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Album: Kashmir
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1073









Released: 1997
Length: 7:54
Plays (last 30 days): 0
(instrumental)
Comments (124)add comment
Excellent in FLAC w/ great studio phones, amp & DAC.  Crank it up LOUD!  Thanx RP!   
 GawgaBoy wrote:

and this, boys and girls, is the definition of eclectic

Thank you Bill and Rebecca 




Very well stated. I Agree!   Thanx RP!   
EXCELLENT!!  I like it!  I don't care what anybody else says.  Thanx RP!   
Had I never heard Zep's original, I would still love this cover of it.
9
Would give it a 10 except for the violin part on melody at the beginning.
I love it!!   If you like this, check out "2Cellos", two cellists from Croatia that play rock tunes  with just two cellos. RP plays LZ "Whole Lotta Love" by them They are great!    Also, there is a band called Apocalyptica that does a similar thing with Metallica tunes. My mailman turned me on to them.
So annoying, was too late for PSD.
 nevar23 wrote:

People seem to be really split on this one, but it works for me.




ME TOO!!!
I bleed Zeppelin. This bothers me. I want to like it but its so wrong.  Then there will be parts that I like.  I did like the ending. Different, sad, like its will never be again.
Fourth Floor Sundries
 dianed wrote:
This would probably be much better live and a cool experience with a large orchestra, but this version isn't so great.
 
You must have some really crappy speakers           
   
Blasphemous
I really appreciate the musical talent on this version "8" but of course, prefer  Zeps for their energy and force ...
This is okay, but I prefer their works with Tuomas Holopainen  and Nightwish (The Scrooge McDuck "soundtrack" especially)
People seem to be really split on this one, but it works for me.
Lipstick on a pig....
Man, who's strangling the cat?
This is ear candy for the classically trained rock n' rollers at heart.  Bravo!
 bfrinkl1 wrote:
Love it. 
 

Seconded!
There is such a beautiful mix of classical and rock into such a wonderful moving piece for the human soul. Thank you for producing such an uplifting filling the soul music. Love to us all Peaceful Warriors!
This song lends itself well to a classic music orchestral interpretation. It's majestic!
 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
ok , I'll be the party pooper.. I don't think it works at all. I love Led Zep and I know my way around classical music. The fusion is not the problem.

The arrangement is fine and the track has enough going on it to make it kind of interesting. It is NOT up there with the best classical has to offer by a long shot, but I wouldn't even want to measure it on that yardstick. 

No, what kills it for me is the dying cat in place of Robert Plant.  
 

It’s not great. What would you have preferred?  
How hollow.
Sounds beautiful.  Really works as an orchestral piece.  Fun to wonder: if this song had been composed by [Classical composer X] would it have been received as a brilliant blending of classical/rock/eastern?
This is my favorite song on Radio Paradise. Until I heard this interpretation, I never realized how mundane I felt acid rock was. In this piece, it's how the notes were played and how the harmonies felt. Very progressive. Breaks through the monotony. Fresh air.
Loved it!  Would love to see them do that live with Led Zepplin on Stage... somehow ineracting... now that would be something!
loved it.
Don't like the arrangement at all.
The  cellos are too muted. The chorus passages are overwhelming. Not bad but needs some rearranging.
horrible nightmare row
 dianed wrote:
This would probably be much better live and a cool experience with a large orchestra, but this version isn't so great.
 

It's a bit corny coming thru average stereo speakers, but I agree - live, this must have been chilling!
The translation just doesn't work as well as -- shall I say it? -- the Metallica orchestrations.

Especially sorry, because I adore Led Zeppelin and abhor Metallica.

(and is that crowd noise in the background?  Ewww.)
 kingart wrote:
I can imagine a lot better.  But I've heard a lot worse.  If any Zep track lends itself to the symphonic treatment, it's this one. LPO is not trying to offend anyone. It's a homage.  They *like* this Zep classic and do it some honor.  Chill out, h8rs. 
 

I dig it... 8->9
Just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD.
This would probably be much better live and a cool experience with a large orchestra, but this version isn't so great.
Orchestrating this demonstrates how cheezy it really is
Arranged by Jaz Coleman as in Killing Joke, how epic!
 kingart wrote:
I can imagine a lot better.  But I've heard a lot worse.  If any Zep track lends itself to the symphonic treatment, it's this one. LPO is not trying to offend anyone. It's a homage.  They *like* this Zep classic and do it some honor.  Chill out, h8rs. 
 
