Led Zeppelin - "Broad Street Bullies"
February, 8th, 1975, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, The Spectrum
Audience Recording Merge + Remaster, (A Group/Personal Project)
Lineage:
Source One: "The Sprectrum, 1st Source", (DADGAD), Cassette1 > CD-R(3) >EAC(secure m./read offset corr.) > WAV > FLAC (level7/verify/test) > TLH, Decode > WAV > Remaster > Flac, Level.8, Align On SBE'S > Flac
Source Two: "The City Of Brotherly Zep", (No Label), Aud > Unknown Equipment/Transfer > 2nd Gen. Cassette > CD-R(x) > EAC > FLAC* > FLAC (Level 8) > TLH, Decode > WAV > Remaster > Flac, Level.8, Align On SBE'S > Flac
Label: N/A
Original Tapers: Source 1: N/A
Source 2: N/A
Cheers and thanks go out to:
- The tapers, for taping and sharing their recordings with the community, if you're out there, and happen to pick this up, we hope that you'll enjoy the work that we've done.
- DADGAD, and Didnelp for sharing the the raw recordings used for this project, thank you for sharing with myself, and everyone in the community.
- My mate Porgie for all the help proofing samples, and giving me notes on the final result of the project.
- My mate Mark for once again putting together some great artwork for this release, always a pleasure working with you.
This is a Group/Personal Project by "Those Guys That Have Been Having Alot Of Fun, And It's Only About To Get Funner", The 7th Son, Joel, Porgie, Mark, Mike, And Acapulco Gold.
Dedicated to:
- The original "Broadstreet Bullies", the 1973-1975 Philadelphia Flyers, the heroes, and the villains of the hockey world.
- All the sports fans in Philadelphia, some of the most hardcore sports fans out there.
- And to my mate "Drew" based out of Philly, and attending Temple, all the best to you and the family.
Disc One:
1) Introduction *
2) Rock And Roll * (Tape Cut In Middle Of Song, Cut, Incomplete Song)
3) Sick Again *
4) Over The Hills And Far Away * +
5) In My Time Of Dying *
6) The Song Remains The Same *
7) The Rain Song * +
8) Kashmir *
9) No Quarter *
10) Trampled Underfoot * (Fades Out)
Disc Two:
1) Moby Dick * + (Fades In)
2) Dazed And Confused * (Includes:"San Francisco")
3) Stairway To Heaven * +
4) Whole Lotta Love *
5) Black Dog *
6) Heartbreaker * (Fades Out)
Legend:
*: Source 1
+: Source 2
* +: combination Of Both Sources
Enjoy!
Please Do Not Convert To Lossy Formats
Please Do Not Sell
Please Share With Others
Notes:
This is actually a really good performance from the group that deserves more attention and praise than what it gets.
I actually find it rather surprising that this show isn't held in as high regard as other audience recordings/performances of the 75 tour because all the factors that Zepfans would consider a plus are at this performance.
To quote from Argenteumastrum.com's review of this show:
"Plant's voice has pretty much healed while Page's finger has definitely healed! The performance doesn't crawl like other 1975 shows, it runs!"
You would think that those 2 factors (Plant and Page feeling better than when they started the tour) would make collectors really appreciate this show alot more than what they do, but for some reason, it's pushed aside for the latter shows of the winter 75 tour, and the spring 75 tour.
I think it's overlooked for latter shows in the winter 75 tour, and the spring 75 tour for a few reasons:
1) I believe this show passed over because it's considered to be apart of the Winter 1975 tour, (January-February), and there's a certain stigma about that period of time in the bands career.
It's looked at as more of a warm up than the actual tour, the band were not at their finest (Plant had been suffering from the flu, and Jimmy had injured his finger), they were playing rather sloppily, and Zepfans really don't consider the band to have turned themselves around until they reached New York on (2-12-75).
2) The Spring 75 is an excellent time in the bands career, there are some epic concerts from that time, and excellent recordings captured them ( i.e: Dallas, Long Beach, Seattle, Vancouver, and Inglewood), whereas the winter 75 tour is a time when the band were warming up, and weren't completely at their best (i.e: Chicago, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Greensboro).
