be a crime if they don’t, I want to see them again mid tour. They would be an unimaginable force of music.

Too bad about that last bit.

Now the quibbles. First, I would have set the stage, given the movie some context. An intro in which the camera is outside the O2 before the show, so everybody understands it was London. Further I would have replaced the old Tampa TV news clip that started the show with one from the O2 show. My feeling watching it was, if I didn't know better, I'd think I was seeing Led Zeppelin in Tampa in the 70's.

Others have commented on the 35mm footage used in the movie, and it was too much. It's a cool effect used half a dozen times through the movie: they used it 3 or 4 times a song. Way too much. And the film was edited to MTV standards, which means it was far to jumpy.

But again, these are mere quibbles, disagreement over choices, not commentary on the performance itself. The truth on the performance itself is, it holds up extremely well, and Celebration Day is a must see movie for music fans, and a must see more than once for Led Zeppelin fans.

Celebration Day Premier

The Led Zeppelin's, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones, held a preview press screening of Celebration Day in London yesterday, and afterwards held a 34 minute presser. As well, they released information on the various formats that Celebration Day will be available when it's released in November.

Here's the press conference:



Celebration Day will be released in DVD/Bluray, CD and digital download on November 19th. The formats are:

2 CD Softpak
Deluxe Edition 2CD + 2 DVD
2 CD + 1 DVD
2 CD + 1 Blu-Ray
2 Cd + 1 DVD + 1 Blu-Ray
Blu-Ray Audio
Digital audio download

As well, a 3 LP Vinyl Packagewill be released on February 5th.

All items can be pre-ordered through Led Zeppelin.com, or, of course, you can click on the links above.

Celebration Day

Audio And Video From Legendary 2007 Concert
To Be Available In Multiple Configurations On November 19

Concert Slated For Global Theatrical Release On October 17

(Los Angeles, Sept. 13, 2012) – On December 10, 2007, Led Zeppelin took the stage at London’s O2 Arena to headline a tribute concert for dear friend and Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. What followed was a two-hour-plus tour de force of the band’s signature blues-infused rock ’n’ roll that instantly became part of the legend of Led Zeppelin. Founding members John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant were joined by Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham, to perform 16 songs from their celebrated catalog including landmark tracks “Whole Lotta Love,” “Rock And Roll,” “Kashmir,” and “Stairway To Heaven.”

Although 20 million people applied for tickets, the band’s first headline show in 27 years was seen only by the 18,000 ticket holders who were fortunate enough to have secured seats through the worldwide lottery.

The film of Celebration Day will see a worldwide theatrical release by Omniverse Vision on 1,500 screens in over 40 territories on October 17. The theatrical screenings will follow premieres in London, Los Angeles, New York, and other major cities. Tickets for the public screenings will be available on September 13 via ledzeppelin.com.

Celebration Day will then be available in multiple video and audio formats on November 19 from Swan Song/Atlantic Records. Specific product details will be announced soon.

From Led Zeppelin.com.

Led Zeppelin live at Cineplex Odeon

It appears Led Zeppelin is lining up with Cineplex Odeon theatres for Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day. Here's the synopsis from Cineplex's website:

On December 10, 2007, Led Zeppelin took the stage at London’s O2 Arena to headline a tribute concert for dear friend and Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. What followed was a two--- hour---plus tour de force of the band’s signature blues---infused rock ’n’ roll that instantly became part of the legend of Led Zeppelin. Founding members John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant were joined by Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham, to perform 16 songs from their celebrated catalogue including landmark tracks “Whole Lotta Love,” “Rock And Roll,” “Kashmir,” and “Stairway To Heaven.” Although 20 million people applied for tickets, the band’s first headline show in 27 years was seen only by the 18,000 ticket holders who were fortunate enough to have secured seats through the worldwide lottery. Now, for the first time, fans in over 40 territories worldwide will be able to get a front row seat to experience this historic event in glorious high definition and incredible surround sound. Experience it on the big screen for a strictly limited period only.

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This will likely be officially announced tomorrow with the announcement of the DVD.

Two days are being listed in Canada, Wednesday October 17th and Thursday October 25th. Check your local theatre for ticket information or go to http://www.cineplex.com/Movies/MovieDetails/Led-Zeppelin-Celebration-Day.aspx?date=2012-10-17 and search your location.

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Update, this theatrical release is confirmed with my local theatre. Link added.

And another: It hadn't occurred to me, but is the picture at  top, which was at the Cineplex Odeon website, the DVD cover?

O2 DVD Announcement Coming

The countdown is on. With a '5' in the traditional Houses of the Holy font appearing on their Facebook page Saturday, Led Zeppelin announced something was up. Sunday was 'four', Led Zeppelin 4 style, and yesterday a 'III', ala the third album. So what of today? You guessed it, brown bomber style:



What can it all mean? Jeff Strawman has a good accounting of the possible theories, only one of which makes any sense whatsoever: the O2 DVD/Bluray will see commercial release.

There is no surprise here as it was talked about heavily last year, and then died suddenly on the vine. Rumours of it being issued this year  began a few months ago, and last week was seemingly confirmed by a Belgium radio station. That post was taken down after a day, suggesting not necessarily inaccuracy, but that the original post was premature. And so it seems it is.

