Have you heard Led Zeppelin's "Rain Song" or "Ten Years Gone?" These are both classically-constructed pieces that I believe would be of interest. As was true in Kashmir, you will find that most Led Zeppelin songs take a different musical direction - they are a very diverse band.
I appreciate your astute analysis very much, thank you. I'd like to add a bit of an ethnomusicologist's perspective to it as well, b/c I've loved this song since my early teens (early 80s :) ), and I'm an ethnomusicologist--in part b/c of this song. While Page and Plant were fans of and influenced much by Moroccan music, there's aspects to the music of Kashmir that to my ears sound like Page especially may have been listening to traditional music from Rajasthan and Baluchistan, Afghanistan and especially the western part of Tajikistan--Badakhshan and the Pamir Mts--that borders on Kashmir and Afghanistan. Oddly, I hear less of actual Kashmiri music in it hahaha. The use of modes made up of chromatic clusters + what we call a harmonic or melodic minor scale, are essentially Badakhshani, especially the way they're played in that intensely repetitive, trance-inducing rhythmic figure, with string instruments playing a strongly percussive role, that keeps going through all other changes or additions to the music. There's also the 3 over 2 kind of cross-rhythms that you describe--the Islamic sect the Isma'ilis that practice in Badakhshan/Pamirs consider 5 as a sacred number, and in their music it's often expressed as 3 over 2 kinds of rhythms--so I was really interested to hear you talk about that b/c i'd never realized that before! Then there's "Bridge 2", which to me turns the music into a vast swirling haze of smoke where if you look closely you can see/hear (it's almost like synaesthesia) the individual whisps of smoke curling in around and through each other, but they are performing variations on some not-quite perceptible but still recognizable larger pattern. I feel like this similar to what goes on in Rajasthani and Baluchi music of bowed instruments like the sarangi and sarinda--they play a melodic figure, against a steady hypnotic rhythm and will go on and on on that figure except it starts to morph and take on new shapes with each repetition--one motif might get elaborated on for a while, then the player will explore another sub-section, all the while coming back to the 'parent' figure to remind us where we started from. "Kashmir" is also impressive to me b/c it does truly take a lot also from what we would hear in performances of traditional epic songs, like from the Balkans or Central Asia--the use of a 'simple' melodic figure (on strings!) that repeats over and over and over and both creates and releases tension without ever fully resolving it; the strophic-ness of the lyrics and vocal line, and (often) the change into musically related but very distinct other musical figures to signify something like episodic breaks and moods of the story. I feel like the band really did some homework while they were creating this song. I just wanted to add this commentary to yours as a compliment to it, b/c you've added so much to my appreciation of this amazing piece! I hope you found it interesting. Thank you so much. :)
Hi Amy, new sub here. I love people that love music as much as I do, especially when they know more about the technical aspects of it! As far as Led Zeppelin goes that have been one of my favorites since I was 12, and I'm 59 now! Imo, Robert Plant is the iconic singer/frontman for rock-n-roll. Jimmy Page is a top 5 guitarist and John Bonham was a top 3 percussionist. John Paul Jones was a fabulous bass player and keyboardist. They meshed so well! I'd love to see you do more Zeppelin. Especially anything off "In Through The Out Door", but it just doesn't matter, you can't go wrong! Keep up the great job!
For a slightly different Led Zeppelin track, check out 'The Battle of Evermore'. You mentioned how 'Stairway to Heaven' reminded you of a folk song in parts. 'Evermore' is more folk song like with Robert Plant and Sandy Denny sing as a duet. The song is one the same album as ‘Stairway to Heaven’. The song's instrumentation features acoustic guitar and mandolin only, while the lyrics refer to Tolkien's “The Lord of the Rings” book.
Definitely recommend the Battle of Evermore. I'm one of the few Led Zeppelin fans who always hated Kashmir, I find it to be a horrible ear worm infection worthy of piercing my eardrums with a pencil.
I loved the polymeter 6/8 vs 4/4 structure when I first heard this piece. It makes the drum pattern and guitar chromatic scale separate and interweave around each other and join together again every few bars. Love it. Also the lyrics make no sense except that they invoke imagery. "I am a traveler of both time and space". He could be describing the Moroccan desert, but he could be also describing the planet Arrakis, and perhaps both at the same time. The lyrics are cosmic in scale.
Plant also draws on his love of adventure fiction. A lot of the ideas come from the novel, "Lost Horizon," written by James Hilton, in 1933. A film version was released in 1937, and it may be that Plant was familiar with it. Of course, it was also partially inspired by a trip he took through Morocco.
I've had the supreme pleasure of orchestrating this song for a 17 piece ensemble which was borrowed from the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2003 my three piece rock band began preparing for an epic backyard party which included my band playing 10 songs with these amazing musicians. Writing out the parts for 10 songs with the 17 piece orchestra took about a year, totaling 170 sheets of music. I Am The Walrus, Eminence Front, Something, Knights In White Satin, Comfortably Numb and No Leaf Clover were featured. It was a massive undertaking for a rock musician who had never prepared a classical score. There was a lot to learn. How do you notate when you want the strings to slide down the notes? It's a descending squiggly line. Who knew? Since you don't get to rehearse with the orchestra AT ALL, it's up to the person writing the scores to get it absolutely right. You count to four to start the piece and hope to avoid a disaster. Imagine the feeling when the strings play that first iconic line in the second verse of Kashmir. Goose bumps. I wish I could relive that moment. My favorite highlights include the one measure of 9/8 going into the middle section. We had an extra guitar on stage set up with the alternate tuning to play this song correctly. I'm no Robert Plant, but I did manage to sing the appropriate pitches. Plant would deliver many of his notes intentionally flat for added thickness. And I'll never forget the violinist asking me after the performance why couldn't I switch the main orchestral riff to the cellos some time so the violinists' arms don't fall off. I had never thought to alter it so live musicians don't get worn out over those long repetitive sections. If we had more time I would have set up the flanging for the drums to match the swooshing on the record. I had to get with the conductor so he could warn me when I wrote notes outside of an instrument's range. What a unique, rare and unworldly experience.
Your description painted a very nice desert scene for me, with the drums being the rocky desert, the instruments being the sand blowing over, and the vocals being the wind blowing, and the sand pushing over the stability of the rocks impelled by the wind.
Excellent analysis of Kashmir. I can hardly wait to see your reaction when you eventually find yourself listening to Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love." After listening you might need to consider changing the name of your channel. ;)
Amy, the guitarist here, Jimmy, is using DADGAD guitar tuning which gives a slightly exotic sound to the guitar overall as well as making the little chromatic runs easier to play on guitar.
Amy I believe your honesty attracts us and elevates you with your expert and skilled reactions and analysis. Please consider "The rain song" or "The song remains the same/the rain song" companion pieces. Live from 1973 or Studio version.
I'm so glad you mentioned the Page/Plant live version from 94! It is one of my favorite performances of any song. They added soon much color with that arrangement!
