Zeppelin: Achilles Last Stand

[DWB1960]

Awesome on so many levels it's ridiculous. Written in Malibu, CA while Plant recuperated from his accident, and then recorded in Germany. Early on was going to be called "Wheelchair Song", the eventual title hinted at Plant's destroyed ankle.

Jimmy is on record saying this is his favorite Zep song. I tend to agree. There's just too much going on with this one to single anything out - that being said, Page's solo is brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, and another example of him 100% nailing the vibe of a tune.

Just try to imagine any of their peers coming up with something like this. Another in a long line of tracks that separates Led Zeppelin from the pack.

ENJOY!!!

[Yngtchie Blacksteen]

As far as Zep songs go, this is my personal favourite. Learned the solo the other day, quite possibly my favourite Page solo as well.

[Dillow4092]

#1 Zeppelin tune for me since way back in the day.....

[JRC4558Dude]

It's too long. There, I said it.

Having said that, love the intro, love the riffs, love the solo, love JPJ's chugging bass work (is that the Alembic? Sure doesn't sound like a Fender) and Bonham's fills at 5:26 and 8:55 are absolutely epic.

[surfshack]

It was an April morning when they told us we should go
And as I turned to you, you smiled at me, how could we say no?

With all the fun to have, to live the dreams we always had
With all the songs to sing, when we at last return again

Sending off a glancing kiss, to those who claim they know
Below the streets that steam and hiss, the devil's in his hole

Oh to sail away, To sandy lands and other days
Oh to trust the dream, Hides inside and never seen.

Into the sun the south the north, at last the birds have flown
The shackles of commitment fell, in pieces on the ground

Oh to ride the wind, To tread the air above the din
Oh to laugh aloud, With dancing eyes we caught the crowds, yeah

To seek the man whose pointing hand, The giant step unfolds
To guide us from the curving path, That churns up into stone

If one bell should ring, in celebration for a king
So fast the heart should beat, As proud the head with heavy feet, yeah

Days went by when you and I, bathed in eternal summers glow
As far away and distant, Our mutual child did grow

Oh the sweet refrain, Soothes the soul and calms the pain
Oh Albion remains, sleeping now to rise again

Wandering and wanderings, What place to rest the search
The mighty arms of Atlas, Hold the heavens from the earth

Oh The mighty arms of Atlas,
Hold the heavens from the earth
From the earth... Earth…

I know the way, know the way, know the way, know the way
I know the way, know the way, know the way, know the way

Oh the mighty arms of Atlas Hold the heavens from the earth.
From the earth.

[pickaguitar]

...

Albion (Greek: Ἀλβιών) is the oldest known name of the island of Great Britain. Today, it is still sometimes used poetically to refer to the island or England in particular. It is also the basis of the Scottish Gaelic name for Scotland, Alba. New Albion and Albionoria ("Albion of the North") were briefly suggested as possible names of Canada during the period of Canadian Confederation.[1][2]

In Greek mythology, Atlas (English pronunciation: /ˈætləs/, Greek. Ἄτλας) was the primordial Titan who supported the heavens. Although associated with various places, he became commonly identified with the Atlas Mountains in north-west Africa.[1] Atlas was the son of the Titan Iapetus and the Oceanid Asia[2] or Klyménē (Κλυμένη):[3]

[DWB1960]

Originally Posted by surfshack

It wasn't even morning when they told us we should go

The correct lyric is: "It was an April morning when they told us we should go."

[surfshack]

Originally Posted by Donnie B.

The correct lyric is: "It was an April morning when they told us we should go."

well don't yell at me....i didn't write it!

[DWB1960]

Originally Posted by surfshack

well don't yell at me....i didn't write it!

See what happens when you take a couple of days off!

[surfshack]

Originally Posted by Donnie B.

See what happens when you take a couple of days off!

lol!

[surfshack]

yeah this song is just incredible on so many levels.......Jimmy's solo is epic, one of my faves....gotta be in the Top 5 or Top 3 of all-time Jimmy solos.
One day , maybe i'd like to learn and figure out this solo!
about 10 years ago i learned that eerie intro....very cool stuff...it's been so long i forget how to play it now. lol!

[Lotis]

Some kind of demented voodoo blues in this song that has always moved me deeply. It just sounds so real.

[Bussman]

Originally Posted by JRC4558Dude

It's too long. There, I said it.

I agree. I hardly ever listen to that tune, just doesn't do anything for me.

Originally Posted by JRC4558Dude

...love JPJ's chugging bass work (is that the Alembic? Sure doesn't sound like a Fender)...

Hagstrom 8 string on that track wasn't it?

[Beng2040]

The drum fill at 5:17...Bonham must have been expecting that guitar fill that he doubles, but it wasn't there. I love that they left it in. Wouldn't be the same without it.

[JRC4558Dude]

Originally Posted by Bussman

I agree. I hardly ever listen to that tune, just doesn't do anything for me.



Hagstrom 8 string on that track wasn't it?

Don't think he ever used a Hagstrom. Here's JPJ with an Alembic 8...



What a gorgeous instrument!!!