Topic: Hot August Blues 8/15/09 - my Bonabaptism
ummmmmmm wow! Trying to document my Bonabaptism is difficult in that Im not sure there are words in the English language to describe what I witnessed on Saturday at MD's Hot August Blues festival. I should preface this review with some back story. I have been going to this show in particular for 4 years and always look forward to it as a great way to close out the summer. Most of the years I have known a couple of the artists on the bill and been familiar with their music, but I look at the festival as way of finding new music (maybe not new but new to me). Well this year was completely different. Having booked my ticket it early may to save $$ I decided to research some of the bands, my friends pointed me to Joe. So that being said I have been looking forward to this show for the better part of 4 months and was stoked.
It was hot. I live in Baltimore and I have all my life but man it was Hot. Sitting in the sun for 6 hours is not my idea of fun, unless it's while listening to some great music. I had heard Jason Isbel before so I was eager to hear his stuff as an appetizer for Joe. It was pretty rocking. That being said watching the stage take shape with JB's kit was nice and then seeing guitar after guitar get tuned help build the anticipation. Then out of know where (no intro from WTMD's host) Joe, dressed in all white, walks up with the double neck guitar to the mic and crushes into The Ballad of John Henry.
Let me just say the two posters over in "Introductions" nailed it. I had heard this music thousands of hours before. I had stocked up on the entire catalog of his music and played it in the car, in the gym, and at work. I knew what I was gonna hear. And yet my jaw hit the floor! I mean I know you all know this but holy Sh!!!
(a side note in past years when the 2nd to last and then the headliner shows up on stage the front half of the crowd STANDs UP. Well not this year. Seems "staff" told the people in the front walk way they could sit but not stand so crowds to the left of the stage stoop up and others were on the right. Well I stood up. I was maybe 10 rows back and directly to the right of the sound board. My friends and I stood and the people behind us started yelling sit down. my friends caved. (if it was any of you I;m sorry) But I yelled back it's a rock concert and Im gonna stand and jam out to the greatest guitar player I have ever heard live! Sorry for this little rant but I stood for the entire rest of the show even when I wanted to sit down to prove a point!)
Ok back to the review. Where was I ohh yeah MIND Blowing JAW Dropping. There were songs I wanted to hear and didn't but I don't care everything he play was a euphoric moment for me. I wanted to try and convey that to the rest of the people here. I saw a ton of shirts. I would have bought one but it was too hot for black! The setlist has been posted a few times so I will refrain from making this review any longer. My favorites of the nite were Sloe Gin and Mountain Time. Heck I think they were all my favorites. 
My only bummer of the show was after (every artist I have ever seen at HAG except headliners have always signed after they play) I was a bit disheartened to hear from others from the boards that he always does too and then we were told he wasn't coming out. Fail. But it wasn't a crushing blow as I got my second wish of the night and that was a Derek Trucks / Joe Bonamassa jam. Wow. I have become a fan of DTB as well before (save that review for another post) And I even said to my friend he didn't sign but maybe he needs to get a second wind so he can come on stage with Derek and rock out. Bingo! I must admit I don't know the song they played. I was told it was "get out of my life woman"
I can't wait till he is close enough to go so see again. I have been Bonabaptized and I must say I hope heaven has a soundtrack!
Kevin - I met a couple people from here but I can't remember anything other than you were from Ohio sorry but great talking.
