Presence -Deluxe/Remast-

Led Zeppelin's another masterpiece. Their 7th studio album. Beautiful gatefold cover by Hipgnosis with the famous 'object'. Wonderful sounding 180 gm vinyl remastered. With songs like 'Achilles Last Stand', 'Nobody's Fault But Mine', 'For Your Life', this isn't to be missed.

Presence es el séptimo álbum de Led Zeppelin, grabado en tan sólo 18 días en los Estudios Musicland de Munich (Alemania). El grupo venía atravesando problemas personales y de salud de varios de sus integrantes. Robert Plant tuvo un terrible accidente automovilístico en Grecia que lo llevó a la silla de ruedas por un largo período; John Bonham recayó en sus problemas de alcoholismo y Jimmy Page lidiaba una dura batalla contra la heroína. Quizás debido a esa problemática, el resultado final no está a la altura de los seis discos anteriores de la banda, de gran calidad todos ellos. Fue sumamente complicado grabar el disco, Plant lo hizo sentado en su silla de ruedas y los demás integrantes de igual modo tuvieron que grabar por separado, complicado panorama. A pesar de lo anterior, el álbum alcanzó el “número uno” tanto en EE UU como en Reino Unido y contiene clásicos imperecederos como “Achilles Last Stand”, un tema de diez minutos y medio que se cuenta entre los mejores de la banda. En el segundo disco de esta nueva edición remasterizada consta de cinco canciones entre las que destaca la instrumental inédita “10 Ribs & All/Carrot Pod Pod (Pod)” y algunas versiones curiosas y alternativas de de “For Your Life” y “Royal Orleans”. Un material que vale mucho la pena tener para verdaderos fans además que la remasterización hace justicia al sonido del disco.

Qualquer disco do Led Zeppelin é espetacular. Sem mais comentários, sem mais palavras. Apenas ouça e confirme o que escrevi.

Achilles Last Stand is one of Zeppelin’s greatest songs but the rest of this album pales compared to all their previous albums.

The seventh album by Led Zeppelin, 'Presence' tends to suffer from being the one straight after the masterpiece that was 'Physical Graffiti'. While it doesn't match up to that album it is still an essential listen. Known to be the favourite of Jimmy Page, it's important to recognize the circumstances in which it was made. Recorded during a particularly difficult time for the band, and for Robert Plant especially, it is for this reason that Page in particular regards this album as a triumph against adversity. The production is deliberately hard and loud and is Zeppelin going back to basics. No keyboards or orchestras on the final track listing, just guitar, bass and drums played by musicians at the top of their game. The new deluxe edition continues the good work done by Jimmy Page and John Davis, with the welcome return of the longer mix of 'Nobody's Fault But Mine' that appeared in 1990 and was then ditched for all subsequent re-issues which reverted the track back to it's original vinyl length. Note also a longer fade out on the monumental opener 'Achilles Last Stand'. As for the bonus disc, it must be said that for an album with so little outtake material there is actually some essential stuff here. Zeppelin forums are already full of discussion about the alternate mix of 'Royal Orleans', containing as it does a bizarre vocal that appears to be John Bonham (Jimmy Page has said it's Plant but that can't be the case) and the mysterious '10 Ribs & All/Carrot Pod Pod (Pod). This latter track is a huge surprise - A beautiful, piano-led instrumental that sounds like it belongs on the end credits of a movie (If it isn't used soon I'd be very surprised) it's worth the price of the deluxe edition alone. The other alternate mixes are interesting but not radically different. Still great to have though. As pointed out earlier, some Zeppelin fans find 'Presence' a tough listen and tend to dismiss it rather too easily. It deserves better. Certainly, John Bonham drums superbly throughout, John Paul Jones uses his newly-acquired 8 string bass to great effect and Jimmy Page gives possibly his best ever solo's in 'Achilles Last Stand' and 'Tea For One'. Of course, Robert Plants' vocals are rather strained at times but then again he was confined to a wheelchair for the sessions and his anger and unhappiness are clearly evident - Emotional on 'Tea For One', railing against the whole LA drug/groupie scene in 'For Your Life' and having a pop at some of his fellow band members and management in 'Hots On For Nowhere'. ("Now I got friends who will give me their shoulder/ When I should happen to fall/ With time and his bride growing older/ I got friends who will give me f*** all"). The only expletive ever used in the whole of the bands recorded output, it shows just how low he had sunk. Of course, further tragedy and trouble would strike Plant personally and he continued his diatribe on the groups final album 'In Through The Out Door'. (the track 'Carouselambra' is widely believed to be a bitter attack on Jimmy Page). That's not to say there isn't some lighter moments here. 'Candy Store Rock' features Page pulling out as many rockabilly licks as he can muster, complete with 50's style slapback echo and although the track doesn't really go anywhere it's not that bad. Elsewhere, 'Royal Orleans' is a short and snappy groove that's said to be about a true-life incident involving the normally reticent John Paul Jones and a 'female' conquest who wasn't all 'she' appeared to be! To sum up, I regard this album as a fantastic statement and the companion disc and improved sound are the icing on the cake. Don't leave this out of your Zeppelin library.

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