Day 99: 2/27/1972 Sydney, Australia

2/27/1972 Sydney, Australia The Rover's Return

Black Dog, 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, Rock and Roll, Whole Lotta Love, Communication Breakdown, Thank You

The tape begins with an announcement from Plant asking the crowd to stay behind the barrier and warning that if the rain persists, they'll have to stop the show. Black Dog is introduced as "one about a nineteen year old black labrador." Page shreds through the guitar solo, repeating licks to mesmerizing effect. The taper can be heard timing his tape flips as the song ends. The tape is cut between songs. The taper's friend can be heard shouting "switch it off, you're wasting it!" after Stairway to Heaven. Plant forgets the lyrics a few times during Going to California. He asks "all the policemen on the roof to join in" before Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, which is cut during the instrumental section.

Bonzo wails on his gong at the beginning of Dazed and Confused. Page's fingers fly across the fretboard during the frenzied lead-in to the bow solo. The taper comments "look at this... a violin bow on the guitar." Page solos frantically throughout the guitar solo/workout section as well as the outro. Moby Dick is dynamic and incredibly powerful. The medley during Whole Lotta Love includes Hello Mary Lou, the first appearance of The Rover in an excellent instrumental arrangement, Elvis Presley's Let's Have a Party, Lawdy Miss Clawdy, and Goin' Down Slow. After Thank You, Plant announces "goodbye... time for dinner" as the band leaves the stage.

The tape is clear and balanced, a bit muffled at times.

Click here for an audio sample courtesy of Black Beauty.

About seven minutes of black and white footage of the show exists. The film is a two camera mix, one on the ground close to the side of the stage and another in one of the upper levels of the stands. The film, which includes fragments of Rock and Roll, Whole Lotta Love, and Let's Have a Party, is very clear and highly enjoyable.