The speculation is over and so, what is the verdict on this umpteenth attempt to call this closed circuit proshot Zep concert 'definitive'? All things considered, you have to give Empress Valley the nod, again.
It took about 25 minutes to get to the core of a decision on the source utilized here but by the time the band launches into "Since I've Been Loving You", the truth emerges that this is truly a transfer from Jimmy's master tape - or, the version leveraged for the MTV specials we have seen where they use clips of "Achilles Last Stand" and "Whole Lotta Love/Rock And Roll" - as well as "Over The Hills And Far Away" for the 1990 Box Set promo video. The video here is rich and has that extra depth that sets it apart from anything to come before it. Other than some oversaturation of color due to the lighting technics employed, and the shadowy angle of the head-on camera during the acoustic set, this seems to be the real deal. A DVD sourced from a master video tape. *An additional note, I neglected to mention initially that there is an EV burn-in logo intermittently in the bottom right corner of the screen. It appears for about 15 seconds at the start of every tune.
Unfortunately, this is still a mono soundboard and that being one of the reasons none of this footage was used in the official DVD compilation from 2003 - no multi-track tapes to support the performance. The story and results here are exactly the same as the Hercules, Genuine Masters and Scorpio efforts over the last few years so there are no revelations there. It's also unfortunate for this collector again that Empress Valley opted to go with the 5.1 channel audio track route rather than 2.0 stereo. I just don't think it bolsters the mono soundboard track here at all, Scorpio's Over The Top also lacks because of this. That all being said, the audio is strong and crystal clear.
So, why is this considered the definitive? The source used for one, it's the first-time appearance of this print. The complete show on a single dual-layer disc for two -yes, Scorpio's title was also mastered to one DVD but a different higher gen source. And, it's the complete tape in a commercial quality package number 3. Yes, the complete tape has been in circulation for years - but not this print in this quality. Does this warrant you to go and purchase this one even though you have 2 or 3 other versions? Probably, but to be honest it just isn't enough of a payoff given the audio track is the same and the video itself isn't leaps and bounds greater than the next best - Scorpio, GM and Hercules. That's not going to stop the fanatics from wanting the 'best' though. So, enjoy. As, it really is what it is and the master didn't magically upgrade the performance or expand the rather monotone audio spectrum.
