John Paul Jones/Aichi,Japan 1999

Looking back, the late 1990s was a truly blessed time for Japanese ZEP fans. In 1996 (exactly 20 years ago!), Page Plant came to Japan and performed at the peak of their tour that began in 1995. Although they did not come to Japan in 1998, in 1999, John Paul Jones, who released his solo album “ZOOMA”, came to Japan to perform. It was a truly luxurious time when ZEP members came to Japan and performed live in just a few years. Even before the Japan performance, Jonesy, who had a more modest personality than Page and Plant and did not have many solo musical activities, released a solo album in 1999, which was a big surprise for fans. The impact of his coming to Japan with that momentum was huge, and it is truly worthy of saying that a rock legend visited Japan. However, even though he was a member of the same ZEP, Jonesy is not as well known to the general public as Page and Plant. While they used the Budokan, Johnsy only performed in small venues, once each in Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo. That’s why the venues were packed with really enthusiastic fans. It was an atmosphere filled with enthusiasm, with fans who love ZEP and Johnsy. For example, in the case of an artist like Eric Clapton, people listened to only the best albums and went to the concert hoping for hit songs, but were confused by the stage full of blues, and voices like “Clapton was cool even though he didn’t play ‘Tears In Heaven’!” flew around on SNS. These people are important for attracting people to arenas, but they are only so-called “general music fans”. However, Johnsy’s concerts are held in ideal circumstances, with enthusiastic fans like those mentioned above filling up small venues. On the other hand, it can be said that only ZEP enthusiasts rushed to the Johnsy Japan tour in 1999. Despite the fact that three performances were held in total, the only item produced at the time was the Osaka performance on December 8th. Since this is a performance by members other than the two front members of ZEP, it is easy to imagine that the release would have been avoided at the time. It was also easy to guess that the album “ZOOMA” was a completely instrumental album, and the live performance was also entirely instrumental, which would have made it seem difficult to listen to. In this situation, which could be said to have been overlooked, our shop obtained the recordings of the Nagoya performance on December 7th and the Tokyo performance on December 10th. Both are audience recordings that have never been available on the Internet, let alone among traders. This time, these performances will be released, and what surprised me when I listened to them was the greatness of the live content. “ZOOMA” is an album that Johnsy released on a Crimson label, and the members also participated in the recording. Naturally, the sound had a Nineties Crimson flavor, but the live sound, which was performed with different musicians from the recording, still had the sharp rock sound that was characteristic of the Nineties, with an alternative feel that has not faded yet! And the two performances being released this time are both superb and exceptional quality, without any flattery. First, the Nagoya performance. You will be overwhelmed by the power of the tremendous sound image from the opening. After all, instrumental concerts do not have to worry about the balance with vocals, so the sound output of the venue pushes out the entire performance. Jeff Beck’s live performance is a prime example. This is the sound quality that fits the term ultimate audience recording perfectly, and since this is the first day of the Japan tour, the sound quality is so realistic that it conveys the hot realism and atmosphere unique to the venue, as if you were watching every move of Johnsy with bated breath. And now that I want to reevaluate the magnificent rock sound by Johnsy and the band. It is a piece that will absolutely satisfy you. Live at Club Quattro, Nagoya, Japan 7th December 1999 TRULY PERFECT/ULTIMATE SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1(62:17) 1. Zooma 2. Goose 3. Grind 4. The Smile Of Your Shadow 5. Nosumi Blues 6. No Quarter 7. Spaghetti Junction 8. Steel Away incl. You Shook Me 9. Snake Eyes Disc 2(56:49) 1. Acoustic Guitar Solo 2. Crack Back 3. Bass ‘N’ Drums incl. Heartbreaker & Dazed And Confused 4. B. Fingers 5. Jump Blues 6. When The Levee Breaks 7. Tidal 8. Trampled Underfoot 9. Black Dog John Paul Jones – Bass, Mandolin Bass, Rap Steel, Acoustic Triple Neck Guitar, Keyboard Nick Beggs – Chapman Stick Terl Bryant – Drums