Topic: Brookhaven Ampitheatre
I recently had the honor of photographing the show in NY at The Brookhaven Ampitheatre and a few Gigliotti Guitars. It was a crazy trip for me after a grueling work schedule, family issues, business stress, blah, blah, blah...the traffic on a Sunday in NY and so on. It was Joe's last show in the states for a while after being who knows where and in between over so many, many months on a bus in and out of hotels, I've no idea how he [and band and crew..] do this, I have got to give them so much credit. I got there early, it was a hot, muggy, humid day that you could made a stew with. I was greeted by the crew and helped with everything that I needed to do my job and had a really good night. It was great to see everybody, the weather threatened but the show went on without any issues. North Mississppi All Stars, Johnny Winter and Robben Ford. There was an opening act and I am sorry that their name eludes me...anyway............ Joe was cordial as always, we talked a bit, always real nice to see him. I couldn't believe how good he looked under all the incredible pressure of doing what he does. I don't care what anybody says - sure it's something you live for, it's a life you choose but damn it, the stress, the crappy hours, late nights.....the road....it's taken many souls. He was in great spirits and I even overheard that he wanted to open for Johnny Winter out of kindness and respect for the guitar great. Johnny decided that he wanted Joe to go on last and it was a real cool thing to witness the mutual admiration between these two guitar giants....that's the Bonamassa I have come to know.
Then around 10:00 P.M. after 5 hours of hangin out, and Joe watching every performance and complimenting each act, he gets up there and absolutley knocks me over on my ****, out..... It was an amazing performance, heartfelt, honest, deep rooted, sweat-soaked......the band kicked serious **** and slammed the crowd with a full set of stellar Bonamassa [easy name to remember, I think especially with all these other guys with one extra name.....] tunes and wild-assed solos and really ON vocals, thick, juicy bass and slammin' drums......He could have played the night with one other guest and that would have been more than enough. I couldn't imagine any more music ripping through my mind after Joe and band left the stage.
My point ???? I just heard some guy was bad-mouthing Joe about something...I couldn't find the comment and didn't really have any time to waste looking for it. Joe B is the best. Oh, you're thinking...how can you say that??!!! It's F ing true, that's all. There is NOBODY that plays like Joe out there. He amazes me at every crossroad, every string bend, every note. Every time I think he's has reached higher, achieved more than before he goes a little bit farther down the road.
I've played guitar my whole life, since forever and only wish I could do anything even remotely close to what Joe has, but I keep playing because it's about loving it, needing it, like air, water, blood.....it's therapy, it's almost everything.
Hey, Joe, I know it's hard but try tune these morons out who are talking crap and just keep the music coming for the rest of us who truly love it. These guys mean absolutely nothing. They are insecure, meaningless, empty and unfulfilled. Take good care of yourself and best of luck down the road, I'll see you somewhere along the way. You looked great at Broohaven, sounded even better and made my trip worth every mile, every drop of sweat, every gallon of gas. You made the prior week and all the crap that went on just disappear for a while and for that I thank you much and, if I didn't mention it......the Black Les Paul is a beauty!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Don and Dave for everything!
