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"Kashmir" is considered to be one of Led Zeppelin's most successful songs, and all four band members agreed that this was one of their best musical achievements.<ref>Led Zeppelin: The Definitive Biography by Ritchie Yorke</ref> [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] suggested that it showcases all of the elements that made up the Led Zeppelin sound,<ref name=complete>Liner notes by [[Cameron Crowe]] for ''[[The Complete Studio Recordings (Led Zeppelin album)|The Complete Studio Recordings]]''.</ref> while [[Robert Plant]] cites it as his favorite Led Zeppelin song overall. In an interview he gave to ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine in 1988, Plant stated that Kashmir was "the definitive Led Zeppelin song." He also said in an audio documentary that he loved this song not only because of its intensity but also because it was so intense without being considered "[[heavy metal]]", a label no one in the band liked. During a television interview in January 2008, Plant named "Kashmir" as his first choice of all Led Zeppelin songs that he would perform, commenting "I'm most proud of that one".<ref>http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/main.html</ref>
"Kashmir" is considered to be one of Led Zeppelin's most successful songs, and all four band members agreed that this was one of their best musical achievements.<ref>Led Zeppelin: The Definitive Biography by Ritchie Yorke</ref> [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] suggested that it showcases all of the elements that made up the Led Zeppelin sound,<ref name=complete>Liner notes by [[Cameron Crowe]] for ''[[The Complete Studio Recordings (Led Zeppelin album)|The Complete Studio Recordings]]''.</ref> while [[Robert Plant]] cites it as his favorite Led Zeppelin song overall. In an interview he gave to ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine in 1988, Plant stated that Kashmir was "the definitive Led Zeppelin song." He also said in an audio documentary that he loved this song not only because of its intensity but also because it was so intense without being considered "[[heavy metal]]", a label no one in the band liked. During a television interview in January 2008, Plant named "Kashmir" as his first choice of all Led Zeppelin songs that he would perform, commenting "I'm most proud of that one".<ref>http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/main.html</ref>


⚫
The song is centered around a signature chord progression guitar riff, which first appeared on Page's home-studio work tapes.<ref name=complete>Liner notes by [[Cameron Crowe]] for ''[[The Complete Studio Recordings (Led Zeppelin album)|The Complete Studio Recordings]]''.</ref> It was initially a tuning, an extension of a guitar-cycle that Page had been working on for years. This was the same cycle that would produce "[[Black Mountain Side]]", "[[White Summer]]" and the unreleased track, "Swan-song".<ref name=complete>Liner notes by [[Cameron Crowe]] for ''[[The Complete Studio Recordings (Led Zeppelin album)|The Complete Studio Recordings]]''.</ref> As John Paul Jones had been late for the sessions, Page used the time to work on the riff with John Bonham. Plant added the middle section, and Jones later added all the string parts.<ref name=complete>Liner notes by [[Cameron Crowe]] for ''[[The Complete Studio Recordings (Led Zeppelin album)|The Complete Studio Recordings]]''.</ref>
⚫
Plant wrote the lyrics in [[1973]] while driving through the [[Sahara Desert]] in [[Morocco]], despite the fact that the song is named for [[Kashmir]], a region in the northernmost part of the [[Indian subcontinent]].<ref name=RS2006>{{cite journal |last=Gilmore |first=Mikal |title=The Long Shadow of Led Zeppelin |journal=Rolling Stone |issue=1006 |date=[[August 10]], [[2006]] |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/11027261/the_long_shadow_of_led_zeppelin/print |accessdate=2007-12-09 }}</ref>

⚫
The song is centered around a signature chord progression guitar riff, which first appeared on Page's home-studio work tapes.<ref name=complete>Liner notes by [[Cameron Crowe]] for ''[[The Complete Studio Recordings (Led Zeppelin album)|The Complete Studio Recordings]]''.</ref> It was first a tuning, an extension of a guitar-cycle that Page had been working on for years. This was the same cycle that would produce "[[Black Mountain Side]]", "[[White Summer]]" and the unreleased track, "Swan-song". As John Paul Jones had been late for the sessions, Page used the time to work on the riff with John Bonham. Plant added the middle section, and Jones later added all the string parts.<ref name=complete>Liner notes by [[Cameron Crowe]] for ''[[The Complete Studio Recordings (Led Zeppelin album)|The Complete Studio Recordings]]''.</ref>


