Zooma

John Paul Jones | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 14, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 14, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Discipline Us
• ASIN: B00001IVKR
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,506 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Zooma

2. Grind

3. The Smile Of Your Shadow

4. Goose

5. Bass 'N' Drums

6. B. Fingers

7. Snake Eyes

8. Nosumi Blues

9. Tidal

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

While Jimmy Page and Robert Plant carried on the Zep torch with hit-and-miss projects such as the Firm, the Honeydrippers, Coverdale/Page, and Page/Plant, John Paul Jones got his hands artistically dirty, producing the Butthole Surfers' Independent Worm Saloon, working on film soundtracks, and collaborating with radical punk diva Diamanda Galas. Not surprisingly, several of the tracks on Jones's gutsy first solo album, Zooma, breathe post-punk fire: the pile-driving title track, wrapped in a gurgling sound collage, pummels a JPJ bass riff with a "sick guitar solo" by the Surfers' Paul Leary. Jones reclaims Zeppelin as his own even as he transcends it."Snake Eyes," an eerie blues epic arranged with orchestral strings around Jones's superb organ playing, suggests "When the Levee Breaks" filtered through Igor Stravinsky or Bernard Herrmann; and you can't miss the echoes of "Trampled Under Foot" in the bass figures of "B. Fingers." The instrumental Zooma reinforces Jones's integral role in Zeppelin, his influential and still vital bass playing, and his...well, balls. --James Rotondi

Product Description

Japanese reissue of the Led Zeppelin bassist's 1999 solo album packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. 2004. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riffmaster 2000, June 3, 2001

By 

Mark Wieczorek (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Zooma (Audio CD)

The quiet, "musician's musician" John Paul Jones, the man behind the thundering bass of Led Zeppelin, returns with his first solo project.

....P>This album took me a long time to appreciate. .... When you first hear it it's... abrasive, heavy, unforgiving... Only without the narrative voice of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.

The album is essentially two instruments, the "multi stringed bass" which is a bass whose strings are doubled, and Drums. The effect is very much like Presence era Zeppelin, the Chuga Chuga in Achilles Last Stand has nothing to do with guitars, it's Johnesy all the way on an 8 string bass.

....Well, unshackled from the trebly noise making of his fellow bandmates, we have here the 8 string bass in all of it's glory. The Chapman Stick, Guitar, and Kyma (don't ask) all make appearances here, making noise more than anything else really.

The drumming is rock solid, and performed by Pete Thomas from Elvis Costello, who also performed drum duties on The Sporting Life and on tour with Jonesy. Very hard hitting, solid drumming. Just what you would expect Jonesy to look for in a drummer.

While many of the tracks are hard hitting riffs, a few are more subtle, the 3rd track features the softer side of the 8 string bass, and a later track (snake eyes, i think) showcases Jonesy's arranging skills and Lap steel skills. A lap steel solo fades into an orchestral piece. Very well done. Mandola also makes an appearance. In an online interview I saw Jonesy do a breath-taking acoustic Mandola version of "Going to California." "Bass and Drum" a track featuring the good ole Fender Jazz Bass and drums find Jonesy "Getting his Groove On."

.... Does it sound like Zeppelin? Well, in some ways, of course it does. When in interviews critics say "But don't you think it sounds a little Zeppelin influenced" Jonesy retorts "Don't you think Zeppelin was a little John Paul Jones influenced?" Ain't it the truth.

....

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTE POWER!, March 17, 2000

By 

Diman (Piraeus,Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zooma (Audio CD)

Actually, it deserves 4.5 stars - this record is very close to a masterpiece. When I bought this LP I didn't expect this kind of music, to be honest. I thought it had to be soft music, kinda Jon Lord's "Pictured Within". And I was so surprised after hearing "Zooma" for the first time! It's so POWERFUL and HEAVY! This album is obviously better than anything Plant or Page have done in past 10 years. OK, Robert Plant's "Manic Nirvana" and Jimmy Page's "Coverdale/Page" album were cool enough too. But "Zooma" is something completely different! Let's hope Mr. Jones will continue his solo career as it seems to be successful. I heard him saying that he already has some ideas about his second album. Personally I'd like to hear more keyboards and stuff like "Snake Eyes". But I'm sure that anything Mr. Jones will produce will sound great because he knows what he is doing! And for those who still hesitate... well, don't! Go and buy this album now! You won't be disappointed!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Redefining present day music with a touch of the past, September 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Zooma (Audio CD)

Depending on whether or not you are a fan of Led Zeppelin, this album will mean two different things to you. If you are familiar with Zeppelin's music, "Zooma" is a stirring reminder of his influence upon that music and how empty it would have sounded without him. If you aren't a fan, this CD might make you order the entire back catalogue.

John Paul Jones has done something incredible with his first solo attempt. He has written something unique, fresh, and ground breaking without cashing in on his past, but still managing to retain a flavor of all his musical experiences.

On "Zooma" you will not hear Zeppelin, although the percussion (written by Jones) reminds you of John Bonham pounding away, but Jones' influence on that band. The incredible effort and care taken in making this album is what you would hope for from his fellow band mates with thier individual solo attempts.

Jones has reflected and grown over the past twenty years. He has taken his experience during that time and written something that is shocking, moving, heart pounding, and emotional all in the same beat. It is a stirring reminder of what a true muscian who never sold out is still capable of doing all by his lonesome with the right tools. Listen to this body of work once as a CD, and then listen to it for the all of the things Jones does underneath the main sounds. It's all of the subtleness that truly defines this album, and what Jones does best (see any Led Zeppelin song).

"Zooma" is a must buy for any Led Zeppelin fan, Classic Rock fan, people who appreciate a solid rhythm section, or, well, anyone who loves music that touches the heart and the mind at the same time.

-Christopher Curry