This incendiary set comes from Zep's legendary run at the Fillmore West in San Francisco that helped establish them as THE HEAVIEST BAND IN THE WORLD. Widely bootlegged, the show takes place several months after the release of Led Zeppelin I and several months before the release of Led Zeppelin II but only includes material from the former. Perhaps most interesting, especially for completists, is a scorching opening cover of "Train Kept a Rollin'" that eclipses The Yardbirds version and a monstrous 18-minute rendition of the blues standard "(I'll Get By) As Long As I Have You," which has never been officially released. The sound quality isn't perfect, but this is Page, Plant, Bonham and Jones at their most savage and glorious. 5 stars
This article appears in Sep 5-11, 2007.