The song features a number of musicians who you may have since heard of, including Nicky Hopkins on keys, Ronnie Wood on bass, Jimmy Page on guitar, and someone credited as ‘You Know Who’ on drums. Inspired by Ravel’s iconic Bolero, Jeff Beck released this fiery blues-rock instrumental in 1966. But Jones’ ability to arrange an odd part for an odd song definitely struck a few chords with fellow session musicians, and opened up a string of contacts for the aspiring multi-instrumentalist. It’s unlikely that a young John Baldwin (his original name), who’d been recruited to chart out the song’s distended-sounding brass part, would’ve had any idea that Donovan was singing about spices, vibrators and smoking banana skins. In the lyrics, he expresses his madness towards saffron, and the spice’s perceived mutual resentment towards the singer. Scottish psych-folk pioneer Donovan released ‘Mellow Yellow’ in 1966, a song inspired by a ‘friend’ named Alice Dee. Donovan – ‘Mellow Yellow’ (Brass Arrangement) His growling 1962 Fender Jazz Bass comes to the fore on this tune, on what is arguably one of the trickiest Zeppelin bass lines to nail.ħ. He uses a similar ‘fast octave’ plectrum technique heard on songs such as ‘Immigrant Song’, and locks in superbly with Jimmy Page’s virtually identical guitar part and Bonzo’s bruising drum groove. If you ever want a true indication of Jonesy’s technical adeptness on the bass, look no further than this doozy off 1975’s Physical Graffiti.
#Drum and bass red zeplin cover art update
Never miss an update – sign up to our newsletter for all the latest news, reviews, features and giveaways. His contributions to not only Led Zeppelin, but an array of other prominent tracks and acts, show that JPJ was really the most valuable member of his band. His limitless ability as a multi-instrumentalist entail a mastery of the bass, keyboards, as well as orchestrating and arranging.
John Paul Jones is undeniably one of the finest musical masterminds of his generation, with a career spanning nearly 60 years, and an eclectic and unparalleled contribution to a variety of genres.
Words by David Tomisich The secret weapon of the world's greatest rock band.