Led Zeppelin - 1975 - St. Valentine's Day Massacre

Led Zeppelin
February 14, 1975
Nassau County Veterans Memorial Coliseum,
Uniondale, NY

St. Valentine's Day Massacre

Empress Valley Supreme Disc

Soundboard

01. Rock And Roll
02. Sick Again
03. Over The Hills And Far Away
04. In My Time Of Dying
05. Since I've Been Loving You
06. The Song Remains The Same
07. The Rain Song
08. Kashmir
09. No Quarter
10. Trampled Underfoot
11. Moby Dick
12. Dazed And Confused
13. Stairway To Heaven
14. Whole Lotta Love
15. Black Dog
16. Heartbreaker

After having released a number of dubious titles, Empress Valley has finally found its way back to further its “ Soundboard Revolutions.” Out of the blue, they somehow found a soundboard recording from what many fans consider is one the greatest shows that the band performed in ’75. Since I listened 

to the audience recording with the old Off Beat Record’s title “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre,” I have been a fan of this show because, despite the mediocre quality of tape and its incompleteness, I was able to feel the power and vibe which the band emitted or created in the first half of the show.

Later, I also got Image Quality’s “St. Tangerine’s Day” featuring a more complete version of the audience tape and, with that title, I was able to confirm that the band had actually presented a nice performance throughout the show, including a gutsy version of “Stairway To Heaven” and “Heartbreaker” with very irregular arrangements. However, this new title from EV has blown all those past titles away! Despite some promotional advertisement referring to the term “stereo,” the newly surfaced soundboard as featured in the title is in mono rather than stereo, apart from a part of “Dazed And Confused” is actually stereo, as Jimmy’s violin bow solo pans from one channels to the other. It is also a small regret that the soundboard did not capture the famous opening announcement saying “The American Return of Led Zeppelin!” as well as Robert’s interesting reference to “Tangerine” after “Dazed And Confused” is finished. However, the soundboard presents the great show in almost full length.

The recording is also very well balanced among the instruments and Robert’s voice and is therefore very enjoyable. Especially, Jonsey’s bass sounds are conspicuous in the recording, providing richness in the overall sounds. Accordingly, I am certain that the title lives up to the fame which EV once got with its “Soundboard Revolutions.” I truly hope that EV will continue its efforts to release more amazing titles such as this. The title comes in a paper case with two different types of artwork: the rare “Murder Incorporated” version limited to 200 copies (using the photos of a mass murder case which occurred in Chicago on some Valentine’s Day) and the standard edition featuring the band’s stage shots.

I got a copy of the “Murder Incorporated” version for myself on account of its rarity. However, the regular version may be more appealing to some others. In any case, the important thing is the tape presented in the title rather than the artwork. The title is definitely a “must” for any serious fan. 

This title is a new superb stereo soundboard from Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Hempstead, New York, New York Feb. 14 ’75. EV delivers in a deluxe trifold gatefold cover inside slipcase. Two version of it are available. The first one, titled “Murder Incorporated Edition” is limited to 200 copies only. The second, titled “Standard Edition” is not strictly limited and differs with artwork.

This is another great soundboard release by Empress Valley Supreme Disc of never before available tape. I purchased the Murder Inc. version due to the limited offering. The sound quality is quite good but I found that with a little additional equalization that it can be improved. It seems this release has a heavy preference to the high end. By lowering the high end a bit and raising the lower end a bit I feel you get a more evenly balanced and better sounding experience. It’s probably a matter of preference….as TH says in his November review this is a must have. I would agree if you are a collector of these EV releases.