Topic: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March
The one word version of my review: Incredible.
The longer version? To start with, the set was the same as Kenny posted for the Spain show, without Happier Times. There may have been something in it's place but I can't remember at this time.
On a personal level this was probably the best gig I have been to, I was mesmerised from the first beat of Slow Train and was transported to a different world throughout - for my money, this is how a gig should be. Midnight Blues was intense, suddenly a biggish arena in Brighton felt like a tiny blues club in downtown Chicago, with the occasional encouraging shout or whoop from the crowd to match. Sloe Gin followed by John Henry and then Lonesome Road Blues is pretty much perfect, and I really enjoyed Steal Your Heart Away because I don't think he did this at Hammy Odeon in October.
By Blues Deluxe it felt like JB had the audience in the palm of his hands. Every note, every nuance was greeted with enthusiasm and boy, did he make each note count. Young Man Blues rocked and was great fun, and then 'Woke Up Dreaming' took it to yet another level. During this I wanted to scream and shout, and I'm just not that sort of bloke usually. At the end of this song I remember saying to my brother 'well how do you follow that'?, and then JB goes into India/Django/Mountain Time. Enough said really, one shiver down the spine after another.
I also loved the country version of 'Bird on a wire' which was a laid back intro to the encores. Just Got Paid had all the crowd on their feet, and rocked. Love the fact that the band vary the arrangement so there is always something new going on.
All in all, my only complaint is that it ever had to come to an end, the quickest 2 hours 20 of my life! Talking to my brother and his wife afterwards we were trying to figure out the phenomenon that is JB and his wonderful band. They are so into the music that it feels like we are being allowed in to participate in their private party. The whole show felt intimate, these musicians created this feeling. At the same time, as well as being a fantastic singer/guitarist/songwriter JB is a proper frontman - no mean feat! This guy has charisma!
Liked the venue, I've been their for Peter Gabriel a few years ago but that was all standing. I didn't feel too far from the band in the first place, but once the band got going I felt like I was right by the stage anyway. Finally, it was lovely to meet Sue, Jules & her brother, and their group - lovely people and first time JB'ers! They loved it, and throughout Jules's brother turned around saying things like 'Amazing', 'Wow', etc! Is that what you call the Bonamassa magic?