So it's understandable why the Philly show is overlooked, those were some excellent performances from the group, and the fact that there are both audience and soundboard tapes of those shows is also a swaying factor.
It's a show that hasn't even really been picked up by the bootleggers, the only boot release of this show is "The Spectrum" from the old and defunct Electric Magic label, that was back in the late 90's.
The fact that this show wasn't really picked up by the bootleggers is an issue that I think gives collectors mixed feelings.
Some would consider it a blessing that the bootleggers didn't pick the tape up, that gives the fans the opportunity to release the show, do what they want with it, and keep it free for the community.
On the other hand, some might consider the labels passing on it as a snub, passing judgement upon the recording as not being worthy enough to release, a factor that does indeed affect the way collectors would approach this recording/performance.
If a soundboard tape of this show surfaced, I'm sure more collectors would pick up on this performance, if history has taught us anything, it's that an audience recording will recieve more attention once a soundboard tape pops up.
I'm definately betting that there's a Philly 75 soundboard tape out there, there seems to be a ton of 75 soundboard tapes out there, and they all seem to be in the possession of Empress Valley.
I think we'll see a Philly soundboard tape pop up sometime in the future, it seems more likely that we'll see the Philly tape before we see the Seattle 75 board tapes.
I just hope the labels won't use a really tired and overused title for it like "Philadelphia Special".
For those that may not know, there are 3 recordings of this performance in circulation, 2 audience recordings, and one video recording (colour 8mm footage of the band performing the 1st half of the show, mostly covers "In My Time Of Dying").
Both audience recordings are very good and actually sound quite simular to each other in some places:
- They both have a slight echo to them
- They sound slightly distant from the stage
- They both have more emphasis on the guitar and vocals than bass and drums.
It's possible that both recordings were recorded from the same location.
There are some differences between the tapes though, here's how they differ from each other:
1st Tape Source:
- The 1st tape source starts out kind of rough but settles in and finds it's groove by the time the band gets into "Sick Again".
- The 1st tape source has moments where the tape sort of cuts out, and makes it sound more distant.
- The 1st tape source is the most complete recording of the 2 in circulation, and has all the tracks the band performed that evening. However, songs like "Over The Hills And Far Away", "Moby Dick", and "Stairway To Heaven" are incomplete.
2nd Tape Source:
- The 2nd tape source has a more consistent sound to it, it doesn't suffer from the distance issues that the 1st source has, and is louder and boomier than the 1st source. It also suffers from brief periods of distortion in the channels.
- The 2nd tape source has some tape issues during "Kashmir", the 1st tape source doesn't suffer from these issues.
- The 2nd tape source is more incomplete than the 1st tape source, the taper missed the opening announcements, "Rock And Roll", and "Trampled Underfoot". However, this source does have complete versions of "Over The Hills And Far AwaY", "Moby Dick", and "Stairway To Heaven".
The goals of this project:
The goals we set out for this project were to combine both tape sources together to make as complete a recording as possible, and remaster both tape sources.
What we've done to make this project:
- We've combined both tape sources together to make as complete a recording as possible.
- We've tried to make the transition from source to source as smooth as possible.
- We've remastered both recordings to make them sound as good, and as evenly distributed as possible.
- We've tried to create a feeling of ambiance as much as possible.
- We've reduced as much tape hiss as possible.
- We've tried to bring out things that were buried in the recording (i.e: commentary, cheers, clapping, etc)
In regards to the title:
The title is a reference to the city's NHL team "The Philadelphia Flyers", it's a nickname that was given to the team in the early to mid 1970's to reference the teams toughness.
Here's some info I found on Wikipedia.org, I hope that it's accurate, or close to accurate:
1972–1978: The Broad Street Bullies
It was during the 1972–73 season that the Flyers shed the mediocre expansion team label and became the intimidating "Broad Street Bullies", a nickname coined by Jack Chevalier and Pete Cafone of the Philadelphia Bulletin on January 3, 1973 after a 3 to 1 brawling victory over the Atlanta Flames that led Chevalier to write in his game account, "The image of the fightin' Flyers spreading gradually around the NHL, and people are dreaming up wild nicknames.
