PAGE/PLANT
Japan '96 - Back Into The Forest Vol. I & II
AA-0039-4

Label: Unknown
Date: 02/13/96
Venue: Budokan Hall, Tokyo, Japan
Cover: +
Media: 2/4CD-R
Sound Quality: SB / 10

CD 1
1. Opening
       ~ Thank You (7.03)
2. Custard Pie (4.30)
3. Black Dog (5:38)
4. Tangerine (3:35)
5. Hurdy Gurdy Solo (4:40)
6. Gallows Pole (4:31)
7. Tea For One (12:04)
8. The Song Remains The Same (6:28)
9. Going To California (4:29)
10. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You (8:10)

CD 2
1. Whole Lotta Love (14:47)
2. Friends (5:08)
3. Yallah (4:18)
4. Four Sticks (5:31)
5. Kashmir (16:31)
6. What Is And What Should Never Be (6:47)
7. Rock And Roll (6:20)

The final show in Tokyo heralds yet more changes. 'Custard Pie' is promoted to second number in the set and includes a killer harmonica solo from Plant. 'Tangerine 'returns and is probably the most beautiful version of the tour. 'Whole Lotta Love' tonight includes 'King Bee' and 'What Is And What Should Never Be' now returns as an encore. "We'll see you when we've got some new ideas!" is Robert's parting comment.

Label: Unknown
Date: 02/15/96
Venue: Castle Hall, Osaka, Japan
Cover: +
Media: 2/4CD-R
Sound Quality: SB / 10

CD 3
1. Opening (2:11)
2. Custard Pie (4:45)
3. Bring It On Home (1:29)
4. Heartbreaker (4:30)
5. What Is And What Should Never Be (6:07)
6. Hurdy Gurdy Solo (4:55)
7. Gallows Pole (4:39)
8. Wonderful One (5:15)
9. Going To California (4:43)
10. Ten Years Gone (7:31)
11. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You (7:45)
12. Whole Lotta Love (15:53)

CD 4
1. Tea For One (13:06)
2. Friends (4:24)
3. Yallah (4:06)
4. Four Sticks (5:35)
5. Kashmir (18:28)
6. Black Dog (6:23)
7. Rock And Roll (6:21)

 
Although the band have now left Tokyo, the experimentation continues. 'Custard Pie' has moved position again and is now the opening number. 'Wonderful One', not played since last May, makes a surprise appearance with a new string arrangement. 'Ten Years Gone' makes it's only appearance of the tour. This number had been prepared as far back as last February, but only finally makes an appearance tonight after an afternoon rehearsal at the venue. Jimmy uses the brow Telecaster for this number, which also features the string orchestra.


If Jimmy and Robert have been dragging their feet thinking about putting out an official live document of their "second marriage", it's too late. They've been pipped to the post. 'Japan '96' is probably a knockoff of the second half of "Page & Plant - Live in Japan". This one is the best Page & Plant boot yet. The sound is from the 'board ("mixing desk" for you Brits), and is glitch-free. No cuts, tape speed problems, or digital distortion. The mix is professional, heavy on guitar and similar to the Nagoya soundboard. In fact, I'll go out on a limb here and say that this bootleg sounds better, cleaner and less compressed than the official Shepherd's Bush tracks on last years Shining In The Light single! Performance-wise, it's very good. Page is precise and sharp, turning in a beautiful take on Tea For One and handling Ten Years Gone nicely, if a bit nervously. He also summons up quite a bit of the old fire for the encores. Plant's a bit cool at first, but gets into it as the show goes on and hits his stride after the acoustic set. The whole "Eastern" interlude is excellent, with a very dynamic Kashmir.
Superb. ABSOLUTELY - MUST HAVE.