Led Zeppelin: Kashmir

Video of Kashmir live at Knebworth, 1979:


Video of Kashmir live at London's 02 Arena, December, 2007:


Kashmir:
The song "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. It is the 6th track on Physical Graffiti, Led Zeppelin’s 6th studio album. John Paul Jones suggested that it showcases all of the elements that made up the Led Zeppelin sound, while Robert Plant says it as his favorite Led Zeppelin song overall stating that it is “the definitive Led Zeppelin song." The song is centered around a signature chord progression guitar riff, which first appeared on Page's home-studio work tapes. 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" and "White Summer" and the unreleased track. As bass player and keyboardist John Paul Jones had been late for the recording sessions, Page used the time to work on the riff with drummer John Bonham. Plant added the middle section, and Jones later added all the string parts. 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 in 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. 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. Plant has stated that Bonham's drumming is the key to the song: "It was what he didn't do that made it work." 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. 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. 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. "Kashmir" was played live at every Led Zeppelin concert from its debut in 1975. One live version, from Led Zeppelin's performance at Knebworth in 1979, is featured on disc 2 of the Led Zeppelin DVD. "Kashmir" was played at the band's set at the Atlantic Records 40th anniversary concert and also was recently performed at Led Zeppelin's reunion show at the O2 Arena, London on December 10, 2007.



Lyrics to Kashmir:
Oh, let the sun beat down upon my face,
And stars fill my dream
I'm a traveler of both time and space
To be where I have been
To sit with elders of the gentle race
This world has seldom seen
They talk of days for which they sit and wait
All will be revealed

Talk in song from tongues of lilting grace
Sounds caress my ear
And not a word I heard could I relate
The story was quite clear

Ooh, baby, I been blind
Oh, yeah, mama, there ain't no denyin'
Oh, ooh yes, I been blind
Mama, mama, ain't no denyin', no denyin'

All I see turns to brown
As the sun burns the ground
And my eyes fill with sand
As I scan this razor line
Can I find, can I find where I've been

Oh, pilot of the storm who leaves no trace
Like thoughts inside a dream
Leave the path the led me to that place
Yellow desert stream
Like Shangri-la beneath the summer moon
I will return again
As the dust that floats finds you
Will move and search Kashmir

Oh, father of the four winds fill my sails
Cross the sea of years
With no provision but an open face
Along the straits of fear

Oh, when I want, when I'm on my way, yeah
And my feet wear my fickle way to stay
Ooh, yeah yeah, ooh, yeah yeah, but I'm down
Ooh, yeah yeah, ooh, yeah yeah, but I'm down, so down
Ooh, my baby, oh, my baby
Let me take you there
Come on, oh let me take you there
Let me take you there


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