Press Review:  Zeppelin, Trinity And Racing Dogs

Last week's show at Winterland proved to be another of Bill Graham's memorable sound extravaganzas. Led Zeppelin, Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger and the Trinity, and Coldwell-Winfield Blues Band all blasted out their best, tearing down the house and half the PA. system.

Led Zeppelin had everyone awestruck and at the edge of their seats (toes for those on the floor). They came on incredibly strong and lived up to every expectation I had. Their firstt set was almost non-stop for the first five numbers, each one done incredibly well. On the second piece, Jimmy Page took to using a bow string on his guitar, fed through fuzz, reverb, and waa-waa into two Marshall amps.

The result was a shattering sense of floating in space. When not playing with special effects, he performed riffs that would put Eric Clapton to shame (can it be?). A special note on lead singer Robert Plant—his voice is the most versatile and wide-ranged I have ever heard in a rock group. On several occasions, he harmonized notes and chords with Page's guitar and the combination of the two is beyond description. The bass and the drummer (who did a 20-minute solo) were also make for one of the tightest and best put exceptionally good.  I'd like to commend them on their courtesy to the audience, being the first rock group I have ever seen to take notice of the inconsiderate people up front who stand and block the view of others.

Don't miss them next time they're around. [by By E. MARCH  / MAY 1969]