John Paul Jones Thunderthief CD - Import

Personnel includes: John Paul Jones (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, mandolin, mandola, ukulele, autoharp, koto, piano, organ, synthesizer); Robert Fripp, Adam Bomb (guitar); Nick Beggs (Chapman stick); Terl Bryant (drums, percussion).
Recorded at the Malthouse, London, England.
Personnel: John Paul Jones (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, autoharp, koto, mandola, mandolin, ukulele, piano, organ, synthesizer, bass guitar, 6-string bass, 12-string bass); Adam Bomb, Robert Fripp (guitar); Nick Beggs (Chapman stick); Terl Bryant (drums, percussion).
Audio Mixer: John Paul Jones .
Recording information: Malthouse, London, England.
Unknown Contributor Role: Terl Bryant.
Arranger: John Paul Jones .
As in his previous solo album, The Thunderthief makes it very clear exactly what John Paul Jones brought to Led Zeppelin: driving bass, epic compositions, and impeccable musicianship. It's also very clear what he wasn't doing for Zeppelin: writing the lyrics. The tracks with words on the album are awkward and occasionally laughable, particularly the title track, which sounds suspiciously like a jab at Robert Plant, and "Angry Angry," a presumably mock punk song. Both detract from what is otherwise a very impressive album. Jones plays nearly every instrument on the record and mixes sounds from seemingly every continent and era he could think of. The Thunderthief's best moments are its surprises, like "Down to the River to Pray," a beautiful rendition of the bluegrass standard, and "Hoediddle," which starts off a classic rock jam and works its way into an Irish jig. On "Freedom Song," Jones mixes Eastern sounds in with Western philosophy and somehow makes its work. At the very least, The Thunderthief is evidence that Jones continues to experiment and brave new territory -- encouraging news from a man who could just rest on the greatest of laurels. ~ Brad Kohlenstein
This solo offering from former Zep man John Paul Jones comes to you courtesy of Robert Fripp's DGM label, and it's not difficult to see why the King Crimson guitarist feels a sense of simpatico with Jones. Much of the material here echoes not only the more artful sounds Jones explored with latter-day Led Zeppelin, but moreover the visceral blend of art-rock and heavy riffs that King Crimson began perfecting in the mid-'70s. In fact, Fripp makes a blistering guest appearance on the appropriately thundering lead-off cut "Leafy Meadows." Jones plays the lion's share of the instruments here, but he chooses his partners well; art-rock cult hero Peter Blegvad contributes lyrics and cover art. The piano ballad "Ice Fishing at Night" provides something of a respite, suggesting the quieter moments of Jack Bruce's early solo work, but the bulk of THE THUNDERTHIEF is given over to powerful guitar and keyboard motifs and of course masterfully throbbing bass lines.The Wire (2/02, p.63) - "...A varied collection of styles ranging from folk rock to Metal tinged dance beats and even petulant punk rock..."
Mojo (Publisher) (3/02, p.108) - "...Noisy and fun - heavy metal with brains..."