Set-List: Zooma, Leafy Meadows, The Smile Of Your Shadow, That’s The Way, Steel Away, When The Levee Breaks, B Fingers, Freedom Song, Hoediddle, Tidal. Encore: Black Dog.

The show was typically great JPJ – showing his mastery at his many instruments. I particularly liked the tracks from “Thunderthief” and sensed the project will serve as an honest “sophomore” release to “Zooma”. The “Freedom Song” was an interesting deviation, and JPJ’s vocals seemed to fit the song’s mood and theme very well. His take on “That’s the Way” was also a refreshing change, if you could accept the man’s limited vocal range. Nick Beggs was great (again), and had the crowd in awe of his prowess on the stick. Terl Bryant provided strong rhythm and supported JPJ’s bass grooves very efficiently.
Called back for an encore, we were given a tease of IMTOD before the familar “Black Dog” riffs came out on the lap steel. All in all, a great set, but it left me hungry for more. However, I think JPJ & his orchestra were comfortable this time ’round as an opening act, and hopefully they’ll be back as a solo act to promote “Thunderthief”. The band was warmly received by the audience, which appeared to be at full capacity for his set.
My buddy and I left Massey Hall with our stubs and a hand stamp and stepped into the mild December evening air. Sure enough…. after JPJ had some dinner, he came out of his bus relaxed and eager to talk to the few of us who were patient and waited. While his show was great, if not spectacular, I found the 30 minutes I spent hanging around JPJ worth more than the price of my ticket. He was very inquisitive about each piece he signed, but still signed them all, including a few boots and on some girl’s back next to his symbol (which was tatooed along with all the other Zep symbols). When he saw one CD cover with his picture and asked what it was, and was told it was a bootleg, he said it would be nice to sign a legitimate release which had his picture! He was also intrigued by a book on mandolins which was presented to him by a local fan who had seen LZ in Montreal in ’75.
Throughout the whole time, JPJ was a perfect gentleman, and didn’t appear to be in any hurry until everyone had their autograph. Having met him twice now, I can say I admire him as much off the stage as I do on the stage.
John Caulfeild

After the show, Jones came out to greet a crowd of about 30 fans and he was in a great mood. He was very pleasant and took the time to chat with everyone. I had a few goodies for him. I gave him the CDR of the show from Toronto in 2000 as he said it was a great way to end his tour. I also gave him a couple of Canadian shows of Diana Krall and Natalie MacMaster as I thought he would like to hear some Canadian musicians. Things got a little humourous when I handed him a CDR of his Buffalo show from the night before and his comment was “What took you so long?” Everyone got a good laugh out of that! Then he commented on how they looked really nice. I ended up getting the cover to my Toronto 2000 show signed by him.
Overall, it was a great time to be had. I am looking forward to seeing him tour once the album is out!
Grant Burgess &ltgrantburgess2001@yahoo.ca>
Just seen Jonesey’s show at Massey Hall. He was amazing! He performed a number of Zep songs including That’s Thw Way, When The Levee Breaks and Black Dog (for which he managed to add a piece from In My Time Of Dying as the intro). There was also an impromptu Heartbreaker jam. Some amazing performance by Jonesey on the Electric Mandolin on Hoediddle. The sound was unbelievable. I’m looking forward to hearing his new album and seeing him again on his headlining tour.
Rob Kowalk