Led Zeppelin "Celebration Day" Concert at 02 Arena London 2007 Blu-ray Review

[Bob Rapoport]

Concert:
Video:
Audio:
Final Score:

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I have a deep appreciation for Led Zeppelin's "Celebration Day" live Blu-ray concert, which documented their 2007 reunion at London's O2 Arena. This concert was a truly special event, a tribute to Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, and it was incredible to see founding members John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, and Robert Plant back on stage with Jason Bonham, the son of the late John Bonham. Their two-hour set was packed with 16 of their most iconic songs, including "Whole Lotta Love," "Rock And Roll," "Kashmir," and "Stairway To Heaven."

It's amazing to think that nearly 20 million fans applied for tickets, but only 18,000 were lucky enough to attend. Thankfully, the Blu-ray "Celebration Day" allows everyone to experience this momentous performance, in high-definition video and high-resolution audio on Blu-ray.

"Celebration Day" truly captures what many consider to be an extraordinary rock and roll event. The production quality of this two-hour show, directed by Dick Carruthers is outstanding in both its visual and sonic aspects. It is released in 1080i with both 24/48K DTS Master HD 5.1 Channel and Stereo Hi Res Soundtracks. 4K TVs will automatically upscale to 4K, not quite the quality of native 4K but still better than native 1080i.

Having had the chance to see Led Zeppelin live in their heyday, I was excited for this release. The dedication and precision that went into this project are clear, and it was well worth the wait. "Celebration Day" stands as a definitive record of the band's lasting impact. They truly remain the Hammer of the Gods.

Throughout the performance, the subtle interactions and body language among the band members really conveyed a sense of personal tribute. The rendition of "Kashmir," in particular, was a definitive and deeply moving performance. For any Led Zeppelin fan, experiencing this track on Blu-ray is essential.

While this may indeed be their final performance, "Celebration Day" is a magnificent culmination of their remarkable career, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Track list:

Good Times Bad Times
Ramble on
Black Dog
In My Time of Dying
For Your Life
Trampled Under Foot
Nobody's Fault But Mine
No Quarter
Since I've Been Loving You
Dazed and Confused
Stairway to Heaven
The Song Remains the Same
Misty Mountain Hop
Kashmir
Whole Lotta Love
Rock and Roll

Video Quality:

The Blu-ray release of Led Zeppelin's "Celebration Day," presented by Warner Music, features an AVC-encoded 1080i transfer in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. Director David Carruthers captured the performance using an impressive array of cameras from diverse perspectives, enhancing the visuals with added grain and various effects applied to some of the footage.

While the editing features rapid cuts, giving the concert a somewhat energetic feel, it is less overwhelming than many modern concert films. The image quality is notably sharp and detailed, particularly in close-up shots. There are minor instances of lost shadow detail and black crush, especially noticeable with Robert Plant's black attire. Additionally, very subtle moiré patterns occasionally appear when the lighting and projection screen behind the band are a uniform color during camera pans or zooms.

Overall, however, this Blu-ray delivers a very sharp and clear visual experience that Led Zeppelin enthusiasts should thoroughly enjoy.

Audio Quality:

This performance of Led Zeppelin's "Celebration Day" offers a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround mix alongside an uncompressed LPCM 2.0 stereo track. Both deliver impressive sonic clarity.

However, the 5.1 mix occasionally highlights a slight thinness in Plant's vocals, which can get somewhat overshadowed by the ambient hall noise and the band's powerful performance. The midrange and low-end frequencies truly stand out in the 5.1 track, providing exceptional clarity without sacrificing the powerful impact of Bonham's drums and Jones' bass.

Some listeners might find the audience noise a bit prominent, which could be one of the mixing challenges Plant previously mentioned regarding the album's release. While the dynamic range isn't extensive due to the band's high-energy repertoire, quieter moments, such as the beginning of "Stairway to Heaven," still maintain a pleasing level of audio clarity and precision.

Jason Bonham's performance on drums is nothing short of exceptional. His powerful yet nuanced playing throughout the concert, particularly on blues numbers such as "Since I've Been Loving You" and "In My Time of Dying," is truly compelling. His interplay with Jimmy Page on "Dazed and Confused" evokes the remarkable synergy between Page and his father.

Jimmy Page's masterful guitar work shines throughout, demonstrating a renewed vitality. Even on overplayed classics such as "Stairway to Heaven," his performance is captivating, revealing a deep connection to the music. Robert Plant's vocals are equally compelling, conveying a sense of genuine joy in revisiting the band's celebrated past.

John Paul Jones' contributions on bass and keyboards are pivotal, notably on "No Quarter," where his haunting electric piano intro creates an evocative atmosphere. His exceptional musicianship is also evident on tracks such as "Trampled Under Foot" and "Kashmir."

The setlist for "Celebration Day" is thoughtfully curated, representing every Led Zeppelin studio album. The inclusion of iconic tracks such as "Ramble On," "Black Dog," "Dazed and Confused," "Whole Lotta Love," and "Rock and Roll" underscores the band's enduring impact.

In conclusion, "Celebration Day" is a truly exceptional release, offering both remarkable audio quality and a captivating performance. It serves as a powerful reminder of Led Zeppelin's significance not only as a cultural phenomenon but as one of the most influential and enduring bands in music history.

Final Score:



Technical Specifications:

Video:
Resolution: Native 2K (1080i)
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: LPCM 2.0, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

The Hammer of the Gods Live, For All time.

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[Todd Anderson]

Another great read.

We talked about this one before your live stream... I could tell it holds a special place in your heart!

Just as an FYI, this is disc only at this time - it's not available on Kscape. Looks like the disc runs about $30 which ain't bad for a concert these days! ;-)

 

[Bob Rapoport]

Another great read.

We talked about this one before your live stream... I could tell it holds a special place in your heart!

Just as an FYI, this is disc only at this time - it's not available on Kscape. Looks like the disc runs about $30 which ain't bad for a concert these days! ;-)

Thanks Todd, glad you enjoyed it. I remember seeing Page when he was in the Yardbirds in '65, all of us thought then that he was bound for greatness. That band gave us Clapton, Beck, and Page. I've seen it for $25, there are several packages to choose from.