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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Presence is one of Led Zeppelin's more overlooked albums, languishing in the monstrous shadow of its predecessor, Physical Graffiti. It's more noted in Zeppelin mythology for the circumstances in which it was recorded, in double-quick time with vocalist Robert Plant's leg in plaster after a car accident. The lack of time does show--much of the album feels like generic heavy rock, bigger on volume than variety. It's worth the price of the album, however, for the ten and a half minute long "Achilles Last Stand", a crashing, galloping epic with John Bonham sounding like he's eschewed drumsticks in favour of tree trunks--and "Nobody's Fault But Mine", a Blind Willie Johnson blues standard regenerated with a 3000-watt boost by Jimmy Page. Led Zeppelin's contribution to rock was primarily physical--raising its heat and density levels, heightening its sensual force. --David Stubbs
Product Description
Remastered follow-up to Physical Graffiti - rhythm section ROCKS !!!!
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was and still am a fan of Led Zeppelin's music. Over the years, the story behind these times for the band have been published and it seems that the touring, drink/drugs (Nobody's Fault But Mine) and sheer loneliness (Tea For One) had really got to them. This, coupled with Robert Plant's broken leg/ankle effectively backed them into a corner. The result was this album.
At the time, I didn't care much for the "screaming" production of the original (UK) LP ("presence" indeed in HiFi speak...), but the years and the release on CD have seen this body of work mature almost out of all recognition.
Not an album to listen to casually (not much of their work is, to be fair). The more you put in, the more enjoyment you'll get in return.
I'm wondering also whether the "pared to the bone", harder style in this collection of tracks would have been a template for the eighties? Sadly, we'll never know...
A worthwhile buy, with some treasures contained within...
At the time, I didn't care much for the "screaming" production of the original (UK) LP ("presence" indeed in HiFi speak...), but the years and the release on CD have seen this body of work mature almost out of all recognition.
Not an album to listen to casually (not much of their work is, to be fair). The more you put in, the more enjoyment you'll get in return.
I'm wondering also whether the "pared to the bone", harder style in this collection of tracks would have been a template for the eighties? Sadly, we'll never know...
A worthwhile buy, with some treasures contained within...
41 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
On the majority, Zeppelin aficionados will forever single out "IV" and "Physical Graffiti" as being the landmark Led Zeppelin albums. Indeed they are, but "Presence" is my personal favourite. OK, it doesn't have the musical range and diversity of "Physical Graffiti" but I feel this Zep album is the most consistent in content. It is a true hard rock album with no frills - every member plays a blinder (as per usual), but most notably Page and Bonham. "Achilles Last Stand", "For Your Life", "Nobody's Fault But Mine" and "Tea For One" (chilled blues at its best) are the absolute stand out tracks for me. "Presence" is the true back-to-basics Zeppelin. I highly recommended this album to anyone.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This in my view is one of the most underrated Led Zep albums. There are no acoustic sets to balance the hard driving rock, apart from perhaps the blues 'Tea for One' (an 'electric' acoustic blues) and the feel throughout is dark and subdued (despite the very heavy dense sound). There is little of the varied texture of their earlier albums here - each track seems to be characterised by the band playing at full volume together as a unit. The standout track is obviously Achilles Last Stand, a rock song of almost operatic proportions with a full and slightly unearthly sound from Page's guitar.
I would urge listeners new to Zep (there must be some?) to check this album out. Considering what was going on musically at the time of its release (1976 - funk/disco and very early punk) this now stands the test of time. Try and approach the album without any of the preconceptions associated with this band (heavy metal? - never been sure what that means). To me this album has always sounded like what Led Zep would have become if we had not tragically lost Bonzo and the band had continued into the 1980s. Listen to some of the riffs on Nobodys Fault But Mine and you hear Nirvana with a blues guitar; very definitely a looking ahead album despite all the sorrow surrounding its release.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
One of their Best, For Me...
Without a doubt, this is one of Led Zeppelin's best albums, for me! Basically, while reviewing their work, I have spoken about some albums that clearly define their sound as good,... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Fox in the Box
Presence
Finally got round to replacing my vinyl version and completing my Led Zeppelin collection. I do not know what took me so long but the wait was worth it. Read more
Published 3 months ago by AB.
Prime Zep
Afer 30 odd year's of listening one thing becomes clear.
They never made a better record. Read more
They never made a better record. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Moonshine
Great album.
The most mature album of the legendary blues-rock band. I would say philosophical. That there is only TEA FOR ONE & Achilles last stand. Very well recorded sound. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Vitali
Page and Bonham
Its a team effort as usual from Zeppelin but I always thought this album was Page and Bonhams and its apparent seconds in on Achilles Last Stand with hard driven guitar and super... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Feedback68
In The Presence Of The Dark Lord....
More than any other Zeppelin disc this is definitely Jimmy's album,guitar driven,keyboards held at bay,no wonder its his favourite. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr Blackwell
almost a great
Presence suffers from the canon of work in which it sits. When you are created by the greatest rock writers of all time you have to be stunning to stand out. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mr. J. P. Lockett
Music Download
We did not recieve this music as it was not explained that we needed a special application to recieve the download so as far as we can see it is still floating around in cyberspace... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mrs. B. D. Clarke
Not their best, but still pretty good!
Recorded in 1976, this work is completely overshadowed by the monster of a record that is pg. Plant had suffered from a serious car accident, and sang most of this in a wheelchair. Read more
Published 18 months ago by D. J. Mortimer
Time to pack up,gents!
Candy Store Rock is a splendid little rocker. Elvis would have been quiet proud of it, I'm sure.
The rest? Read more
The rest? Read more
Published on 4 Nov 2009 by The BlackFerret
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