Re: Re: More Mixer Ramblings

["Adam Schaeffer" <schaefad@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

With all this talk of "heavyness" and what have you, I think we are 
all
forgetting something.  On March 31, 1976, an album called Presence was
released by a band named Led Zeppelin.  The opening number is over ten
minutes in length, and it is called Achilles Last Stand.  The song is 
so
complex with so many layers, it delivers a wall of sound that flattens
anyone in earshot.  By far Zep's heaviest and most musically intense 
piece,
I don't think there is any question about that.  I think the best 
part is
that despite the fact that Pagey, Jonesy and Bonzo are all playing 
their
brains out, Plant keeps his cool and sings the lyrics at half the 
time of
the music.  He keeps the song under control by not spitting out the 
lyrics
and trying to keep up with the rest of the band.  One of my top five 
Zep
songs, a true masterpiece.  Being a drummer myself, its always great 
to hear
songs where Bonzo gets to let loose and unleash his greatness.  ALS 
is one
of the reasons I love the 77 tour so much.  The boys start you out 
pretty
fast, then take it down a bit with SIBLY and NQ.  The acoustic set 
brings
the mood back up, but then things get serious with Kashmir.  The home
stretch of the set is so well designed.  Start off with Bonzo's solo, 
then
we get the guitar improv from Jimmy.  Tension is high at that point; 
the
audience knows something is about to happen, but they aren't quite 
sure
what.  Then things quiet down and the first soft notes of Achilles 
can be
heard floating from the PA system.  Then BOOM!!! it just explodes in 
your
face and all you can do is let the music take control of you body.  
After
that the crowd is buzzin', so the boys take 'em even higher with 
Stairway to
deliver the final blow.

Speaking of 77, I have Deep Striker in right now.  What a show, man 
this is
good stuff.

Flames are welcome, I would be willing to argue in support of 
Achilles :).

Regards,
Adam