Led Zeppelin-The Song Remains The Same (1976)

“The Song Remains the Same” was for many years Led Zeppelin’s only official live recording, until the release many years later of the live album “BBC Sessions” (1997) and the subsequent albums “How the West Was Won” (2003) and “Celebration Day” (2012). But going back a bit in history, we find ourselves in the summer of 1975, just as Led Zeppelin were about to begin their world tour promoting their double album “Physical Graffiti”. Tragedy struck: their singer, Robert Plant, and his wife were involved in a serious car accident on the Greek island of Rhodes, where they were spending a few days on vacation, an accident that nearly cost them their lives. That accident and subsequent recovery led to the cancellation of the tour and a long delay of almost a year. Even with Plant still convalescing, recording sessions began for the next album, "Presence", which would be released in mid-1976. Taking advantage of this interruption, Atlantic Records decided to release "The Songs Remain the Same", a live album and film recorded three years earlier, from July 27th to 29th, 1973, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. These shows were part of the tour following the album "Houses of the Holy". However, the laborious process of mixing and recording in the studios delayed its release until just a few months after the release of "Presence". Another reason for the delay was Jimmy Page's dissatisfaction with the quality of the tapes recorded that night, which he felt were not suitable for release. Leaving aside the film, which is essentially concert footage plus an introduction featuring the four band members in various situations from their private and everyday lives, the album contains memorable moments such as the 27-minute "Dazed and Confused", which, given its considerable length, becomes quite tedious at times, or the thunderous "Rock and Roll" and "Whole Lotta Love". Also noteworthy are the classic "No Quarter", the bluesy "Since I've Been Loving You", and the expansive "The Rain Song", not to mention John Bonham's nearly ten-minute drum solo on "Moby Dick". But it is undoubtedly the extended version of "Stairway to Heaven" that stands out as the album's high point, where all the band members deliver outstanding and flawless performances. The album's subsequent reception was a number one hit on the British charts and a number two spot on the Billboard charts, in addition to numerous platinum records for its worldwide sales.