1 Topic by cathysiler (edited by cathysiler 2009-04-01 12:33:17)

  • From: Deep in the forest
  • Registered: 2007-02-11
  • Posts: 5,296

Topic: The Birchmere 3/31/09

What a wonderful day. Sunshine and warm air at last! So I didn't mind waiting in line, talking Joe and other music, and catching glimpses of "the boys" enjoying the nice weather too. Before we knew it, the doors opened and our adventure began.

The opening act was adorable. Tiny girl with a big voice. I've forgotten her name...apologies...Short break...and we're off!!!

The set list was different than last Thursday
TBOJH (T is for Jane big_smile)
Bridge to Better Days
Your Funeral My Trial
Blues Deluxe
Mountain Time
Last Kiss
So Many Roads
Another Kind of Love
Sloe Gin
Great Flood
Lonesome Road Blues
Happier Times
Woke Up Dreaming
Just Got Paid
*****Encore******
(Ballpeen Hammer on list, but wasn't played)
Story of a Quarryman
Asking Around for You

This was a very civil, well behaved audience. Joe said both nights had been sell-outs. The band seemed happy and really in each other's grooves. Joe is all over the place now that he's wireless. It all feels like there's more energy.

A few highlights..At the end of "Woke up Dreaming", Joe GAVE the guitar to a boy in the front row. We asked Dave about this after the show. We thought Joe knew him. But no! He has been having problems with it and tonight's show was it's last chance. I have no doubt that boy thinks it's the most wonderful guitar EVER!.

And my "special moment"...During the quiet sustained note in "Asking Around..." Joe was standing right in front of me and said "Hi Cathy"...I know it proves I'm a total groupie, because that made my day!!

It was nice to see Bob, Roy, Woofy and Mrs. Woofy, as well as Rob and his Mom.  So, thanks once again to all; Joe, the band, crew and management, forum friends, and all the other fans I met! This is the best addiction ever!!! Next for me...Holland!!     Cathy

(edited for smilie) wink

  • eva
  • eva
  • BONAMETAL
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  • From: germany
  • Registered: 2007-03-15
  • Posts: 1,885

Re: The Birchmere 3/31/09

cathysiler wrote:

During the quiet sustained note in "Asking Around..." Joe was standing right in front of me and said "Hi Cathy"...I know it proves I'm a total groupie, because that made my day!!

Cathy you´re killing me!!! lol

I´m so happy to hear that you had another great show (yay, "Bridge" is back!) ... and isn´t it nice to think that the next show for both of us we´ll be seeing together?!
And poor George was left alone in front of his MSN yesterday - all the ladies went out to the shows ... tongue

One month to go today exactly! That´s not too bad ... smile

Eva

  • From: Amsterdam
  • Registered: 2007-10-06
  • Posts: 5,249

Re: The Birchmere 3/31/09

Yay, 'Bridge' is back! But will it stay?

I called with the intention of hearing TBOJH but got Your funeral instead. Needless to say I was gobsmacked by the sudden change in running order. I think we should be warned about stuff like that. wink

Yes, I bet that my favorite Joe groupie was thrilled to bits by that little treat at the end! big_smile

Counting the days, Eva......

RIP Iron Man

Rock On and keep the Faith
  • Geko
  • Geko
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  • Registered: 2006-12-08
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Re: The Birchmere 3/31/09

thanks for your review ....i really can see your face when Joe sayed Hi Cathy .... tongue big_smile
Groupie ? nooooo  you better stay Sister Cathy cool

Groupies are out ....lol

5 Reply by B-More Bonamaniac (edited by B-More Bonamaniac 2009-04-01 18:08:37)

  • From: Baltimore, Maryland
  • Registered: 2007-08-31
  • Posts: 181

Re: The Birchmere 3/31/09

Opening act:  Marianne Keith.

The look on the kid's face when Joe handed him the guitar was priceless and something I will never forget, so I can only imagine what that kid felt like!

The "groupie" moment with Cathy getting personally greeted by Joe mid-note was another special memory.  I know a thing or two about being a Joe groupie myself, so again, it was incredible to be right there and notice something that only about a dozen people probably noticed. 