Led Zeppelin is my bestie band. I was a child when they were in their prime. That music has really stuck with me since. I really enjoyed your analysis of this piece and Stairway. I have marveled and wondered how they have seemed to survive the test of time. Hearing your analysis helps understand why. There is real depth to it. I love that no two songs sound the same as well, yet the pieces are well constructed and musically dynamic on several levels. These were two of their greatest, but there are others to explore!
I was in high school when Led Zeppelin was a band still making records and touring. It was great TV when they received the Kennedy Honors years back and made an appearance on David Letterman as well. I have enjoyed Robert Plant's solo projects and his collaborations with people like Alison Krauss.
I have not 1 single musical bone in my body. The only thing I can play is Spotify (and I'm bloody good at it, too), but I love this stuff, I cannot get over how good it is to have a classically trained musician illuminating to me the wonders of my favourite band of all time, Led Zeppelin.
I'm sure you realized this, but the Asian/Middle-Eastern feel of the strings in the bridge and the outro comes from the use of Phrygian mode -- particularly the ♭2 just above the tonic.
Kashmir at its best takes you to a spatial place that lets your thoughts fly. It is both primal and angelic. I have witnessed this song hypnotize tens of thousands as one.
The gratitude i feel for having found you on youtube is just simply immense! What a blessing you are to social media! Every single time i listen to one of your comments and in depth analyses' i can't help to think that we share a very similar way of experiencing music and listening to it. It truly gives me shivers to have you put in words in the most precise way what i'm going through listening to the same pieces of music. It's such a great joy, it makes me cry. Thank you from the very deepest of my heart! What you're doing through your videos is sublime, to say the least.
When this album first came out I had just started reading science fiction novels, this album transports me to the outer space of those novels and especially Kashmir. Kashmir has this out of world feel to it and as you stipulated we are transport. Thank you for making me appreciate even more this song.
Hi Amy -- might I suggest that your next Led Zeppelin adventure should be their very first song on their first album. It is MUCH different than the refined 'orchestral' pieces like Kashmir and Stairway to Heaven. The song is: Good Times Bad Times You would get to hear how we were introduced to the band. It's rock and roll -- yet, we had never heard rock and roll like that -- we knew there was something very special about this band right from the start ....
I really love your musical analysis... Your reaction adds an intellectual, artistically expressive, and musically technical element that I don't see in other reaction videos.
When you speak of the desert colors I immediately thought of the chromatic climb in the music. Because the colors of the desert are mainly different shades of the same color in most cases. It gives me the feeling of vastness in a progression. What I mean is the eye at first sees one shade of tan then as the eye fixates on the details it reveals all of the the slight changes of color. This leads to the realization of the vastness of the space.
As you move along your journey of discovering Led Zeppelin, you will find that their "sound" varies greatly between albums. Listening to "Communication Breakdown" is an entirely different experience than listening to "Stairway to Heaven" or "Fool in the Rain" as just three examples. You will always find their dedication to creating a masterpiece as a common thread though. Each individual member of Led Zeppelin is considered among the greatest at their respective instrument (and with Robert Plant, his voice is indeed another instrument in this band) and when you put the four of them together it is nothing short of magic. BTW, I *love* these In-Depth Analysis and look forward to many more. Would love to hear you break down their song "No Quarter."
I think the way the drums are the central, grounding element of this song is also pretty symbolic of the makeup of the band itself. John Bonham's playing is almost always a core/centralising element of their songs, and ultimately i think he also very much was the glue that held the band itself together.
I enjoy your deconstruction of songs both for your academic insight, but mostly because I can vicariously encounter them for the first time all over again, so thanks for that. My observations on this latest track are: Led zeppelin’s music is often a blend of ethnic music themes and straight up 4/4 rock music. With Stairway, it is English folk tradition combined with rock interludes. In the case of Kashmir, the ethnic influence is the Arab tone system with its unusual (for westerners) intervals 24 equal per octave. Also Arabic music uses playing in unison as opposed to harmony and glissando rises and falls especially with massed strings. That unison sound is sometimes referred to as Egyptian strings. The guitar can’t play some of the sounds of an arabic Oud (without frets), but achieves the flavour of close intervals by using chromatic progressions. The use of repetition of cyclical themes also gives an overall hypnotic feel, movement and emotion. Your observation of the mixed time signatures also gives the music an exotic feel, though in Arabic music it's often in 5/4 or 9/8. Think belly-dance, this is erotic music.
In an interview with Robert Plant he told the story of how John Bonham had an idea for a beat and played it for the group. That is how it started and why the drums are a major part.
I love Kashmir. To me the music is very very visual. I think of riding camels through a really hostile desert. To me the steadiness of the heat, the camel imagery are following the drums, the steady bobbing of the animal as they lumber along. Yes beating sun, intense heat, maybe looking for water but the character in the song doesn't seem to be in danger, but is weary. Robert's vocal is the rider and is observing the landscape and noticing the different things. Those images follow the guitar and strings. I love how you discussed how the meters are stacked. This is like a fractions lesson. The meters will come together every 12 beats and that part feels good too. I didn't realize it was in 6\8 time just counted differently. But it is. So smart. I also listened to a bit of the Santa Fe suite. It was nice! Thanks so much.
right????? reflect on how steadfast we all can be on our most cherished thoughts and beliefs. now remember how emotional we all can be about our music preferences. this stranger jumps into a very unfamiliar realm (this genre most of us have been enjoying for decades) and gives us a new perspective - and we love it! she tells us how it sounds to an outsider. tells us what is odd or disparate or unique or peculiar or “interesting” or relevant or evocative or what it is connotative of. and we are unanimous in welcoming these judgements of our lifetime choices. i can’t think of better proof that we are instantly good friends with the virgin rocker. how else could someone say “you know what i think of this?” and me & a thousand others reply: “i never thought of that, wow; you made me see hear that a new way. thank you.” i keep thinking of wanting to hear my favorite album or songs again for the first time, so i may rediscover the feeling of having a new favorite way to beautify my world on demand. well this is the closest, bar amnesia, that i can get to that. thank you again!
I feel Plant's voice is like a brush, painting strokes of color over the solid instrumental chant that is the canvas. It is a gorgeous, free splash of tonal color. An amazing piece of music.
Great Analysis as always, you found much to take note of, relate to, and enlighten us on. I loved your explanation of the 6/8 rhythm guitar/strings parts and how the 4/4 drum part only aligned on the 1st beat. Also loved your observation on the power of music to convey imagery. I played my bass guitar to it using a pretty good score as a guide, and the 'D' pedal note you mentioned was a big portion of the bass lines (all the verses). It alternated between the octaves in 3 note grouping (not quite triplets), but stayed on 'D' for these entire sections. And as you said things changed up in the bridge, interlude and outro sections. Some versions of the song don't even have the bass guitar, with other instruments covering the bass end, so I was glad my score included it.
When I listen to Kashmir I always look at the music as the landscapes of the desert, the sun, the sand, the oasis, the village etc... and the voice as the feeling of the man who is passing through it... Another great Led Zeppelin composition is "The rain song", I'm pretty sure you'll find it interesting too!
The song was originally going to be called "Driving to Kashmir" and what Plant wishes the band was best remembered for over Stairway. IMO a rock song equivalent to a Mozart or Beethoven. 100+ years from now it will still be played and listened to..
