Missing Links (The Diagrams Of Led Zeppelin TDOLZ Vol. 081)
Live In Stockholm – March 14th, 1969; 1. I Can’t Quit You (6:24), 2. I Gotta Move (3:03), 3. Dazed And Confused (10:32), 4. How Many More Times (2:12). Bath Festival, Shepton Mallet, England – June 28th, 1970: 5. Heartbreaker (5:56), 6. That’s The Way (5:25). Clearwell Castle, Forest Of Dean, Wales – May, 1978: 7. Fire (4:44), 8. Carouselambra (3:43), 9. Carouselambra (4:48), 10. Carouselambra (4:15)
“Missing Links” presents a compilation of previously released material in primarily excellent sound quality on TDOLZ. The first four tracks claim to be “Taken From The Master Reel To Reel” for the March 14, 1969 (date in question) Stockholm show. All four tracks are offered in stunning sound. “Dazed And Confused” is crystal clear and seems to parallel the studio track but sounds looser. The fidelity is breathtaking. Plant introduces the band to include himself before they kick off “How Many More Times” which is unfortunately cut at 2:12.
‘Heartbreaker” and “That’s The Way” are reportedly “Taken From The Legendary Analogue LP On Krishna Label” from the June 28, 1970 Bath Festival performance with compromised sound. The treble is pronounced with some echo on the vocals and an overall flat sound. “That’s The Way”, however, is much cleaner sounding in its “unplugged” format.
The final four tracks represent works in progress and are offered in good – very good sound reproduction at best. “Fire”, in my opinion, is a real keeper and sounds to me, at times, like the beginning of “In My Time Of Dying”. The three takes of the first part of “Carouselambra” do break up intermittently and exhibit some distortion as well.
TDOLZ VOL.81 is housed in a slim LP jacket sleeve whose cover was used for the Turkish LP cover for Led Zeppelin II. “Missing Links” is a unique release that is worthwhile and recommended if just for the Stockholm tracks and “Fire”.
