10 Best Instrumental Rock Music Albums Of All Time
9. Zooma - John Paul Jones
Led Zeppelin's bassist and keyboardist was, perhaps understandably, somewhat overshadowed by his bandmates during his time with the legendary rockers. Nevertheless, his fine playing, on four-strings and piano, provided the bedrock for the Led Zep sound, and added nuance and beauty to many of their finest compositions.
As evidenced by his solo career, John Paul Jones is an exceptionally talented musician, brimming with ideas. He can play just about any string instrument you can think of and is a fine writer. For proof, Zooma (released 1999 on Discipline) is a wonderful place to start.
Aided by Pete Thomas (drums), Paul Leary (guitar) and King Crimson alumni Trey Gunn (touch guitar), Jones contributes a variety of basses, lap steel, mandola, guitar, organ and string arrangements (conducted by himself) over ten cuts which range from monolithic, fuzzed-up rock (the title track) to moments of shimmering bluegrass-tinged wonder (The Smile Of Your Shadow).
The sheer power and weight of this album's immaculate engineering and production is sure to leave you impressed. Think Pink Floyd, The Doors and (of course) Led Zeppelin, thrown into a blender and shaken up well, and you might be coming close to this sound.