Once again great analysis Amy! I am glad I voted and suggested this one, and that other people did that too. I discovered Led Zeppelin in my teens, but after all this years, I am still surprised how they stand the test of time and how I discover them over and over again. Keep the good work Amy! P. S. I hope you listen "Unleaded Unplugged MTV" version from 90's too, that is for me personally great arrangement and performance of this song live.
I was just thinking to myself, "She should really listen to Kashmir next," when I came across this video. Wonderful! Thank you. There are, of course, so many excellent Led Zeppelin songs to choose from, but as a life-long Led Zeppelin fan, I would recommend No Quarter as a perfect next addition. It has many similarities and differences to Stairway and Kashmir as to make for a great analysis. It also has some very interesting live versions and then a completely different approach to the song by Plant and Page in 1994.
Great analylsis! The band worked out the music ahead of singer Robert Plant hearing it. When he heard it, the usually confident vocalist and lyric writer felt very intimidated. "How am I going to come up with something that's worthy of that?" He wondered.
I was surprised the middle eastern influences wasn't picked up by Amy. Maybe it is just my imagination but I'm sure they are there in the rhythm and string arrangements.
@@jonasw3945 It's actually Indian, if I understand it correctly. Page and Jones spent some time in India, and learned to some of the music, there. Now, Indian music is also strongly influenced by Middle Eastern/Arabic culture, so it would make sense to hear that, too.
This is the deep-dive intelligent, articulate, and even passionate reaction and analysis that I didn't know I needed. My appreciation for this song has grown exponentially, as has my appreciation for you.
Love this breakdown. Makes me excited about composing again. This was the song that absolutely sold me on Led Zeppelin. Heard it on the radio And the universe stopped. This is the band that inspired me to become a musician. I don't have a favorite song, it's impossible..but 10 years gone is one you might enjoy analyzing. I'm actually amazed you didn't listen to any more of their songs after this. But you've probably heard some and just don't know it.
Kashmir was named after someone's sweater. I got to see Led Zeppelin play both these songs live at the Los Angeles Fourm in 1975 during the Physical Graffiti tour.
Plant’s vocal always reminded me of a guy lost and wandering through a desert. Definitely different from everything around it, but totally lost within it.
I've really enjoyed your reviews and insight into rock and roll music. Now that you have reviewed two of Led Zepplin's most iconic tracks, I think it's important for you to review a song from their first album. The track I would suggest is Dazed and Confused - If you have to choose, chose Dazed and confused. The reason I suggest this track is the track was developed near Page's ending period with the Yardbirds, Jimmy Page's band after he was a session musician. The track contains Page's redefining guitar solo. I would argue that this album but especially this track was a first that greatly influenced the dark side of "heavy" in rock and roll. For the first time together as the band Led Zepplin, Led Zepplin 1 features of course Robert Plant as vocalist - regarded as having the loudest voice in rock and roll history, John Bohnam on drums, considered by history as the best rock and roll drummer of all time for his power, use of triplets, feel , and groove, and with John Paul Jones on Bass and some keyboards, whose father was a pianist and arranger for big bands in the '40s. There is plenty of rock and roll history to research. I think you know that Led Zepplin is considered by history the progenitors as one of Heavy Metal, certainly influenced Black Sabbath. But even in the few years earlier, the Yardbird's were turning the tone and feel of rock and roll as the band nurtured the nascent styles of Eric Clapton and the recently passed Jeff Beck. And last, with your overall reviews of music, more exploration of the social and cultural influences I think will help with your analysis: through the '60s the Vietnam war was escalating, Hippies were emerging, sex drugs and rock & roll and counter culture was nipping at the heals of main stream. The music often reflected current events such as the song "Ohio" by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young of the Kent State shootings of May 4, 1970.
Thanks for that comment! Black Sabbath are (arguably: too) often credited for "inventing" heavy metal single-handedly with their first album. I don't want to downplay their importance, not even musically, even though a great deal of their impact on the emerging heavy metal scene was sociological by means of their lyrical themes, costumes, artwork and overall band image. However, they were also standing on the shoulders of giants. Black Sabbath are mainly known as a band playing (or even the inventors of) doom metal. And while they may have perfected the doomy atmosphere in their Songwriting and arrangements, earlier songs by other bands already used musical elements and moods that form a staple part of the doom metal repertoire of today. "I want you (She's so heavy)" by The Beatles and "Dazed & Confused" by Led Zeppelin come to mind. At least to me, they breathe that very atmosphere of a "doomy kind of heavyness". Having no clue of music theory myself, this is purely a gut feeling I get from listening to a lot of doom metal and the broader rock tradition, but I would love to hear what someone well-versed in music theory would make of my associations. Also, the first Black Sabbath album, in vast parts, sounds still very bluesy, while Deep Purple's album "In Rock" (released just briefly before in the same year) already had more of a "colder", more "metallic" sound that had moved on from the more obvious blues tradition with its rather "warm" sound and thus "emancipated" itself from it. Thus, while certainly sounding more "heavy" and "doomy", very early Black Sabbath to me sounds less "metal" and "hard" than, let's say "Speed King" or "Flight of the Rat" by Deep Purple. Black Sabbath upped the ante, still in the same year, though, when they released "Electric Funeral", which, at least to my ear, goes even harder than "Flight Of The Rat" - and also sounds a lot darker.
In the 90s Plant (vocals) & Page (guitar) toured with a rock band, an Egyption orchestra & string section. With all three bands playing in time together, they elevated songs like Kashmir to the next level.
I loved your analysis! If someone ever told me that a classical harpsichordist would provide an interesting breakdown of this song, complete with examples played on the harp, I would have suggested they cut back on their medication. But you pulled it off in an entertaining and informative way. Thank you!
I'm listening to William Mathias' Santa Fe Suite for solo harp right now, quite beautiful. It is good music to listen to in the morning to help clear your thoughts.
This song stood out from many Led Zeppelin songs and today I understood why - the intricate levels caught my attention. Thanks for the in-depth review.
What a thorough and wonderful analysis, Amy!! I, too, find myself returning to "Kashmir," still being fascinated and transported by it. That is saying something, since it was released forty-eight years ago. Chuck in Northern New England
Thank you for this interesting analysis! I felt the same way when I first heard Kashmir (in 1975) - the imagery, the motion, the journey, the sense of the singer within the landscape - separate of it but fully a engaged with it, the grueling accent, the mirage drawing us onward. It’s like its own movie it’s so sensual.
And here it is. You sat down and just listened to the piece a few times. And it fell into place. This insight is one of the best you provided in this channel. "A bit removed". I felt it so many times and never thought of expressing it in words. Absolutely brilliant!
I have been listening to this song for most of my life, and I feel like I just listened to it for the first time, through you. Your analysis is just delightful, and you have picked up on and pointed out so many of the things that have kept me coming back to this song for decades! The combination of the images of vast landscapes but also small scale details... it's somehow such a *visual* song. It's lovely to see all the respect and love for these legendary musicians, too!
