Led Zeppelin The Evergreen (Seattle, June 1972)

From collectorsmusicreviews.com

Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, WA – June 19th, 1972

Disc 1 (64:41): 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 (56:20): Dazed and Confused, What Is And What Should Never Be, Dancing Days, Moby Dick

Disc 3 (62:16): Whole Lotta Love, Rock And Roll, Organ Solo/Thank You, Money, Over The Hills And Far Away, Dancing Days

The Evergreen on The Diagrams Of Led Zeppelin was the second pressed version of the show issued very early on in the label’s production. For a while it was one of the better versions, sounding superior to Lemon Song’s Sizzles In Seattle. It does have a very natural sound. But subsequent versions have been an improvement in listenability. This is packaged in the TDOLZ cardboard gatefold sleeve which they utilized for many of their releases. It does look gorgeous.

Everything you have heard about this concert is absolutely true. 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.

What makes this show legendary isn’t necessarily all of the previews (“The Ocean”, “Over The Hills And Far Away”, “Black Country Woman” and “Dancing Days” played two times), but is the loose attitude of the band that enables them to do so. They play as if they are all alone in a room with no distractions and no pressure. There isn’t a hint of self-consciousness in the entire performance and the light and shade ethos really shines. Despite the poor sound quality this is an essential show to own.