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?

Re: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March

Thanks supercroc,

What a fantastic review, I'm going to Bournemouth on Friday and can't wait

No matter how far you try to push the envelope, it remains stationery

3

Re: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March

I have seen Joe a few times now but last night at Brighton was the best I have seen him play.
Great venue, I was in the cheap seats but had a clear view of the stage.
The sound was excellent and the guitar playing pitch-perfect.
Shame to see 'So Many Roads' dropped from the set list but 'Mountain Time'
and a heavier version of 'Sloe Gin' more than compensated.
The merchandise stall was selling the Beacon DVD for £15 so if you haven't ordered yet - buy it at the venue, maybe get Joe to sign it !
If you are seeing Joe in the next couple of weeks, you won't be disappointed.

Lester..

Re: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March

Thanks Relayer - enjoy the show on Friday! Lester, glad you enjoyed the show. I didn't get the chance to look at the merchandise stalls last night - I totally forgot about the Beacon DVD, I could be watching it right now! Darn it!

5 (edited by Michael 2012-03-24 06:44:09)

Re: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March

Quick Review of Brighton show last night ...... Absolute superb sound, Vocals Guitar Bass Keys,  All huge and heard in the mix really high quality, some terrific new arrangements (wont spoil the surprises there)
Was so pumped up to see Joe and the boys last night .... it's like an Adrenaline fix i craved, and i was administered on musical drip feed for 2 hours 20 minutes and came out high a kite smile
Highlights for me were Slow Train (just gets you pumped straight away (Best JB Intro Ever)  some crazy good moments included Midnight Blues of course, just numbs you with emotion, it is so beautiful, a slightly different Sloe Gin which has evolved again, Blues Deluxe which really did steal the show and the hearts of the audience last night, Just Completely Stunning, The softest Jazz tones and with the keys tinkling and the drums being brushed ever so lightly, i can't explain how good it was, but worth the ticket price alone, Mountain Time had some extra emotion poured in and was it's usual grandeur epicness, great sound by Joe on the Black Musicman, the sound mix really shone here, and the country re-working of Bird on a Wire is just so perfect, Joe gets a real country feel here, it is a wonderful added style to the varied show he puts up, lovely twangy sound, i absolutely loved it .....  cool

Joe"s music and hanging with loads of friends really does make for a memorable evening.

To Be Continued   as always     

............. Michael

PS   snagged a copy of The Beacon DVD last night for £15 at the merch stall ..... gotta be worth it, than paying shipping and waiting, its going home for a trusty workout  wink



............ Michael

Joe Bonamassa .......  His Greatest 3 Videos ... IMMHO   After Much Deliberation
3rd ...... Mountain Time / Rockpalast       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h01xa6NMsJo
2nd ...... Sloe Gin       /  Vienna            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRASS8O8ZnE           
1st ....... Blues Deluxe / The Borderline    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnl3E_KLxYg

Re: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March

Drooling in anticipation for tonight already

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)

Re: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March

Thanks to Supercroc and Michael for these very welcome reviews. Good to hear that Joe and band are going from strength to strength, no less than we have come to expect. wink

RIP Iron Man

Rock On and keep the Faith

Re: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March

Wow! All that and more. Thanks so much for feeding my need just a little bit. I'm grinning widely for a dear friend who is over there for these gigs. May can't come soon enough for me. Great reports all.
Rick

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

Re: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March

My son and i are going to Bournemouth on Friday,cant wait last time joe came to Bournemouth it was Great.
Over the years i have been lucky enough to have seen many great guitarist.This is joe's time i think he is one of the best guitarist in the world ,if not the Best!
Bring on Friday we can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March

Thanks for the reviews smile I stayed up as late as I could, so this was a nice greeting today. No snags!! No sound issues! So good to hear things are smooth. I've seen pics on FB. What a meeting of Bonabuds smile I'm sure Joe feels happy amidst you all! Enjoy the run of shows smile   Cathy

Re: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March

Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7Q8wttNiU0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSBg_FrA-tQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEmePlJLaK4

No matter how far you try to push the envelope, it remains stationery

Re: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March

Enjoyed!!

Come on you Blades!

Re: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March

Song of Yesterday replaced Happier Blues

Re: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March

Keep it in there,Joe,at least for Blackpool!

Come on you Blades!

Re: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March

Thanks for those great Youtube clips! Also, Kenny thanks for that - a wonderful version of Song of Yesterday.

Re: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March

Hi - Never been to a Bonamassa concert before, (even though we have all of his CD's & DVD's!!)  but WOW!! I was lost for words. This guy is one in a million, unique, a master. Impossible to sum the concert up in any words, let alone just one. He is unique and leaves you begging for more!

Re: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March

To the guy that shouted "You're a bl**dy genius Joe" - just about sums up the Brighton show for me.

An absolute cracker of a gig.

Re: Review of Brighton show, 23rd March

Topsy wrote:

Hi - Never been to a Bonamassa concert before, (even though we have all of his CD's & DVD's!!)  but WOW!! I was lost for words. This guy is one in a million, unique, a master. Impossible to sum the concert up in any words, let alone just one. He is unique and leaves you begging for more!

Hi Topsy, welcome, ... another satisfied customer! I hope you stick around, than just the one post.

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