The second of the initial titles for 2007 from Genuine Masters with "Devils Or Shepherds" simultaneously released with the May 24th, 1975 Earl's Court DVD, "Knights Of The Court".  Quite the contrast of product between the legendary- and a chapter from the reunion period from the 90's.  What GM has also brought to the table is different formats for collectors to experience the recordings from these titles, particularly with "Devils Or Shepherds" as we get the very nice audience-shot video with the camera audio and a Hybrid DVD-Audio (which GM is known-for) that utilizes the stellar DAT audience recording as the basis for that presentation - and they both shine.  The ratings used in the title for this article are for the DVD video piece of the set.

First, we need to thank our 2 tapers for the occaision.  They really captured this homecoming well and provided us perfect documents to experience a special evening with Robert and Jimmy.  It has been shared that the boys were fighting some nerves during the first part of the evening but I have to say that if that was really true, those nerves were quickly stomped out of the system.  In fact, after a trio of Zeppelin classics Jimmy is fully on-fire and setting the tone by the then-new "Walking Into Clarksdale".  I'll also be frank.  I haven't seen this particular performance in years, but remember feeling this was a highlight of the 1998 Tour.  After digesting it a couple of times it's much easier to listen to than to watch.  But Robert's insistence on incorporating a more yodel-based vocal approach quickly assures me I wouldn't travel back this way very often -either way. 

The DVD presents an immaculate digital transfer of the really nice audience-shot video that couldn't be any crisper, or brighter.  Again, credit the source.  Our taper quickly establishes position on the right side of the Shepherd's Bush Theater floor and readies themself in time to soak up the vibe and action down front and then we're off.  There is some very minor adjusting and zooming by our camera-person and for the bulk of the concert it's a matter of zooming in on Robert > zooming out for a full stage shot > zooming in on Jimmy or the both of them.  It's all pretty smooth until the end during "Thank You" where things get a little restless but nothing close to some of our own home videos!  Our videographer quickly re-establishes themself and it's all good in the end.  This is a solid taping and it lent itself to a proper transfer treatment by GM.  While the accompanying audio track gets some breadth and punch with the DVD medium, it's still quite a noisy and sometimes distracting experience to watch this video.  The mics pick up a helluva lot of surrounding audience noise and it kind of takes away the affect of the crystal clear picture being presented.  What is missing is some of the emotion of the show.  One note on the video is that there seems to be a slight pause in filming or a super-clean and brief edit at the beginning of "Whole Lotta Love".  It occurs so fast that I had to back up and watch it a few times because it almost sounds like the tune was played and arranged that way.  But no, that's not the case.  It's clearly an edit on the fly or whatever.

Perhaps the highlight of this set is the DVD-Audio piece.  The really superb DAT audience tape that has been in circulation since the performance has always been source of praise and a favorite of many.  Here you really feel the heart and soul of the band and it rocks.  I would rate the audio a solid 9, much of the time even a bit better, on this medium.  There's just that something missing from the video piece that is fully evident and showcased with the DAT tape source.  I've been told that a diligent effort was made to synch the two but they just didn't time out the same to be successful which is unfortunate because it seems on the surface that they would be a beautiful marriage.  Nevertheless, it's incredibly lucky to have two completely separate productions that provide quite a different listening/viewing experience.  But I definitely prefer the DVD-Audio.  What Blackdog utilizes for the accompanying video component on this presentation is the audience video, completely brought down to slo-motion with a sort of diffused lighting balance and a sort of halo-effect to our subjects on the screen, and it's really pretty cool and would rate it a 9/10.  What is important here is that you never expect the two to be in synch so you don't watch, hinging on the possibility that they might come together -which has been the case with a couple of older GM productions.   This is really nice and it's unlikely you would sit and watch this anyway.  What you want, and get, is a really kick-ass recording that gets the best extracted out of it for an amazing Page/Plant listen.   

We get the full Genuine Masters production with their patented multi-media menus and high quality picture discs and that super clean and fat sound.  The packaging again utilizes bright and colorful high resolution artwork but the choice of photography seems a bit cookie-cutter and gratuitous as this is a 1998 Tour artifact yet we get 1994-95 common promotional photos that have been used everywhere.  So, a little more thought there would have tied this one together a little better but I suppose you could say that for alot of product we come across in this hobby.  This is a very enjoyable set.