Eissporthalle
Berlin
Empress Valley Supreme Disc (EVSD 127/28/29/30/31)
from Silver
EVSD127-Disc 1 (Soundboard)
EVSD128-Disc 2 (Soundboard)
EVSD129-Disc 3 (Audience)
EVSD130-Disc 4 (Audience)
EVSD131- Disc 5 (Mini-Disc)
Release Review:
This latest version from Empress Valley is dedicated to John Bonham. Although the SB version is of outstanding quality, my personal opinion is that the Aud version has more atmosphere and a fuller sound. The Aud recording is also some 7 minutes longer and is the complete show. The SB is cut before White Summer and after Stairway but the loss is only of the audience chatter and is hardly noticeable. Again, this is a strictly limited release. The packaging, like Leicester, is a thick card glossy box which contains replica mini posters of "Tour Over Europe 1980" and "In Through The Out Door" Berlin 7 July 1980. The CD's come in the usual thick paper slipcases and are housed in a quadruple foldout slipcase. Also included is a Mini Disc within a thick paper slipcase. The front box photo is of Bonzo's headstone and whilst some may find this distasteful, it is not the first release to use this photo as a cover for the Berlin show - "Bonzo At Last Berlin" is an example. EV have issued this as a tribute and dedicated it to "the greatest drummer John Bonham". Below a photo of John Bonham on the mini disc cover it states "Bonzo, we miss you! Led Zeppelin Final Live" The foldout slipcase is simply but effectively imaged, the main cover being a very poignant photo of Jimmy and Robert, shot from behind, walking off stage with their arms around each other and the words "Led Zeppelin Eternal Magic" printed across the middle! Need I say any more.
-Phil Bushe (Underground Uprising April 02)
Concert Review:
The last show of the tour and the last Led Zeppelin show ever! This show alternates between brilliance and boredom, especially from Jimmy. But the good moments are very good. Since I've Been Loving You is a great version and there is a lot of experimentation with a very long and great version of Trampled Underfoot and a long version of Stairway To Heaven. Whole Lotta Love is a long jam that sounds great. Amazing bass from Jones as Jimmy spits out guitar flourishes and Robert and Bonzo cook behind this. One of the two shows from the 1980 Tour that didn't have Achilles Last Stand. But as the last ever show there is historical significance here.
-Argenteum Astrum