The guitar was played in an [[guitar tuning|alternative guitar tuning]]: the strings are tuned to 'Open Dsus4' or [[DADGAD]]. The body of the song also has a different beat between the guitars and the drums. The drums play the standard 4/4 time signature with a double stroke on the bass drum, while the guitars create tension by playing against it in [implied] 3/4 time.<ref>Janovitz, Bill. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:6orv20oc05ja "Kashmir"], [[All Music Guide]]: "The main body has the drums playing a 2/4 time signature, while the rising musical theme tags along greatly by playing in 3/4 time." </ref> Drummer [[John Bonham]] has been cited as the source for the main 3/4 riff and has an official credit as co-songwriter. Bonham's drums feature a phasing effect courtesy of an early Eventide phaser supplied by engineer Ron Nevison.<ref>Guitar World, May 2005</ref>
The guitar was played in an [[guitar tuning|alternative guitar tuning]]: the strings are tuned to 'Open Dsus4' or [[DADGAD]]. The body of the song also has a different beat between the guitars and the drums. The drums play the standard 4/4 time signature with a double stroke on the bass drum, while the guitars create tension by playing against it in [implied] 3/4 time.<ref>Janovitz, Bill. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:6orv20oc05ja "Kashmir"], [[All Music Guide]]: "The main body has the drums playing a 2/4 time signature, while the rising musical theme tags along greatly by playing in 3/4 time." </ref> Drummer [[John Bonham]] has been cited as the source for the main 3/4 riff and has an official credit as co-songwriter. Bonham's drums feature a phasing effect courtesy of an early Eventide phaser supplied by engineer Ron Nevison.<ref>Guitar World, May 2005</ref>


The song also includes many distinctive musical patterns of classical [[Music of Morocco|Moroccan]] and Middle Eastern music. Orchestral brass and strings with electric guitar and [[mellotron]] strings are used in the song. This is one of the few Zeppelin songs to use outside musicians. Session players were brought in for the string and horn sections. According to Jones, "The secret of successful keyboard string parts is to play only the parts that a real string section would play. That is, one line for the First Violins, one line for Second Violins, one for Violas, one for Cellos, one for Basses. Some divided parts [two or more notes to a line] are allowed, but keep them to a minimum. Think melodically."<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/jpjkeys/mellotron.html John Paul Jones' Mellotron<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
The song also includes many distinctive musical patterns of classical [[Music of Morocco|Moroccan]] and Middle Eastern music. Orchestral brass and strings with electric guitar and [[mellotron]] strings are used in the song. This is one of the few Zeppelin songs to use outside musicians. Session players were brought in for the string and horn sections. According to Jones, "The secret of successful keyboard string parts is to play only the parts that a real string section would play. That is, one line for the First Violins, one line for Second Violins, one for Violas, one for Cellos, one for Basses. Some divided parts [two or more notes to a line] are allowed, but keep them to a minimum. Think melodically."<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/jpjkeys/mellotron.html John Paul Jones' Mellotron<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

⚫
Originally called "Driving to Kashmir", the lyrics to the song were written by Plant in [[1973]] while driving from [[Goulimine]] to [[Tantan]] in the [[Sahara Desert]], [[Morocco]].<ref name=complete>Liner notes by [[Cameron Crowe]] for ''[[The Complete Studio Recordings (Led Zeppelin album)|The Complete Studio Recordings]]''.</ref> This was despite the fact that the song is named for [[Kashmir]], a region in the northernmost part of the [[Indian subcontinent]].<ref name=RS2006>{{cite journal |last=Gilmore |first=Mikal |title=The Long Shadow of Led Zeppelin |journal=Rolling Stone |issue=1006 |date=[[August 10]], [[2006]] |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/11027261/the_long_shadow_of_led_zeppelin/print |accessdate=2007-12-09 }}</ref> As Plant explained to rock journalist [[Cameron Crowe]]:

{{cquote|The whole inspiration came from the fact that the road went on and on and on. It was a single track road which neatly cut through the desert. Two miles to the East and West were ridges of sandrock. It basically looked like you were driving down a channel, this dilapidated road, and there was seemingly no end to it. 'Oh, let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dreams...' It's one of my favorites...that, '[[All My Love]]' and '[[In The Light]]' and two or three others really were the finest moments. But 'Kashmir' in particular. It was so positive, lyrically.<ref name=complete>Liner notes by [[Cameron Crowe]] for ''[[The Complete Studio Recordings (Led Zeppelin album)|The Complete Studio Recordings]]''.</ref>}}


The song runs for 8:28, a length that radio stations usually consider too long to play. However, upon its release radio stations had no problem playing "Kashmir", especially after seeing "[[Stairway to Heaven]]", which was almost as long, do so well. (Original LP releases of ''Physical Graffiti'' incorrectly list the song's length as 9:41.)
The song runs for 8:28, a length that radio stations usually consider too long to play. However, upon its release radio stations had no problem playing "Kashmir", especially after seeing "[[Stairway to Heaven]]", which was almost as long, do so well. (Original LP releases of ''Physical Graffiti'' incorrectly list the song's length as 9:41.)

Revision as of 12:56, 16 March 2008

Template:Two other uses

"Kashmir"
Song

"Kashmir" is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin from their 1975 album Physical Graffiti.