Amy, I finally got around to watching your links. I enjoyed them all. I was thinking while watching the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra perform you were probably hoping their harpist would break out into a solo. Showing all us guitar loving rockers what a true solo looks like.😉 Probably why you snuck the Santa Fe Suite in there, in order to make up for the missing harp solo (just kidding)
Thanks for introducing me to the recording by a youth orchestra in the city where I live, Johannesburg South Africa. South African musicians keep appearing in unexpected places!
Such a wonderful song. I highly recommend the Plant and Page version with the Egyptians orchestra. (1994). Besides being musically amazing, it is very obvious in the performance how much Robeet Plant loves this song. (In contrast to howuch he ended up loathing Stairway)
The supreme arranging and playing of John Paul Jones throughout Zeppelin's career can never be underestimated. A perfect foil to the creativity of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Bonham. Thanks for your analysis which is part of your musical journey.
This is their best piece. It really has them all at their best and as a southern california boy all I've ever thought of when I hear it is the harsh austere beauty of the desert
Thank you for giving me insight into a piece of music I’ve known for years. Personally I always felt the first break always resonated with an oriental feel reflecting the title and is exhibited in the version with the Moroccan musicians, you identified.
Thank yiu for the excellent analysis Amy! This is what this music deserves. It's like watching a great movie and then the "behind the scenes" video afterwards.
This was a fabulous breakdown of a record that I have loved for many years. I actually watched your other commentary on Kashmir and while I did enjoy that one, I had an unresolved itch in my mind relating to the 3/3 4/4 rhythm in the structure of the song which you so wholeheartedly resolved (and then some) to a degree that exceeded my expectations. This irregular rhythmic timing was something I was always unconsciously aware of but you spelled it out and made it all crystal clear so I thank you for that. Finally, one of my favourite tracks of Led Zeppelin is Babe I’m Gonna Leave You on their first album. It’s a song that’s I’ve always believed to be underrated but it’s melodic composition is simply divine.
Would be very interested in your opinion/analysis of "Turn of the Century" by Yes. It's one of the more emotive, I'd even say beautiful, pieces/songs I've ever heard. I THINK you'd find enough to interest you, though it might be too obscure for some. Thank you for all your insights so far.
Reminds me of a Shepherd Tone, which is that audio illusion where a sound can appear to be continuously ascending, without actually rising. This gives Kashmir a tremendous sense of growing power. I've always loved this song even as a kid
I really enjoyed your dissection of Kashmir, the genius of Led Zeppelin is 4fold - each member was a master of their instruments and when they play together they gel in a way not many bands ever have. John Bonham the drummer, never had a lesson and was completely self taught, while Jimmy and Jones both were were trained and schooled.
If you want to hear some more of Led Zeppelin's musical range, try: The Rain Song (done in response to a comment by Beatles guitarist George Harrison that they never did ballads) When the Levee Breaks (a cover -- with additions, of course -- of a 1928 Blues tune about a terrible flood in 1927) Four Sticks -- The meter shifts from 5/8 to 6/8, and they thought it would be too difficult -- and then John Bonham came in and put two drum-sticks in each hand. Also, consider Going to California -- a bit folksy and country. Immigrant Song -- This is the one that earned the band its nickname -- *The Hammer of the Gods*
Great analysis Amy. Interesting that you mentioned Gershwin, I always thought of the songs chromatic progressions as being a slowed down simpler type of BeBop Jazz. Thanks Amy.
"Stargazer" was the answer to Kashmir from Ritchie Blackmore (from Deep Purple) and his band "Rainbow". Worth a listen. Another immortal classic, especially sung by Ronnie James Dio with Rwinbow..
I am in awe that you reconsidered and did this In-Depth Analysis for us. How very rare for one at your professorial level. There is such humility in your language that I am able to learn and retain what you say at a noticeable rate. Lol....I checked out Sante Fe Suite the moment you first mentioned it. I feel so cultured.
Loved this! I appreciate what you’ve already picked up on these two iconic songs being so different. This theme plays out on their entire catalog, even their live performances are never exactly the same. Compositionally, I think you would enjoy The Rain Song which is a smooth melodic string ballad. The chord progression is my favorite from Page.
Fascinating analysis about how the mismatch rhythms create an amazing tension. The first of this on the song called black dog. Here to study perfection. I actually turned in because I thought you were gonna try to play Kashmir on the harp
Yes, each Led Zeppelin song has a different and distinct sound, perhaps moreso than any rock band. It's certainly one of the reasons they're the gods of rock. Of course, the very exotic sound of Kashmir contributes to it being among the Zep masterpieces. Page's bowing is key.
As usual, please write here your questions only.
I appreciate your open mindedness listening to these various bands and songs.
Have you ever tried to listen something you couldn't finish?
👂 INXS "Don't change"
Have you heard Led Zeppelin's "Rain Song" or "Ten Years Gone?" These are both classically-constructed pieces that I believe would be of interest. As was true in Kashmir, you will find that most Led Zeppelin songs take a different musical direction - they are a very diverse band.
Would you describe the drum pattern as a March? Also, the string section invoked a sense of middle eastern melody patterns. Would you agree with this?
Hey vlad Jane's Addiction, Three Days?
Think of Robert Plant as just another instrument, not the focus, just part of the ensemble. Love this dissection of this wonderful piece of music.
Mr. Plant would agree with that. He is just not a vocalist but also a composer.
That’s exactly what I told my parents all those years ago!
Think of the title of her Vlog / Podcast
I appreciate your astute analysis very much, thank you. I'd like to add a bit of an ethnomusicologist's perspective to it as well, b/c I've loved this song since my early teens (early 80s :) ), and I'm an ethnomusicologist--in part b/c of this song. While Page and Plant were fans of and influenced much by Moroccan music, there's aspects to the music of Kashmir that to my ears sound like Page especially may have been listening to traditional music from Rajasthan and Baluchistan, Afghanistan and especially the western part of Tajikistan--Badakhshan and the Pamir Mts--that borders on Kashmir and Afghanistan. Oddly, I hear less of actual Kashmiri music in it hahaha. The use of modes made up of chromatic clusters + what we call a harmonic or melodic minor scale, are essentially Badakhshani, especially the way they're played in that intensely repetitive, trance-inducing rhythmic figure, with string instruments playing a strongly percussive role, that keeps going through all other changes or additions to the music.
There's also the 3 over 2 kind of cross-rhythms that you describe--the Islamic sect the Isma'ilis that practice in Badakhshan/Pamirs consider 5 as a sacred number, and in their music it's often expressed as 3 over 2 kinds of rhythms--so I was really interested to hear you talk about that b/c i'd never realized that before!
Then there's "Bridge 2", which to me turns the music into a vast swirling haze of smoke where if you look closely you can see/hear (it's almost like synaesthesia) the individual whisps of smoke curling in around and through each other, but they are performing variations on some not-quite perceptible but still recognizable larger pattern. I feel like this similar to what goes on in Rajasthani and Baluchi music of bowed instruments like the sarangi and sarinda--they play a melodic figure, against a steady hypnotic rhythm and will go on and on on that figure except it starts to morph and take on new shapes with each repetition--one motif might get elaborated on for a while, then the player will explore another sub-section, all the while coming back to the 'parent' figure to remind us where we started from.
