Beacon Theatre, New York, NY
The show started exactly at 8pm and JPJ was wearing the now standard purple shirt and black pants. The setlist seemed to be exactly the same as the previous shows so I wont really get into that. A few random thoughts: the new song “Leafy Meadows” which is the second number after “Zooma” was really hot!! JPJ actually did a good job singing “That’s The Way” and a new song called “Freedom Song”. Freedom Song was very enthusiastically received considering it was unknown.
JPJ got a standing ovation for WTLB which seemed to wake the crowd. B Fingers seemed a little hurried and not as tight as usual. Also, the show suffered from several instances of equipment problems with the digital effects or looping causing JPJ to stop and then start again.Tidal in my opinion was the tightest song of the night and sounded great. The show ended with the usual encore of Black Dog and the crowd joined in on the “Ah.. Ahs..” much to the delight and relief of JPJ.
Overall it was a good show but I enjoyed his shows in ’99 and ’00 more than this one. I definately missed not hearing Nobodys Fault and Trampled.. this time around. Also, the new material seems very promising and I am looking forward to the album.
After the show, JPJ came out the side exit(where there was only a group of about ten waiting) and signed pictures, stubs,and whatever people had and was very polite and even posed for pictures. We thanked him and told him to come back after the release of the new album. Thankfully everyone was respectful and there were no stupid questions and JPJ seemed touched by our interest in his musical endeavors. It’s a great ending to the night when you get to meet a living legend!(also thanks to Richie for having the camera-I owe you!!!)
Paul Lukasik, NYC
ROCK !! – And that they did
The John Paul Jones Orchestra came to Rock Quietly taking the stage to a near capacity crowd at The Beacon Theater After rousing applause JPJO launched into Zooma and blew the doors off the Place!! The only empty seats were that of the few unlucky ones not there yet New York Loves JPJ and Zep.
I wasn’t the only one there just to see JPJ – Several people left after his set.
JPJO were in really good form and despite some tech difficulties with the onstage computer they really were on fire tonight. The new songs were very well received. The crowd really enjoyed the lyrics to Freedom Song. When they played the opening chords of Thats The Way the entire audience sighed in elation. John Paul really sings very well. I don’t understand some of the things I’ve read in other reviews. No, he is not a belter or a screamer but his range and overall feel are just fine. Nobody laughed at him or gasped or anything liked that. The song he plays on electric mandolin was absolutely spectacular Hodiddle Awash in digital delay (echo) heavy reverb and stinging distortion John Paul got a sound that was like a cross between Jeff Beck’s Telecaster and Irish Bagpipes The intro was marred by some computer feedback/buzz which caused him to stop the unaccompanied intro and launch into the song–my fav of the night.
Levee was another crowd pleaser – as was everything they played tonight Black Dog with the In My time of Dying intro teaser was the encore and the crowd just loved it. The set list was pretty much the same as it has been so I am not listing it here or commenting on every song. Needless to say it felt like a double headliner more than anything else. Thanks JPJO for such a Great show !!!
The Rover
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