"They're the Mean Machine, the Bullies of Broad Street and Freddy's Philistines."
Cafone wrote the accompanying headline, "Broad Street Bullies Muscle Atlanta".
That same month, Clarke was the youngest player (at that time) in NHL history to be named team captain, replacing Ed Van Impe.
Rick MacLeish became the first Flyer to score 50 goals in a season and the Flyers recorded their first winning season.
An overtime goal by Gary Dornhoefer in Game 5 turned the tide of their first round series with the Minnesota North Stars in the Flyers' favor, as the Flyers got their first playoff series win in six games.
They were outmatched in the semifinals by the Montreal Canadiens, however, losing in five games. After the season, Clarke was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player.
Goaltender Bernie Parent returned to the franchise in the off-season, and the Flyers proved that the expansion teams could challenge the Original Six in 1973–74.
The Bullies continued their rough-and-tumble ways, led by Dave Schultz's 348 penalty minutes, and reached the top of the West Division with a record of 50–16–12.
The return of Parent proved to be of great benefit as he established himself as one of if not the best goaltender in the league by winning 47 games, a record which stood for 33 years.
Since the Flyers, along with Chicago, allowed the fewest goals in the league, Parent also shared the Vezina Trophy with Boston's Tony Esposito.
Come playoff time, the Flyers swept the Atlanta Flames in four games in the first round. In the semifinals, the Flyers faced the New York Rangers. The series, which saw the home team win every game, went seven games.
Fortunately for the Flyers, they had home-ice advantage as they advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals by winning Game 7. Their opponent, Bobby Orr and the Boston Bruins, took Game 1 in Boston, but Bobby Clarke scored an overtime goal in Game 2 to even the series.
The Flyers won Games 3 and 4 at home to take a 3–1 series lead, but Boston won Game 5 to stave off elimination. That set the stage for Game 6 at the Spectrum. The Flyers picked up the lead early when Rick MacLeish scored a first period goal.
Late in the game, Orr hauled down Clarke on a breakaway, a penalty which assured the Flyers of victory.
Time expired as the Flyers brought the Stanley Cup to Philadelphia for the first time. Parent, having shutout Boston in Game 6, won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Playoff MVP.
During the 1973-74 season, the Flyers introduced what would become one of the team's best-known traditions: playing a recording of Kate Smith singing "God Bless America" instead of the national anthem. The move was initially done by Ed Snider as a way to defray national tensions caused by the Vietnam War and the nascent Watergate scandal: Snider noticed that people would regularly leave their seats and walk around during the anthem, but showed more respect and often sang along to "God Bless America". Smith herself appeared before Game 6 to lead the crowd in the song, even miming a "knockout punch" after her performance. To this day, the team plays the song before major playoff games, currently with Lauren Hart (daughter of Hall of Fame Flyers broadcast announcer Gene Hart) performing the first part of the song, a recording of Smith singing the second part, and Lauren Hart joining the recording for the finale.
In 1974–75, Schultz topped his mark from the previous season by setting an NHL record for penalty minutes (472 in all). Clarke's efforts earned him his second Hart Trophy and Parent was the lone recipient of the Vezina Trophy. The Flyers as a team improved their record slightly with a mark of 51–18–11, the best record in the league. After a first-round bye, the Flyers easily swept the Toronto Maple Leafs and were presented with another New York–area team in the semifinals. The Flyers looked to be headed toward another sweep against the New York Islanders after winning the first three games. The Islanders, however, fought back by winning the next three games, setting up a deciding seventh game. The Flyers were finally able to shut the door on the Islanders, winning Game 7, 4–1.
Facing Buffalo in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Flyers won the first two games at home. Game 3, played in Buffalo, would go down in hockey lore as The Fog Game due to an unusual May heat wave in Buffalo which forced parts of the game to be played in heavy fog, as Buffalo's arena lacked air conditioning.