"Kashmir" is also impressive to me b/c it does truly take a lot also from what we would hear in performances of traditional epic songs, like from the Balkans or Central Asia--the use of a 'simple' melodic figure (on strings!) that repeats over and over and over and both creates and releases tension without ever fully resolving it; the strophic-ness of the lyrics and vocal line, and (often) the change into musically related but very distinct other musical figures to signify something like episodic breaks and moods of the story. I feel like the band really did some homework while they were creating this song.
I just wanted to add this commentary to yours as a compliment to it, b/c you've added so much to my appreciation of this amazing piece! I hope you found it interesting. Thank you so much. :)
One of the best comments ever - thank you for sharing all of that - fascinating and lots to think about!
Thank you for this ☺️
Thank you for taking the time to write all this out! Fascinating stuff, and love the dive into a more nuanced look at the inspiration for this song
Thanks a lot for sharing your insights! 🎉😊❤
As a mere humble music consumer, I find this education fascinating. Thank you 🙂
Hi Amy, new sub here. I love people that love music as much as I do, especially when they know more about the technical aspects of it! As far as Led Zeppelin goes that have been one of my favorites since I was 12, and I'm 59 now! Imo, Robert Plant is the iconic singer/frontman for rock-n-roll. Jimmy Page is a top 5 guitarist and John Bonham was a top 3 percussionist. John Paul Jones was a fabulous bass player and keyboardist. They meshed so well! I'd love to see you do more Zeppelin. Especially anything off "In Through The Out Door", but it just doesn't matter, you can't go wrong! Keep up the great job!
You do ??? Its boring 😴
@@letsgomets002
Then why are you here? Many of us find this interesting. It's easy to move on.
For a slightly different Led Zeppelin track, check out 'The Battle of Evermore'. You mentioned how 'Stairway to Heaven' reminded you of a folk song in parts. 'Evermore' is more folk song like with Robert Plant and Sandy Denny sing as a duet. The song is one the same album as ‘Stairway to Heaven’. The song's instrumentation features acoustic guitar and mandolin only, while the lyrics refer to Tolkien's “The Lord of the Rings” book.
Definitely recommend the Battle of Evermore. I'm one of the few Led Zeppelin fans who always hated Kashmir, I find it to be a horrible ear worm infection worthy of piercing my eardrums with a pencil.
Was thinking the same!
She’d love Battle of Evermore
@metaltildeth6783 -- Amen to that, _outstanding_ suggestion.
Sandy Denny… ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I loved the polymeter 6/8 vs 4/4 structure when I first heard this piece. It makes the drum pattern and guitar chromatic scale separate and interweave around each other and join together again every few bars. Love it. Also the lyrics make no sense except that they invoke imagery. "I am a traveler of both time and space". He could be describing the Moroccan desert, but he could be also describing the planet Arrakis, and perhaps both at the same time. The lyrics are cosmic in scale.
Plant also draws on his love of adventure fiction.
A lot of the ideas come from the novel, "Lost Horizon," written by James Hilton, in 1933.
A film version was released in 1937, and it may be that Plant was familiar with it.
Of course, it was also partially inspired by a trip he took through Morocco.
Led Zeppelin made better use of polyrhythms than just about any other contemporary group of artists.
Best explanation yet for us non-musicians on the technicals as to why so many of us just love this song on a gut level.
I've had the supreme pleasure of orchestrating this song for a 17 piece ensemble which was borrowed from the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2003 my three piece rock band began preparing for an epic backyard party which included my band playing 10 songs with these amazing musicians. Writing out the parts for 10 songs with the 17 piece orchestra took about a year, totaling 170 sheets of music. I Am The Walrus, Eminence Front, Something, Knights In White Satin, Comfortably Numb and No Leaf Clover were featured. It was a massive undertaking for a rock musician who had never prepared a classical score. There was a lot to learn. How do you notate when you want the strings to slide down the notes? It's a descending squiggly line. Who knew? Since you don't get to rehearse with the orchestra AT ALL, it's up to the person writing the scores to get it absolutely right. You count to four to start the piece and hope to avoid a disaster. Imagine the feeling when the strings play that first iconic line in the second verse of Kashmir. Goose bumps. I wish I could relive that moment.
My favorite highlights include the one measure of 9/8 going into the middle section. We had an extra guitar on stage set up with the alternate tuning to play this song correctly. I'm no Robert Plant, but I did manage to sing the appropriate pitches. Plant would deliver many of his notes intentionally flat for added thickness. And I'll never forget the violinist asking me after the performance why couldn't I switch the main orchestral riff to the cellos some time so the violinists' arms don't fall off. I had never thought to alter it so live musicians don't get worn out over those long repetitive sections. If we had more time I would have set up the flanging for the drums to match the swooshing on the record. I had to get with the conductor so he could warn me when I wrote notes outside of an instrument's range. What a unique, rare and unworldly experience.
Your description painted a very nice desert scene for me, with the drums being the rocky desert, the instruments being the sand blowing over, and the vocals being the wind blowing, and the sand pushing over the stability of the rocks impelled by the wind.
Excellent analysis of Kashmir. I can hardly wait to see your reaction when you eventually find yourself listening to Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love." After listening you might need to consider changing the name of your channel. ;)
Amy, the guitarist here, Jimmy, is using DADGAD guitar tuning which gives a slightly exotic sound to the guitar overall as well as making the little chromatic runs easier to play on guitar.
Amy I believe your honesty attracts us and elevates you with your expert and skilled reactions and analysis. Please consider "The rain song" or "The song remains the same/the rain song" companion pieces. Live from 1973 or Studio version.
I'm so glad you mentioned the Page/Plant live version from 94! It is one of my favorite performances of any song. They added soon much color with that arrangement!
ua-cam.com/video/9vbeilE0UrQ/v-deo.html
Led Zeppelin is my bestie band. I was a child when they were in their prime. That music has really stuck with me since. I really enjoyed your analysis of this piece and Stairway. I have marveled and wondered how they have seemed to survive the test of time. Hearing your analysis helps understand why. There is real depth to it. I love that no two songs sound the same as well, yet the pieces are well constructed and musically dynamic on several levels. These were two of their greatest, but there are others to explore!
I was in high school when Led Zeppelin was a band still making records and touring. It was great TV when they received the Kennedy Honors years back and made an appearance on David Letterman as well. I have enjoyed Robert Plant's solo projects and his collaborations with people like Alison Krauss.
I have not 1 single musical bone in my body. The only thing I can play is Spotify (and I'm bloody good at it, too), but I love this stuff, I cannot get over how good it is to have a classically trained musician illuminating to me the wonders of my favourite band of all time, Led Zeppelin.
I'm sure you realized this, but the Asian/Middle-Eastern feel of the strings in the bridge and the outro comes from the use of Phrygian mode -- particularly the ♭2 just above the tonic.
