Thursday, November 11, 2010

Even Better in High Definition



Me vividly remembers sticking on the VHS of The Song Remain the Same at Nicko Mun's abode many, many fooking moons ago & him registering his utter disgust at how Jimmy Page, despite being strung out on H, could play like that. A budding guitar hero in the making, me friend was not amused at the consumate ease Page plucked them notes. "Basterd" was his sentiments if memory serves me right.

Once this tune was so overplayed that it was considered the very epitome of bombastic 70s rock opera. Having being reduced to cliche in some quarters, it became the butt of Wayne's World punchlines & became the calling card fer fuddy duddy classic rockers (ie prone to giving "they just don't make them like they used to"-type lectures).

But having stumbled upon this high def version of this epic performance on youtube recently, me was again reminded of a few startling facts:

1) How the band could make an enormodome like Madison Square Garden seem like a small cosy niteclub.

2) The ultra "fit" of Robert Plant's hipster jeans.

3) The sheer austerity of the stage show.

4) And, the simple fact, that this remains one of the greatest fooking songs ever.

19 comments:

Achilles said...

AD: Wow.. didn't know you tube had HD. This is really awesome.

agree with you on point 4... greatest song ever. I just love how the song starts slow and picks up slowly by slowly.

Maiden apa mcm? come lah....

anfield devotee said...

achilles: Damn fooking clear rite.

Maiden - very possible.

Anba said...

Balaji how to comment can see movie...
i have to go CC then only can comment...

to give you an extent of how they are controlling things here
I cant even access sex pistols on wikipedia..wikipedia!!! pun kena pantau

Anba said...

I too had the VHS just threw it away this year after the tragedy that hit my grandpa's house...
VHS VHS sure brings back the big old sweet memories

anfield devotee said...

anba: Tak pe, pirated DVD now got or ye can download from Net.

ps: Got our tickets.

Maiden gig list:
1) Anba & Bro
2) Mr & Mrs Achilles
3) Nicko
4) Bernard
5) Me & wifey

nick mun said...

Now this brings back memories.

But truly, Page is without peer. And Plant despite the jeans, top and accessories which look they came from the Covent Garden flea market, is by far one of the best vocalists in rock.

What incredible range and power and at the same time capable of such nuance and poetry. Indeed, together they crafted as you say, one of the greatest songs ever.

anfield devotee said...

So nay hard feelings then, nick . . . hee hee.

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

Whoaa, so you guys going down to Singapork...should be fun. Would love to join but cant afford la, besides, missus dont quite like the idea of going to rock shows.

BTW, first time watching something on HD.

anfield devotee said...

kerp: Ye punya racun tak cukup kuat bro . . .

Bernard said...

"But truly, Page is without peer. And Plant despite the jeans, top and accessories which look they came from the Covent Garden flea market, is by far one of the best vocalists in rock.

What incredible range and power and at the same time capable of such nuance and poetry. Indeed, together they crafted as you say, one of the greatest songs ever." - Nick Mun

And to think the first time he heard it his comment was something like "This stuff is dated..."

@ Bala - there are some things you get pirated version, but there are some that you MUST get ori. This is one of them.

Tinesh said...

Every time my cousin and I watch this video, fucker never ceases to be disgusted by Plant's ultra tight jeans. Another friend wants to start wearing those kinda jeans.

But Page takes the cake la; comes in i think about 1 1/2 bars after the original solo starts and then tears fucking skies with his heroin induced solo. And this is one song that never fails in making me shed tears. Yes, dudes, I cry everytime I hear Stairway.

forgive the tipsy rant :P

anfield devotee said...

bernard: Actually the first time me saw this me was enamoured by John Paul Jone's 'hanging fruit' outfit.

ps: Ye got the ori? HD?

Tinesh: Hmmmm . . . wonder if me can squeeze into them jeans (*guffaws*)

Anba said...

finally i saw the vid...
The first only led album that i have listened to...
Cryptic lyrics
slow build up to a climatic finale...
anyway many mentioned page..plant and paul...
but semua lupa pasal bonham...
i know that this song really made a big impression when i first time listened to it...
anyway how come all the mat salleh if they drink smoke and bong...
still maintain slim...
no belly...damn...!!!!
This song and freebird...

Tinesh said...

Haha try fitting la macha hehehe.

Anba: Eventhough Bonham's always been a big presence in Led's songs, I'd say one of the best Bonham performance has to be for Fool in the Rain. That's an awesome shuffle beat and it's called the Bonham shuffle now :D

anfield devotee said...

Anba: Bonham slim? Me thinks not . . .

ps: "Only" Led lp ye've listened to? Eh? Meaning wot?

Bernard said...

@ Anba - you don't know what you're missing if you've not heard the rest.

Anba said...

balaji...i've only listened to Led Zep 1V only...
i am more partial towards black sabbath...

still have time to explore ...once m in my middle ages and m too old for all the thrash..death n black stuff...

anfield devotee said...

Ah ha ha Anba! Nay reason why ye cannae do it now. Me is also more partial towards Sabs but Led Zep are seminal in terms of laying the foundations of the genre.

LEd Zep I-IV - wajip.

Physical Graffitti - considered one of the finest LPs of all time.

Try & find the re-mastered versions of yer gonna download coz much of the beauty of Led Zep lay in the sonic qualities of the music.

anfield devotee said...

ps: Anba, ye'll NEVER be too old fer thrash/death/black metal. Just look at me . . .