Watch Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day For Free

Why so much hype?

Sick Product of a Sick System

One of my all time favorites.

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

I knew Robert when he was in his original Band of Joy (I went to school with Chris Brown the keyboard player). He was as charismatic when he was a nobody as he was in LZ and since. He filled any room he entered. He was always going to be a star. A great blues singer and performer he was made to front a great band - that WAS The Band of Joy. When they broke up and he ended up in LZ I was disappointed. I never really liked Page's electric guitar work though his riffs and acoustic playing were exemplary. JPJ was almost invisible in the Zep albums - the production could have been so much better. He is a wonderful musician. The Celebration Day concert was great, though, although Page's lead guitar work grated rather, he should stick to chords. I think it showed why the band was so successful and managed not to be a pale shadow of what they once were. Jason Bonham was every bit as good as his dad was - I first saw him play when he was about 7 or 8!! Nothing was lost from the drumming. The guys can be proud of themselves - thanks Robert for not agreeing to reform - a sensible and cool decision.

For anyone who hasn't heard of Led Zeppelin, these talented, British dudes (who reigned supreme throughout the psychedelic 70s) were, at the height of their careers, the undisputed Gods of Heavy Metal/Rock'n'Roll, bar none.Back in those days of songwriting glory, Led Zeppelin's concerts broke world records for attendance and their albums sold-out by the millions.Now, in 2007 (nearly 40 years after their inception), Led Zeppelin reunited at 02 Arena, London, to treat their ever-loyal fans (young & old) to a trip down memory lane as they delivered 16 of their best remembered tunes (including Stairway To Heaven) to an enthusiastically cheering crowd.With the 3 remaining original members of Led Zeppelin now being 60+ years old, I honestly have to say that I found their performance on stage to be noticeably tired and lacking in any youthful vitality. Even though Plant, Page & Jones were obviously well-rehearsed for this concert (and Plant even got a new perm just for the occasion), I couldn't help but notice that (between all of the robotic, rock-star gestures and posturing) there was a decidedly bored look on all of their 3 faces.This, in turn, made it quite difficult for me to watch these dudes with any real enjoyment while they (rather listlessly) strut around on stage like peacocks at only half mast.Anyways - I'd say that this DVD titled "Celebration Day" was at least worth a view. But, personally speaking, I'm one who prefers to remember Led Zeppelin as they were in the days of their youth, rather than as I saw them now as stiff, old men trying (desperately?) to retain an image of who they were 30+ years ago, that has long ago faded away into the past.

This is more of a technical review on each musician rather than of the concert as whole as there are enough of those already.Robert Plant Well he did a remarkable job considering it was almost 40 years ago that he recorded the most well know Led Zeppelin tracks. His voice with its age can't hit the high notes anymore and he changed the articulation in several songs as he may just not have the muscle memory of what they used to sound like.Jimmy Page Not sure if it was his finger or just age but he was struggling to keep up to tempo on several songs. His fingers were not as nimble along the fret board as they used to and thus there was not the resonance from the guitar parts that is in example on other live Led Zeppelin titles like Song remains the same or How the west was won.John Paul Jones By far the standout from this performance. The tone and sound he gets from the bass guitar is amazing for a guy over 60. Maybe the road fitness he would have built up touring with Them Crocked Vultures a few years back is part of it but from the first song till last when he has a bass in his hands he fills out the whole bottom end of the sound beautifully. Sadly I found his keyboard a little, rushed maybe. No quarter which should have been a highlight for me kind of just came and went for me.Jason Bonham Well he had massive shoes to fill and sadly it was his feet that let him down. I have no idea why he chose to use a double bass peddle but it was the wrong way to go. Fair enough he may not have the "jack rabbit" right foot that his dad was famed for having but to just create a basic muddy sound where Led Zeppelin was known for having distinction was a massive disappointment. From the opening of Good times Bad times, he was on song with everything above the waste but as a drummer he missed the bass drum parts by a long mark. I also found the choice of Zildjian cymbals a little surprising as they have no where near the cut through and volume that the old Paiste giant beats that his dad used had. I know he is sponsored by Zildjian but seriously this was Led Zeppelin.The overall sound mix I also found a little guitar heavy, but then the same problem happened when Song remains the same was remastered for DVD release. I think Jimmy Page kind of went, make me louder :POverall an awesome show and I can't wait for the blue ray so I can listen properly without the echo that a cinema brings.

Just returned from seeing Led Zepplin's celebration day at Hammersmith Odeon. The film is simply phenomenal, the sound out of this world. Thank you to all involved for blowing the mind of a man who thought he'd seen and heard it all. Thank you to Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones for showing up to introduce the film. Will definitely be going again and again to see this one. Visually the camera work and editing leaves nothing to be desired although I wouldn't have used those square CGI's; they were an unnecessary distraction. The film is emotionally charged right out the gate and caused my eyes to well up through the first two songs. Throughout the film I sat with my hands together as if in prayer, my body occasionally moving in time.The sound mix is near perfect, I wouldn't change a thing although there was one song I would revisit where the guitar was noticeably lowered to accommodate Robert, this could be more subtle. (I'd have to see it again to be sure though) Actually the mix is perfect. It is brilliantly thought through with incredible attention paid to the emotional value of Led Zeppelin. My hat is off to all involved, you should all be tremendously proud of creating a master piece which will, for all time, set in celluloid the legend of Led Zeppelin.