I hear the bending of strings, the crashing cymbals, subtle bells, the intensity... It all just floors me!
I can imagine a lot better.  But I've heard a lot worse.  If any Zep track lends itself to the symphonic treatment, it's this one. LPO is not trying to offend anyone. It's a homage.  They *like* this Zep classic and do it some honor.  Chill out, h8rs. 
Sorry fans, but I can't really get my head around this any more than I could understand the recent orchestral concerts with super-heroes themes.  Instant PSD.
Love it. 
Its like having every flavour in your mouth at the same time spice \ sweet \ sour \ liquorice \ chilli \ vodka and not knowing quite if chewing is a good idea or not ! 




Man what a trip haha
It's inconceivable that Robert Plant's moaning the words on this song could become more annoying when replaced with a violin....but it is painful.
This is a clever segue from Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk.”
I could swear I've heard this somewhere before. It sounds so familiar, but not familiar.  Led me outta here. (I actually find it interesting. I mean, I wouldn't put it on heavy rotation, but once around is good)
So much there.  Thanks SD.  Loved you all through the 70's, 80's —- right on home to 2017.  
This is well worth a bash, and I'll take the violin over the young Robert Plant's wailing every day of the week. I love the mystical ending with the vibes. This would be good to listen to in a proper concert hall.
I love parts of it, and hate parts of it.  Sometimes the violin is HORRIBLE.  But the crescendos are great!
Interesting, and I applaud any orchestra for attempting to stretch out of its regular classical repertoire.

Still, I prefer the version on Unleded, which is actually here on RP at:

https://www.radioparadise.com/rp_2.php?#name=songinfo&song_id=31083

But I still wouldn't throw it out of the playlist.
 Pike wrote:
you can't polish a turd.

 
LZ's "Kashmir" is a turd?  Huh.

That said this version is no bueno. 
No, no, no. A rare 1 from me and wholeheartedly deserved I think. 

I can find no reason to play this. No reason to inflict this painful monstrosity of a cover by a bunch of classical artists trying to be 'cool'. 

It genuinely makes my skin crawl. 
Nooooooo...

Time to take a coffee break. 
For a more entertaining and delightful version, check this:

 Zeppelin! - Louisville Leopard Percussionists - YouTube
From Zeppelin... to this! What an awesome mix Bill. Certainly had me fooled for a moment! 
{#Notworthy}
Epic, but not necessarily in a good way
That made me wish to hear the original all the time. Is that good or bad?
Nothing short of EPIC! {#Bananajam} {#Cheers} {#Bounce}

BTW, Just checked Amazon for this, and the cassette tape is $399.79! I wonder what the 76 cents is for?
This quite likable cover does give a different interpretation of a classic. The violin solo and pan flutes are effective in the vocals for the verses but the bridge doesn't work for me. Robert Plant's wailing just isn't captured. This doesn't work as well for me as the "Purple Haze" cover by the Kronos Quartet, for example. The quartet puts a vibe on that piece that evokes the original. I agree with those that said something is lost in translation. A worthy effort all the same. 
And next up, "Moonlight Sonata" by Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem {#Eek}
Love it.
  Well, it's got that wall-of-sound.    {#Boohoo}
Totally lost in translation, just not worthy. Rather hear the real deal!
 easmann wrote:

That made me laugh. When I heard the first few bars and read the "band" name and song title I got a thrill of anticipation. Not quite thrilled after listening. It's very good in parts. I for one liked the Eastern vibe in the middle. I know a lot of folks loved it and I'm happy for them. I'll have to say they've made a hash of it though. ; )

 
Eastern vibe?   Hmm... is India not East enough for ya?  Oppps... or is it Pakistan?  Regardless... Kashmir is hardly in a Western nation. 

What I wonder is what the orchestra players think of playing pop... opps should i have said rock-n-roll?   Sorry i don't mean to start another pointless war over yet another rock. 
 Pike wrote:
you can't polish a turd.

 


Why, yes. Yes you can.
I only began to appreciate this reading of the music after a few listenings.

I also recall  that I didn't particularly enjoy the original on my first listen, but I grew to love it after repeated plays.

It's incredibly complex, with multiple songs woven into one piece. So it's only natural that we would need to study it for awhile to fully appreciate it.



