THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME (FILM)

A movie. About a rock band. Only a few rock bands did produce a musical film (The Beatles, The Who, Bowie, Floyd.). Since 1970 and their disastrous appearance (because of the poor filming, not because of the band of course) in the French TV programme "Tous Ensemble" (available on the DVD "Led Zeppelin") there has been live footage available.

Very few filmed interviews, photos from the band are circulating. This was all organized by the maestro : Peter Grant.

If you wanted to see Led Zeppelin, there was only one option : you had to go to their concerts. Grant's strategy has been working very well : zillions of fans will rush to see the band during each tour.

There were already several attempts in releasing a film about Led Zep, but none succeeded. When Grant realized how great this US tour was going on, he accepted the offer from Joe Massot (a director who had released a movie which featured Georges Harrison for the soundtrack). He appointed Massot as director for the project on July, 20th. The final shows were starting as soon as July 23rd so there was a bit of a hurry needed.

The amount of money spent for the live footage only reached around 85,000 US$ (one must recognize that the band was not reluctant in spending for the best equipment : the film was shot on a 35mm film and they used a twenty-four track quadraphonic sound recording system to ensure the best audio quality available).

It was decided to film the three concerts (July 27, 28 and 29) at the Madison Square Garden (1973), New York. Like for the soundtrack, Mr. Page will use the cut and paste technique extensively : he virtually reconstructed the concerts taking bits and bites of songs from the three nights (I provide more details in my review for the soundtrack if you are interested). Each member wore the same clothes for the three nights. Well, not really . Jones didn't, so watch out and figure when you can notice this.(have a close look at "Dazed" maybe.).

After six months of work, there were no significant progress in the project and Massot was dismissed. Another director was hired : Peter Clifton. He had already some experience in filming rock stars (Hendrix). He almost wanted to start the movie from scratch. He even suggested to do a mock-up of the MSG stage (in August 1974, Shepperton Studios). And they did use some of this footage (Jones needing a whig since he got his hair cut in the meantime) ! Clifton wanted as well to shoot additional footage from their next US tour (1975). This was made impossible due to the car crash that Robert will suffer. So, a year and a half later (more than three years after the shooting and some thousands of dollars) the movie reached the theaters on October 21, 1976 in New York (for obvious reasons) and in London two weeks later. During its first week only, the film will generate 200,000 US$ profit. More than the double of its cost !

This movie was an attempt to produce more than just a filmed concert. I must honestly say, that I can't find anything great in the external scenes. Nor the beginning, during which we see a preparation of a killing (mafia style featuring Peter Grant) nor during some "fantasy" takes in which we see each member of the band . After twelve minutes, the movie really starts (finally) when we see a shot from the MSG in the dark just before the concert starts. Then full lights, maximum power. Here we go for a great live show. A hard-rocking one of course.

A boom boom opener : "Rock'n'Roll". The stage is set. It's gonna be wild my friend. As always on stage. The band is at his peak. Each member solidly used to touring and stardom (Led Zep is really enormous). They know how to please them and they will. Believe me. The movie will feature a first incursion off stage showing some takes of the band talking about nothing in particular.IMO, those moments add no value to the ensemble (on the contrary, they are somewhat useless). No "Celebration Day" in the movie (they have to sell the record as well, right) ? Led Zep was using a three-tracks opening sequence with no break. Three great one.

After "Black Dog", we'll get a great and intense moment. "Since I've Been Loving You". Led Zep is one of the very bands that made blues bearable to my ears (but not always). I felt instantly in love with this song when I discovered it more than thirty-five years ago. It is one of the song that won't be included in the double album "The Soundtrack". It will be cut and made of SEVEN pieces from two concerts. There will be even overdub in Plant's vocals during a short moment in "The Song.". In his quest for excellence, Page is going a bit too far, I'm afraid. Next song is "No quarter". One of their new songs. At this time, it will still be played in a standard format (although it clocks already at twelve minutes or so). They will have the habit to play it waaaaaaaay too long. This is one of the best rendition of this track live. Specially the heavy part are very strong. IMO, although it is often referred to a prog song on this site, this has nothing to do with prog. Even if it's keyboard oriented : it is a slow but HEAVY number.

