The closest we really ever came to a Led Zeppelin reunion was ten years ago, when Jimmy Page & Robert Plant (the dominant half of the group) got together for an MTV special and album of re-worked classics (I don't really count the Live Aid performance, where the three surviving members came out and did half-assed performances of three of their best-known songs). This belated DVD release of the MTV program will surely please die-hard Zeppelin fanatics, whom will also enjoy the few bonus features included on the disc.

Unplugged was a popular (and done-to-death) series of programs on MTV in which popular artists came out to performed stripped-down, acoustic versions of their songs. While many of the songs performed here are acoustically based, a lot of them are heavily rearranged, including the addition of strings, horns and other unusual instruments to provide the Middle Eastern & African background tone Page & Plant have an obvious fondness for. Hence, the two are backed not only by the usual selection of top-notch rock musicians, but by full orchestras and world music performers. The result is a show long-time fans will appreciate, but will confound the average listener who may wonder why "Stairway to Heaven" isn't included (but, honestly, who isn't sick of that song?). In fact, with the exception of "Kashmir," Page & Plant dig deep into the Zeppelin catalogue to unearth an eclectic selection of less-renowned tunes (including many from the folk-heavy, underappreciated Led Zeppelin III ). Of course, you could perform these songs with an all-kazoo orchestra and still not screw them up, but even after all these years, Page & Plant do wonders with them. Tracks like "Four Sticks," "Gallows Pole," "Nobody's Fault But Mine," and especially the show-stopping closer, "Kashmir," are given new life the dramatic re-arrangements. Robert Plant may no longer have vocal range of Zeppelin's glory days, but his delivery is still dramatic and moving. As for Jimmy Page...he hasn't sounded this good since Physical Graffiti ; it's obvious approaching these classic numbers from a new perspective has recharged his batteries. In fact, the weakest performances are probably those songs which underwent the least amount of change (such as "Since I've Been Loving You"). The new songs, mostly experimental & African-tinged in nature, are mostly forgettable, as is the footage featuring Page & Plant visiting Morocco, which pops up in between some of the live numbers. Of the new tunes, the moody "Wonderful One" is probably the best.

For those who rejoiced in the long-awaited Page/Plant reunion a decade ago (has it already been that long?), this disc makes a much better souvenir than the original CD or VHS tape, especially with the outstanding audio transfer; it has never looked or sounded better, plus you can use chapter search to skip through the boring travelogue portions to get to the good stuff. The added extras make this DVD well-worth adding to your Zeppelin collection. No Quarter is a great historical document.