1 Topic by Bill S (edited by Bill S 2007-09-03 02:20:19)

  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Topic: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

2AM, I'm beat, but I'll post a setlist (which I am holding in my hand) and a brief review....more tomorrow when I wake up.
Joe and the guys were in their usual rare form (If that makes any sense), which means awesome.
Lots of Joe fans there, new and old: Beth, Matt, Jeff, Gregg, Nancy, Jim, Chris and son, et. al. If I forgot anyone, I'm sorry, but I haven't slept for awhile.
Our crew had a great time: Jane, Carly, Jamie, Caleb, Josh, Jeff, Laura, Blair, Patty, Phil, Doug...a few new converts in the group that were duly amazed and found themselves at the merchandise table after the show.
Here goes:
Bridge to Better Days
Walk in My Shadow
So Many Roads
Mountain Time
Another Kind of Love
Sloe Gin
High water Everywhere
If Heartaches were Nickels
Woke Up Dreaming
Django
Just Got Paid
Asking Around for you
Ball Peen Hammer- Encore 1
Miss You, Hate You - Encore 2

I just want to say to Joe, Bogie, Carmine and Rick: You guys were awesome and you brought smiles and joy to the faces of everyone I came with. Thank you for a great evening and some more great memories. I absolutely love the new album and you guys do it justice live!

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"
  • From: Appleton
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
  • Posts: 276

Re: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

Thanks to Nancy with helping on the recording.  Unfortunately I ran out of space and missed the final encore, but the rest of the show is intact. (does he always do a 2nd encore, or every so often?)

I'll try and seed it on Dime tomorrow.  Thanks Bill for the set list.

6 hours of driving alone. I am beat. Time for a nap.

Belexes's Website

  • From: Wheeling, IL
  • Registered: 2006-12-07
  • Posts: 618

Re: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

OMG. Joe was so on fire last night!  The best I've seen him since Crystal Lake last year. The solos were amazing. The band has gotten so much tighter since the tour started in the spring.

It was great seeing Bill, Gary, Beth and Steve. And really I didn't do anything with the recording other than babysit until Steve got back from setting up the tape for Kansas.

I've never seen Joe do a second encore but the crowd was so pumped they demanded he come back. And Joe did something I've never seen him do...dropped the f-bomb to introduce the song. Totally hilarious but completely appropriate to the song.

I'm just saying.
  • From: Deep in the forest
  • Registered: 2007-02-11
  • Posts: 5,296

Re: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

I don't know how Joe could do anything but a 2nd encore for you guys. Your area, thanks to a strong Street Team, has become a "hot" area for Joe. Glad you all got your just rewards.............Cathy

  • Registered: 2007-09-03
  • Posts: 11

Re: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

I thought Joe himself was awesome,  thats nothing unusual.  but I still honestly myself think the band was alot tighter with eric on bass.  thats just my opinion though.  all in all the show was pretty hot

  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

Whew!! I woke up at about 7AM with Joe's guitar still ringing in my ears. What a great way to start the day, even if I didn't get enough sleep.
I was so impressed with Joe and the band. I know when you play the number of shows they play, it's not possible to be "on" every night. I have not seen a bad show yet (I think last night was #18 or 19), but there have been a few in the past where it seemed  that Joe's voice was tired. The guitar playing never waivers, though. Last night's show sounded "fresh" and the band appeared in great spirits. I brought 11 people with me, 5 of which had never seen Joe before.
This was an outside event, with a covered stage near the Rock River. A really nice setting, a beautiful evening with a temperature that I would guess was around 70 degrees at showtime. We walked the festival for a couple hours before heading to the stage area at around 4:30PM. There were maybe a couple hundred plastic patio chairs in rows in front of the stage. We were able to grab four seats in the front and a another four directly behind and supplement those with the folding chairs we brought. As previous acts finished, we were able to spread out a bit. By the time Joe came on, we had a contingent of twenty or more people that are connected to this forum in one way or another.
I'm not great at estimating crowds, but the lawn extended back about 300 feet and was at least 100 feet wide, maybe 150 feet would be more accurate. I looked back at some point and the place was almost packed with people...that could be 2000 people??
Joe grabbed every one of them with "Bridge to Better Days". He then made sure they wouldn't go ANYWHERE by playing a rousing version of "Walk in my Shadow", one of my personal favorites. I marched along with Joe, ala Patty.
We were treated to a good portion of Joe's new work off of Sloe Gin and nobody was disappointed. Anyone that has been questioning this album, needs to hear it live at least once. The acoustic set was jaw-dropping and as I looked around, I saw either smiles on everyone's faces or dropped jaws.
I'm already counting the days until November 2nd.

