Lightbringer (Cashmere CSCD-001/002/003)
Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, WA – June 19th, 1972
Disc 1: Immigrant Song/Heartbreaker, Black Dog, The Ocean, Since I’ve Been Loving You, Stairway To Heaven, Going To California, Black Country Woman, That’s The Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Disc 2: Dazed and Confused (includes The Crunge), What Is And What Should Never Be, Dancing Days, Moby Dick
Disc 3: Whole Lotta Love (includes Boogie Chillun’, Let’s Have A Party, Hello Mary Lou, Only The Lonely, Heartbreak Hotel, Going Down Slow), Rock And Roll, Organ Solo (includes Everyday People, Louie Louie, et al.)/Thank you, Money, Over The Hills And Far Away, Dancing Days
Everything you have heard about this concert is absolutely true. Led Zeppelin’s second show in Seattle on their 1972 and featured on this title by the new label Cashmere one of their legendary performances. This show may rank number one, or at least in the top three. They play with ferocity, professionalism and looseness that is rare even for them. This show is so good that Robert Plant was still talking about it five years later at their stop in Seattle on the 1977 tour.
Unfortunately this classic show is cursed with one of the worst sounding tapes available. Some have said it is THE worst. I wouldn’t go that far. Even though it is plagued with a loud audience and numerous cuts, it is listenable and enjoyable once you give it a chance. It is almost impossible over the three hours to not be swept up in the party atmosphere. The surprises begin after the third number with the premier of “The Ocean” and the fun never stops. “Black Country Woman” from Physical Graffiti is premiered in the acoustic set, and ironically is the longest live version played by the band. “Whole Lotta Love” includes the Roy Orison classic “Only The Lonely”, and the encores include more previews from Houses Of The Holy with “Over The Hills” (the beginning is unfortunately cut), and the second version of “Dancing Days” this evening.
Lightbringer was released simultaneously with Let’s Do It Again, the Badgeholder vision of this tape. It has been said that this version is better mostly because five minutes are cut from “Moby Dick” in the latter. This tape was also previously released as The Evergreen on TDOLZ and Sizzles in Seattle on Lemonsong. Comparing Lightbringer to The Evergreen, I would say it is a bit better sounding, but it isn’t saying much. If you don’t already own this hot show then seek this title out. But hopefully someday a better audience tape or even maybe a soundboard release may be found and released.