This CD was a nice find in the western NC mountains on a family road trip ~25 years ago.
Boring
They miss the emotion, only the "sheherazade thing" remains. No despair, no pain. 
I like it a refreshing, interesting, yet familiar experience.
Wow! Just the perfect mix of bombast, mysticism and sitar! Loved it!! Thanks!
This is obviously virtuostical and erv'rything... but rock, it does not.

Lost in translation...

=6= 
Gotta love the sonic roads Bill drives down… the scenery changes dramatically, unexpectedly, and is uniquely cool in its own way. I dig that kind of ride. 
Gives them something to do.   lets face it, an orchestra doing hip hop, drum 'n bass or dubstep isnt going to work, and they need to break away from the 17th century or film scores once in a while.
I still appreciate and validate this version much more than any attempt to turn the song into an easy-listening, simplified and computerised soup with autotuned vulgar vocals targeted at ear-analphabete audience, just like most 20th century covers produced after 2000. This philarmonic version was an incredible challenge and I find it brilliantly recorded and performed by classical musicans who are not essentially supposed to "go wild". 8+ in recognition of the effort.
 Pike wrote:
you can't polish a turd.

 
What polish did you use and what was the moisture content of said turd?
I don't mind this too much, although a constant diet would probably turn my stomach.
you can't polish a turd.
Works for me.  Mostly.  Ditto the prevailing annoyance with whiny violin replacing Robert Plant.  Maybe oboe would have been better.  Actually there's a short segment where the melody is carried by English Horn or something, hard to tell.  Anyway, kudos to RP for playing it.
No.
Up next, Zamfir on the pan flute doing Sympathy for the Devil.
Grew up on Muzak.  Terrible, terrible flashbacks from this....Robert Plant interpreted as screechy violin?  Nay, a thousand times nay!  Thank you PSD.
Never again, please. Instead, how about the Kevin Gilbert (RIP) version?

 
I have this album, and a bunch of other philharmonic, string quartet, classical-covers of music i like. I put it on in the background when my in-laws come over. My mother-in-law has commended me several times on the playlist. She's specifically stated that she likes certain songs (one time it was a cover of Tool - Sober, which cracked me up).
Awful arrangement. The violin solo added nothing but the sound of a cat dying.
I'm not sure what I think of this.
Having Kashmir played by a symphony orchestra really highlights what a slog it is.
 pcc wrote:
Awful row - total cockup of an otherwise brilliant track

 
I agree. And this is twice in the last few days. PSD PSD PSD
 RabbitEars wrote:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYuOZnAqQCY

worth checking out 

 
Too right.  Thanks.
Um.  It was great when Metallica did this with (I think?) the San Francisco Symphony, but that was the original music augmented by the orchestra.  This?  I don't know what this is.  Take away the occasional musical reference to the original Led Zep piece, and you're left with...nothing coherent, IMO, which is too bad.  The concept has terrific potential. 
Awful row - total cockup of an otherwise brilliant track
Horrendous!
 

Nice, I heard the original while I was working out at the gym around lunchtime, and now in the evening I get this!
 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
ok , I'll be the party pooper.. I don't think it works at all. I love Led Zep and I know my way around classical music. The fusion is not the problem.

The arrangement is fine and the track has enough going on it to make it kind of interesting. It is NOT up there with the best classical has to offer by a long shot, but I wouldn't even want to measure it on that yardstick. 

No, what kills it for me is the dying cat in place of Robert Plant.  

 
Yeah, it does need a bit more "bite".
ok , I'll be the party pooper.. I don't think it works at all. I love Led Zep and I know my way around classical music. The fusion is not the problem.

The arrangement is fine and the track has enough going on it to make it kind of interesting. It is NOT up there with the best classical has to offer by a long shot, but I wouldn't even want to measure it on that yardstick. 

No, what kills it for me is the dying cat in place of Robert Plant.  
OK. This does make me smile. Not in a comedic - make fun of it kind-of-way. It just makes me smile. Going to have to bump it up a notch!
 stangalbraith wrote:
What a great interpretation of a classic LZ song by a classical music orchestra. Their arrangement has really brought out the various musical themes and elements in this song. Sure shows off the musical genius of Page and Plant as this orchestral presentation stands up against the best in classical music. 

 
Ditto.
 Relayer wrote:
As a huge Led Zeppelin fan (snob), I must say, this is great.  Damn great.

