Who will judge Led Zeppelin, the demigods of rock and roll? CAN anyone judge them? With How The West Was Won ending an official drought of Led Zeppelin product and its coverage of the band in their environment (live), one would have to be very careful with their given name to avoid derision or even death by misadventure.

Led Zeppelin has climbed their own Stairway to Heaven. The hordes of fans salivated at the very hint of this set’s release. Coupled with the spectacular Led Zeppelin DVD, fans are likely feeling blessed. And while this review, like others, is unlikely to change to minds of anyone wanting, or not wanting, to purchase this CD set, we can at least provide our thoughts on the phenomenon known as Led Zeppelin. Kick the tires so to speak.

This 3CD set is the result of recorded concert tapes located by Jimmy Page as he was putting together the DVD. Recorded from LA Forum and Long Beach Arena shows in 1972, the set is a weave not only of monolithic songs becoming medleys but also of the two shows sequenced interchangeably. The end result? An ass-kicking document of what many refer to as one of the greatest bands in rock history. But why did it take so long? The answer to that question is one of professionalism. First off, The Song Remains The Same, the band’s other live set, is a carefully thought out and well engineered adventure that showcases the height of the band and their placement in time.

The second approach is simply this, why not now? The band has been out of commission for many years. This recording and the release of the Led Zeppelin DVD bolster their high profile. This becomes especially true if they plan on reforming. This is called shrewd marketing and is used by labels to keep an artist on the sales chart long after their recording output has ceased. Think Elvis and The Beatles. Think of an upcoming and unknowing generation of kids. They have to be educated.

The songs on this set are representative of their career, covering all of the great moments. The fact that they extend some songs to excess and that some are folded into medleys only highlight the prolific talents of the band and their instrumental workmanship. And this is a 3CD set. Imagine how Led Zeppelin really needs to be displayed in order to truly provide a firm grasp of their live prowess. In short, 3 discs aren’t enough.

How the West Was Won is a great set that is unbridled by fantasy and is packed with the real deal. Unleashed Zep at their finest. And while I found a vocal track or two to be a little too restrained (Immigrant Song, for example), overall, the set is pure. There is nothing here that won’t satisfy fans. There is "Black Dog", "Stairway to Heaven", "Rock and Roll", "Dazed and Confused", and "Over The Hills and Far Away". And it doesn't stop there.

“Going to California” is a very entrancing performance, one that is defining of the broad range of the band’s talents. It’s followed by a perfect rendition of “That’s The Way”. The medley bits like “Hello Marylou” that are given the LedZep treatment are well executed and seamless as they moved between each other. . This collection of concert gems will be even better represented when they get the upcoming DVD-Audio treatment.

What is really needed is a live album that spans the entire career including the under-rated In Through The Out Door. But that may be 20 years down the road.

The tires have been kicked and they hold up extremely well. As if you really needed me to tell you this. Regardless, it’s been a long time, been a long time…

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Led Zeppelin
How The West
Was Won

Released: May 27, 2003
Origination Year: 2003
Time: N/A
Tracks: 33
Produced by: Jimmy Page
Engineered by: Kevin Shirley
Mixed by:N/A
Mastered by: N/A
Style: Live
Format: CD
Enhancement: None
Label: Atlantic Records
Website:
www.ledzeppelin.com

LA Drone
Immigrant Song
Heartbreaker
Black Dog
Over The Hills and Far Away
Since I've Been Loving You
Stairway to Heaven
Going to California
That's The Way
Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp

Dazed and Confused
What Is And What Should Never Be
Dancing Days
Moby Dick

Whole Lotta Love
Rock and Roll
The Ocean
Bring It On Home