LED ZEPPELIN - Soundtrack From The Film The Song Remains The Same 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Electrifying 1973 Madison Square Garden performances on the 1976 Belgian double LP with Hipgnosis artwork and thunderous classics

"The Song Remains the Same" Album Description:

In the vibrant tapestry of rock music history, Led Zeppelin's live soundtrack album, "The Song Remains the Same," stands as a testament to the band's enduring prowess on the stage. Released in 1976 in Belgium, this double 12" vinyl LP captures the essence of Led Zeppelin's electrifying performance during the era, providing listeners with a sonic journey that echoes the spirit of the time.

The concert film, from which the soundtrack is derived, documented Led Zeppelin's Madison Square Garden performances in 1973. These shows were a culmination of the band's musical prowess, and the album serves as a sonic postcard, transporting the audience back to the heart of the '70s rock scene.

The choice of a Fold Open Cover (FOC), or Gatefold cover, for the Belgium release adds a tactile dimension to the music experience. The inner pages adorned with artwork not only house the vinyl but also offer a visual complement to the auditory feast within. The careful design of the album cover, courtesy of Hipgnosis, adds an artistic layer to the overall presentation.

At the helm of production, Jimmy Page, the legendary guitarist and a driving force behind Led Zeppelin's success, ensured that the album captured the raw energy and musical finesse that defined the band's live performances. The executive producer, Peter Grant, played a crucial role in translating the band's vision into a cohesive and powerful musical narrative.

Eddie Kramer, known for his work with iconic artists, served as the sound/recording engineer, bringing his expertise to the forefront. The result is a recording that not only preserves the essence of Led Zeppelin's live show but also elevates it to a level of sonic brilliance.

Cameron Crowe's liner notes provide a thoughtful context, offering insights into the band's journey and the significance of the recorded performances. As listeners engage with the vinyl, they not only immerse themselves in the music but also gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and musical landscape of the mid-1970s.

Released under the Swan Song label with the catalog number SS 89 402 / LC 3445, the Belgium release of "The Song Remains the Same" holds a special place in the chronicles of rock music. Its presence on black vinyl, a format cherished by audiophiles, further enhances the authenticity of the listening experience.

Transcript of the Liner Notes by Cameron Crowe:

The exact city has faded, but the isolated moment is still clear. Somewhere on the East Coast during Led Zeppelin's most recent tour of America, Jimmy Page, John Bonham, John Paul Jones and Robert Plant were speeding from the stage to their touring plane. Now, heading down the runway to the next stop, they collapsed in exhausted heaps around the on-board video tape machine. Little Richard was on the screen, bashing his piano keys, rocking the bandstand and howling "Tutti Frutti" in the 1957 classic film The Girl Can't Help It. Page watched, took a weary slug of Jack Daniel's, and began to grin. "You know something?", he toasted. "No escaping our roots." -Three years later, with that credo very much in mind, Led Zeppelin have released a feature film of their own. The Song Remains the Same captures all the power and force of a Led Zeppelin concert from the ultimate vantage point.

The view is from the second row, the sound is as if the viewer were on stage. A multiple track play-back sends the music from every direction of the theatre. The tension takes hold immediately. The opening moments of The Song Remains The Same show the band gather in Britain, fly to the States, and pile into cars that will take them to a long-packed Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City. The pace accelerates: there is no chance to rest. They hurtle down the free-ways: and then Zeppelin is on stage, tearing into the music, from "Rock and Roll" to "Whole Lotta Love"; it is some of their most blazing live material. Peter Clifton and Joe Massot have admirably captured the total event on celluloid. For the first time, a Led Zeppelin performance is not just a memory. The film as well as this soundtrack, can be experienced again and again.

The film, though, is much more than a movie of Led Zeppelin in concert: it is a rare series of glimpses into the visions and sym-bolism of the men who make the music. Fulfilling a long-held desire to express themselves in a cinematic setting, each band member and manager Peter Grant, have contributed their own "fantasy sequence". For the first time, one can view the images in Page's mind during "Dazed and Confused", see life breathed into "Stairway to Heaven" . . . It would be impossible to detail those sequences here. The band has never really discussed their concepts or reasons. Now it's easy to see why. It's been quite a ride since that first album was released in late '68, inventing a new repertoire, raw and brimming with fresh ideas and explorations into rock. Since then, Zeppelin's made six more albums, resulting in an ever-increasing legion of followers, whose loyalty can only be described as staggering, whilst the group record and live their music from L.A. to Kashmir. Now, their first adventure into cinema,

"The Song Remains the Same", is cinematic proof that amidst it all, while living the reflections of their music, they have neither forgotten nor denied that original premise - The Roots.

Cameron Crowe