We've got to talk about John Paul Jones

[Michedelic]

What a strange effect on the bass Heartbreaker in the video of the first post! Sound like there is a fast tremolo effect on the bass. You can hear it especially well after the guitar break. Didn't notice it so much before. Anyone know what it is?

That's what I thought too. Just never heard it so fast and pronounced on bass.

It's always been there, been hearing it for over 50 years. That was an era, before modulation stompbox technology, when lots of things, primarily guitar, vocals, piano, were run through a Leslie for a special effect, but rarely bass. The only other track I can think of is on a Mott The Hoople album.

 

[Raman]

Leslie speaker.

Thanks! I never knew.

 

[Raman]

I've watched this about 6 times now and it just gets better and better. Mihirangi is wonderful.

For myself, I really love Susan Tedeschi's performance.

 

[bikeplate]

Most talented guy in LZ. Yep, I said it

 

[Killing Floor]

It's not a P bass but he's still good.
And Galas is Superbad.
https://youtu.be/kPs2k3mKsWQ

 

[Les Fret]

It's not a P bass but he's still good.
And Galas is Superbad.

Those vocals are acquired taste to put it mildly.

 

[Raman]

So dirty...

 

[blacktocomm]

He's one half of the one half of Led Zeppelin that I like.

 

[Raman]

Bass masterpiece!

 

[Raman]

Perfection all the way.

 

[LBS-bass]

Working on two of their songs for a show I have next month. It never ceases to amaze me what a great player he is, and what a great musician he is, whenever I sit down to pick apart his lines. I'll never be as good as him, never be as fast as him, not everything he did is something I will ever play right, but I always enjoy the challenge of working with his lines.

 

[two fingers]

I know it's been done countless times.
But he really is the epitome of the rock bass player.

He blows when it needs blowing. He drives when it needs driven. He holds the line when it needs being held. He supports when it needs backup. And he retreats when he is not needed. He is the ultimate team player: Always doing exactly what the song requires.

Right now, I'm listening to those songs again after so many years. I pay more attention to the guitar, the drums and the vocals. I realize how they all lean on J-P J's bass, and how he leans on John Bonham. Everywhere, he is the binder that brings it all together. In Led Zeppelin, it's always all about the bass. It's always about John Paul Jones.

I'll focus here on the studio albums.
I'm sure that great clips will pop up in the comments!









Probably the dirtiest bass that I've ever heard!






Just in case anyone had any doubt...

I'm frequently asked who taught me how to play bass. For twenty years I have answered "James Jamerson and John Paul Jones".

 

[brandau]

Here's a little JPJ anecdote..
•Years back I played the Warren Haynes Xmas Jam in Asheville, NC with the great Chris Stamey, Anton Fier and Jen Gruderman. Afterwards I spent most of the night hangin back stage with Anton (that's another story). It was epic..Allman Bros, Warren Haynes, Ivan Neville, and JOHN PAUL JONES were all there. That's right...JPJ was sitting in on mandolin with a lot of the groups, and he played bass on Dazed and Confused w the Allmans.
•My goal became to find the right moment to intro myself and ask one, or one million questions. So, as the night went on (and my liquid courage increased) I built up the nerve to approach him.
I was sitting on a couch talking shite w Anton when in walks JPJ by himself... Perfect!
•I start walking towards him. I'd always envisioned JPJ as being 12 feet tall (give or take). However, he's probably closer to 5'6. Here I am 6'2 towering towards him, eyes bugged like Frankenstein. He sensed I was in his path, so he took a few steps to the right...so did I. Then he takes a few steps back to left...so do I. He gets the jest I'm not getting out of his way, so he just stops. I walk up and extend my hand. I'd been going over and over what I would say and had it all worked out...As soon as our hands touched, I opened my mouth, but nothing would come out. I was frozen! I'm trying to talk, but I'm just standing there with my mouth gaping, staring at him. I managed to squeeze out "I....I...I...", he's looking at me, eyes wide and nodding as if saying "You can do it! Say it! Say it!" He's trying to let go of my hand, but I won't let go. I try again, I...I...I...I PLAY BASS!"

That's it! That's all I got out. JPJ waits a min. Realizing Im not going to say anything else, and says "Cool!" I let his hand go and looked at my feet laughing. He chuckled and patted me on the shoulder saying, "It's alright mate. Nice to meet ya." And walked away...

 

[Raman]

Here's a little JPJ anecdote..
•Years back I played the Warren Haynes Xmas Jam in Asheville, NC with the great Chris Stamey, Anton Fier and Jen Gruderman. Afterwards I spent most of the night hangin back stage with Anton (that's another story). It was epic..Allman Bros, Warren Haynes, Ivan Neville, and JOHN PAUL JONES were all there. That's right...JPJ was sitting in on mandolin with a lot of the groups, and he played bass on Dazed and Confused w the Allmans.
•My goal became to find the right moment to intro myself and ask one, or one million questions. So, as the night went on (and my liquid courage increased) I built up the nerve to approach him.
I was sitting on a couch talking poopiee w Anton when in walks JPJ by himself... Perfect!
•I start walking towards him. I'd always envisioned JPJ as being 12 feet tall (give or take). However, he's probably closer to 5'6. Here I am 6'2 towering towards him, eyes bugged like Frankenstein. He sensed I was in his path, so he took a few steps to the right...so did I. Then he takes a few steps back to left...so do I. He gets the jest I'm not getting out of his way, so he just stops. I walk up and extend my hand. I'd been going over and over what I would say and had it all worked out...As soon as our hands touched, I opened my mouth, but nothing would come out. I was frozen! I'm trying to talk, but I'm just standing there with my mouth gaping, staring at him. I managed to squeeze out "I....I...I...", he's looking at me, eyes wide and nodding as if saying "You can do it! Say it! Say it!" He's trying to let go of my hand, but I won't let go. I try again, I...I...I...I PLAY BASS!"

That's it! That's all I got out. JPJ waits a min. Realizing Im not going to say anything else, and says "Cool!" I let his hand go and looked at my feet laughing. He chuckled and patted me on the shoulder saying, "It's alright mate. Nice to meet ya." And walked away...

I know exactly what you mean!

 

[Dave TB Killer]

I spent many hours in the basement listening to Zep 2 as a kid. It was a hand me down LP and record player. Probably one of my early infatuations with Bass began at this time.