Led Zeppelin were an influential british rock band who helped shape modern heavy rock, alternative rock and to some extent, metal music. But they were much more than just a heavy rock band. The band had lots of acoustic music, experimental music, psychedelic and off course, the blues within their arsenal. With record-sales of 200-300 million their impact can't be denied.
In 2007 the band played a one night only reunion at the 02 arena, London.
The band have aged (off course), especially Jimmy Page, who once were one of the great guitar heroes, do not deliver in the same way that he became known for in the 60's and 70's. His rythm playing and riffing is freaking awesome, his guitar-sound is fantastic, he has a cool appearance but his soloes are sloppy and weak, and after two hours of playing he looks tired. Robert Plant on the other hand, sounds youthful and fresh and his vocal timbre are beautiful. He handles the crowd with tons of charm, wit and british classiness. John Paul Jones is the secret weapon of the band. He is the most low-key and 'normal' member of the band, but arguably the most musically talented of the bunch. When Page goes off on a tangent, Jonesy is saving the mess like a pro.
Original Zeppelin drummer John Bonham sadly died of alcohol poisoning in 1980. For the reunion show Johns son Jason are providing the groove. While Jason may not have the filthy groove, innovation and creativity of his father, he still does a solid job revitalizing the drums on the Zeppelin classics.
Zeppelin as a whole have always been better than the sum of its parts, and this show is no exception. For the first two songs, Good Times Bad Times and Ramble On, they sound a little shaky, but when they hit the groove on Black Dog it's like something clicks. They become playful, energetic, risky and as the show progresses they even look a little younger, smiling and interacting with each other. The band is mostly playing the heavy rock songs and the blues based songs from their varied catalog. The show is filmed from various camera angels which gives the viewer a feeling of 'being' on stage with the band. There are no cringy seventies dream sequences which is a big plus (Zeppelin fans will know what I am referring to).
All in all I will recommend this concert film to every fan of rock music and music in general, but watch the band live from Royal Albert Hall 1970 afterwards, if you want to see a 10/10 rock n roll concert.
Review of Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day
