Tarantura
Encyclopedia
Tarantura is a record label
based in Japan
which releases bootleg recordings. Since 1993 it has been specialising in Led Zeppelin
and Page and Plant
releases.
Tarantura is known for its release of high quality recordings and elaborate packaging which, according to Led Zeppelin experts Dave Lewis and Simon Pallett, often employs a "finesse and style unmatched even by official standards." For example, in 1994 the label released Monsters of Rock, an elaborate 3 CD set containing the soundboard recordings from Seattle and Detroit from Led Zeppelin's 1973 concert tour of the United States
. This release contained concertina-style fold-out packaging, with each disc in indivudial heavy stock and card sleeves. The front of the pack was designed in the style of a 1950s B-movie
poster of a giant spider, "Tarantura!" Initial copies even included a jigsaw puzzle
of the cover art.
However, the main criticism levelled at Tarantura is that the prices charged are outside the reach of many collectors. Each title is extremely limited (usually only 300-500 sets), sometimes individually numbered, and sold through one outlet in Japan with no mail order. They are therefore difficult to obtain overseas and command extremely high prices when they do appear for sale. By way of example, the estimated value of Monsters of Rock currently stands at over ₤400.
The Tarantura label can claim responsibility for some notable Led Zeppelin releases, including the 19 CD box set A Week For Badgeholders which captures the six shows performed by the band at the Los Angeles Forum during its 1977 concert tour of the United States
. It has also released sets from the band's two performances at Knebworth in 1979, their entire 1972 Japanese tour
, and every show from their 1980 tour of Europe
.
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
based in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
which releases bootleg recordings. Since 1993 it has been specialising in Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
and Page and Plant
Page and Plant
Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, both formerly of English hard rock band Led Zeppelin, recorded and toured in the mid-1990s under the title Page and Plant. The pair re-united in 1994 and, after recording a highly successful first album, they embarked on a world tour. They then recorded a second album,...
releases.
Tarantura is known for its release of high quality recordings and elaborate packaging which, according to Led Zeppelin experts Dave Lewis and Simon Pallett, often employs a "finesse and style unmatched even by official standards." For example, in 1994 the label released Monsters of Rock, an elaborate 3 CD set containing the soundboard recordings from Seattle and Detroit from Led Zeppelin's 1973 concert tour of the United States
Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1973
Led Zeppelin's 1973 North American Tour was the ninth concert tour of North America by the English rock band. The tour was divided into two legs, with performances commencing on May 4 and concluding on July 29, 1973...
. This release contained concertina-style fold-out packaging, with each disc in indivudial heavy stock and card sleeves. The front of the pack was designed in the style of a 1950s B-movie
B-movie
A B movie is a low-budget commercial motion picture that is not definitively an arthouse or pornographic film. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified a film intended for distribution as the less-publicized, bottom half of a double feature....
poster of a giant spider, "Tarantura!" Initial copies even included a jigsaw puzzle
Jigsaw puzzle
A jigsaw puzzle is a tiling puzzle that requires the assembly of numerous small, often oddly shaped, interlocking and tessellating pieces.Each piece usually has a small part of a picture on it; when complete, a jigsaw puzzle produces a complete picture...
of the cover art.
However, the main criticism levelled at Tarantura is that the prices charged are outside the reach of many collectors. Each title is extremely limited (usually only 300-500 sets), sometimes individually numbered, and sold through one outlet in Japan with no mail order. They are therefore difficult to obtain overseas and command extremely high prices when they do appear for sale. By way of example, the estimated value of Monsters of Rock currently stands at over ₤400.
The Tarantura label can claim responsibility for some notable Led Zeppelin releases, including the 19 CD box set A Week For Badgeholders which captures the six shows performed by the band at the Los Angeles Forum during its 1977 concert tour of the United States
Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1977
Led Zeppelin's 1977 North American Tour was the eleventh and final concert tour of North America by the English rock band. The tour was divided into three legs, with performances commencing on 1 April and concluding on 24 July 1977...
. It has also released sets from the band's two performances at Knebworth in 1979, their entire 1972 Japanese tour
Led Zeppelin Japanese Tour 1972
Led Zeppelin's 1972 Japanese Tour was the second and final concert tour of Japan by the English rock band. The tour commenced on October 2 and concluded on October 10, 1972....
, and every show from their 1980 tour of Europe
Tour Over Europe 1980
Tour Over Europe 1980 was the last concert tour by the English rock band Led Zeppelin. The tour commenced on June 17 and concluded on July 7, 1980...
.