How the West Was Won
On September 25, 1980, John Bonham was found dead, putting to an end one of the greatest bands in the history of rock and roll. Led Zeppelin was no more. With a reemerging interest in classic rock (and, consequently, Led Zeppelin) among the nation’s youth, it is disappointing that this younger generation will never be able to enjoy Led Zeppelin live in their prime. However, a 3-disc compilation of live tracks from several 1972 west coast shows allows a new breed of Zeppelin fans to get as close to the real thing as possible. How The West Was Won shows how Led Zeppelin truly won the hearts of its fans, by being masters of the live performance.
What is immediately striking in the opening tracks “LA Drone/Immigrant Song” is how heavy the band sounds live. The studio version of “Immigrant Song” pales in comparison. Jon Bonham’s thundering drums, paired with guitar virtuoso Jimmy Page’s driving guitar instantly stuns the listener, begging for more. If “Immigrant Song” was heavy, the blues-driven “Heartbreaker” takes it one step further, it’s main riff dragging like a sack of lead. Of course, to have a Led Zeppelin compilation without “Stairway to Heaven” is an unforgivable sin. Break out the lighters, for this album delivers, Robert Plant’s soft crooning and Page’s guitar pairing for a song that still holds its potency over thirty years later.
Disc 2 opens up with a Led Zeppelin fan’s dream, a 25-minute rendition of “Dazed and Confused.” This bluesy-groove shows how Zeppelin’s song writing prowess enabled them to create a song that reflects emotion not only lyrically, but musically. The slow, pondering mood of the song fits the title perfectly. In contrast, “Dancing Days” pays homage to the hippie days, but still shows an undying musical genius. Disc 2 ends with an extended version of “Moby Dick,” an instrumental piece showcasing nearly twenty minutes of John Bonham’s drumming prowess, and why he was such an integral part of the band’s longevity.
Disc 3 features the hard-driving “Rock and Roll,” only ten times louder and heavier than any studio version. Page’s guitar cuts through riff after riff like a saw-blade, John Bonham and John Paul Jones keeping beat in flawless perfection. A 9-minute version of “Bring it on Home” ends the album with the listener begging for more.
In the end, nothing can truly replace hearing Robert Plant’s shrill scream live, but How The West Was Won does the next best thing by bringing a set of amazing lost tracks to the ears of a new generation of Zeppelin fans.
