Led Zeppelin’s ascension to
super stardom was so fast that, even early in their career, they were
challenged by the British press to match exceed their current champions.
The most well known was in 1977 and 1978 when they were pitted against
the punk movement in the UK. Believe it or not, there was a time when
progressive bands like Yes were the new guard, and the press wondered if
Zeppelin could match them in creativity and popularity.This was the atmosphere in which Zeppelin planned their largest UK tour to date. Ascension In The Wane is a box set containing soundboard recordings from the second half of their UK tour. The first half, during December 1972, ended with two shows in London. In January 1973 they continued with shows in northern England and Scotland.
Many Zeppelin fans and collectors believe early 1973 (especially the European dates in March) are among the band’s greatest all-time performances. All of the tapes have been released before. Most surfaced in the early nineties and they all sound as good as the best versions in current circulation. This is a good way for those who do not own any of these shows to obtain them.
Oxford Blues - New Theatre, Oxford, England – January 7th, 1973
Disc 1 (50:42): Rock And Roll, Over The Hills And Far Away, Black Dog, Misty Mountain Hop, Since I’ve Been Loving You, Dancing Days, Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp, The Song Remains The Same, The Rain Song
Disc 2 (42:56): Dazed And Confused, Stairway To Heaven, Whole Lotta Love
One For The M6 - Empire Theatre, Liverpool, England – January 14th, 1973
Disc 3 (70:32): Over The Hills And Far Away, Black Dog, Misty Mountain Hop, Since I’ve Been Loving You, Dancing Days, Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp, The Song Remains The Same, The Rain Song, Dazed And Confused
Disc 4 (49:02): Stairway To Heaven, Whole Lotta Love, Heartbreaker, The Ocean
Groovin’ In The Garden - Trentham Gardens, Stoke, England – January 15th, 1973
Disc 5 (52:46): Rock And Roll, Over The Hills And Far Away, Black Dog, Misty Mountain Hop, Since I’ve Been Loving You, Dancing Days, Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp, The Song Remains The Same, The Rain Song
Disc 6 (59:13): Dazed And Confused, Stairway To Heaven, Whole Lotta Love
The Black Hole Of Calcutta - The Old Refectory, Southampton University, Southampton, England – January 22nd, 1973
Disc 7 (76:31): Introduction, Rock And Roll, Over The Hills And Far Away, Black Dog, Misty Mountain Hop, Since I’ve Been Loving You, Dancing Days, The Song Remains The Same, The Rain Song, Dazed And Confused
Disc 8 (73:49): Stairway To Heaven, Whole Lotta Love, Heartbreaker, Thank You, How Many More Times, Communication Breakdown
Odds And Ends - several soundboard fragments from the latter days of the UK tour.
Disc 9 (51:05) St George’s Hall, Bradford, England – January 18th, 1973: Dazed And Confused, Whole Lotta Love, Immigrant Song
Disc 10 (42:33) Caird Hall, Dundee, Scotland - January 27th, 1973: Whole Lotta Love, Heartbreaker, Communication Breakdown. Bonus tracks, Gaumont Theatre, Southampton, January 21st, 1973 – Soundcheck: Drums & Mellotron tuning, Love Me. Frankfurt Special (AKA Station Blues). King Creole. Love Me (Reprise)