Stop showing off....lol😢
Kashmir at its best takes you to a spatial place that lets your thoughts fly. It is both primal and angelic. I have witnessed this song hypnotize tens of thousands as one.
The gratitude i feel for having found you on youtube is just simply immense! What a blessing you are to social media! Every single time i listen to one of your comments and in depth analyses' i can't help to think that we share a very similar way of experiencing music and listening to it. It truly gives me shivers to have you put in words in the most precise way what i'm going through listening to the same pieces of music. It's such a great joy, it makes me cry. Thank you from the very deepest of my heart! What you're doing through your videos is sublime, to say the least.
The fact that they toured with that orchestra was incredible. A huge undertaking with spectacular results.
🤘🧙♂️🤘
Rich tAMB
When this album first came out I had just started reading science fiction novels, this album transports me to the outer space of those novels and especially Kashmir. Kashmir has this out of world feel to it and as you stipulated we are transport. Thank you for making me appreciate even more this song.
Hi Amy -- might I suggest that your next Led Zeppelin adventure should be their very first song on their first album. It is MUCH different than the refined 'orchestral' pieces like Kashmir and Stairway to Heaven.
The song is:
Good Times Bad Times
You would get to hear how we were introduced to the band. It's rock and roll -- yet, we had never heard rock and roll like that -- we knew there was something very special about this band right from the start ....
Dazed and Confused not bad
I really love your musical analysis... Your reaction adds an intellectual, artistically expressive, and musically technical element that I don't see in other reaction videos.
When you speak of the desert colors I immediately thought of the chromatic climb in the music. Because the colors of the desert are mainly different shades of the same color in most cases. It gives me the feeling of vastness in a progression. What I mean is the eye at first sees one shade of tan then as the eye fixates on the details it reveals all of the the slight changes of color. This leads to the realization of the vastness of the space.
Assertive and dominate.
I didn't think Bonzo could be summed up so succinctly.
🤘🧙♂️🤘
Rich the Ancient Metal Beast
I’d really love to hear your reaction to The Rain Song. It’s such a delicate and beautiful song and really shows the depth of Jimmy Page’s playing.
As you move along your journey of discovering Led Zeppelin, you will find that their "sound" varies greatly between albums. Listening to "Communication Breakdown" is an entirely different experience than listening to "Stairway to Heaven" or "Fool in the Rain" as just three examples. You will always find their dedication to creating a masterpiece as a common thread though. Each individual member of Led Zeppelin is considered among the greatest at their respective instrument (and with Robert Plant, his voice is indeed another instrument in this band) and when you put the four of them together it is nothing short of magic. BTW, I *love* these In-Depth Analysis and look forward to many more. Would love to hear you break down their song "No Quarter."
I think the way the drums are the central, grounding element of this song is also pretty symbolic of the makeup of the band itself. John Bonham's playing is almost always a core/centralising element of their songs, and ultimately i think he also very much was the glue that held the band itself together.
I enjoy your deconstruction of songs both for your academic insight, but mostly because I can vicariously encounter them for the first time all over again, so thanks for that.
My observations on this latest track are:
Led zeppelin’s music is often a blend of ethnic music themes and straight up 4/4 rock music. With Stairway, it is English folk tradition combined with rock interludes.
In the case of Kashmir, the ethnic influence is the Arab tone system with its unusual (for westerners) intervals 24 equal per octave. Also Arabic music uses playing in unison as opposed to harmony and glissando rises and falls especially with massed strings. That unison sound is sometimes referred to as Egyptian strings. The guitar can’t play some of the sounds of an arabic Oud (without frets), but achieves the flavour of close intervals by using chromatic progressions. The use of repetition of cyclical themes also gives an overall hypnotic feel, movement and emotion. Your observation of the mixed time signatures also gives the music an exotic feel, though in Arabic music it's often in 5/4 or 9/8. Think belly-dance, this is erotic music.
In an interview with Robert Plant he told the story of how John Bonham had an idea for a beat and played it for the group.
That is how it started and why the drums are a major part.
I love Kashmir. To me the music is very very visual. I think of riding camels through a really hostile desert. To me the steadiness of the heat, the camel imagery are following the drums, the steady bobbing of the animal as they lumber along. Yes beating sun, intense heat, maybe looking for water but the character in the song doesn't seem to be in danger, but is weary. Robert's vocal is the rider and is observing the landscape and noticing the different things. Those images follow the guitar and strings.
I love how you discussed how the meters are stacked. This is like a fractions lesson. The meters will come together every 12 beats and that part feels good too.
I didn't realize it was in 6\8 time just counted differently. But it is. So smart. I also listened to a bit of the Santa Fe suite. It was nice! Thanks so much.
Your analysis always gives me a new perspective on songs I have heard millions of times.
right????? reflect on how steadfast we all can be on our most cherished thoughts and beliefs. now remember how emotional we all can be about our music preferences. this stranger jumps into a very unfamiliar realm (this genre most of us have been enjoying for decades) and gives us a new perspective - and we love it! she tells us how it sounds to an outsider. tells us what is odd or disparate or unique or peculiar or “interesting” or relevant or evocative or what it is connotative of. and we are unanimous in welcoming these judgements of our lifetime choices. i can’t think of better proof that we are instantly good friends with the virgin rocker. how else could someone say “you know what i think of this?” and me & a thousand others reply: “i never thought of that, wow; you made me see hear that a new way. thank you.” i keep thinking of wanting to hear my favorite album or songs again for the first time, so i may rediscover the feeling of having a new favorite way to beautify my world on demand. well this is the closest, bar amnesia, that i can get to that. thank you again!
That last ascending motif during the fade out; we call it a coda.
I feel Plant's voice is like a brush, painting strokes of color over the solid instrumental chant that is the canvas. It is a gorgeous, free splash of tonal color. An amazing piece of music.
Great Analysis as always, you found much to take note of, relate to, and enlighten us on. I loved your explanation of the 6/8 rhythm guitar/strings parts and how the 4/4 drum part only aligned on the 1st beat. Also loved your observation on the power of music to convey imagery. I played my bass guitar to it using a pretty good score as a guide, and the 'D' pedal note you mentioned was a big portion of the bass lines (all the verses). It alternated between the octaves in 3 note grouping (not quite triplets), but stayed on 'D' for these entire sections. And as you said things changed up in the bridge, interlude and outro sections. Some versions of the song don't even have the bass guitar, with other instruments covering the bass end, so I was glad my score included it.
When I listen to Kashmir I always look at the music as the landscapes of the desert, the sun, the sand, the oasis, the village etc... and the voice as the feeling of the man who is passing through it...
Another great Led Zeppelin composition is "The rain song", I'm pretty sure you'll find it interesting too!
The song was originally going to be called "Driving to Kashmir" and what Plant wishes the band was best remembered for over Stairway. IMO a rock song equivalent to a Mozart or Beethoven. 100+ years from now it will still be played and listened to..
Once again great analysis Amy!
I am glad I voted and suggested this one, and that other people did that too.
I discovered Led Zeppelin in my teens, but after all this years, I am still surprised how they stand the test of time and how I discover them over and over again.
Keep the good work Amy!
