The Best Remake Ever: “Kashmir” as done by Kevin Gilbert
I think this was recorded in 1994. [Links to listen are at the end of this post.] The call had gone out for Led Zeppelin remakes for the planned tribute titled “Encomium.†At the time, Kevin Gilbert was working with Sheryl Crow and the Tuesday Night Music Club. He was respected as a genius by those who had the good fortune to have worked with him, but was and would die a virtual unknown. His resume included the critically acclaimed but mostly ignored “Toy Matinee†album (audiophiles should check out the 5.1 remix available in DTS and DVD-A formats for a real aural treat) and session work with Michael Jackson and Madonna.
Kevin had heard through the grapevine that the producers were hoping for a version of “Kashmir†but because of the song’s legendary status there were as yet, no takers. He decided to round up some of his friends and current band (Dave Kerzner on keys, Corky James on guitar, “Toss” Panos on drums – Kev played bass in this band) and headed into the studio. He completed the song in a couple of days and submitted it for consideration.
In the meantime, Kevin had been befriended by L.A. DJ’s Mark and Brian and was a frequent guest on their show. He brought the master tapes onto the radio program and they played it. The board lit up. Calls were coming in for the next few weeks requesting the song, and it was generally understood that it would become available when the record was released.
The producers rejected it. Apparently they thought it was great, but since Kevin was “a nobody†they didn’t see the point. The story goes that there were over 1000 returns of “Encomium†in the Los Angeles in the first couple of weeks of its release.
The song ended up being released on a separate bonus disc (now extremely rare - couldn’t find it on ebay even) that was included with a repackaged release of Kevin’s fabulous solo release, “Thud.”
This is the version that my kids first heard. When they finally got around to hearing the original Zeppelin version, they thought it sucked! It was funny, and indeed my oldest step-daughter got herself into a bit of a pickle when she was in the ninth grade. It seems that in one of her classes some of the boys were talking about the song, and she piped up that Kevin Gilbert’s version “blew away†the original. That went over like a lead balloon. She was embarrassed and humiliated, but to her credit remained steadfast.
I think I agree with her.
If your browser dosen’t like Putfile, try this link.
[Originally posted at my place Februrary, 2006.]
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Agreed.
Dan: Agreed and agreed. Dread Zeppelin was hilarious: A reggae Zeppelin cover band with an Elvis impersonator at the controls.
I heard that Plant liked them. After all, he was actually somewhat of an Elvis fan himself.
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I hadn't heard Gilbert's take on the song before, but I like it.
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