Early this morning, the Sun newspaper in the UK reported that the O2 DVD/Bluray is being released on November 22nd.

As well, over the last 2 days, video has been appearing on the Facebook page and the band's official YouTube page. Here's today's:



As for the countdown, know that five years ago on day zero, September 13, the band announced the reunion show. Seriously, it's a CD/DVD/Bluray and nothing else.

Gentleman (and ladies), start your Christmas list.

November Release?

A radio station blog out of Belgium, Classic 21, is reporting this morning that Led Zeppelin will release a DVD and CD of their December 2007 performance at the O2 arena in London. Here is a translation of the main body of the post:

The famous Led Zeppelin concert in London at the O2 Arena in 2007 double DVD released in November.

According to Warner Music , a double DVD, accompanied by two CDs, the resume legendary concert which took place in 2007 at the 02 Arena, where 9 million people had tried to buy 18,000 tickets available.

No complete set had been given since 1979. Among the crowd, there were Paul McCartney, Noel and Liam Gallagher, David Gilmour, Arctic Monkeys, Kate Moss and Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters.

Note that Classic 21 is saying it will be a double DVD/Bluray and a CD release as well - presumably a vinyl issue will be in the mix as well.

A representative from Robert Plant's management office couldn't confirm the release and queries to Warner Brothers, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones representatives have so far been unanswered.

As of now, this is strictly a rumour.

Classic 21 is one of Belgium's largest radio stations, formerly part of the Belgium public radio network RTBF (Belgian Radio and Television of the French Community). It is the largest chain of radio traffic in French speaking Belgium and is listened to widely in the north of France.

I will update this story as more information emerges.

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Update: a change has been made removing writing credit for the Classic 21 post as it may have been inaccurate. The original post is, in fact, unsigned,

Update 2: From the comments:

The article seems to have been removed altogether from Classic 21’s site…unfortunate..

O2 Reunion Show DVD Coming at "Tectonic Plate Speed."

In his latest edition of the ubiquitous Led Zeppelin fanzine, Tight But Loose, Dave Lewis interviews John Paul Jones. He asks the most important question on the Led Zeppelin fans minds (besides when are you playing together again?, which, kudos to him, Lewis manages to avoid asking). When asked what is happening on the release of a DVD  (and BlueRay obviously) of the O2 reunion show, Jones said:

...things move at a tectonic plate speed in the Zeppelin camp.

As a follow up, Lewis asks, "So you can see it happening?"

I could have... I'm not sure... I think it will but obviously it's not just down to me, there are two others to consider. Let's hope it does.

This answer tells us a couple of things. The DVD is being held up by a member of Zeppelin, or his camp, not called John Paul Jones. And by "two others," we can presume Jones doesn't mean Jason Bonham.

As for a post O2 reunion tour, and the three instrumentalists in the band playing together, Jones had this to say:

I did rehearsals with Jimmy and Jason and I think we all thought it could be a goer. In the end we couldn't really find a singer we could all agree on and it fizzled out...

As for Them Crooked Vultures, Jones saw himself playing with Josh Homme and Dave Grohl again, but not in the near future:

...it's probably way ahead but yes I could see it coming together again.

It's an excellent overall interview with the Zeppelin bassist that covers everything from his equipment to his opera.

If you don't subscribe to Tight But Loose, I can't recommend it enough. However, if you would rather check it out first, issue 32 is available as a one off purchase from Tight But Loose:

http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/tblweb09/?page_id=14475

I'll have a full review of the entire edition in the next few days, but at halfway through, it is excellent. Click on the link and buy now.

Jimmy Page at Shepherd's Bush

With just an hour to go until Jimmy Page was scheduled to launch his new website, JimmyPage.com, Page stepped out with The Black Crowes at Shepherd’s Bush O2.

Page came out for the last song and played the Elmore James classic, Shake Your Money Maker.

“The Crowes rocked tonight… Jimmy came on wearing roller skates!!” joked Peter Noble on his Facebook feed. “Amazing show.”

O2 Rehearsal MP3's Leaked

Leading up to the Dec 2007 Led Zeppelin reunion at the O2 arena in London, the members of Led Zeppelin met at the Shepperton studios, in the UK to rehearse. An MP3 version of four of the rehearsal songs has leaked online at The Big O Zine.

The four songs are Good Times, Bad Times, For Your Life, Since I've Been Loving You and Rock and Roll. On the Led Zeppelin newsgroup FBO, commentators have been mixed on the release. Some have commented on Jimmy Page's superior playing, John Paul Jones sounding strong. Others have noted that Robert Plant is not giving 100% (not uncommon for singers at rehearsal), and that Good Times, Bad Times and Rock and Roll are being played a key lower than originally recorded. For my money, all those comments are correct, but would add I don't like Jimmy Page's tone, especially on Good Times, Bad Times.

However, this is historically interesting and important archival material. Listen also for the harmony vocals on the chorus Good Times, Bad Times - Jason Bonham, perhaps?

The songs are currently only available on MP3, but are still well worth a listen for any Led Zeppelin fan.