Plant's voice, one of the true wonders of this entire tour, literally seems to float above the audience, as the instrumental machinery wreaks havoc in "Immigrant Song". The audience appreciates every moment of Page's crystal clear "Heartbreaker" solo. Page's performance in this song, and on the evening as a whole, transcends description. His play throughout is fluent, daring and extraordinarily fast. And despite taking so many risks, his play is impeccable (flawless). I would like to take this performance and shove it down the throat of the member of "that other list" who was always complaining of Page's 'sloppy guitar play in the Zep days'. This is the most enjoyable "Heartbreaker" imaginable.

There is a slight cut in Page's intro to "Since I've Been Loving You", and again Plant forces his voice to the limits. Page highlights every line with a different flourish, alternating between subtlety and bravado. It is astounding how much the solo in this piece varies from night to night. Prior to the last verse Plant passionately interjects, "Don't you remember when you *used* to cry?". This is also the ideal period for "Black Dog", still widely unknown to the audience. The studio mix has nothing on the live vocal treatment Plant gives this song. As usual for this era, Plant throws in a myriad of varied lyrics, including a verse from "Going to California". Page then reclaims the spotlight in an expanded instrumental section. His speed has never been better, as Plant prods him on with "Give it to me now! Give it to me now!". Following "Black Dog " Plant quips "There was a pollution alert today and I lost my voice." After the incomparable range that he's just demonstrated on the last track, you can only wonder what he is talking about.

"Dazed And Confused" features some unusual ascending vocals from Plant prior to the bow solo, which unfortunately is cut in its entirety. Page sends notes cascading everywhere in the fast solo, and alot of stop&go games ensue. Page even almost gets into boogie mode as Plant sprinkles in his "Feelin' Good" lyrics. In the coda Jimmy has still not had enough as he embellishes Plant's every word until another cut leads to the end. "Stairway", as is the case with most versions from this tour, is very good. In the instrumental section before the third verse Plant sings "You are the home of the children of the sun!"

A new level of intimacy is achieved during the acoustic section, which is warmly received by the audience. The announcement of "Going to California" is cheered despite the fact that much of the audience has likely never heard the song before. However, it is Jones' mandolin work that steals the show during the acoustic set.

The rest of the concert notwithstanding, the "Whole Lotta Love" medley is the highlight of the night, and likely one of the best ever. Immediately following the theramin section, Page almost gets into the boogie early withriffs from Bukka White's "Feel So Bad". After he has been instructed by hisparents to b-b-b-b-boogie, Plant adds "And I made a pig of myself, becauseI do it all the time! Everyday!" A number of verses of Ricky Nelson's "Hello Mary Lou" follows, and begins the string of 50s rock&roll standards. "MyBaby Left Me" includes lyrics from "That's Alright", and the Elmore James'riffs flow freely in "Mess O' Blues" (remember Rochester 3 days earlier?). Page's guitar wails and moans more than Plant in an ideal version of "You Shook Me" (what a great contrast to the nostalgic 50s' pieces), and the "Lemon Song" returns the band to the WLL main theme. A spectacular conclusion.

Paul Holdren (9/22/97)

The review for "Going To California" is ©1998 Paul Holdren, and may not be reproduced in any media, electronic or otherwise, without the express permission of the author.