LED ZEP LIVE AT FILLMORE WEST 1969
January 16, 2009 – 3:41 am
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LED ZEPPELIN
The Dancing Avocado [Godfather Records, 1CD]
Live at Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA, April 24, 1969. Excellent audience recording.
This Led Zeppelin gig has been circulating under different names - just to list a few: on LP as The Rising Of The Zeppelin (no label) and San Francisco ‘69 (no label); and on CD as Best Of 1969 Tour (Forever Standard Series), Black Beauty (Wendy Records), Blues Anytime (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Cabala (CD Company SRL), Conquering California (Dinopower Records), Cracker Jack Blues (Jelly Roll), The Dancing Avocado (Small Fish CD-R), The Dancing Avocado - Supreme Edition (Small Fish CD-R), Fillmore 69 (House Of Elrond), Fillmore West (Last Stand Disc) and Fillmore West 1969 (Scorpio).
Add to that list is this recent version from Godfather Records.
This is the write-up posted at Collectors Music Reviews:
“Long rumoured to be stolen directly from Bill Graham’s vaults, this show has everything a Zephead could want and so much more. Pure Psychodelia with a mixture of raw power make for a Red Hot set. Every member of the band is in fine shape and turns in an inspired performance. Robert’s voice sounds amazing and the rest of the group are as tight as can be. Halfway through this recording John Paul Jones’ bass amp blows up but he somehow manages to get through the rest of the gig.
“Upon writing this review I sat down and compared this version to the Empress Valley release, Listen To The Difference, and I’m leaning towards this release (sounding a bit cleaner). There’s just a bit more body and depth to this release which definitely takes it to another level. This recording has long been thought to be a soundboard recording due to how well balanced the instruments are. Robert’s voice is a bit lower than everyone else. Coming from two microphones placed directly on stage could explain why his voice is a bit lower. The instruments are picked up well but the microphones are placed behind the throw of the main PA speakers.”
If you don’t own or have not listened to any early Led Zep gigs, this is certainly a good place to start.
Thanks to thewall68 for sharing the tracks on the internet.
Note: Click on the highlighted tracks to download the MP3s (these are high quality stereo MP3s - sample rate of 192 kbps). As far as we can ascertain, these tracks have never been officially released.
Due to the size of some of the files, please be very patient when downloading the tracks. Kindly email us at mybigo@bigozine.com if you encounter problems downloading the files.
Track 01. As Long As I Have You (Medley) (20:12) (28.4MB - visit the html page to download the track)
Track 02. Killing Floor (8:52) (12.1MB)
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Track 03. White Summer/Black Mountain Side (10:23) (14.2MB)
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Track 04. Babe I’m Gonna Leave You (7:14) (9.9MB)
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Track 05. Pat’s Delight (12:19) (17.3MB - visit the html page to download the track)
The latest and possibly greatest Led Zeppelin primer is the new Mothership release. It’s a bit bright but still a wonderful listen. Click here to order Led Zeppelin albums.
11 Responses to “LED ZEP LIVE AT FILLMORE WEST 1969”
Thanks! Can there ever be enuff Led Zep ROIO?
I don’t think so….
By Hulkzilla on Jan 16, 2009
My friend, aresee, taped this. He also taped the 1973 Kezar stadium show. Def not a Bill Graham source.
By soldout in San francisco on Jan 16, 2009
Hello soldout in San francisco
Thanks for your comments. Apart from the historical value, there is also a lot of fan interest in this show because it was very well recorded.
Would appreciate it if you or your friend can tell us how the show was recorded; what equipment was used (reel-to-reel deck?); position of the mikes (on stage or right in front?); and how the tape eventually surfaced among collectors.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
By bigozine2 on Jan 16, 2009
Hi BigO -
My friend told me he used a Panasonic cassette recorder, normal bias tape “because that was the only bias that was available at the time.” He said he basically set the deck on the stage, which thankfully results in Plant’s vocals being buried a bit, and captures the other three as if they are playing in the listener’s living room. I’ll ask him about mic details but I seem to recall the mics were built into the deck. Also he mentioned that the batteries only lasted one hour, and that’s why the recording is incomplete. He gave me a DAT of the show quite some time ago and we talked about it then. I still see him regularly so I’ll get more details, however I leave in a few days for my first trip down under with plans to see Leonard Cohen and Paul Kelly at 3 wineries, Jeff Beck in Adelaide, and a Triffids reunion in Melbourne.
By soldout in san francisco on Jan 16, 2009
Wow SoldOut! Sounds like a great trip. Ever thought about Montreaux Jazz in Switzerland? I’m looking for someone to share hotel and hang with for a week in July.
By Nonsensely on Jan 16, 2009
Another classic featured here. Live Zep never gets old. This one has fantastic, up-close sound, putting you right in the fire. Thanks!
By Dave C. on Jan 16, 2009
I talked with my friend today about this recording. He said he used the first portable cassette recorder that Sony ever produced, which had a large single point stereo mic. He said he was right in front of the stage, and the recorder used D-sized batteries. The batteries went dead earlier than he expected I guess. Battery technology was iffy in those days as well. For the 1973 Kezar show (not featured here btw) he used a different and better deck. He managed to find a spot behind the stage with good visibility and with monitors pointed in his direction. I’m gonna have to pull out the DAT of that show. Lastly Zep-wise he taped them in 1977 at Oakland Coliseum. I think he went the 2nd day — 24jul1977 is the date. With each successive year they got a bit more lackluster, compared to the energy of this 1969 show. As an aside, I recently watched the Seattle 1977 Superdome DVD, and now I know why they never released it.
By soldout in san francisco on Jan 17, 2009
Hello soldout in san francisco
Thanks for the update.
Cheers.
By bigozine2 on Jan 17, 2009
always nice to have another Zep show without stairway…
By sluggo on Jan 17, 2009
zep at there very best!
By rob on Jan 2, 2010
Great show…
By Shaun on Jan 2, 2010