Presence
Sessions
October - November 1975
OCTOBER 1975
- STUDIO INSTRUMENT RENTALS (SIR), HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (CA), UNITED
STATES
Other sources claims that this session could have taken place in
September or November that year. Page and Plant are joined by Bonham
and Jones for three weeks of on and off rehearsal sessions for the upcoming
album.
Recording
Includes: Royal Orleans
(instrumental) [ cut ], [ cut ], Tea For One/Hootchie
Cootchie [ cut ], Don't Start Me Talking (<< Blues Medley,
All My Lovin'..) [ cut ].
Source: Incomplete very good to excellent
cassette demo recordings. Almost 8 minutes.
Bootleg
CD Reference(s): Bizarre
(Tarantura), Brutal Artistry II (Midas Touch), Countdown (Boogie Mama),
Evolution Is Timing 2 (Empress Valley Supreme Disc box), In Through
The Out Door Sessions (Wendy Records), Sessions (Antrabata Reference
Master box), Studio Magik - Sessions 1968-1980 (Godfatherecords box),
& Studio Sessions Ultimate (Scorpio box)
Presence,
probably because of the conditions under which it was written and recorded,
is rather poorly documented as it comes to rehearsals. The only circulating
tape is this eight-minute long demo recording of one of the initial
meetings in California. Royal Orleans is only a seventeen-second fragment
of the opening riff. Tea For One is called the Hootchie Cootchie version.
The commercial version is a slow blues' dirge, but on this tape the
song is played at a faster pace, with Plant singing the "hootchie
cootchie" lyrics over the plodding rhythm. The final five minutes
of the recording show the band jamming on some blues oldies before it
cuts out. It is very valuable since this is all we have from such a
tumultuous time.
NOVEMBER
1975 - MUSICLAND STUDIOS, MUNICH, GERMANY
Recording
Includes:
Candy Store Rock (take 1, final mix), Candy Store Rock (take 2, final
mix).
Source: Complete very good to excellent
soundboard recording. 8 minutes.
Bootleg
CD Reference(s):
All Is Safe For Rock And Roll (Eelgrass), Candy Store Rock (Empress
Valley Supreme Disc), & Jesus (Empress Valley Supreme Disc box 2020)
These
two takes sounds just identical to the album version except for one
detail - both differs in a small but listenable channel balance. While
the first take has the guitar more to the right side, the second one
is the opposite, just like the reflection in the mirror. They were also
criticized because their authenticity was questioned by some sources,
but it is safe to say that they might have been taken from one of the
final mixing sessions that took place at the end of this month.
NOVEMBER 12,
1975 - MUSICLAND STUDIOS, MUNICH, GERMANY
Recording
Includes: Royal Orleans
(reference mix with count-in), Hots On For Nowhere (reference mix).
Source: Complete superb soundboard recording:
Near 8 minutes.
Official
LP Reference(s): Presence
"deluxe" and "super deluxe" editions (Atlantic)
Official
CD Reference(s): Presence
"deluxe" and "super deluxe| editions (Atlantic)
Royal
Orleans start with a short count-in and hi-hat from Bonzo, and we are
off to a reference mix that features a very different vocal delivery
to the officially released version. Contrary to what initially everybody
thought, this is not a John Paul Jones vocal, but Plant applying the
lyrics in a harsh bluesy manner which could remind Dr John. The final
gruff snarl at the end of the second minute mark of “Oh
whiskers“ brings to a close a very unorthodox vocal
performance. Hots On For Nowhere is another nice selection. Both the
vocal and bass are much more upfront in the mix, which makes for a grittier
texture. There are no vocal overdubs on the outro section just Robert's
“Oh-ho-ho“, right through
to a full ending after Jimmy's guitar part as Plant adds a final “Aha
oh-oh-ho“ phrase. Still swinging without the overdubs.
NOVEMBER 17,
1975 - MUSICLAND STUDIOS, MUNICH, GERMANY
Recording
Includes: 10 Ribs And
All/Carrot Pod Pod (Pod).
Source: Complete superb soundboard recording.
Near 7 minutes.
Official
LP Reference(s): Presence
"deluxe" and "super deluxe" editions (Atlantic)
Official
CD Reference(s): Presence
"deluxe" and "super deluxe" editions (Atlantic)
Yet
another uncirculated composition that has been laid in the vaults. Opens
with low-key piano, this is a beautiful, forlorn and reflective composition.
Jimmy drifts in with some minor descending electric strumming, quite
possibly courtesy of the Telecaster B bender. Behind all that there's
an acoustic guitar, all very autumnal and moody. Then Bonham enters.
It all leads on to something of a crescendo in an All My Love outro
tempo. No doubt, this is one of their most intriguing and fully non-Zeppelin
sounding tunes.
NOVEMBER 20,
1975 - MUSICLAND STUDIOS, MUNICH, GERMANY
Recording
Includes: For Your Life
(reference mix).
Source: Complete superb soundboard recording.
6 minutes.
Official
LP Reference(s): Presence
"deluxe" and "super deluxe" editions (Atlantic)
Official
CD Reference(s): Presence
"deluxe" and "super deluxe" editions (Atlantic)
This
is another gem in the form of a song that is a real stand-out on the
album. As the riff halts each time, there's a pronounced echo effect.
Altogether, it produces a denser mix. Again, the overdubs are more upfront.
The solo is an alternate version, the final stinging one has yet to
be added. This track bends and twists on the canvas, creeping up on
the listener in the process. Always on the edge, and essential in any
sense.
NOVEMBER 23,
1975 - MUSICLAND STUDIOS, MUNICH, GERMANY
Achilles Last Stand is yet still under its initial title, Two Ones
Are Won.
Recording
Includes: Two Ones Are
Won [AKA Achilles Last Stand] (reference mix).
Source: Complete superb soundboard recording.
10 minutes.
Official
LP Reference(s): Presence
"deluxe" and "super deluxe" editions (Atlantic)
Official
CD Reference(s): Presence
"deluxe" and "super deluxe" editions (Atlantic)
The
epic, majestic Achilles Last Stand. The vocal track is more upfront
and with less echo and sheen making for a different texture to this.
The stereo effect of the guitar overdubs has a slightly different resonance.
Slightly alternate overdubs in the mix here and there are also present.
The whole song leading to a more defined jangling finale, just like
on the final North American tour. This is one of the finest examples
of Page's guitar army captured on tape. Also a great contrast to the
way this composition sounded live. It is really hard to believe that
just less than two years has made such a huge difference in his playing!
NOVEMBER 29/30,
1975 - MUSICLAND STUDIOS, MUNICH, GERMANY
The final mixes of Presence album.
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