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"
  • From: Indianola, IA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 4,429

Re: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

thanks for the great review Bill.....I was watching the clock and thinking of you last night.....march on......patty

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

JBLP CHILD #184
  • walt
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2006-07-15
  • Posts: 19

Re: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

Saw joe and here are some random thoughts (1) about 1/3 of the people left after the blooze brothers stopped playing.Some people like music they are more familar with and is better for dancing (2) the sound was messed up at the start or his voice was a little weak but as the show went on his voice sounded really good.We got lots of pictures and had a fun time.This is the 4th time I have seen him play and I will go again 4 sure My fav show was at crystel lake His voice was the best I have ever hear it and he hit his notes fearlessly (3) a big surprise was we went and saw trombone shorty before joe came on and he was very good and we had a lot of fun.The blooze bros were so so.The new base player for joe was pretty solid all in all the show was very good

  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

MillionMilesAway wrote:

Bill sorry I missed you but we were most likely standing next to each other.

I was the one blowing bubbles........


Steve C (MMA)

Steve,
Sorry we didn't get a chance to meet. I was wearing a street team shirt. I think you must have been close behind me because I had a steady flow of bubbles passing through. I probably won't need to wash my hair for another week or so

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"

10 Reply by #1JBFAN (edited by #1JBFAN 2007-09-03 18:05:52)

  • From: Naperville IL
  • Registered: 2007-05-23
  • Posts: 504

Re: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

Bill great and right on review Joe and the guys were AWESOME as always.What a beautiful evening .Iwas about thirty feet back just enough to see over you guys at the stage. I think that the band was having a little trouble with the sound equiptment that the waterfront supplyed.I dont think that stage ever had a MASTER AND HIS BAND perform the way as JOE, BOGIE ,CARMINE AND RICK .They should have played the MAIN STAGE Rockford.          millionmilesaway i liked the bubbles it looked to me as Carmine thought he was under attack. What a great weekend this was.
  P.S JOE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SIGNING THE T SHIRTS THAT I DESIGNED,REALY GLAD YOU LIKED THEM.         
   JON                                       
     
BONAMASSA
     BLUES
        77

  • gary
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Palatine Illinois by Chicago
  • Registered: 2006-08-25
  • Posts: 4,768

Re: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

as anyone can tell from the posts the show was simply amazing as usual.It seemed like the crowd must have taken highly to Joe,I think he was suprised at how ferverent he was demanded back for the second oncore. I am sure there was a mass bonabaptsim in rockford last night. great to meet million[was right next to me,with not knowing that Bill was right in front of me]. Great to see Nancy and hubby,Bill S,meet Beth,and other friends of street teamers.Also give a shout out to Pistol Pete the opening act who displayed some fine Hendrixian guitar playing. All in all a memorable night,standing right up in front of the stage was somehing I havent done in 25 years. and to see Joe that close up was a special treat indeed.

Your rock candy baby
Your hard sweet and sticky

gary's Website

  • From: Wheeling, IL
  • Registered: 2006-12-07
  • Posts: 618

Re: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

MillionMilesAway wrote:

Nancy
Sorry I missed you too

Did not arrive until 8:55 worked my way thru the plastic chairs until I found myself center stage

My ears are still ringing but was worth it

I saw you with the bubbles. I was standing to your right about two feet away.

Joe seemed to take bubbles in stride and the bugs too. He was in the zone. Anyone else notice he plays all his solos with his eyes closed?

I'm just saying.
  • From: Charlotte
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 2,350

Re: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

Wow Bill, what a show that must have been.  Great recap and setlist.  Good work on bringing your own crowd with you!!!

