Joe Bonamassa Concert in Peoria, IL review

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aeroic

aeroic

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Well. I went to go see Joe Bonamassa in concert last night. I luckily got amazing seats. 3rd row in the orchestra pit, right at center stage. It was a religious experience I tell ya. And I'm not really a religious type of guy either. Joe's tone was amazing. I was surpised to see him using a Bogner Ecstacy w/ his Marshall Silver Jubilee and his Two Rock and Van Wheldon amps. His tone was just down right amazing. He played for a solid two hours, and played NUMEROUS guitars. His signature Les Pauls, a killer Les Paul with a Bigsby, a Gibson Firebird, a Steve Morse EBMM, a double neck EBMM with a baritone neck and a regular neck which he used for the Ballad of John Henry. It was amazing to see him so up close. He really is 100% enthralled into his music. I never got to see SRV play live, but I imagine it would be of similar experience. The band he tours with was rock solid too. Their bass player is probably one of the best bassists I've EVER seen in my life...as far as soul, groove, and emotion. A lot of bass players don't really grind as well with music like guitar players do ...that are blues players at least. This guy was just as emotional and soulful as Joe was. Their drummer was an amazing drummer too. It was just an unreal experience. I've seen TONS of bands, tons of concerts...and well this is probably my favorite concert ever. Not the best "show" as in lights, etc..the U2 / Muse concert I went to a few weeks ago is that "favorite concert" as far as theatrics and a "show"...but, Joe...holy shit...delivered the goods for 2 solid hours. He rarely talked...except for maybe 1.5 minutes about halfway through. He let his guitar speak for him. I have never had that emotional of an experience at a concert...EVER. I had goosebumps MANY times...and was completely enthralled by his playing and the rest of the band also. If anyone ever has a chance to see him, go!! My wife who isn't much of a "blues" fan...had a similar reaction to mine. She feels blues gets boring at times, with all the soloing...and such. But man...Joe's playing...is not boring at all. He's probably the most emotional player I've ever seen. And most versatile. He played rock, blues, delta blues, chicago blues, a spanish influenced sequeway...etc. I'm still in awe today with that show. That experience definitely will be remembered my whole life! I don't see anything EVER topping that.

Here is a video of his intro to Sloe Gin:



Here's a few "iPhone pics" I took. Nothing great...but you get the "picture."

http://picasaweb.google.com/aeroic/JoeBonamassaConcert#
 
I was lucky enough to see Joe in Normal, IL at a small theater on North Street (don't think it's open anymore, is it Eric?) about 4 years ago or so. He was incredible. The place was very cool. Couches and tables filled the theater, dim lighting with candles on the tables. A cool place to see a show, and Bonamassa just ripped it up. I was on the edge of my seat the entire show, just watching his hands move. Incredible. :rock:
 
Why did the playing and tone in that video remind me of Peter Frampton??
 
yngzaklynch":2civ1byi said:
Why did the playing and tone in that video remind me of Peter Frampton??
Click to expand...

it did for me too some. Especially on that song. A Eric Johnson / Peter Frampton vibe. But still his own vibe though.
 
yngzaklynch":33cjmgut said:
Why did the playing and tone in that video remind me of Peter Frampton??
Click to expand...

That's funny...I saw him open for Frampton a few years ago. It was really good. Joe also played an in-store the same day at the music store where I used to work. It was with his full band and he used my Silver Jubilee and wanted to buy it. I wouldn't sell it to him but I did end up selling him a 1987XL that he totally dug. He was very cool and played his ass off, too. :thumbsup:
 
Joe is a genious, best electric guitar player i have ever seen, and i have seen/ heared some. By the way can`t recommend his RAH DVD enough.
 
The upper right amp in his live rig is a Bogner XTC...
... no longer the Category 5 :confused:

Larry
 
novosibir":2wvv4z35 said:
The upper right amp in his live rig is a Bogner XTC...
... no longer the Category 5 :confused:

Larry
Click to expand...

Yeah I was surprised w/ the XTC. But damn...he must know what he's doing..he had amazing tone last night!!!! :)
 
He came to Baltimore last year and was the headliner. He ended up opening up for himself and only playing ( i kid you not) a half hr.. :gethim: . Then the band that was supposed to open headlined and i didnt care for them. Joe was great but i paid $30 for a ticket and felt like i got screwed.. What the heck. Thanks Joeeee... :aww:
 
yngzaklynch":3bkzlzrt said:
Why did the playing and tone in that video remind me of Peter Frampton??
Click to expand...

Big time!!
Frampton has a great sense of note choice and phrasing!

Joe is coming to St.Louis tomorrow. I should go....
 
no Carol Ann???


:confused:


I saw him on that Frampton tour in NYC a few years back as well...amazing show!!
 
snider":1swjc693 said:
I don't think he's using a Two Rock right now. Hard to tell in the pic but I think the top left amp is a Carol Ann.
Click to expand...
Top left is a Carol Ann JB-100, bottom left is Joe's new Van Weelden Twinkleland (red vinyl), what he first in summer got from Peter V.W.
Bottom right is his Marshall Jubileé and top right is an old Bogner XTC 100B, which Joe recently has buyed and is using it in its Plexi mode.

Larry
 
novosibir":2kd3y4k0 said:
snider":2kd3y4k0 said:
I don't think he's using a Two Rock right now. Hard to tell in the pic but I think the top left amp is a Carol Ann.
Click to expand...
Top left is a Carol Ann JB-100, bottom left is Joe's new Van Weelden Twinkleland (red vinyl), what he first in summer got from Peter V.W.
Bottom right is his Marshall Jubileé and top right is an old Bogner XTC 100B, which Joe recently has buyed and is using it in its Plexi mode.

Larry
Click to expand...

Ah. Wasn't sure what the top left was. Looked kinda like the Two Rock, but you're right it's the Carol Ann JB-100. Thanks a lot for the clarification. Still...he had amazing tone... :)

Eric
 
He's here in STL tonight. I wish I had the money to go. Not really my style of playing but for some reason I really dig his playing.
 
Saw Joe a year ago, I agree religious. My wife and I agreed (I've taken her to MANY guitar concerts) this was one of the best show ever, flat out, period.
 
I've heard Joe play through about 9 or 10 different amps, and I dont doubt that he can hear the difference, but to me he just always sounds like Joe. Amazing talent.
 
now that's what I call piano-like tone! Those single notes just jump off the fretboard :rock:
 
I took my boys to see JB in March. Agreed one of the best shows I have ever been to.
 
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