I've tried to remember the set list. I don't claim that it is totally correct, so if anyone who was there has corrections, send them along.
Here goes:
1. ZOOMA (played on 10 string)
2. Leafy Meadows from The Thunderthief (played on 10 string)
3. Smile of Your Shadow (I think he changed basses. He
may even have played the bass lap steel, for all I can remember)
4. That's the Way (sang with mandolin, tres joli!)
5. Freedom Song (new from The Thunderthief, sang with ukulele only)
6. Hoediddle from The Thunderthief (electric mandolin)
7. B. Fingers (10 strings or 12?)
8. Nosami Blues (bass lap steel and highlight of my evening)
9. Tidal (I can't remember which bass, maybe the 10 string again?)
Encore on the bass lap steel:
When the Levee Breaks/Black Dog (he IS Mr. Led Zeppelin)
Naturally everyone wants to know how he sings. Well, I'd say that he sings somewhat similarly to how he talks. It's a wee bit mumbled. Not so strong. But pleasant and on tune all the same. I admire it and think it's cute. It wasn't what we hear on 'When You Fall in Love' from Scream for Help, because it was live and maybe because the songs were a different style.
I must mention the JPJ Orchestra here. Nick Beggs, the kilt-sporting Chapman Stick player, is awesome! He makes hilarious faces, too. Terl Bryant, the drummer, was not quite as INSANE, but was a great, fun loving guy, enjoying in-jokes with both Jones and Beggs. These gents have alot of fun on stage.
Personal notes on a few highlights would start with 'Zooma.' The lights went down, and a strange squalling sound filled the room. The King Crimson fans were respectfully silent at this serious artistic sound, while the Jones fans went crazy with excitement, jumping and cheering. I was silent for bit, because all was going exactly as I had imagined, but then realized that it was my duty to show my enthusiasm so "hurrah hurrah." But boy I gotta tell ya, that was a long intro of squall. I stood silent again, until he finally came on stage carrying his ten string. He started furiously, flying over that bass. I looked to Andrew, who's mouth was gaping and eyes were glued. Erika looked at me from across the room with that "can you believe it's 'ZOOMA'" face. I just smiled and nodded. Next he went right into Leafy Meadows from Thunderthief. I thought it was interesting, but felt like my mind couldn't keep up with all of the movements. My thoughts were running a little behind at that time with all of the "I can't believe I'm here" stuff. I don't recall what the song sounded like, except that it would have fit in fine with his Zooma album. I was hoping that Thunderthief would be entirely different from Zooma (I love Zooma, but we only need one, and I know Jones has so much more to share with us). Anyway, the next two songs from Thunderthief proved that JPJ's next album will be an entirely new adventure.
After the first two songs, Jones stepped up to his mic and said his hellos and that the last two songs were 'Zooma' and 'Leafy Meadows' from Thunderthief. He messed with his ibook (is that what those mac lap tops are called?), which was sitting on the stage by his pedals. Then he announced that he was going to play 'Smile of Your Shadow.' I squealed this time, because this is one of my favorites, which I had not expected him to play. It was lovely, trancelike, long and enjoyable. After 'Smile of Your Shadow,' he got out the mandolin and the Jones fans went crazy, once again. I said to Ana, "At least the stage is too tall for crazy drunk ladies to get ahold of his foot!" (remembering the incident during ZoSo's "Going to California" where Andrew 'Peter Grant' tried to prevent that woman from grabbing the madnolin player's shoe). Jones sang 'That's the Way' with the words carefully placed on a music stand by the mic. Perhaps he didn't feel like memorizing Planty's lyrics.
'Freedom Song' was next. He played a ukulele, while the orchestra took a rest. He sang about taking a day off work and finding a babysitter inorder to have a day with the wife. It was adorable and there were a few lines that made me laugh. The theater was completely silent. King Crimson fans being respectful, and Jones fans wondering what the heck he was doing, but interested to hear him sing all the same. I couldn't help but yell something like, "How SWEET!" between verses. I think he may have been annoyed with me for doing so.
After 'Freedom Song' came 'Hoediddle,' or what might as well be called 'Hot Dog Revisited.' Fun Stuff. 'B. Fingers' was WOW. I was glad that he played it because Andrew is always reminding me that Jones named it 'B. Fingers' because he wrote it in his head while out for a walk and then realized that it required "Broken Fingers" when he tried to play it. 'Nosami Blues' was one of my favorites because I LOVE the bass lap steel! When he played 'Tidal,' I knew we were on the last song. All was just as I had pictured it: 'Zooma' through 'Tidal' with a few excellent surprises in between.
I don't remember at what point Jones paused to introduce the orchestra, maybe it was before 'Tidal,' maybe after. Anyway, at the same time he also introduced Hugh Manson and had the man come out on stage. I was surprised to see that he brought along his instrument master. I thought it was rather cool and remembered a picture that I had taken off the internet. I don't remember where it came from, but here it is. Hugh looks just the same in person, friendly as can be. Lovely man.
The Encore: I suppose that Ann spoke appropriately when she said, "I never knew that 'When the Levee Breaks' could be sexual!" Then BLACK DOG! Yes, JPJ is Mr. Led Zeppelin in Person. We all know that the steel guitar can sing, but let me tell you that John Paul Jones can not only make it sing as well as any Plant, but can also hold it up with the guitar and bass all on one instrument. He was WOW.
Psalm Drummers A group of Christian drummers led by Terl Bryant
Nick Beggs Website Slight Psychosis.
Discipline Global Mobile Robert Fripp, anyone? Zooma and The Thunderthief are on the DGM lable and can be ordered here.
John Paul Jones's Official Site