• Registered: 2008-02-17
  • Posts: 2

Topic: RAH - Great Event but........

It was very exciting watching Joe make his great entry on to the RAH stage and also quite emotional to witness someone achieving such a career goal. I first saw Joe in the Borderline club, London, in 2006 and was thrilled by one of the most exciting guitarists I had seen in years, particularly in the Blues-Rock genre. I have followed his progress ever since and attended both of the gigs at the Empire, Shepherds Bush. Interestingly enough the difference in sound quality between the two Empire performances was significant. The first time was variable, the second sublime, a truly fantastic gig.

This brings me on to the mixed reations to the sound of the RAH concert. I was in a very good position in the stalls, J section, just to the left of the sound / mixing desks. I can't recall seeing so many technical staff working on the sound etc. but perhaps there were too many cooks spoiling the broth! I thought the sound was initially fine then it deteriorated before steadying again. The RAH is a very difficult venue to get it right, espeically for contemporary amplified music. I have seen quite a few gigs there. Some get it right, some don't. I also have a golden rule - never buy tickets in the higher tiers - the sound disapates badly.

I thought it was too loud, irrespective of the fact that Joe is to the heavier end of blues-rock. At times the vocal and guitar sounds were very shrill and I actually found it bordering on painful. I play in a band myself, been to hundreds of gigs and I like music played loud, so I think I know what I am talking about. The imbalance was best demonstrated by the high pitch of Paul Jones' harmoncia playing, which caused a number of people to wince in the area I was sat.

Joe is both a powerful and subtle player and so it was a little bit of a shame that the "sound masters" did not quite crack it. Nonetheless it was a great event and I am glad I was there to witness a relatively unusual event in modern day music, namely a talent like Joe achieving his rightful place through hard work and inspiration without having to resort to the hype and commercial manipulation that is often associated with success in the music world.

Best of luck Joe for the future and may you continue to prosper.

2 Reply by Lester

  • Lester
  • Guest

Re: RAH - Great Event but........

I have to agree. The volume levels were too high for the size of venue
and caused the sound to be distorted. As you say, Joe is a subtle player
and doesn't need too much amplification.
Can't understand why the house lights were left on during the concert
I found this spoiled the atmosphere and made the movements in the
audience more noticable and distracting.
I was sitting towards the rear of the arena, central and near to the mixing desk.
The sound was best described as variable.
That said, the performance was excellent, the DVD will hopefully do justice
to Joe and his band.
With luck I will get to see Joe again later in the year.

Lester..

  • Registered: 2009-05-11
  • Posts: 5

Re: RAH - Great Event but........

I agree that the sound wasn't too good, the guitar I thought wasn't high enough in the mix. It was, however, considerably better that the gig I went to in St Davids hall the previous week when the sound was attrocious!!! Swamped in reverb and completely indistict.... I complained to the Hall and got a refund.
I've seen Joe many times before at smaller venues like Cardiff's Point and the Music live show in Birmingham and have always been impressed by the sound quality; we all know big venues can be disappointing.
I'm off to se Joe again in Llandudno in November... lets hope the soundman get his act together.

  • Registered: 2007-03-26
  • Posts: 16

Re: RAH - Great Event but........

hobbes wrote:

the guitar I thought wasn't high enough in the mix.

To the benefit of what?

I would say the guitar swamped everything from where I was sitting!

Keyboards, bass, horns - all pretty inaudible. It was all guitar, drums and voice.

  • Registered: 2009-05-11
  • Posts: 5

Re: RAH - Great Event but........

Erm... to the benefit of hearing what most people who are Joe fans wanted to hear, i.e. THE GUITAR ?
The mix and acoustics were poor, and depending on where you sat ( I was not too far behind the desk) you'd get a different "appreciation" of the sound quality. No way was his voice too much in the front.

  • jim m
  • jim m
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Okie City, OK
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
  • Posts: 3,429

Re: RAH - Great Event but........

I have traveled many miles and seen Joe in many venues. Since everyone is stating their opinions on the sound of the hall. I thought I would share mine.

I was in the Stalls H row 3 seat 26. I thought the sound was awesome. Joes vocals have never sounded better to me in any venue. The natural reverberation of the hall colored them with what i thought was a masterful addition of an effect until I noticed his guitar had the same echo.

In my opinion it was not too loud from where I was sitting. There was a couple of times when the band dynamics reached a cresindo that the guitar momentarilly was lost in the mix. Which was recovered very quickly.

I thought the flown subs kept a lot of bottom end from filling up the arena level but it is a personal preference I have of being able to feel the kick.

I did not walk the room which I have been known to do just to see how other vantage points sounded. I got the opportunity to walk it during sound check and it sounded good from all vantage points I chose to observe from.

I can not speak of how it sounded from other vantage points in the hall during the show. I do know that I have attended an arena for many shows locally. I know the room pretty well. I know where not to sit in it to have the best opportunity for the best sound. Even then it is a crap shoot. I have seen a variety of artists in the venue and have only been impressed with the sound once. Sir Paul McCartney. Made that sours ear sound like a silk purse. 

Again I give the sound of Royal Albert Hall May 4th a 9.8 out of 10 simply because there is no such thing as perfection.

jim m's Website

  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2008-08-15
  • Posts: 7,284

Re: RAH - Great Event but........

The sound up front was unparalleled! I could hear the softest note and the loudest boom all without distortion. There was never any stress on my ears and Joe's voice rang out as good as I've ever heard. I can't say enough good things about the venue itself or the wonderful people that ushered in this Great Hall. To say it was very well done, is a true understatement.

I was in Awe!!

Roy

Joe is the Best!
  • From: The East Coast of Nowhere, UK
  • Registered: 2008-02-11
  • Posts: 2,284

Re: RAH - Great Event but........

I'm pleased to say I agree with you, Roy. We were truly blessed that night. wink  The sound was just about perfect for us, although Kathryn thought it was too loud hmm roll

Phil

Ars Longa, Vita Brevis

“The guy who has helped the blues industry the most is Joe Bonamassa and I would say he is more rock than some rock stuff, so to me blues is whatever you want it to be!”
Simon McBride in my interview with him in Blues Matters! Issue #56