 
I'm not a LZ fan, or unfan - take 'em or leave 'em, me - but I really do like this cover, which is a big improvement on the pompous stompety-stomp original. Not that that was bad, but this adds a certain je ne sais quoi. I love the swirling arabesque strings :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYuOZnAqQCY

worth checking out 
As a huge Led Zeppelin fan (snob), I must say, this is great.  Damn great.
 hempmandan wrote:

Moodfood? as in Moodswings Moodfood?
 
U are correct sir.. {#Cheesygrin}
Well, isn't this ... interesting?
Viel besser:

https://www.npr.org/event/music/388722887/watch-middle-school-kids-play-a-led-zeppelin-medley-on-xylophones

 
 Lindo525 wrote:
Big, big Zep Fan. I guess I "appreciate" this more than I actually like it. I think the biggest problem for me is the violin filling in for the vocals.

 
Yes. I like this more than AndyFarang but that violin is a bit of a sticking point.

Whoever scored this must have had a field day. Screw subtlety: this is pomp, swagger and blast. 

 
 moodfood wrote:
not sure what to make of this.. {#Think}

 
Moodfood? as in Moodswings Moodfood?
It's only an 8 ecause the offputting Robert Plant didn't sing and Jimmy didn't play
not sure what to make of this.. {#Think}
Nerd Zeppelin!  Why not
As this began, thought I liked it. As it went on, I realized, nope! What a mess.
 Lindo525 wrote:
Big, big Zep Fan. I guess I "appreciate" this more than I actually like it. I think the biggest problem for me is the violin filling in for the vocals.
Agree...was about to give it lowww marks, but the "bit in the middle" and your "appreciate" comment drove me to a 6 ;-)
 


 hayduke2 wrote:
one night having just moved to williamsburg brooklyn in the late 80's I strolled down the street to a "club", an abandoned brownstone, sheet of plywood for a door, $5 bucks to get in...there wasn"t a first floor (there was no floor), in the basement level a large member band was blasting away, I had just gotten a can of PBR from a bathtub full of ice and looked down at the crowd, "oh thanks" as a joint was passed to me, then the moment of silence right before the violin players struck the very identifiable beginning of "Kashmir" .. oh whoa man, so cool

 
Ultimate hipster story:  PBR, Williamsburg (before it was hip for everyone else), free pot and an underground club with violins and Zeppelin. Only forgot to add in the beard stroking.

 {#Clap} Well played. 
 idiot_wind wrote:
This is making me sick.

Stop it!!! 

 
you're using the wrong sock...{#Wink}
one night having just moved to williamsburg brooklyn in the late 80's I strolled down the street to a "club", an abandoned brownstone, sheet of plywood for a door, $5 bucks to get in...there wasn"t a first floor (there was no floor), in the basement level a large member band was blasting away, I had just gotten a can of PBR from a bathtub full of ice and looked down at the crowd, "oh thanks" as a joint was passed to me, then the moment of silence right before the violin players struck the very identifiable beginning of "Kashmir" .. oh whoa man, so cool
What a great interpretation of a classic LZ song by a classical music orchestra. Their arrangement has really brought out the various musical themes and elements in this song. Sure shows off the musical genius of Page and Plant as this orchestral presentation stands up against the best in classical music. 
Utterly annoying. One half of me was trying to think something through and my other half wanted to throw the stereo out of the window.
Usually, ventures like this do not work.

Some music is just not meant for the symphonic orchestra. Sorry. Just like some classical works sound really awkward when done in RnR style.

The best I have heard (and seen) so far, is Hooverphonic with Orchestra. That was a merge of the two sides and it worked beautifully. The whole concert is just excellent. Not "immortal", but relaxed and fun to watch, where great care was given to all aspects of that cooperation. From the opening of the concert, over to some near-solo performances, together with all of them working like one. 
This is making me sick.

Stop it!!! 
Big, big Zep Fan. I guess I "appreciate" this more than I actually like it. I think the biggest problem for me is the violin filling in for the vocals.
'One Night in Bangkok and the whole world tumbles ... lalalalala ...'
You know this is interesting...
It shows how even when professionally trained orchestra musicians try to redo an already great song, they only make it worse! 
There is always something to be said for originality and the performance of those who create their work.

 
Please don't play this again.  Ever.
Oooh, I like this.  Wasn't the LSO involved in the original arrangement of Kashmir?  I like hearing the 2 back-to-back because it really points out how each ensemble influenced the other.