Written for 1973’s Houses of the Holy, “No Quarter” was a majestic bit of mood music anchored by Jones’s spooky keyboard hook. With long, low pedal tones in the verses, the bass figure steps up in the buildup to the tune’s heavy pentatonic riff in bars 6–7. (Note: It changes slightly on each chorus go-around—this excerpt starts at the track’s 2:15 mark.)
To best cop Jonesy’s slurry bass tone, try playing the tune on fretless. The semitone slides will have your ears working overtime, but the short snippet makes a fun and productive intonation exercise.
As “No Quarter” took on a life of its own in live performance, it became a showcase for Jones to express himself with extended keyboard solos. For a dazzling example, look on YouTube for the band’s 15-minute performance of the song at Knebworth in 1979. And be sure to check out JPJ’s fancy footwork. It’ll make you wish you had two left feet.
CAN BE HEARD ON
Led Zeppelin, Houses of the Holy
[Atlantic, 1973]
Led Zeppelin, The Song Remains the Same
[Atlantic, 1976]
HE GAVE NO QUARTER
“I had bass pedals littered all over the stage,” John Paul Jones told BASS PLAYER of his Led Zeppelin heyday. “I’d be there with a triple-neck guitar, bass pedals, and keyboards, and Robert Plant would ask, ‘Can you sing, as well?’”