Carouselambra

Song infobox
Name = Carouselambra


Artist = Led Zeppelin
Album = In Through the Out Door
Released = August 15, 1979
track_no = 5
Recorded = November–December, 1978
Genre = Hard rock
Length = 10:34
Label = Swan Song
Writer = Jones/Page/Plant
Producer = Jimmy Page
prev = "Hot Dog"
prev_no = 4
next = "All My Love"
next_no = 6"Carouselambra" is a song on English rock band Led Zeppelin's 1979 album, "In Through the Out Door". The name Carouselambra is a reference to the first section of the song sounding similar to carousel music. It is the second longest song the band recorded in the studio (to "In My Time of Dying"), clocking in at over ten-and-one-half minutes in length. It is also a very unusual song for the band, as Jimmy Page's guitar work is pushed almost to the background, while John Paul Jones dominates with heavy use of synthesizers. These characteristics have often invited comparisons with progressive rock.

"Carouselambra" was conceived during the band's rehearsals at Clearwell Castle in May 1978.Dave Lewis (1994), "The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin", Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.] The song itself is split in three sections. The first section is a fast-paced showcase of Jones on synthesizer (he overdubbed a bass guitar part), with Robert Plant's vocals mixed down slightly underneath Jones, the drums of John Bonham and Page's guitar chord progression. The second section is a much slower paced part, highlighting Page's use of the Gibson EDS-1275 double-necked guitar, the only time he used that instrument on a Led Zeppelin studio song,Dave Lewis (1994), "The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin", Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.] while Plant sings some reflective lyrics. The final section returns to an up-tempo beat, with all four band members performing in unison. Some of Page's guitar was processed through a Gizmotron, a device that adds distortion.

John Paul Jones in an interview stated he had obtained the GX synthesizer from Keith Emerson after Emerson, Lake and Palmer had split-up after completing the Love Beach album.

The song is in standard 4/4 timing in the key of C major. The lyrics to the first section of the song follow a rough "ABAB" rhythmical format. In the second and third sections of the song the format changes along with the instruments, but keeps the same tempo in 4/4 and stays in C major.

Plant's lyrics, particularly in the first section of the song, are somewhat buried in the mix and are difficult to discern. According to an interview Plant gave in 1979, the song was about someone who, when one day realising the song was written about them, would say, "My God! Was it really like that?"Dave Lewis (1994), "The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin", Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.]

The Plant has also said that the lyrics are related to The Battle of Evermore with clues at the end where Plant sings "But guard the seed."

"Carouselambra" was never played live by the band at Led Zeppelin concerts. It was rumored to be among one of the songs the band was to debut in concert on their 1980 North American concert tour.Dave Lewis (1994), "The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin", Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.] However, drummer John Bonham died a few weeks before that tour was to begin, leading to the band's break-up.

Listen
filename=Led_Zeppelin_-_Carouselambra.ogg
title=Led Zeppelin "Carouselambra" (1979)
description=30 second sample from Led Zeppelin's "Carouselambra".
format=Ogg

References

ources

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

External links

* Review: [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:09z1z8ba5yy2 All Music Guide]