New John Paul Jones books

[the rocket]

Alfred publishers have 2 new volumes of transcriptions of John Paul Jones' bass lines. I had heard good things about them, so I went to the store to buy them. Next to them on the rack was an older, single volume of JPJ's lines, also published by Alfred, but it had more songs than the 2 new volumes combined. I decided to compare the new books with the older one, and there are numerous discrepancies between them. Just looking at the first few measures of several of the songs, there were enough differences in the transcriptions that I questioned the reliability of both books. And without being able to listen to the recording while looking at the transcriptions, I don't know which book (if either) is accurate. I left the store without buying anything.

So, the question is, can anyone vouch for the authenticity of the transcriptions of either the new books or any older ones that are out there?

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by the rocket

.........So, the question is, can anyone vouch for the authenticity of the transcriptions of either the new books or any older ones that are out there?

Not I, but, you do bring up an interesting point.

I understand it's art and the exact notes to a song played on June 17, 1956 may differ from a rendition of that same song played on May 2, 1966 even by the same artist.

I doubt I would have even thought to compare the two publications. Publishers like Alfred, Hal Leonard, Mel Bay, etc. have a good reputation and I would have accepted what was in either of the publications trusting either would be a fair rendition of what was played "back then".

[J. Montgomery]

I can't speak to either of the two books mentioned, but I have a Complete Scores book (i.e. guitar, bass, vocals, drums, organ, etc...) that corresponds to the 4 disc Led Zeppelin box set that came out in the mid-90s. That thing is pretty awesome, and I totally wore the two books out.

[the rocket]

The 2 books I looked at weren't way off from each other, but there were discrepancies in pitch and rhythm. Either one would give someone the feel of the line JPJ played. But when they're advertised as transcriptions of what he played, I do think the difference between 2 eighth notes vs. 1 quarter note on beat 2 of measure 5 of whatever song, is an important distinction to make.

I will check out the Complete Scores book. That sounds like it might be a better way to go.

[gmahoog]

Is there a complete trancription of "The Lemon Song" including his solo? That alone would be worth the price of the book.