My mother could not get over the changes in Joe since she saw him last in late 2007.  She said it seems Joe has really "blossomed" in that period and was an entirely different person on stage, from weight to hair and clothes, to demeanor. 

It is amazing to see someone who describes himself as shy step onto a stage in front of hundreds of people and just absolutely mesmorize the entire crowd with his presence and his talent.  With every show I see, I see Joe becoming more of a "performer"  engaging the crowd in different ways.  I see someone just coming into his own on stage and the future is limitless.

As always, while they were breaking everything down after the show, Dave and Colin were great talking to us about a different amp by Bogner that they were trying out last night and other assorted things such as the guitar giveaway.  I think the crew are the unsung (no pun intended) heroes of the Bonamassa experience. 

That Joe remains as humble and accomodating as he does continues to amaze me, and I'm glad I had the chance to tell his Mom in Syracuse what a great job of parenting she and Mr. B must have done.   

Ok, so as to not sound like the groupie I am, I will offer a suggestion.  I love Rick's increased role in the show with vocals, two solos, and the occasional tambourine work, but what about poor Messrs. Bowles and Rojas??  C'mon Joe, let's hear a blistering Bogie solo at least once a night.  Let's hear Carmine on his own for a few seconds.  Just a thought...

-Rob

Bonamania is a disease with no cure.  Give it to all your friends.
  • From: Massachusetts
  • Registered: 2007-10-23
  • Posts: 1,929

Re: The Birchmere 3/31/09

What a nice night for you Cathy!  I am going Friday and Sunday and now I'm really curious about what the set list will be!

So cool about the guitar - I'd settle for a pick!

Sandy

"There's a lot of people that are in so much of a hurry to be, I guess, to be famous or that they don't want to take the time to learn to play and do all that.They'd rather just knock it down off a computer and maybe get on a game show and get famous..That's fine if that's what you want to do.
"We're more old school than that. We like creating the sounds."  - Tom Petty

7 Reply by B-More Bonamaniac (edited by B-More Bonamaniac 2009-04-02 09:34:20)

  • From: Baltimore, Maryland
  • Registered: 2007-08-31
  • Posts: 181

Re: The Birchmere 3/31/09

The following are quotes from the Wash. Post piece Jane graciously linked to:

And during "Woke Up Dreaming," Bonamassa occasionally wandered over to the side of the stage where he kept a theremin, making spacey noises and showing his debt to Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin.

--I don't think anybody else there that night so Joe use the theremin on "Woke Up Dreaming".

Constantly smiling and looking sharp in a white suit/black shirt ensemble from somebody's "Saturday Night Fever" collection,

--Is the guy there to write a music review with inaccuracies, or a fashion report?  Plus, as one can see from the picture with the article, Joe Bonamassa, 2009 and John Travolta, circa 1976 have nothing in common other than Italian heritage.

However, since the article was very positive, I guess I won't worry myself with these details...

-Rob


-Rob

Bonamania is a disease with no cure.  Give it to all your friends.
  • Geoff
  • Geoff
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  • From: Moreton, Wirral, England
  • Registered: 2006-09-26
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Re: The Birchmere 3/31/09

You know Cathy, there are not many artists out there that remember fans names, let alone say "hi" to them by name from the stage. I was completely floored in Manchester when Joe says "Hi Geoff" after the show, but to say "Hi Cathy" from the stage to a fan. Do you think he knows what that means to not just that one person, but everyone in the theatre. Joe really appreciates his fans and where they put him, that kind of personal appreciation - just by simply remembering a name is absolutely priceless. It's a skill I've struggled with all my life. For someone in Joe's position it is just an awesome talent. It connects him immediately, with every fan there, even with fans he has not even met! I continue to be so impressed by the talents of "my friend" Joe!

