Well folks, where to start! Joe and company have raised the bar again (I think I’ve heard that one a few thousand times), and have arrived back in the States with a bang. Joe mentioned last night that they have been mostly overseas for SEVEN months , and they are glad to be back. Well, we are very glad you are back.
From the very first notes of Cradle Rock to the final bows Joe had that audience eating out of his hand. There were a lot of Bonavirgins sitting near me – their exclamations won’t make it past the language censor, but needless to say there were a lot of sore jaws this morning. This show was so changed up even I felt like a Bonavirgin for a lot of it! 
So cool to hear Cradle Rock and Never Make Your Move Too Soon, and as usual Joe took a lot of his other songs that have been in the rotation for a while and changed them up yet again into something that sounds new but is comfortingly old.
Set List (Krista says thank you Dave – you would think she was a new fan, not someone who has many Joe shows under her belt the way she was acting when she got Joe’s list):
Cradle Rock
So Many Roads
When the Fire Hits the Sea
So It’s Like That
If Heartaches Were Nickels
Slow Train
Steal Your Heart Away
Sloe Gin
Ballad of John Henry
Happier Times
Never Make Your Move Too Soon
Great Flood
Young Man’s Blues
Woke Up Dreaming
Mountain Time
Bird on a Wire
Just Got Paid
Joe, Carmine and Bogie were great as usual. Bogie was his usual awesome self, but did you not toss your sticks last night? If you did I missed it and I was watching and waiting at the proper moment. Carmine’s bass playing was perfect, and I love the line you are using in Ballad of John Henry. Is it different , or just more prominent in the mix? Loved it. And Rick – well we can finally hear you and it’s great. Loved the Canadian flag by the way. Joe’s little story about “walkabouts” with Rick in beautiful downtown Springfield was hilarious – something about running twelve blocks back after being told to go only one block past the restaurant. The man has a wicked sense of humor.
Highlights for me were Cradle Rock – I have always loved this song and am so glad to see it back, John Henry (I am a complete theremin junkie), and Happier Times (where was this song when I was 20?).
Also of note, as stated in my earlier post, Fender has returned to the stage, and in a color and paint job not to be missed. Joe played this guitar for Bird on a Wire (I think the paint job will be attracting hummingbirds and butterflies from miles around – better be careful Joe if you use this guitar in an outdoor venue – it is pretty, though and sounds fantastic).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24057301@N05/5168952172/
And the use of a violin bow for the theremin section of John Henry – simply amazing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s1lQiYL-Ms
As Gunther said Joe Jimmy Bonamassa.
On a personal note, I got my guitar signed before the show (thank you Joe, Alexis and whoever else was involved in getting me into the meet and greet). And thank you Warren and Rachael for having my photo pass ready and waiting as usual – I so appreciate that we are allowed to use pro cameras at Joe’s shows. The little ones are great these days, but I really like the feeling of looking thru a viewfinder.
The style of venue Joe is playing in these days is cool. I do miss the “little joint” days, but it is nice to see that so many of the older theaters are still in business, and have so much atmosphere. Guys like Joe keep these places alive. Stevie Ray played here a few times back in the day. Lots of younger folks last night. There were two little girls sitting in the front row and they were having a blast. What a memory for them. Rocket, I did not see that gentleman with his grandson, and I did look, but couldn’t hang around afterwards (long drive home). Hope they got the guitar signed.
Nancy – nice to meet you. I bet you’ve been to more Joe shows than Michael, and FotoPete hope you put some of your pictures up here. I’ll post mine later in Cool Pictures.
And the best part – I get to do this again tomorrow!
Sandy
"There's a lot of people that are in so much of a hurry to be, I guess, to be famous or that they don't want to take the time to learn to play and do all that.They'd rather just knock it down off a computer and maybe get on a game show and get famous..That's fine if that's what you want to do.
"We're more old school than that. We like creating the sounds." - Tom Petty
Was this the first time Joe has used a bow? I don't recall him ever using one before. I bet it took you back to Jimmy P's and Dazed & Confused.
"
Love it!
