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Plain and Fancy

Music gives soul to universe, wings to mind, flight to imagination, charm to sadness, and life to everything.

Plato

Monday, July 18, 2011

Presence - Presence (1976 uk, beautiful psychedelic folk with lovely female/male vocals, 2008 korean remaster edition plus bonus material)



Presence, originally released in 1976, is now being released as a CD. It is a very special album for all of us involved as it captured a particularly creative and inspirational moment in our lives. Whenever I listen to it, I am struck by the life that is conveyed through the music. It continues to move me, even after 33 years. The songs are still fresh and speak out as if they were only recorded yesterday.

The five members of the band, Veronica Towers, Kevan and Ivor Bundell, Mike Waiting and Paul Gateshill, came together through the inspiration of the Focolare Movement - an ecumenical movement which is now spread across the globe. In fact we were a very ecumenical band, representing Roman Catholic. Presence was recorded over four days during Easter 1975 at the independent Indigo Studios, in Manchester, England, on a four track tape machine.

The engineer was Dave Rohl. He was also the keyboard player of the Mandala Band and there was an immediate musical rapport with him in the studio. Much of the albums' vitality and freshness are due to his skills and encouragement. The album was mixed a few weeks later in one day, and the master disc was cut at the famous Abbey Road studios in London(of Beatles fame). So where are the band now? All five are still making music and play on one anothers' albums and in concerts together.

Veronica's vocals are even richer and more sublime and you can catch up with her song-writing on two albums: "Promises of Life" and "Light and Shade". The Bundell brothers have produced two fine albums: "Secret Lives" and "Stood on the Shore". Mike Waiting is still being wonderfully percussive and Paul Gateshill can be heard on the album "Years in the Making".
by Paul Gateshill


Tracks
1. Moment Of You (Kevan Bundell, Paul Gateshill) - 6:31
2. Break Down The Walls (Veronica Towers, Coen) - 3:50
3. Children (Ivor Bundell) - 3:15
4. All For You (Ivor Bundell) - 3:51
5. Laws Of God (Veronica Towers) - 3:14
6. Prayer (Paul Gateshill) - 3:16
7. Turning Point (Paul Gateshill) - 4:04
8. Peace (Veronica Towers) - 3:04
9. Presence (Paul Gateshill) - 2:48
10.Shepherd Song (Veronica Towers) - 3:05
11.God Is Love (Paul Gateshill) - 5:07
12.Learn To Share (Paul Gateshill) - 3:50
13.Who Would True Valour See (Ivor Bundell, Kevan Bundell) - 3:05
14.Imagine A World  (Veronica Towers) - 3:11
Bonus tracks 12-14

Presence
*Ivor Bundell - Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Harmonica, Tambourine
*Veronica Towers - Vocals, Guitar, Organ
*Paul Gateshill - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin
*Kevan Bundell - Mandolin, Recorder, Piano, Organ
*Mike Waiting - Drums, Bongos

9 comments:

  1. Thank you Marios, great surprise for me. All the best.

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  2. Great album Marios,hard to find.
    Thank you.

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  3. Wow, where do you find this stuff Marios?! So many things I've never seen/heard of before... thanks!

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  4. If it sounds half as good as it looks .....I've gotta check it out...
    Thank you Marios!

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  5. One of those occassions that I know the artist, but never had the opportunity to listen to them. Thanks very much...

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  6. Nice one my friend.Thanks for re-up this rarity.

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  7. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for making this album available again Marios.

    The vocal harmonies are superb, the musicianship is first rate, and the melodies will bring tears to your eyes.

    This is a record with a message for the world to embrace...if it wants to.

    I'm glad I did, thank you once again Marios.

    Michael

    Wednesday 7th January 2015 9.31pm

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  8. "Presence - Presence", renew....

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