P. S. I hope you listen "Unleaded Unplugged MTV" version from 90's too, that is for me personally great arrangement and performance of this song live.
I was just thinking to myself, "She should really listen to Kashmir next," when I came across this video. Wonderful! Thank you. There are, of course, so many excellent Led Zeppelin songs to choose from, but as a life-long Led Zeppelin fan, I would recommend No Quarter as a perfect next addition. It has many similarities and differences to Stairway and Kashmir as to make for a great analysis. It also has some very interesting live versions and then a completely different approach to the song by Plant and Page in 1994.
Rain Song by Zeppelin would be a perfect fit for your reaction and analysis.
Great analylsis! The band worked out the music ahead of singer Robert Plant hearing it. When he heard it, the usually confident vocalist and lyric writer felt very intimidated. "How am I going to come up with something that's worthy of that?" He wondered.
She gets it! Virgin Rocks! Love your take aways, and video on Zeppelin
Moroccan/Arab influence. They went to Morocco several times, playing music with local musicians. It was always my favorite Zep song.
I was surprised the middle eastern influences wasn't picked up by Amy. Maybe it is just my imagination but I'm sure they are there in the rhythm and string arrangements.
@@paulhiggins6584 definitely in the string arrangements.
@@paulhiggins6584 It's not really middle eastern if it's Moroccan lol
@@jonasw3945 It's actually Indian, if I understand it correctly. Page and Jones spent some time in India, and learned to some of the music, there.
Now, Indian music is also strongly influenced by Middle Eastern/Arabic culture, so it would make sense to hear that, too.
@@thomashiggins9320 No, indeed, it's about trips to Morocco. To this day, Robert had a strong love for the area.
Ten Years Gone, No Quarter, Since I've Been Loving You... choose any, you can't go wrong! Thanks for this!
This is the deep-dive intelligent, articulate, and even passionate reaction and analysis that I didn't know I needed. My appreciation for this song has grown exponentially, as has my appreciation for you.
Wonderful explanations! Thank you! I imagine it more as a journey TO Kashmir across deserts and going up to the foothills--dreaming of being there.
Thank you so much for doing this song. I appreciate your thoughtful review.
Love this breakdown. Makes me excited about composing again. This was the song that absolutely sold me on Led Zeppelin. Heard it on the radio And the universe stopped. This is the band that inspired me to become a musician. I don't have a favorite song, it's impossible..but 10 years gone is one you might enjoy analyzing. I'm actually amazed you didn't listen to any more of their songs after this. But you've probably heard some and just don't know it.
Kashmir was named after someone's sweater. I got to see Led Zeppelin play both these songs live at the Los Angeles Fourm in 1975 during the Physical Graffiti tour.
Plant’s vocal always reminded me of a guy lost and wandering through a desert. Definitely different from everything around it, but totally lost within it.
How about The Rain Song for your next Zeppelin experience? Lots of beautiful strings on that one as well.
My question is, will you listen to The Rain Song, by Led Zeppelin?
Been listening to that song for most of my life ... feel like I haven't heard it until today. Ive never met anyone that has your passion for music
This is my mum's favourite Led Zeppelin song!
I've really enjoyed your reviews and insight into rock and roll music. Now that you have reviewed two of Led Zepplin's most iconic tracks, I think it's important for you to review a song from their first album. The track I would suggest is Dazed and Confused - If you have to choose, chose Dazed and confused. The reason I suggest this track is the track was developed near Page's ending period with the Yardbirds, Jimmy Page's band after he was a session musician. The track contains Page's redefining guitar solo. I would argue that this album but especially this track was a first that greatly influenced the dark side of "heavy" in rock and roll. For the first time together as the band Led Zepplin, Led Zepplin 1 features of course Robert Plant as vocalist - regarded as having the loudest voice in rock and roll history, John Bohnam on drums, considered by history as the best rock and roll drummer of all time for his power, use of triplets, feel , and groove, and with John Paul Jones on Bass and some keyboards, whose father was a pianist and arranger for big bands in the '40s.
There is plenty of rock and roll history to research. I think you know that Led Zepplin is considered by history the progenitors as one of Heavy Metal, certainly influenced Black Sabbath. But even in the few years earlier, the Yardbird's were turning the tone and feel of rock and roll as the band nurtured the nascent styles of Eric Clapton and the recently passed Jeff Beck.
And last, with your overall reviews of music, more exploration of the social and cultural influences I think will help with your analysis: through the '60s the Vietnam war was escalating, Hippies were emerging, sex drugs and rock & roll and counter culture was nipping at the heals of main stream. The music often reflected current events such as the song "Ohio" by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young of the Kent State shootings of May 4, 1970.
Thanks for that comment!
Black Sabbath are (arguably: too) often credited for "inventing" heavy metal single-handedly with their first album. I don't want to downplay their importance, not even musically, even though a great deal of their impact on the emerging heavy metal scene was sociological by means of their lyrical themes, costumes, artwork and overall band image. However, they were also standing on the shoulders of giants. Black Sabbath are mainly known as a band playing (or even the inventors of) doom metal. And while they may have perfected the doomy atmosphere in their Songwriting and arrangements, earlier songs by other bands already used musical elements and moods that form a staple part of the doom metal repertoire of today. "I want you (She's so heavy)" by The Beatles and "Dazed & Confused" by Led Zeppelin come to mind. At least to me, they breathe that very atmosphere of a "doomy kind of heavyness". Having no clue of music theory myself, this is purely a gut feeling I get from listening to a lot of doom metal and the broader rock tradition, but I would love to hear what someone well-versed in music theory would make of my associations. Also, the first Black Sabbath album, in vast parts, sounds still very bluesy, while Deep Purple's album "In Rock" (released just briefly before in the same year) already had more of a "colder", more "metallic" sound that had moved on from the more obvious blues tradition with its rather "warm" sound and thus "emancipated" itself from it. Thus, while certainly sounding more "heavy" and "doomy", very early Black Sabbath to me sounds less "metal" and "hard" than, let's say "Speed King" or "Flight of the Rat" by Deep Purple. Black Sabbath upped the ante, still in the same year, though, when they released "Electric Funeral", which, at least to my ear, goes even harder than "Flight Of The Rat" - and also sounds a lot darker.
In the 90s Plant (vocals) & Page (guitar) toured with a rock band, an Egyption orchestra & string section. With all three bands playing in time together, they elevated songs like Kashmir to the next level.
You have some disturb in the mind, Go to a doctor the original is untouchble
I loved your analysis! If someone ever told me that a classical harpsichordist would provide an interesting breakdown of this song, complete with examples played on the harp, I would have suggested they cut back on their medication. But you pulled it off in an entertaining and informative way. Thank you!
Please do a video on the Rain Song by Led Zeppelin. Very Orchestral
I'm listening to William Mathias' Santa Fe Suite for solo harp right now, quite beautiful. It is good music to listen to in the morning to help clear your thoughts.
This song stood out from many Led Zeppelin songs and today I understood why - the intricate levels caught my attention. Thanks for the in-depth review.
