Hampton Beach New Hampshire 8/13/2009

It was a good show but not one of the better shows, I will probably never go to that venue again unless I can get a seat up near the front,don't get me wrong my seat wasn't that bad. It's just the first 20 minutes of the show I was trying to see while people are finding their seats and waitresses serving drinks. There were more than one occasion when Joe actually lost some of the audience. (yes I said it)  The one time in particular was during The Great Flood. I couldn't drown out the talking going on all around me. Yes of course the next song Woke up Dreaming reeled them back in and kept them until the end. The show ended strong,but the encore JUST ENDED! Next guitar was all set to go (Mountain Time?) then got put away. I know I may have ruffled some feathers,but I've seen Joe enough to know that certain JOE HIGH  on the 2 hour drive home and it just wasn't there last night. I think the theater setting has spoiled me a little and there is more courtesy in those venues.

I was seated up in the front section, over by the left side of the stage. I don't think Mountain Time was coming, but I think that the tech picked up a string out of tune which I thought I heard during Quarry Man, as he scrambled to get the other guitar set up. He kept trying to get Joe's attention to give him the stand-in, but Joe didn't look over. The tech sort of was like"WTF?" when he went right into Asking Around.

I do agree that the Ballroom is a bit of a pit, but it always seems in those venues that people love to waste their money on tickets by talking through the whole show. If you just want to come and drink you could probably afford another round if you didn't buy tickets and went somewhere else.:mad: Let those who want to hear him get the tickets. The theater settings always are a more conscientious crowd.

All inall, I think he gets better each time I see him (ninth time this time). There was some real passion in the palying lst night. By the way, Bogie was SMOKIN'!!

Good vs. Great - depends on many factors i.e how many times you have seen him, types of venues, where you sit etc.
I would say Joe and the band played great (as usual) but overall my night was just good. I have talked with some that love the Casino - I did not care for the place. It reminded me of the type of place I would go see Aerosmith in the 70's with all the beer you could drink for $5.00 (really). We were crammed in like sardines at our table. Too many distractions also. We were not up front but we were not out on the street either - OK seats. I did not think the sound was stellar. After seeing Joe in small bars ( the old days) and theatre type settings I have to lean toward theatres these days with sound being the main reason. Joe did mentioned at the beginning the last time he played there was way back in the 90's with BB King. Maybe that has something to do with why he chose the venue but if I were him I would not return. The crowd size was very impressive -looked like a sell out or close to it.
I too was waiting for Mountain Time and was somewhat disappointed. For me - live - it is the song I look forward to hearing the most. I think it is the first time he hasn't played it while I attended ( 8 shows). Just Got Paid/Dazed almost made up for the absense of Mountian Time...almost. Overall the set list was fine though. As Joe keeps pumping out music ti gets harder to please everyone with the perfect set list. (One song I would love to see Joe bring back is 'Takin the Hit')
Doc jones and Blues Crazy - sorry I did not stop by to say hello - got there at showtime - too hard to find you!

Any time I see Joe I consider it a religious experience. Looks like it will be a while til I go to church again.
It was pleasing to hear my bonavirgin friends react with "Why the F... haven't I seen this guy before?" It was nice also to see the younger Joe fans in the crowd.

Joe - thanks once again for fullfilling the need to experience your ( and the bands) talent. It will ALWAYS be worth seeing you regardless of the venue.
Till next time...