San Francisco tonight- 9/20

Just read ShreidIt's review, and I'm salivating for this show.

Tonight's my first Joe Show. I've pumped hard for him, and I hope we can get the place more filled. I'll be in the second row, center, with my Street Team shirt on.

Can it really only be 3-4 months since I first heard this guy?

Yes, Im going to go out on a limb. I say Joe turns it up a notch ( if thats possible ) By the way, you got to see Joes crib, that bus looks baaadd!

Jdawg ( john) and i will be in the at the show by 6:30, if anyone is interested. Heres my cell, call or text if you like 916-261-8679 ( do it after 5, I need some sleep ...lol ) Our seat are b-1 and b-3, for your info.

Hope someone has a good camera, cuz I dont. Maybe a group picture with the band?

Cant wait to see the look on the "bonavirgins" faces. I almost want to ask them " are you ok, do you need some medical attention, or a taxi cab?" I mean that glazed look is not normal!...lol

Nighty night...Shred ( Dave )

Go Scott B Go!!!!!  Have the time of your life!!!!  You will be blown away..........by how Joe is.             pattyluvsjoe

"I'm not nice to any guitar!"     
                 Joe Bonamassa 05-03-12

JBLP CHILD #184

Yeah, what they said.

Ditto!

The night started out odd, with the only food around being slices of salmon on stale bread or small ham sandwiches with slightly fresher bread. I was worried about the crowd at first when I was outside because I kept walking past elderly men in walkers or confused elderly women, only to find out that they were actually trying to find the Exploratarium (which shares the same complex) for a U of M Alumni night. I imagine those people got an earful when Joe came on bleeding through the walls while they looked at science exhibits. for a minute there I was going, "Jesus, Joe skews older demographically than I thought", and hoped that none of these people felt the urge to flash the stage.

It got better when I got into the actual stage area. As soon as you walked in, you could tell the acoustics were very good. You could hear a penny hit the floor on the other side of the room.

I sat in my seat next to an older gentleman and his wife, who both looked at me like I was trouble (smart people), so I struck up a conversation. I found out that this man followed Joe from Las Vegas, where he sees him often in small venues. This guy stated that he "used to perform like Joe does, back in the day", but he wasn't giving out any personal information, so I didn't dig into it. I said, "so, I guess that's a ringing endorsement if you keep coming back to see him" and he smiled and nodded. He then started talking about the tightness of the new group, as opposed to when Joe had "that other bassist". I kept saying, "yeah, Eric Czar", but he just kept calling him "that other bassist". So, I guess he had his issues. He went into them with me, but I don't feel the need to get all catty about it. Suffice to say that it was a good omen to have someone who reeked of Studio Musician sitting next to me, so obsessed with Bonamassa. If you guys know who this fixture at the concerts is, have a smile that I got to sit next to him as he laughed with joy at all of the tricks hot licks that Joe did on the guitar.

Crosby was surprisingly good to hear. I talked with him after the show (I also really wanted to talk to his violinist, Paul, but didn't see him) and told him how good he sounded, considering that it was two guys, one with an acoustic, one with a violin. I found out that it was a stripped-down version of their show. Normally there is a full band. So, it shows some chops to be able to perform with a minimalist orchestration and still make it sound full. Crosby was very nice to speak with, and took his time to listen to what I had to say. He let me know his respect for both Joe and his manager, that Joe had bet the farm on his own record label for his own artistic integrity. I said I was glad I came to Joe so late, then, because I didn't grease EMI coffers when I bought the entire collection a few months back. Instead all my money went right into the artist's collection plate. How can I NOT like a fiercely independent wunderkind who also gives his time to music classes in high schools? I bought Crosby's CDs and went on my way. BTW, if you've only heard Cros on tour this time around, try out the CD. It is a very different sound than what the tour gives you, except for the very sweet and clean vocal harmonies. Worth a listen indeed.

I met the group (ShredIt, JDawg, Derek, Randy) and even Joe's Manager (who I was informed is the son of Frank Sinatra's Manager). It happened just in time, because all I was getting was weird looks for wearing a Street Team shirt (guess it's like wearing new sneakers to school, everyone know you're a newbie). All of a sudden I hear, "Yo! Street Team!" and JDawg introduces himself, then escorts me to see Joe's Manager. He is very nice, sharp, professional. He gives Lisa and I props for hoofing it around the central East Bay politicking for Joe. I kind of blow his mind with a story about how the guitar stars seemed aligned 3 weeks ago, where I was text messaging a friend who was at the East Lansing Jass/ Blues Festival. My friend was telling me who was on stage (Dave Brubeck was about to come on stage) and I texted: "Do you know about Joe Bonamassa?"  She texted back, "He's in front of me right now". It ended up being that just as I was trying to spread the gospel, the festival was simulcasting a feed from the New Orleans benefit (I think that was the benefit), and who was being broadcast out in East Lansing but Joe! This led to a discussion between Joe's manager and Crosby that lets you know how much time is abstract when you are on the road a lot. They could have sworn it was yesterday, noticed that their watches were set on New York time, the works. It was cool to be able to thank Joe by proxy for the great music.

The concert itself: Well, shut my mouth. It's crazy to re-iterate what everyone else has already done so well, but it bears mentioning just how tight the band sounded. I've watched the DVDs and although the earlier lineup was raw in a very interesting way, this band was just incredibly precise and crisp. Bogie was fantastic, as was Carmine (I liked watching Carmine watch Joe during jams, yet never lose the rock solid groove) and Rick.

But a huge mention has to go to the Guitar Technician for Joe. I had just seen the multi-million dollar bloat of Velvet Revolver the week prior, and couldn't believe that with all the fanfare, the shits couldn't have a guitar tuned in advance of being used on stage. This technician was a marvel to watch, tuning and readying guitars to be switched out in mid-song for Joe, and I don't remember one mistake in the quality. Sound was obviously very important to Joe and the band. I noticed Joe go over and turn down his volume when it was overshadowing the keyboards at one point.

My one complaint: we, the audience. Not that we weren't vocal, we certainly were. But what the hell was with all the sitting? Granted, these were the most comfortable seats I ever had at a concert, but I kept standing to feel that cold air of nobody else doing so. Did I miss the notice that we aren't supposed to stand in the Palace? Blues isn't a parlor art. I decided not to be "that guy" that stood up and blocked everyone else, so I would quickly sit down. But I can't help but feel that we were supposed to get a boogie going with all the boogie that was crashing down in waves on us. Ah, well, it's probably just me. I'm a disagreeable guy.

The highlight had to be the acoustic guitar solo for me. I've seen my fair share of 10 minute solos, but never one that felt like a story...no, a novel in three acts. This had meat, continuity and no true dead spots or silence. All that sound from one man with an acoustic with no discernible volume knob. A subtle act of genius.

Anyway, stick a fork in me, I'm done. See you guys soon at the next show.

Scott, thanks for a brilliant write-up!! We are all fans of Dave the tech. He is always so into the show. Smiling, nodding to the rhythm, perfect timing..Good job to all in the Bay area....Cathy