Hello & welcome!
If you have not already perused:
http://wiki.project1999.com/
The wiki will answer a great many questions you ask here as will the large # of knowledgeable players. There are Euro-time zone guilds & players so you should have no trouble finding players to group up or a guild to call EQhome.
Yes, necromancers & shamans are both very solo capable.
Hope you have a great experience, play whatever race/class combo that you really want & always have fun.