OK, rough impressions -
I gotta admit, after listening to it exclusively in 2 channel Blu-Ray 24/48 stereo a couple of times, I'm impressed.
Robert Plant sounds pretty good - much better than in recent years past. He's not so restrained. He cuts loose here, like he doesn't give a f***. Not apologetic and aprehensive, like he's sounded for the last 30 years.
JPJ is a badass, but then we always knew that. Anyone who's attempted to throw down the lines of "The Lemon Song" knows this first hand. That song is a beginner's forearm cramp waiting to happen. He's palpable, and drives the rythm section.
Jason does dad proud - apples truly don't fall far from the tree. He and JPJ have exceptional chemistry, which is an absolute if the foundation of these compositions are to materialize. They also play with a conviction borne of 30 years ago. They believe.
Jimmy Page 'backs and fills' like he's supposed to and it sounds like a cleaner lifestyle suits him better in recent years. The leads are a bit rough in places, but that's kind of always been the case live - sober, or not.
The quality of the transfer is pretty good, as well. Having not had the privy of being there to witness the concert first hand, I cannot comment as to the accuracy of the presentation. All I can comment to is the balance of the mix. It sounds spot on with weight and transparency. For a live show it is one of the better transcriptions I've heard.
I'd say this purchase was definitely worth the 18 bux shipped that I dropped on it, and I certainly would pay more having heard it.
DJ