Music is good for the Soul...
  • Jaci
  • Titanium
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2007-04-09
  • Posts: 697

Re: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

I love the longer setlist - those 1 1/2 hour shows are just not long enough for me!
Can't wait till Nov 3, 5 and 6th.  Jaci

Lose your dreams and you will lose your mind.  Mick Jagger
  • Registered: 2006-05-26
  • Posts: 5

Re: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

Bill, you couldn't have said it any better, so no need for my comments! This is my first day back to work (thank god I took yesterday off)! What a show and what a blast! It was like going to a reunion. Joe fans are the best. Joe, thanks again for making a stop in Illinois. Until the next show...

Beth

  • From: Wheeling, IL
  • Registered: 2006-12-07
  • Posts: 618

Re: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

beth wrote:

Bill, you couldn't have said it any better, so no need for my comments! This is my first day back to work (thank god I took yesterday off)! What a show and what a blast! It was like going to a reunion. Joe fans are the best. Joe, thanks again for making a stop in Illinois. Until the next show...

Beth

Beth, it was great meeting you. Enjoy St. Louis and give us a report.

I'm just saying.

17 Reply by Rocket (edited by Rocket 2007-09-06 00:01:19)

  • Rocket
  • Rocket
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: San Francisco
  • Registered: 2006-04-26
  • Posts: 10,275

Re: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

Tighter because of being a trio perhaps, but I feel any "looseness" I've currently witnessed registers a good portion of satisfaction to my aural instincts...and I think if  this is not in anyone's mind a better "band", in any consideration from myself, it is functionally the best assemblage, if I toss in (my favorite Joe Bonamassa qualifier) SO FAR! They definitely serve Joe's musical visions & purpose at this point very well. 
Rock On & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

djrascoe wrote:

I thought Joe himself was awesome,  thats nothing unusual.  but I still honestly myself think the band was alot tighter with eric on bass.  thats just my opinion though.  all in all the show was pretty hot

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! wink"
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here.  I mean, there are professionals in here.”
  • Rocket
  • Rocket
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: San Francisco
  • Registered: 2006-04-26
  • Posts: 10,275

Re: Rockford "On the Waterfront" Show

I would say see live at least twice to doubters.  So how was Ball Peen Hammer live? I'd like to catch that it if it measures up, but these guys live I believe may be able to play anything...anything...Like discuss it on the bus and play it 3 nights later, without (not counting sound check) practice...

Rock On & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

Bill S wrote:

Whew!! I woke up at about 7AM with Joe's guitar still ringing in my ears. What a great way to start the day, even if I didn't get enough sleep.
I was so impressed with Joe and the band. I know when you play the number of shows they play, it's not possible to be "on" every night. I have not seen a bad show yet (I think last night was #18 or 19), but there have been a few in the past where it seemed  that Joe's voice was tired. The guitar playing never waivers, though. Last night's show sounded "fresh" and the band appeared in great spirits. I brought 11 people with me, 5 of which had never seen Joe before.
This was an outside event, with a covered stage near the Rock River. A really nice setting, a beautiful evening with a temperature that I would guess was around 70 degrees at showtime. We walked the festival for a couple hours before heading to the stage area at around 4:30PM. There were maybe a couple hundred plastic patio chairs in rows in front of the stage. We were able to grab four seats in the front and a another four directly behind and supplement those with the folding chairs we brought. As previous acts finished, we were able to spread out a bit. By the time Joe came on, we had a contingent of twenty or more people that are connected to this forum in one way or another.
I'm not great at estimating crowds, but the lawn extended back about 300 feet and was at least 100 feet wide, maybe 150 feet would be more accurate. I looked back at some point and the place was almost packed with people...that could be 2000 people??
Joe grabbed every one of them with "Bridge to Better Days". He then made sure they wouldn't go ANYWHERE by playing a rousing version of "Walk in my Shadow", one of my personal favorites. I marched along with Joe, ala Patty.
We were treated to a good portion of Joe's new work off of Sloe Gin and nobody was disappointed. Anyone that has been questioning this album, needs to hear it live at least once. The acoustic set was jaw-dropping and as I looked around, I saw either smiles on everyone's faces or dropped jaws.
I'm already counting the days until November 2nd.

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! wink"
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here.  I mean, there are professionals in here.”