Bron-Yr-Aur (song)

Song infobox
Name = Bron-Yr-Aur


Artist = Led Zeppelin
Album = Physical Graffiti
Released = February 24, 1975
track_no = 8
Recorded = 1970
Genre = Folk rock
Length = 2:06
Label = Swan Song Records
Writer = Page
prev = "In the Light"
prev_no = 7
next = "Down by the Seaside"
next_no = 9"Bron-Yr-Aur" (pronounced|brɔn.ər.aɪr) is an acoustic guitar instrumental tune by English rock band Led Zeppelin, and, at two minutes and six seconds in duration, is the shortest studio recording under the band's name. The song was initially written and recorded in 1970 by Jimmy Page during the sessions for the album, "Led Zeppelin III", but was eventually released in 1975 on "Physical Graffiti". It was named after Bron-Yr-Aur, a cottage in Gwynedd, Wales where the members of Led Zeppelin spent time during the recording of "Led Zeppelin III".Phil Sutcliffe, "Back to Nature", "Q Magazine" Special Led Zeppelin edition, 2003, p. 34.] ("Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" is a different song from "Led Zeppelin III".)

"Bron-Yr-Aur" is a reflective and relaxed piece, and one of the last acoustic tunes released under the band's name. It features a characteristic open-C6 tuning (C-A-C-G-C-E) and is played on a 1971 Martin D-28.Tolinski, Brad, (Jan. 1998). "Jimmy Page's Guitar Army: Backstage 1973". "Guitar World", p. 107 (fold out).] This same tuning was also used by Page on the tracks "Poor Tom" and "Friends".Dave Lewis (1994), "The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin", Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.] Some minor string squeaks and small mistakes were left in by Page to keep the live feel.

The tune was rarely performed live at Led Zeppelin concerts, but can be heard on some bootleg recordings from their sixth American concert tour in August-September 1970, when it was sometimes played as part of their acoustic set.Dave Lewis (1994), "The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin", Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.] It can be heard on the famous bootleg album "Live On Blueberry Hill", on which Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant explains the origins of "Bron-Yr-Aur":

The studio version of "Bron-Yr-Aur" is played in the concert film "The Song Remains the Same", at the point when the band members are shown driving through New York City in a limousine (although it is not featured on the accompanying soundtrack album). A snippet of the tune can also be heard in the film "Almost Famous", one of the rare instances when the band allowed part of their catalogue to be used for a motion picture.

References

ources

*"Led Zeppelin: Dazed and Confused: The Stories Behind Every Song", by Chris Welch, ISBN 978-1-56025-818-6
*"The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin", by Dave Lewis, ISBN 978-0-7119-3528-0