Ever since you did stairway to heaven was hoping you would do Kashmir. Love the song and knew you would have a great take on this song. Thanks
Zeppelin Has broken through to excite her musical soul, and made her playlist again 2 for 2 Rain Song next Vlad
What a thorough and wonderful analysis, Amy!! I, too, find myself returning to "Kashmir," still being fascinated and transported by it. That is saying something, since it was released forty-eight years ago.
Chuck in Northern New England
Thank you for this interesting analysis!
I felt the same way when I first heard Kashmir (in 1975) - the imagery, the motion, the journey, the sense of the singer within the landscape - separate of it but fully a engaged with it, the grueling accent, the mirage drawing us onward. It’s like its own movie it’s so sensual.
And here it is. You sat down and just listened to the piece a few times. And it fell into place. This insight is one of the best you provided in this channel. "A bit removed". I felt it so many times and never thought of expressing it in words. Absolutely brilliant!
I have been listening to this song for most of my life, and I feel like I just listened to it for the first time, through you. Your analysis is just delightful, and you have picked up on and pointed out so many of the things that have kept me coming back to this song for decades! The combination of the images of vast landscapes but also small scale details... it's somehow such a *visual* song. It's lovely to see all the respect and love for these legendary musicians, too!
Amy, I finally got around to watching your links. I enjoyed them all. I was thinking while watching the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra perform you were probably hoping their harpist would break out into a solo. Showing all us guitar loving rockers what a true solo looks like.😉 Probably why you snuck the Santa Fe Suite in there, in order to make up for the missing harp solo (just kidding)
I am not a musician nor do I listen to music much now but you make the music I grew up with so very interesting. I appreciate your enthusiasm.
Thanks for introducing me to the recording by a youth orchestra in the city where I live, Johannesburg South Africa. South African musicians keep appearing in unexpected places!
Such a wonderful song. I highly recommend the Plant and Page version with the Egyptians orchestra. (1994). Besides being musically amazing, it is very obvious in the performance how much Robeet Plant loves this song. (In contrast to howuch he ended up loathing Stairway)
The supreme arranging and playing of John Paul Jones throughout Zeppelin's career can never be underestimated. A perfect foil to the creativity of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Bonham. Thanks for your analysis which is part of your musical journey.
This is their best piece. It really has them all at their best and as a southern california boy all I've ever thought of when I hear it is the harsh austere beauty of the desert
Thank you for giving me insight into a piece of music I’ve known for years. Personally I always felt the first break always resonated with an oriental feel reflecting the title and is exhibited in the version with the Moroccan musicians, you identified.
Morocco is nowhere near the Orient.
I must say, you are an absolute joy. Really appreciate your analysis and commentary.
Since you like blues you should check out “Since I’ve been living you” or “In my time of dying”
Thank yiu for the excellent analysis Amy! This is what this music deserves. It's like watching a great movie and then the "behind the scenes" video afterwards.
This was a fabulous breakdown of a record that I have loved for many years. I actually watched your other commentary on Kashmir and while I did enjoy that one, I had an unresolved itch in my mind relating to the 3/3 4/4 rhythm in the structure of the song which you so wholeheartedly resolved (and then some) to a degree that exceeded my expectations. This irregular rhythmic timing was something I was always unconsciously aware of but you spelled it out and made it all crystal clear so I thank you for that. Finally, one of my favourite tracks of Led Zeppelin is Babe I’m Gonna Leave You on their first album. It’s a song that’s I’ve always believed to be underrated but it’s melodic composition is simply divine.
Would be very interested in your opinion/analysis of "Turn of the Century" by Yes. It's one of the more emotive, I'd even say beautiful, pieces/songs I've ever heard. I THINK you'd find enough to interest you, though it might be too obscure for some.
Thank you for all your insights so far.
Reminds me of a Shepherd Tone, which is that audio illusion where a sound can appear to be continuously ascending, without actually rising. This gives Kashmir a tremendous sense of growing power. I've always loved this song even as a kid
Interesting, I've never heard of a Shepherd Tone before. Any idea why it's called that?
I enjoyed both your Kashmir videos. I must say that you seem to be a throw back to a by gone era... You remind me of a movie from the 40's.
It makes complete sense to me what you explain here! Thank you!
I really enjoyed your dissection of Kashmir, the genius of Led Zeppelin is 4fold - each member was a master of their instruments and when they play together they gel in a way not many bands ever have. John Bonham the drummer, never had a lesson and was completely self taught, while Jimmy and Jones both were were trained and schooled.
There's 2 different time signatures going on at the same time for alot of it. Great musicians
If you want to hear some more of Led Zeppelin's musical range, try:
The Rain Song (done in response to a comment by Beatles guitarist George Harrison that they never did ballads)
When the Levee Breaks (a cover -- with additions, of course -- of a 1928 Blues tune about a terrible flood in 1927)
Four Sticks -- The meter shifts from 5/8 to 6/8, and they thought it would be too difficult -- and then John Bonham came in and put two drum-sticks in each hand.
Also, consider Going to California -- a bit folksy and country.
Immigrant Song -- This is the one that earned the band its nickname -- *The Hammer of the Gods*
Great analysis Amy. Interesting that you mentioned Gershwin, I always thought of the songs chromatic progressions as being a slowed down simpler type of BeBop Jazz. Thanks Amy.
I like your well thought out interpretations of these classic rock songs….not to mention you’re very beautiful too
Your appreciation of this rock classic made me happy : )🥰
You are so incredibly enjoyable to hear your musical prowess!!!!!
"Stargazer" was the answer to Kashmir from Ritchie Blackmore (from Deep Purple) and his band "Rainbow". Worth a listen. Another immortal classic, especially sung by Ronnie James Dio with Rwinbow..
Now if you really want to take the next step may I suggest that you listen to the Rain song from Houses of the Holy. You won't be disappointed.
John Bonham (rip) GOAT!! The core as usual.
I am in awe that you reconsidered and did this In-Depth Analysis for us. How very rare for one at your professorial level. There is such humility in your language that I am able to learn and retain what you say at a noticeable rate. Lol....I checked out Sante Fe Suite the moment you first mentioned it. I feel so cultured.
Loved this!
I appreciate what you’ve already picked up on these two iconic songs being so different. This theme plays out on their entire catalog, even their live performances are never exactly the same.
Compositionally, I think you would enjoy The Rain Song which is a smooth melodic string ballad. The chord progression is my favorite from Page.
They have dozens and dozens of classics
That was truly fascinating. Thankyou.
The song is just a beautiful spiritual trip...🤘
Fascinating analysis about how the mismatch rhythms create an amazing tension. The first of this on the song called black dog. Here to study perfection. I actually turned in because I thought you were gonna try to play Kashmir on the harp
All your knowledge and research has made for an enjoyable and interesting analysis.
YEA! Get to wake up to one of Amys videos!
Robert Plant and Geddy Lee of Rush actually bumped into each other in Morocco
Yes, each Led Zeppelin song has a different and distinct sound, perhaps moreso than any rock band.
It's certainly one of the reasons they're the gods of rock.
Of course, the very exotic sound of Kashmir contributes to it being among the Zep masterpieces.
Page's bowing is key.