One scene which might appear as being anecdotal, is the one during which Peter Grant is arguing with the MSG security people. He is virtually mad about a poor guy selling unlicensed photographs of the band within the building. If one doesn't know how big Peter Grant's influence was and how great a manager he was, one might think : hey ! come on. Give us a break! But Peter MADE Led Zeppelin. I really believe that the band wouldn't achieve such stardom without him. He certainly deserves to be recognized as such. He was the architect of their contract with Atlantic Records (for five albums). In November 1968, he managed to get a 200,000 US $ advance on the projected sales of their debut album (released in January 1969). It was the biggest deal of that sort for a new band.

Peter knows what you have to look after during a tour. He started his career as tour manager for many rock stars in the early sixties : Bo Diddley, Eddie Cochran, Little Richard, The Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent and The Animals. When he was manager of the Yardbirds, he was always following the band so, he knows what touring means. Always trying to save money where possible : hotels & catering costs, communication and travel expenses etc. Every single item sold had to wear the legitimate Led Zep seal. I guess he would be very upset now with the power of Internet and the legal issues about downloading. But since he died in 1995 (exactly fifteen years after Led Zep disbanded) he will luckily not see this.

While "fantasy or personal" sequences featuring Jones during "No Quarter" and Plant during "The Song." and "The Rain Song"; the most symbolic one features Jimmy escalading a mountain and meeting the old hermit featured in the artwork of their "Untitled" album. He will look at his face which will change thanks to some nice morphing effects. The old man turning to be an older version of Jimmy himself. The morphing will travel back to Jimmy childhood, infancy and in embryo. This happens while "Dazed & Confused" is played in the background. The live shots are also very impressive and demonstrates Jimmy's mastery when playing guitar with his bow. Some attitudes during this number show some filial devotion with Jimi (Hendrix of course).

The Bonham moment of glory is of course "Moby Dick". This version is not too long : "only" over twelve minutes (and twenty-five seconds) : that's what Page allowed to Bonham in the film. There were no mix in the versions (only the concert of the 28th has been used) but there are ELEVEN cuts in there. The whole track almost reached twenty-eight minutes one. Bonham on the drums. In this particular exercise he is just FABULOUS. I have seen some great drummers in my life : Bonham of course (in January 1975), Collins, Brufford, Ian Paice and Carl Palmer amongst others, but Bonham is really extraordinary. One has really to see this moment. Even if you are not really keen on this type of solo, this guy will make you love the drums (at least that's what I think).

The climax is of course reached with "Stairway To Heaven". An absolute masterpiece of the rock history. It is only cut after the guitar solo. Page will paste the finale of the concert of the following day. Since 2001, I always listen to "Stairway" at 23:50 on December 31st. Around 00:15 on january 1st, I listen to it again to start the year. So, yes I kind of love this song. Can't help !

Another song not featured on the double album is "Heartbreaker". One of the wildiest from the band coming out of Led Zeppelin II. The encore will be "Whole Lotta Love". Yes, I whole lotta love it !

The film ends up with the band leaving on board of the airplane featuring the words Led Zeppelin on its side.

The band was musically at its peak, their popularity is phenomenal, their easiness on stage just amazing. The VHS version was only released on October 25, 1990 and the DVD on December 31, 1999. What a nice way to end up with the millenium.

Songs performed by the group at the three Madison Square Garden concerts but not included in the film include "Celebration Day", "The Ocean", "Misty Mountain Hop", "Over the Hills and Far Away" and "Thank You". Some of these songs were included on the soundtrack album of the film and, later, on the Led Zeppelin DVD.

Four stars.

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