Day 103: 6/7/1972 Montreal, Quebec

6/7/1972 Montreal, Quebec  (master>cassette>cdr)

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Moby Dick, Whole Lotta Love, Rock and Roll, Thank You

There is a slight dropout during the first verse of Immigrant Song. Page shreds through the excellent solos during Heartbreaker. After Black Dog, there is an argument between the taper and his friends over who gets to hold the binoculars with one friend saying "when Whole Lotta Love plays, I wanna see 'em, because I wanna see how he makes that sound!" Page is on fire during an incredibly dramatic and powerful Since I've Been Loving You. Plant's introduction of Stairway to Heaven receives a loud cheer from the crowd. Page plays a bit of Black Country Woman before a beautiful That's the Way, to which Plant responds by joking "that's the next album." The acoustic set closes with a great high-energy Bron-Y-Aur Stomp. 

Plant announces "we're nearly four years old now... this was in the first fifteen minutes" before Dazed and Confused. Page solos wildly during the constantly developing lead-in to the bow solo. The guitar solo/workout section is an epic journey. Page is on fire, improvising freely with Bonzo and Jones locked in close behind, even including early hints of Walter's Walk. There is a slight dropout during the final verse. The Everybody Needs Somebody to Love section during Whole Lotta Love features some great soloing from Page. The riotous medley includes Boogie Chillen' and Hello Mary Lou before a source change. The remainder includes Running Bear, Money Honey, Elvis Presley's A Mess of Blues, and another excellent extended Goin' Down Slow, including an amazing slow blues When the Levee Breaks finale. 

Rock and Roll is a high-speed explosion of energy. The recording ends during the final verse of an epic Thank You, which includes a fantastic high-flying guitar solo from Page. A truly amazing performance from beginning to end. The 1972 North American Tour has begun.

The tape is fairly clear, if a bit distant and bass-heavy. Highly enjoyable. Unfortunately, the remainder of the show after the source change during the Whole Lotta Love medley is plagued by constant volume fluctuations.