Overview

"Kashmir" is considered to be one of Led Zeppelin's most successful songs, and all four band members agreed that this was one of their best musical achievements.[1] John Paul Jones suggested that it showcases all of the elements that made up the Led Zeppelin sound,[2] while Robert Plant cites it as his favorite Led Zeppelin song overall. In an interview he gave to Rolling Stone magazine in 1988, Plant stated that Kashmir was "the definitive Led Zeppelin song." He also said in an audio documentary that he loved this song not only because of its intensity but also because it was so intense without being considered "heavy metal", a label no one in the band liked. During a television interview in January 2008, Plant named "Kashmir" as his first choice of all Led Zeppelin songs that he would perform, commenting "I'm most proud of that one".[3]

The song is centered around a signature chord progression guitar riff, which first appeared on Page's home-studio work tapes.[2] It was initially a tuning, an extension of a guitar-cycle that Page had been working on for years. This was the same cycle that would produce "Black Mountain Side", "White Summer" and the unreleased track, "Swan-song".[2] As John Paul Jones had been late for the sessions, Page used the time to work on the riff with John Bonham. Plant added the middle section, and Jones later added all the string parts.[2]

The guitar was played in an

alternative guitar tuning: the strings are tuned to 'Open Dsus4' or DADGAD. The body of the song also has a different beat between the guitars and the drums. The drums play the standard 4/4 time signature with a double stroke on the bass drum, while the guitars create tension by playing against it in [implied] 3/4 time.[4] Drummer John Bonham has been cited as the source for the main 3/4 riff and has an official credit as co-songwriter. Bonham's drums feature a phasing effect courtesy of an early Eventide phaser supplied by engineer Ron Nevison.[5]

The song also includes many distinctive musical patterns of classical Moroccan and Middle Eastern music. Orchestral brass and strings with electric guitar and mellotron strings are used in the song. This is one of the few Zeppelin songs to use outside musicians. Session players were brought in for the string and horn sections. According to Jones, "The secret of successful keyboard string parts is to play only the parts that a real string section would play. That is, one line for the First Violins, one line for Second Violins, one for Violas, one for Cellos, one for Basses. Some divided parts [two or more notes to a line] are allowed, but keep them to a minimum. Think melodically."[6]

Originally called "Driving to Kashmir", the lyrics to the song were written by Plant in

Sahara Desert, Morocco.[2] This was despite the fact that the song is named for Kashmir, a region in the northernmost part of the Indian subcontinent.[7] As Plant explained to rock journalist Cameron Crowe
:

The whole inspiration came from the fact that the road went on and on and on. It was a single track road which neatly cut through the desert. Two miles to the East and West were ridges of sandrock. It basically looked like you were driving down a channel, this dilapidated road, and there was seemingly no end to it. 'Oh, let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dreams...' It's one of my favorites...that, '

In The Light' and two or three others really were the finest moments. But 'Kashmir' in particular. It was so positive, lyrically.[2]

The song runs for 8:28, a length that radio stations usually consider too long to play. However, upon its release radio stations had no problem playing "Kashmir", especially after seeing "Stairway to Heaven", which was almost as long, do so well. (Original LP releases of Physical Graffiti incorrectly list the song's length as 9:41.)

"Kashmir" was played live at every

Led Zeppelin's reunion show at the O2 Arena, London on December 10, 2007
.

Other versions
  • The song's undercurrent of Arabic rhythm led to a cover version by Ofra Haza, a song previously unreleased on her 1995 album "Queen in Exile", but later released in 2003 on the album "Greatest Hits - Volume 2". Another version was also recorded on the 1995 single "Mata Hari".
  • Also Finnish Progressive Rock band Five Fifteen have recorded "Kashmir". It was released on Spinefarm HardCovers compilation in 2004.
  • The tune was
    TV Total
    .
  • Canadian hip-hop/rap artist Saukrates played the electric violin in an instrumental version, both as the opening and closing songs on his tour as an opening act for Nelly Furtado's 2007 Loose tour.
  • The classical crossover string quartet
    Bond
    covers it on their album entitled Shine.
  • On his live album Live A L'Olympia, Jeff Buckley plays a snatch of Kashmir at high speed with a comic falsetto voice, saying "I used to play Led Zeppelin, you know it's a 33rpm thing, you play it at 45? It was cool."

Cultural references
  • Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert
    .
  • The song was featured (again without lyrics) for the final round of the Irish game show 'It's a Family Affair' which was hosted by comedian Dara Ó Briain.

Sources

  • Led Zeppelin: Dazed and Confused: The Stories Behind Every Song, by Chris Welch, ISBN 1-56025-818-7
  • The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin, by Dave Lewis, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9

References

  1. ^ Led Zeppelin: The Definitive Biography by Ritchie Yorke
  2. ^ a b c d e f Liner notes by Cameron Crowe for The Complete Studio Recordings.
  3. ^ http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/main.html
  4. All Music Guide
    : "The main body has the drums playing a 2/4 time signature, while the rising musical theme tags along greatly by playing in 3/4 time."
  5. ^ Guitar World, May 2005
  6. ^ John Paul Jones' Mellotron
  7. ^ Gilmore, Mikal (August 10, 2006). "The Long Shadow of Led Zeppelin". Rolling Stone (1006). Retrieved 2007-12-09. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

Template:Physical Graffiti

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