The Flyers lost Games 3 and 4, but won Game 5 at home in dominating fashion, 5–1. On the road for Game 6, Bob Kelly scored the decisive goal and Parent pitched another shutout (a playoff record fifth shutout) as the Flyers repeated as Stanley Cup Champions.
Parent also repeated as the playoff MVP, winning a second consecutive Conn Smythe Trophy.
The highlight of the 1975–76 season had no bearing on the season standings. On January 11 at the Spectrum, the Flyers, as part of the Super Series '76, played a memorable exhibition game against the Soviet Union's dominant Central Red Army team.
As the Bullies had put intimidation to good use the past three years, the Flyers' rugged style of play led the Soviets to leave the ice midway through the first period, protesting a hit on Valeri Kharlamov, whom Clarke had slashed on the ankle in the famous Summit Series '72, by Ed Van Impe.
After some delay, the Soviets returned after they were warned that they would lose their salary for the entire series. The Flyers went on to win the game rather easily, 4–1, and were the only team to defeat the Red Army outright in the series.
After this win the Spectrum was known as the "most intimidating building to play in and has the most intimidating fans." Head coach Fred Shero proclaimed, "Yes we are world champions. "If they had won, they would have been world champions. We beat the hell out of a machine."
The Flyers recorded the best record in team history (points wise) with a record of 51–13–16. The LCB line, featuring Reggie Leach at right-wing, Clarke at center, and Bill Barber at left-wing, set an NHL record for goals by a single line with 141 (Leach 61, Clarke 30, Barber 50). Clarke, on his way to a third Hart Trophy, set a club record for points in one season with 119. Heading into the playoffs, the Flyers squeaked past Toronto in seven games and defeated Boston in five games, Game 5 featuring a five-goal outburst by Leach, the Riverton Rifle, to head to a third straight appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals. However, the Flyers didn't come close to a third straight championship without an injured Bernie Parent, as they ran into an up-and-coming dynasty in Montreal, and were swept in four straight games. Despite the loss, Leach was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for scoring a record 19 goals in 16 playoff games.
Dethroned, the heyday of the Broad Street Bullies started to come to an end, as prior to the 1976–77 season, tough-guy Dave Schultz was traded to the Los Angeles Kings. Despite a slight drop-off in performance, the Flyers dominated the Patrick Division with what proved to be their fourth straight division title.
After disposing of Toronto in six games, the Flyers found themselves in the semifinals for the fifth consecutive season.
Pitted against Boston, the Flyers lost Games 1 and 2 at home in overtime and did not return home as they were swept in four straight games.
The Flyers lost their hold on the Patrick Division in 1977–78 and settled for second place. After sweeping the Colorado Rockies in 2 games in the preliminary round, the Flyers moved on to beat Buffalo in five games.
They faced Boston in the semifinals for the second consecutive season, and lost again, this time in five games. Following the season, the Flyers were stunned when head coach Fred Shero left to become general manager and head coach of the Rangers.
As compensation for The Fog, the Flyers received the Rangers' first-round draft pick in 1978.
Flyer fans are definately some of the most hardcore and passionate fans in all of hockey, they're a fanbase that goes above and beyond for their team to win.
I once heard that Flyer fans apparently go to the airport to watch the opposing teams plane touch down..and they boo if the plane lands safely...that's dedication.
There's a wonderful documentary about the 70's Flyers titled "The Broad Street Bullies" on youtube from HockeyWebCaster that's both educational, and entertaining, if you're a hockey fan, you're going to love it, even if you're not a hockey fan, you might enjoy it for it's educational and entertainment benefits.
It was alot of fun working on this project, both recordings were enjoyable to work on, and if there's any interest, I could release a 2nd version of "Broad Street Bullies" that utilizes the 2nd tape source as more of a main source than a patching source.
The further I got into the project, the more I realized how good the 2nd source is, and could easily stand up on it's own, so if there's any interest, please let me know.
I hope that everyone here will enjoy this.
If there's any interest,
Link
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