Jason-Bonham-2025-Photo-credit-Frank-Melfi-www.ghostcultmag.com-.jpg
“And…..if you…..feel…..” that you can’t get enough of the bliss and light that the legacy of Led Zeppelin brings to all of our hearts, minds and souls, then look no further. Jason Bonham and his JBLZE have been on a mission to bring that experience to various cities. Tonight they symbolically charted their zeppelin blimps over the Wind Creek Casino to celebrate 50 years of Physical Graffiti (Atlantic Records, 1975). And in doing so, sparking memories for those remembered where they were when it came out, or for those turned on to it by older boomer siblings later on, all the newbies would be veterans after tonight!
I for one will never forget hearing it on Q104.3 and hearing “The Rover” pressing record on my stereo console. Spotlights lovingly intersect against the gorgeous backdrop of the famous Physical Graffiti album cover of NYC’s tenement building in the East Village. This time we view it from a two point perspective composition complete with five blimps shining spotlights on the iconic building, created by JBLZE genius singer/artist James Dylan. Panning down the iconic Ludwig amber colored drums illuminated in front of the backdrop, John Bonham’s image in the bass drum head is powerful loving remembrance of his eternal prowess. After all the concert hall radio songs ended it was lights out and we were all in for it.
That thunderous opening track collectively brought euphoria and happiness that all the Zeppelin songs initiated. Jason is a genius drummer and it brought me back to when I first saw him play with the three surviving members for Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary Concert honor on TV in 1988. Tonight, Jason Bonham would lovingly talk to the audience in between songs, his spirit was so golden and positive relating the Bethlehem area and factories where he grew up in the UK. His sense of humor was so awesome through and through, and grounding how Zeppelin songs were created. It was also a beautiful honor to Father, Mother and family. His father’s symbol adorned his shirt. His graciousness echoed from many, from the audience to the staff at Wind Creek Casino. James’s voice is magical, summoning the badassness of Robert Plant. Beautiful reciprocation to go with a great show.
This show felt like Earl’s Court ‘75 in 2025. Jimmy “Mr Jimmy” Sakurai is a walking Jimmy Page lexicon, almost jumping out of any and every movement of coolness we’ve seen of Page. If you love Page, you have to see this genius devotee. Even while playing the acoustic sets its uncanny, his seated shimmy shoe movements are just like him. He even has Page’s signature audience arm wave movement usually performed during “In My Time Of Dying” we’ve all seen before. Dorian Heartsong’s bass playing was in the pocket and dedicated to the intelligentsia of John Paul Jones. Keyboardist Alex Howland brought that light and shade legacy with the beautiful and haunting “In The Light” all the way to “Trampled Underfoot” showcasing John Paul Jones’s prowess balanced with calm and reserved execution. Alex Howland also has a beautiful voice that complimented James’s perfect vocal textures, and was out of this world. Physical Graffiti is a musical juggernaut of an album.
Again,“And…..if you…..feel…..like you can’t” get enough of Zeppelin, celebrate with JBLZE in your city.
JBLE Set list (via setlist.fm):
Custard Pie (Led Zeppelin cover)
The Rover (Led Zeppelin cover)
The Wanton Song (Led Zeppelin cover)
In My Time of Dying (Led Zeppelin cover)
Houses of the Holy (Led Zeppelin cover)
In the Light (Led Zeppelin cover)
Sick Again (Led Zeppelin cover)
Bron-Yr-Aur (Led Zeppelin cover)
Boogie With Stu (Led Zeppelin cover)
Black Country Woman (Led Zeppelin cover)
Down By the Seaside (Led Zeppelin cover)
Night Flight (Led Zeppelin cover)
Ten Years Gone (Led Zeppelin cover)
Trampled Under Foot (Led Zeppelin cover)
Kashmir (Led Zeppelin cover)
Encore:
Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin cover)
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin cover)
Follow JBLE here:
https://www.jasonbonham.net/
Buy Led Zeppelin music and merch here:
https://amzn.to/488IVfo
WORDS BY N.E. SIXTEEN
Follow his work here: