Presence by Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin’s seventh album, Presence, was recorded at a torrid pace while Robert Plant recovered from a brutal car accident on a Greek isle.

Here are three of my favorite tracks:

“Achilles Last Stand” is a ten-minute epic and one of the greatest Zep songs of all time. A thunderous rhythm section with precious picking and machine gun snare drums drive the track. Page strums loose guitar notes through the beginning and as the song builds he weaves guitar solos brilliantly through the intense rhythm that abounds. Plant’s vocal solos are haunting and his vocal solo at the end of the track is fantastic. I bet it was tough recording vocals in a wheel chair.


“Nobody’s Fault but Mine” – This Blind Willie Johnson original is taken to a new level. It builds from a simple guitar and vocal intro into a fast paced blues riff that crescendoes with Page ripping a solo. The hard rock bass and drums crash throughout the song with cymbals splashing and bass bopping. Plant rocks a harmonica and blasts different vocal tones and variations of the words “nobody’s fault but mine”.

“Tea for One” – A blues rhythm and guitar riff make this a kindred spirit of “Since I’ve Been Loving You”. The ebbs and flow of pretty guitar licks dance across the laidback drums, bass and vocals. This track exhibits Jimmy Page’s stellar versatility with his guitar and why this band is so damn great. As Page echoes through the song “a minute feels like a lifetime” I have often wondered of the meaning. Is he tired of his recovery? Tired of playing in Zep? Or was it just a cross roads in his lyrical writing. Take a listen and maybe you can connect with the meaning.


This album is a great reminder of the fantastic musical energy and chemistry Led Zeppelin was able to produce even on their later musical efforts. While the band does not revere this as one of their best efforts I believe it is a classic. Dust off the vinyl or open iTunes as its time to revisit or fall in love for the first time with Led Zeppelin’s Presence.

Pearl Jam 5.15.10 - XL Center Hartford, CT

A combination of 1980’s hockey rink acoustics (former home of the Whalers) and a serious level of fandom for Pearl Jam’s May 15th concert made it one of the loudest and most electric shows that I ever attended in my life. Pearl Jam was thrilled by the reception from the crowd and displayed it in rocking two hours of intense and stellar set list.

The night opened with “Unthought Known” from Back Spacer and then fired right into an electric version of “Corduroy” that got the whole arena warming up their voicals! On “Even Flow” Mike McCready showed of his blues/grunge guitar craft. During “Jeremy” the crowd accompanied Eddie Veder through every word and starred on the vocal solo section at the end of the song. The biggest surprise of the night was hearing a freaking awesome cover of Van Halen’s “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”. “Crazy Mary” was a treat as Stone Gossard led Vedder with his acoustic guitar and helped filled the arena with lighters. The night ended with an emotional and energetic version “All Along the Watch Tower!”

In addition the set list featured much of the new album Back Spacer. Those songs included “Amongst the Waves”, “Got Some”, “Johnny Guitar”, “Speed of Sound” and of course their singles “The Fixer” and “Just Breathe.”

Guests on stage included the Connecticut artist (Don Perkins) whom created the Back Spacer album artwork and Ben Bridwell from the opening act Band of Horses for a stirring rendition of “All Along the Watch Tower.”


Set List:
Unthought Known
Corduroy
Do the Evolution
Got Some
Severed Hand
Dissident
Low Light
Amongst the Waves
Even Flow
Nothingman
Johnny Guitar
I Got Id
Jeremy
Daughter
Satan’s Bed
Lukin’
Gonna See My Friend
Just Breathe
Speed of Sound
State of Love Trust
Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love
Porch
The Fixer
Crazy Mary
Alive
Indifference
All Along the Watchtower