Customer Reviews

No Quarter: Jimmy Page & Robert Plant Unledded

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am very pleased with the reissuing of this CD. The remastered sound is a vast improvement over the original CD version. Page's guitar (especially the acoustic) comes off much clearer and more resonant (esp. on "Nobody's Fault," "Gallows Pole," and "That's the Way"). The electric guitar is less muddled as well. Plant's vocal singing is stronger and given more clarity.

Some new additions in this version:

a) The welcome inclusion of "Rain Song" -- one of the highlights of this reunion concert and beautifully done by Plant and Page, backed up by the orchestra.

b) "Wonderful One" is slightly different than the original audio version. In the original audio version, it starts off with the drums for several measures, then the guitar comes in. The original version is also shorter than this version. In this version, the song starts off with the guitar, Plant sings differently, and the song is slightly longer.

c) The song "Yallah" is renamed "The Truth Explodes"

I have a number of misgivings though about this new reissue:

a) It omits "Thank You" -- one of my favorite songs featured in the original CD
b) Why doesn't it include "What is and What Should Never Be" (which is featured on the DVD and video)?
c) Like other reviewers, I prefer the more familiar Zep songs than the Middle-Eastern music (even though I have nothing against Middle-Eastern music)

Other than that, I highly recommend this CD. You'll also love the DVD -- you'll get the complete tracks along with some new special features.

I wanted to give this the top rating and say how excellent it is, what a nice version of "The Rain Song" is included, how improved the remastering is. But I can't rave about it and have mixed feelings due to a very unethical and unadvertised change. The best new song, "City Don't Cry", was hacked in half, a fact not mentioned anywhere. Why was this done? To make room for "Wah Wah" so they could advertise a new song on the cover sticker? I like "Wah Wah" okay, but not the expense of the much better "City". It's just unacceptable to hack up a great song and take advantage of fans like that. The sad thing is if not for this botch, everything else about this is 5 stars. I don't mind the melancholy "The Rain Song" replacing "Thank You" or even the weird name change to "Yallah". The duel vocals on "The Battle of Evermore" are as thrilling as ever. "Kashmir" is one the greatest rock songs of all time. The sound quality is much better. But they blew it.

The remastering job is fabulous. Even in a so-so car stereo, you can hear the clarity. Especially in the song, "No Quarter". Maybe in the original "No Quarter" CD, there is some mystique in it's muddiness. The new song seems almost identical to City Don't Cry, and City don't cry was shortened. The 2 together sounds like the original City Don't Cry. To me, nothing really gained. What was stark to me, was the absence of "Thank You". I really didn't realize until Nobody's fault... rolled into No Quarter, and I grabbed the CD case saying, "What the.....?!?". Rain Song was delightful. The orchestra, bass player, etc., definately practiced based on the studio album. To the note! Actually sounded almost too accurate to me as Led Zeppelin always adventured from the studio recordings when they played live. It was wonderful but at the same time hauntingly strange. There is enough clean-up, track changes, etc. to make this worth it even if you have the original CD or the partner DVD (also released 10/26/04). I'm in the car too much to have to wait to get into the house. If you are an audiophile, and have a big expensive system, this will make you very happy. Attn: Stereo stores, use this as a demo CD for speaker systems! Like Jim in Seal Beach, I would have opted for Thank You in lieu of the Moroccan stuff. I'm not saying I'm bent on Zep stuff. I think Plant solo does the Eastern stuff quite well, better than this. For example, "Life begins again" on Disk2, track 17, of Sixty-Six-to Timbuktu is a lifetime masterpiece for Plant. Just amazing.

Whether you own the original or the remastered version, this is a good listen. It's basically Page and Plant unplugged, which is cool in itself, but also it's nice to hear these songs I have memorized in a fresh way. I wouldn't call this essential to the casual fan, but you may like it if you're looking for Led Zeppelin-light. I especially like "Friends", "Battle Of Evermore", "Gallows Pole", and "Kashmir". This disc does stand on it's own well, but goes even better with a few studio albums.

This disc is interesting for several reasons...The inclusion of "wah wah" from the MTV special.(the good). The butchering of "City don`t cry". (the bad), and the absence of "Thank-you" (the Ugly)...was Remastering really worth it? the sound on the original was not bad...(If page and plant want to remaster something, how about the Horrible sounding "Walking into Clarksdale"??)
FYI..the actual name of "yallah" was always "the truth explodes"
PS>Iagree with mark, "Life begin Again" off Plant`s anthology disc is Awesome.(afro-celt soundsystem).

Original variations of Zeppelin songs by Page and Plant. I enjoyed the change of pace and the Indian instruments etc that gave these versions a cool twist. Page and Plant still at the top of their game on this CD in my opinion.

Three words, A-maz-ing. Jimmy Paige is always right on the money. Lots of bluesy stuff played in new ways. This DVD just knocks everyone that hears it socks off, especially "The Truth Explodes".

THIS CD ABSOLUTELY ROCKS..

It features Robert Plant and Jimmy Page performing with the London Symphony Orchestra, as well with an Egyptian Ensemble..

The music is totally awesome, featuring re-makes of popular Led Zeppelin classics..

This product is also available as a DVD!! The DVD is TOTALLY ROCKIN!! Filmed on location in places like Marakesh and Wales, it is visually stunning!

Great Product!!

JEDI_CAPRICORN
No Quarter: Jimmy Page & Robert Plant Unledded

...for not including John Paul Jones in this unledded reunion. But it is just so good that I'm bowled over. The various permutations of banjos, mandolins, and the odd theremin set against resonant Welsh slag heaps and Moroccan Casbahs, with Jimmy Page slinging on the Ovation acoustic double neck more often than the Gibson Les Paul, Robert Plant communing with the sufis, floating on top of the orchestra, and still threatening to move to Kashmir. The Unledded duo really and truly nailed this one. I liked the original edition, but this improved sound second disc is so, so much better. It's Led Zeppelin; it's not Led Zeppelin; it's totally No Quarter. Current rotation until the next ice age.

`No Quarter' is one of those albums that is best listened to in a dark room, with a glass of red wine and letting the music wash over you. If it hits you just right you will find yourself both mesmerised and moved. This has a fine selection of tracks, including many Led Zeppelin tracks, and makes for some fine listening. Recorded with both Egyptian and Moroccan musicians, this album has a wonderfully middle eastern feel and often enhances previously known and loved tracks like `Kashmir'. `Since I've Been Loving You' has a great bluesy feel and `Wonderful One' stands out amidst the other gems on this CD. `Kashmir' is the ultimate album closer and that driving riff coupled with the middle eastern music makes for powerful listening. A great album from two legendary artists and although this album is nearly 14 years old (at the time of writing this review), it stills sounds fresh and inspiring. Well worth a try if you're a fan of Led zeppelin or not.

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