2012 and now Jones appears again with an equally unexpected project. Supersilent. The Norwegian avant-garde/improvisational music group formed in Bergen in 1997 have been touring Europe with John Paul Jones.
Supersilent use electronic instrumentation such as synthesizers, theremin, loop pedals, and tape loops, are a completely improvising group, beyond any free jazz structures they veer more towards John Cage landscapes of music. For anyone expecting a break out group of Zeppelin or the Vultures it's a shock and judging by some concerts in Europe it's been just that for some of the audience and they've been going home early. As one commenter said "check the group on YouTube and it would show you what to expect".
In these times of over contrived popular music the chance of Supersilent playing to an open minded audience would be slim but they don't care about that, and Jones certainly wouldn't being doing this to have universal acceptance from an audience. He is his own man and a creative musician who is not just prepared to be a relic of the past dragged up to play yet another Zeppelin hit of 40 years ago like some one trick pony.
Supersilent are touring the UK in November. One shudders at the expectation his name brings in his own country, disappointment will surely follow for some.
In the meantime just to prove how eclectic the man is he'll be playing a one off gig at the Albert Hall on 16th September with Bruce Dickinson, Ian Paice and Brian May amongst others. No doubt that will be more acceptable for the majority.
So here's Supersilent with really a soundtrack to the Würzburger Hafensommer 2012 festival put together by the YouTube uploader. Don't expect to hear this again. Remember they'll show up and just play what they feel like on the night executed with no preparation or rehearsals. That is the way of the improvisers.