Geoff O

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9 Reply by woofy777 (edited by woofy777 2009-04-07 17:16:51)

  • From: Burke VA
  • Registered: 2008-02-08
  • Posts: 252

Re: The Birchmere 3/31/09

First I want to thank Cathy for the awesome seats and hospitality.  Four Joe shows in 14 months and this was the best.  While we were waiting for our line numbers outside I was listening to Joe warm up and he was groovin on "Bridge to Better Days".  I knew he didn't play it the night before so I was just enjoying the "extra song".  Low and behold he plays it live right after TBOJH.  Listening to Cathy and Bruno(?) talk music makes me very humbled when I think I'm Rock/Blues savy.  I enjoy being the student, in fact if I had classes like that in school I would of showed up early.:lol:

Not Bruno Taurus.  Sorry Taurus.

Awestruck
  • From: Amsterdam
  • Registered: 2007-10-06
  • Posts: 5,249

Re: The Birchmere 3/31/09

Geoff wrote:

You know Cathy, there are not many artists out there that remember fans names, let alone say "hi" to them by name from the stage. I was completely floored in Manchester when Joe says "Hi Geoff" after the show, but to say "Hi Cathy" from the stage to a fan. Do you think he knows what that means to not just that one person, but everyone in the theatre. Joe really appreciates his fans and where they put him, that kind of personal appreciation - just by simply remembering a name is absolutely priceless. It's a skill I've struggled with all my life. For someone in Joe's position it is just an awesome talent. It connects him immediately, with every fan there, even with fans he has not even met! I continue to be so impressed by the talents of "my friend" Joe!

You articulated my own feelings perfectly, Geoff. I was just as floored when Joe came up to me in Germany last December with his hand out and said 'Hey George' (while I was on the phone to Cathy!).

RIP Iron Man

Rock On and keep the Faith
  • From: Cliftonville Kent England
  • Registered: 2006-07-30
  • Posts: 2,150

Re: The Birchmere 3/31/09

Great review Sista Cate , and you got called out LOL cool , yeah woofy Cathy is one of the learned on this here forum ... Kind and her hospitality knows no bounds too ,you were in good company alright
Hey Cath , your next stop England bound now , can't wait to see you and George and all those Bonabuddy's it's gonna be Crazy

Take Care

........................ Miguel

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
  • Registered: 2009-04-03
  • Posts: 4

Re: The Birchmere 3/31/09

Hello everyone.  I'm brand new to this forum but found myself here after witnessing Joe for the second time at the Birchmere,...  The first time was a couple of years ago at Wolftrap.   The reviews I've read about him always come far short of describing the real experience. 

I'm assuming the above Birchmere reviews were refering to the Teusday performance because the Monday performance was hindered by the fact that I couldn't understand a single word out of the vocal mic.  That includes the preceding act: Marrianne Kieth who sang from a different mic.  All her words were muffled as were Joe's.  Very disappointing.  It sounds like they corrected the problem on day 2 and I still feel like I got far beyond my money's worth.

Go Joe

  • From: Kemptown MD
  • Registered: 2007-08-05
  • Posts: 146

Re: The Birchmere 3/31/09

JUST when you think a concert can't top the last, Joe & Co. come out and pour it on again, making THIS one my favorite Joe Experience.

I was surprised and pleased to hear that many were drawn to the concert because they happened across Joe from a friend's recommendation, or through an Amazon suggestion.  We told all the newbies we met, "You just wait!!!!!!!!!!!"

One song ended and another began, with no stopping between songs during most of the first half of the performance.  Incredible.

Joe's energy, and the energy of Carmine and Bogie to keep up with him, is unbelievable.  Although I respect and enjoy Rick's playing, the physical demands of playing the drums and maintaining a constant bassline - well, Bogie and Carmine are truly awe-inspiring.  Joe of course is in a class by himself, but that three other people, and a faithful road crew, can keep up with him is most amazing.  I agree that Bogie and Carmine deserve a short highlight of their terrific playing like Rick has, or a wave and an encouragement to applaud.  Whether they're singled out or not, it's clear that we fans adore them all, or they would never agree to a tour schedule that would destroy an average person.   

Still thrilled, and waiting for the August 15 Hot Blues Festival in Cockeysville, MD!  http://www.hotaugustblues.com/

Anne