When people within the enterprise heard Jimmy Web page had introduced in John Paul Jones to play with him in Led Zeppelin, most realized the band had a rock-solid basis. Like Web page, Jones had made a reputation for himself taking part in studio periods with high London-based artists within the ’60s.
Of their pre-Zeppelin days, Jones and Web page would possibly stumble upon one another on the way in which to a Rolling Stones session and even play collectively on a observe (as they did for Donovan’s “Hurdy Gurdy Man”). So each knew what they have been stepping into when Web page put collectively the Zep.
For Web page, it meant including (in Jones) a first-rate bassist who performed keyboards and will additionally rating and conduct orchestral components. At any time when Zep wanted a cool keyboard lick (see: “Trampled Underneath Foot”) or string components recorded on a Mellotron (see: “The Rain Tune”), Jones might ship.
However Jones didn’t cease there. On Led Zeppelin III (1970), you may hear him taking part in a mandolin. And when the group recorded Led Zeppelin IV (1971), Jones carried out on 5 completely different devices to push the masterpiece “Stairway to Heaven” excessive.
John Paul Jones began along with his customary bass and keyboard components
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Web page employed Jones initially as a bassist, and that paid off instantly on “Good Instances Dangerous Instances,” the opening observe to Zep’s debut album. However earlier than getting via Led Zeppelin, listeners would hear Jones on electrical piano or organ for a complete of 5 tracks.
That custom that continued on the band’s fourth album. And although Ian Stewart took over boogie-woogie piano duties on “Rock and Roll,” Jones was on keys for the band’s iconic “Stairway to Heaven.” You hear him first on his electrical piano on the finish of the second verse (2:15).
Jones’ bass additionally enters the combo at that time, and also you hear him on each devices for the rest of the track. (If you happen to’ve ever seen a stay efficiency of “Stairway,” you most likely seen web page behind an array of keyboards, and that is why.)
However whereas Jones does wonderful “Stairway” work on devices Zep followers would have anticipated him to play, the observe kicks off with Jones featured on three devices that weren’t attribute within the slightest.
Jones additionally performed three recorders on ‘Stairway to Heaven’
If you happen to picked up Led Zeppelin IV in ’71, you wouldn’t have recognized what anyone did on the document. There aren’t any credit itemizing devices and performers (exterior of Sandy Denny). And, the place you’d discover the musicians’ names, consumers discovered symbols of their place.
So you possibly can’t blame anybody for not understanding Jones performed three completely different flutes on “Stairway to Heaven.” In Led Zeppelin: All of the Songs (2018), the authors break down the observe’s instrumentation, crediting Jones with bass, tenor, and soprano recorders.
So whenever you hear Web page open the observe along with his well-known guitar riff, the primary man to affix him is Jones on bass recorder. Shortly after, he enters the combo harmonizing with himself on soprano and tenor recorders. (Jones reportedly pushed for the recorders.)
In stay exhibits, Jones lined his bass and flute components utilizing a Mellotron. That implies that, altogether, Jones performed six devices to get “Stairway” down on document and at concert events. Calling him “a secret weapon” looks like an understatement.
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