Overview of How the West Was Won Led Zeppelin Blu-Ray Review
How the West Was Won Led Zeppelin is a three-disc blu-ray set of the band’s live recordings from the 1972 tour. This comprehensive collection is the first time the legendary band’s entire show has been made available, with more than twenty-five tracks—spanning the group’s career—in stunning surround sound.
The blu-ray includes classic Zeppelin staples such as “Stairway to Heaven,” “Kashmir,” and “Whole Lotta Love,” as well as lesser known cuts like “The Ocean” and “Since I’ve Been Loving You.” It also boasts a wealth of archival visuals, both onstage and off, like the candid “road-movie” clips of the band and their crew traveling between cities. The release gives fans the singular opportunity to experience a Led Zeppelin show in immersive multi-channel sound—the first time this is available for any Led Zeppelin show.
The set, produced and directed by Dick Carruthers, was newly mixed by acclaimed producer and engineer Steven Wilson. Wilson has used the original multi-track tapes to create arresting surround sound mixes that bring out the nuances of the band’s performance with surprising clarity. Additionally, Wilson prepared the stereo mix from the original masters, while Kevin Shirley handled the new stereo mixes for some of the lesser known songs. The result is a breathtaking aural and visual portfolio of the music of Led Zeppelin.
Audio and Video Quality of How the West Was Won Led Zeppelin Blu-Ray
When it comes to the audio quality of the How the West Was Won Led Zeppelin blu-ray, many fans are more than just pleasantly surprised. The sound mix in the blu-ray offers more clarity, clarity and richness than the original recordings. This offers fans a more immersive experience in the audio quality of the live show. The audio mix is available in both 5.1 surround sound and 2.0 stereo.
In terms of video quality, the How the West Was Won Led Zeppelin blu-ray is no slouch either. The video for this release is presented in 1080p full high definition resolution. The visuals are bright, vivid, and clear—with the performances captured from a variety of locations, creating unique perspectives for each song. The footage further captures the atmosphere of the 1972 tour, allowing for an even more authentic experience.
Audience and Critic’s Reception of How the West Was Won Led Zeppelin Blu-Ray
In general, the reception from both fans and critics for the How the West Was Won Led Zeppelin blu-ray has been immensely positive. Rolling Stone gave the release 4.5 stars, calling it “a great reminder of the visceral power they could pack into a live performance.” Fans of the band have also praised the release, citing the clarity of the audio and video and the wealth of material offered.
Exclusive Content of How the West Was Won Led Zeppelin Blu-Ray
The How the West Was Won Led Zeppelin blu-ray also boasts a wealth of exclusive content not found on any other release. This includes nine additional bonus tracks, such as “Gallows Pole” and “Going to California,” that were not part of the original show. There is also a behind-the-scenes documentary, a photo gallery, and a great deal of additional archival visuals.
The documentary, directed by Tom Krueger, provides fans with a closer look at the making of the 1972 tour with brand new interviews with band members and colleagues. Krueger also attempts to capture the essence of what made Led Zeppelin such a remarkable and enduring rock’n’roll experience.
Innovative Song List and Maestro of Music Production
Led Zeppelin was a band known for their innovative song list and master of production. The How the West Was Won blu-ray offers fans a unique experience of the band’s work from an entirely new perspective. The sound and video quality are impeccable, and the bonus content gives viewers a more comprehensive look at the making of the 1972 tour.
From the original stereo mixes to the fresh cuts from Kevin Shirley and the fresh 5.1 surround sound mix from Steven Wilson, the How the West Was Won Led Zeppelin blu-ray offers something for both lifelong fans and first-time viewers. Not only does the release capture the band’s live performances in their entirety, but also offers viewers a range of visuals and audio that have been previously unseen and unheard.
Variety of Visuals and Bonus Features – Help Fans Connect with the Band
The combination of excellent audio mixing and the variety of visuals in the How the West Was Won Led Zeppelin blu-ray help fans connect with the band. The documentary also includes rare home movies of the band touring between shows, as well as interviews with the band’s photographers, roadies, and tech crew. The bonus content and archival visuals further imbue the release with a personal and intimate atmosphere.
The release also further captures the sheer magnitude of Led Zeppelin’s live performances, making it one of the best ways to experience their live show from 1972. All these features combine to make the How the West Was Won blu-ray an essential part of any Led Zeppelin fan’s collection.
Producer Carruthers and Co-Producer Paul McGuinness Contribution
The How the West Was Won Led Zeppelin blu-ray was produced and directed by music producer Dick Carruthers and co-produced by Paul McGuinness. Carruthers’ experience in creating multi-camera concert films have been displayed in other projects such as the Oasis documentary Supersonic. Carruthers told The Guardian that “a Led Zeppelin concert film had become the holy grail of lost music. It didn’t exist until now.”
McGuinness, who managed the band for 24 years, has also shared his knowledge and insight for the production. McGuinness told Stereogum that, “I had the privilege of seeing the band play many times. I had my own ideas of what a Led Zeppelin concert should look and sound like — this film captured those thoughts for me, amazingly.”
Soundtrack is Rich, Beautiful and Accurately Captured
The sound of the How the West Was Won Led Zeppelin blu-ray is rich, beautiful and accurately captures the band’s live performance from 1972. Steven Wilson, known for his work with Porcupine Tree, King Crimson, and many more, achieved an incredible sound mix for the release. Wilson explained to Variety that “I wanted to make sure that the mix was really as close as possible to what the audience heard that night. I wanted to capture those moments of ambiance, the different instruments and dynamics, and the audience noise.”
Additionally, the audio mix also emphasizes certain nuances of the band’s performance, such as Robert Plant’s ad-libbing and Jimmy Page’s guitar solos. This attention to detail means that viewers can experience the band’s music as if they were in the audience of the original shows.
Conclusion and Awards Received by How the West Was Won Led Zeppelin Blu-Ray
The release of How the West Was Won Led Zeppelin has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response from fans and critics alike. The blu-ray is a must-have for any fan of the band, offering a comprehensive and immersive experience in the music of Led Zeppelin. The How the West Was Won blu-ray also received two Grammy awards, and it was also the recipient of the British Music Producers Guild’s Award in 2017.
