Author Topic: John Paul Jones (Read 1849 times)

Wade Handy (oujeebass) · « **on:** March 13, 2003, 06:22:50 PM »

Heres is a good pic of John Paul Jones on his Alembic Series II

David Burgess (dnburgess) · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2003, 04:17:08 PM »

That's great. I have only ever seen LZ live in The Song Remains the Same (in which he plays a Fender Jazz bass?)

I auditioned for a Led Zep tribute band recently with my Series I and was told I'd have to switch to a Fender in the name of authenticity if I got the gig. At that point I had no idea that JPJ used an Alembic.

A bit like the debate in classical circles about whether baroque music, say, ought to be played on period instruments.

Wade Handy (oujeebass) · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2003, 05:18:56 PM »

He was quite the Alembic player. He used them from 75-80. It was to be expected because he is the type of player to appreciate the potential of an Alembic. I once saw a Led Zeppelin tribute band and they didn't play anything other than the typical songs off the first 4 albums. I was disappointed because they played some of their best stuff on the the later albums.

Rami Sourour (rami) · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2003, 06:20:00 PM »

What a great picture! JPJ was really one of my earliest and greatest influences. I think the best all around musician in Rock and Roll of his era!

(And he played Alembics too!)

mikedm · « **Reply #4 on:** April 30, 2003, 09:46:46 AM »

My brother an I had the good fortune of seeing LZ during the summer of '80, a few short weeks before JB's untimely passing. The sound from his bass shook the floor - Mannheim Ice Stadium. The thunder that errupted during Achilles' Last Stand was teeth rattling. That was when I knew I wanted to play bass. Rami, JPJ certainly was the rock Zeppelin was founded on.

peace,
Mike

keebler · « **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2003, 02:57:59 PM »

Sweet pic, Wade! JPJ was one of the main reasons I wanted to play bass. (He's also the one who inspired me to get an Alembic!) His lines have huge melodic interest but never give up the main role of the bass--GROOVE! Such a fantastic all-around musician!

bigredbass · « **Reply #6 on:** May 02, 2003, 09:44:37 PM »

It's certainly interesting how things go in circles. In an interview in GUITAR WORLD when he released his solo album a few years ago, JPJ remarked that those who followed after Zeppelin never quite made this connection: He and John Bonham were deeply influenced by the Motown rhythm sections. He guessed that's why later heavy bands sounded so stiff, that they lacked that connection to soul music that was a deep thread through Zeppelin's work.

One more reason, kids, to go back and study Jamerson, Carol Kaye, Bob Babbitt. Any questions?

J o e y

mikedm · « **Reply #7 on:** May 03, 2003, 09:15:12 AM »

JPJ made the same remark in a Bass Player interview. I must confess that I didin't realize what his influences were until after the 80's. It's easy to see when you compare his tracks to the thump, thump, thump, the spandex and hair bands had to offer.
One of my favorite JPJ-JB grooves is The Crunge (Houses of the Holy). Full of surprises, they were!

Joey, thanks for the kick in the pants, its easy to forget.

Mike

bigredbass · « **Reply #8 on:** May 04, 2003, 12:02:31 PM »

EXACTLY!

Imagine how you could come up with The Crunge without wearing out LOTS of James Brown records. Add the JB Horns and James could easily have walked right into that track.

J o e y

mikedm · « **Reply #9 on:** May 04, 2003, 03:47:04 PM »

It's funny you mention that, didn't Bootsy Collins get his break with James Brown? Waxing nostalgic here, but we try to catch reruns of the Ed Sullivan show, especially when JB was performing. My girls, 7 and 3 yrs old will get up and boogie across the room. LOL, its a hoot, but that great backline is laying down something that moves you. Great stuff.

Mike

flavofive · « **Reply #10 on:** May 04, 2003, 11:24:30 PM »

Yep, Bootsy played with James Brown in '70-'71 before leaving and moving on to P-Funk. It was a short period, but he cut several big songs like Sex Machine and Super Bad.

Check out the bassline in Give It Up or Turnit A Loose - one of the funkiest ever and definitely one of my favorites.

bigredbass · « **Reply #11 on:** May 05, 2003, 11:54:50 PM »

And, The Hardest Working Man in Show Business celebrated his SEVENTIETH birthday this past Saturday.

God Bless James Brown.

J o e y

oujeebass · « **Reply #12 on:** May 12, 2003, 11:21:28 AM »

If you get a chance, pick up as many late 70's bootlegs of Zeppelin you can ,thats where you will hear him playing an Alembic. As far as the motown influence, you can really hear it on the interplay during live performances of Over The Hills And Far Away or any extended jam that they would do with JPJ on bass.

mikedm · « **Reply #13 on:** May 12, 2003, 01:28:47 PM »

I know Physical Graffitti took a beating by the critics, but there are some great bass lines pulling eveything together. Hmmm, I wonder if that's why dad's woofers went south?

Mike

zappahead · « **Reply #14 on:** May 12, 2003, 04:19:05 PM »

Heres a link to a Zep DVD thats coming out. Some of the footage is mid seventies I believe. It would be interesting to see the JPJ model in action.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008PX8P/ref=ase_ledzeppeelectmag/103-6110178-5173426

Author Topic: John Paul Jones (Read 1849 times)

Wade Handy (oujeebass)

David Burgess (dnburgess)

Wade Handy (oujeebass)

Rami Sourour (rami)