The Germany Tour (Page 4 of 5)

all that sounds good and the pics look good. all how it should be....................................and george if you ever come down the south, direction nürnberg, stop here and get the best bratwurst of the world........................sure no curry on it.
Thomas

Hello again,

Now I´m sitting at my cousin´s house in Cologne and I haven´t even wasted a thought about going out today. Just stayed in and did nothing.

What a week - so many roads, so many trains to ride ... probably one of the best, if not THE best week of this year. 5 shows in 7 days and I told Rick yesterday that I wouldn´t trade a single one of them for a concert of any other band on this planet. Not that there aren´t a lot of great bands out there though ...

So where did I stop?! I´ve got some pictures up too now, so it won´t be so boring to read ...

After a short "sightseeing-trip" through Hamburg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/25162871@N … 328526165/) and another great show together with my good friend Issy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/25162871@N … 328526165/) I got on the train again to meet up with Andre in Osnabrück. Of course my train was delayed (it´s the "Deutsche Bahn", what else would you expect) and poor Andre just wasn´t able to get his mobile phone working - I tried to teach him how to handle it for 2 days. In vain!
But I finally arrived in time for the show - here are a few pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25162871@N … 328526165/ ... I was curious if the experience would change during the many shows I was seeing within this week, but I have to say that it even gets better the more often you see the show. Strange, but true ... I think it´s because you´re less "under pressure" to take in every second, because you know you´re gonna see it three more times, two more times etc. - that way you can just "let yourself fall into the music" if you know what I mean. And these songs are just way too good to ever get boring.

After hanging out for some time after the show we drove down to Winterswijk, had a very short sleep and got up again for Blues in schools. Man, I was tired. When we all met up at the hotel Joe said I´m looking more tired than he feels, and he was probably right.
Blues in schools was cool, Joe told the kids about the first steps of his carrer, how much B.B.King helped and inspired him (shockingly only about 3 pupils actually KNEW who B.B.King is - and if you have a close look at this picture you know why: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25162871@N … 328526165/ ) and how his teacher at school thought he was making up wild stories when he wrote about his tour with B.B.King in an "What I did in my summer holidays"-essay ...
After that Joe was interviewed by TV and Radio-stations (of course the ever-present Stevie Ray Vaughan question was asked ....) and of course Andre had to answer a lot of questions too - as you can see on Rudi´s pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25162871@N … 328526165/ .

In the afternoon Andre, Rudi, Marco and me drove back to Cologne where we met up with George, Marianne and Barbara afterwards for the  "Currywurst" mentioned above (http://www.flickr.com/photos/25162871@N … 328526165/) ... what a funny cowikydink it was when we were all saying a short "hello" to Cathy and Joe came through the door right in that second. After dinner (shouldn´t have eaten these gorgonzola noodles ) it was time for the last show, which was one of my favourites during the whole tour (Marco took the pictures this time - and I´m sure they´re good ones again!). Just loved it from first to last second. A funny fauxpas happened when Bogie threw his drumstick to Dave who was supposed to throw it right back to Bogie so he could continue playing and Dave kind of realized too late that he was supposed to throw it back (too many gummi bears, Dave?!) ... but luckily Bogie had another one at hand right in time to keep on playing. It turned out afterwards that they had practised it only once and thought that was enough ...
The highlight of the show at the moment is definitely the Rockstar-Flying V-performance of "Just got paid" ... but if you think about it: the whole show is nothing but one big highlight.
Of course time was flying and it was time to say goodbye to everyone before I knew it (time´s always too short when it comes to concerts, Bonabuddie talks and all that stuff...) - I fell into bed at 3 am, tired, but happy.

Well, what can I say to sum it all up - it was such a great week full of fun, laughter and good music. I´ve met so many cool people, made new friends, met old ones again... it´s really a great feeling to be part of the big "Bonamassa-family".
I really start missing each and every one of you guys already - Aaron (Gummibear - Pizza?? No waaay....), Dave (you´re absolutely right about the V:"It´s bad*ss"), Warren (I THINK about forgiving you about the Flying V story...), both Harries, Lydia and Renate, Rick, Bogie, Carmine, and of course Joe. It was always fun to hang out with you guys - thank you so much for making this such a great time and for being the coolest Band and crew on the planet. I had to take a lot of "goodbye-pictures" yesterday, but I sure hope to see you all again soon - in 5 months at the latest. Love you all!

Eva

Thanks for posting all these Eva. You must have had a blast at the Blue in the Schools. That looked to be a great trip you had. Thanks so much for posting

very very nice and big review. i think you have to relax a little bit now and get all your experiences sorted...............................hope to meet you again for wishbone ash at the hirsch.....................there you will see the master of the flying V.
nice weekend
Thomas

Eva,
thanks for all those reviews. It must have been a remarkable and unforgetable week for you.
Although I have been a Joe Bonamassa fan for a couple of years by now, Cologne this week was the first live concert I had the chance to see. I had high expectations and let me tell you, they where more than met. I was really impressed about the energy that Joe had from the vey first moment of the show and how he was able to transfer it to the crowd. The sound was just amazing, even though in the beginning Joe had some trouble with his Marshall Silver Jubilee Amp. I was even more impressed how he continued to play at such a high level with this (for us listeners minor) sound problems.   
Since this was my first show (and certainly not my last) I am just wondering how you would rate the Cologne show compared to the others you have seen this week.

Stefan

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to include us all in your adventures. What wonderful stories!!! More proof that going to see Joe with Bonabuddies adds to the enjoyment!! The humanity of the entire band and crew always seems to shine. The are a very special group of people!!! Now the post show depression begins. I imagine knowing all that's coming next year lessens the pain. Marianne..few women can pull off that red lipstick....you're one of them!!! All the pictures are amazing..that flying V is a monster!! Thanks again, Cathy

Thanks for all your nice comments!! I´m back home now and as Tripsy said "exhausted but very satisfied" ...

Yes, that was Issy and me ... the guy was thrown out afterwards. He was really aggressive, I started to get a little worried - but luckily Dave saw it and Harry and a security guy managed to get him out. Crowd trouble at Joe´s shows is really something you don´t see very often, thank God.
Glad you liked the show and that you found your way to the forum - maybe we can all meet up for the next Hamburg show?!

Hi Stefan, good to see you on the forum too! I really can´t say which one was "the best" show, but Ludwigsburg (the Sloe Gin version!!) and Cologne left a lasting impression. I think the gig in Cologne was a very, very good one (despite Bogie´s fauxpas ... ), I really can´t say that one gig was better than another one though - they were all different, but all great!

Eva

My goodness Eva I'm exhausted for you but what a wonderful week you must have had and thank you for all your reviews on the shows.  I'm sure we all wish we could have joined you.  Do you think Bogie and Dave will get that drumstick trick sorted out by the RAH!  And thanks too for sharing the pictures which will be a wonderful reminder for you of all the fun times you had on this tour.  See you next May!