Topic: America Trip

It's not Eva, but Eva's Dad (who is unable to log in)

We have made it over the big pond. Today we saw Joe's show in Philadelphia which was excellent as always.

Originally we had planned to fly to somewhere in Asia together. But in the time of planning it didn't look well there: civil war in Thailand, fascists in Burma, terrorists in India. So we decided to follow our musical soul needs and go to America.

As we were flying with US Air, it felt first really like being in Asia, maybe in a plane of PIA (Pakistani International Air, Peace In Allah) and as we were seated behind an Indian couple constantly farting we were provided with a wide range of Indian flavours. And we had sushi in Philly's Chinese quarter.

But then today we visited Hall of Independence, Liberty Bell and were taught by an American ranger about American history including the advice not to skip lunch and drink a lot, we had arrived finally in America. And now we are sitting with Cathy and George in the most lovely American countryside.

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Alright, now it's me. wink
We're sitting at Cathy's right now, and felt at home within minutes ...
It was great to see Melissa, Dean, the kids and Libby at the Philly radio show - a little warm up for the Festival tomorrow. "Had to cry today" and "Bridge" were back in the set, which was a very nice surprise ...
Up to now we basically had donuts and spent our time driving down broad highways, so more impressions of America are still to come - we'll try to post some pictures of the big forum gathering here at the witch's house in the next days.

Eva

Re: America Trip

Meanwhile.....the Boston delegation (Sandy, friend and daughter-in-law to be) has arrived and is busy pitching tents on the lawn while Eva and her Dad tuck into Cathy's vegetable crab soup. Big Jeff is on his way on his bike and is expected within the hour. big_smile

I'm trying to regain the use of my right hand after hours of power-washing the deck, which is now pretty spotless - the latch on the trigger didn't work so I had to actually keep squeezing it all the time - major hand horror (Michael knows how big the deck is)! BUT, a power-washer is a wonderful thing! cool So is a Rambo shoulder-pack leaf blower! cool

More later...

RIP Iron Man

Rock On and keep the Faith

Re: America Trip

Great to hear you both arrived safely and have already done The Liberty Bell and took in the Philly show and met Melissa Libby and Dean too, soon next that witchety house will get busy, how you all gonna fit in Cathy's Cauldron (i mean hot tub) ...... By George George thatsa lotta decking and Whole Lotta Scrubbin' goin' on ........... Big Jeff & Sandy's Clan too, mucho laughs
Cathy's your a star ..... cook 'em good baby  cool

Have Mega Fun T'Morra All Y'all

Eva/Gunther looking forward to more US Roadtrip reports, this will be a fun thread

..................... Michael

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

Re: America Trip

Spider, Jim & me are continuing to keep the blood levels in our alcohol streams at bay. Penn's Peak was a good show, just under 2 hours. Joe's voice started to falter toward the end. I hope he gets a good night's sleep and can let it rip tomorrow.
See yas then.

Major Tom to ground control...

Re: America Trip

Love to see some pictures of your america adventure Eva,
especially from camp Cathy.;)

6 (edited by BluesMan 2009-08-17 15:53:46)

Re: America Trip

Günter,

"We were seated behind an Indian couple constantly farting; we were provided with a wide range of Indian flavours."?? My goodness, I hope You and Eva retaliated! lol Oh, that's right, ladies don't do that, so I hope at least you retaliated! wink

Hey, I sent an E-mail to some people last week detailing what you can do if you're seated next to an annoying passenger on an airline. Try this:


1. Remove your laptop from the briefcase.

2. Open the laptop slowly and carefully.

3. Turn it on, as well as the sound.

4. Make sure that the passenger next to you is looking.

5. Access the Internet.

6. Close your eyes for a few moments, open again and look up to heaven.

7. Take a deep breath and open the site: http://www.myit-media.de/the_end.html

8. Observe the facial expression of the passenger seating next to you


Enjoy your trip and hopefully, you'll have time to give us some updates. smile

Roy

Joe is the Best!

Re: America Trip

I liked that Roy, we share a sense of humour! smile

~ Brack ~

GOOD KARMA - http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3zkw … o1_500.jpg
Avatar Credit: D.Hirst,Olympic Union Flag
Adele: RAH http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Oio8V3e3WU&ob=av2e -
We Are The Champ20ns

Re: America Trip

Brack wrote:

I liked that Roy, we share a sense of humour! smile

~ Brack ~

I sensed that a little while ago Brack. big_smile

Roy

Joe is the Best!

Re: America Trip

It's Gunter again:

Meanwhile we are about leaving NYC.

The days in Maryland were just wonderful. We had a big festival with Joe and Derek. There was a lot of talking who would be better or best. I think both were best, each in his own way. And the best of all was their playing together. Again - like with Steve Winwood - I was hoping that they would do and they did. (Isn't it great that within half a year I saw Joe playing with Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and Derek; No.1 on the wishlist now is Warre Haynes.)

I have to say we were overwhelmed by the friendliness and generousity of the people around us. First of all Cathy who - together with George- was providing food and sleeping arrangements for so many people. Under the disguise of a hippie anarchy appearance there was a perfect household functioning seemingly effortless. I always liked Cathy, but my esteem for her savoir vivre was growing day by day. Congrats, George, to be with such a woman.

In the basement of Cathy's house there are living a most remarkable man and his guitars. Jim  is highly dedicated to his music, providing us and the forest around with a vibrant soundtrack. And he is a soul of a man. He was arranging all for our NYC travel and he even insisted on paying for our room. We have found the incarnation of the Good American in the hills of Maryland. Jim, I'll wear the Gibson shirt you gave me tonight with The Allman Brothers.

And there were somany other helpful guys: Sandy, giving us tickets for the festival, Paul, giving us a lot of CDs, Libby, organising tickets for Sonny Landreth and Devon Allman. And then Jane, offering a high class brunch in her beautiful home. I can't name all: but it was a most stunning experience for us Europeans.

It was such a lot of fun to be with all the forum people, with some for the second time after RAH, some for the first time as Big Jeff I am the fear factor Jones.

To  close up our maryland days we went by boat to a magic place high over the riverside. And then from there right into our hotel next to Times Square - what a cultural shock.....

My internet tiume is running out, more with my next post.

Guenter

10

Re: America Trip

This time it's me - from San Diego ... smile

I can just agree on everything my dad already said: We're having a great time over here in the US of A, but the best thing about this country is definitely the people living here ... I can't even start to thank everybody for their generosity and for all the fun we had!

The HAB was even better than we had expected it to be ... this must have been the largest forum gathering since Royal Albert Hall. It was so great to meet you all in person - I spent so much time chatting with everyone that I literally missed the first three bands. lol! How great to finally meet the legendary Mr. Big Jeff Jones (you ARE a legend... wink) and Libby (we had the most HYSTERICAL fit of laughter ever...), Ben and Mr. Fuzzy Wuzzy, Jane, Ken, Susan, Tom ... to make this short: everybody. big_smile
Here's some pics of the - indeed - HOT August Blues Festival: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41675368@N … 978776221/
People were euphoric about Joe's set ... and how great to see HTCT back in the set list! Of course everyone was hoping for a jam with Derek Trucks and as you probably already know from various youtube videos - it DID happen. Like dad already said: to see Joe play with Clapton AND Winwood AND Derek... can you ask for more??
The Drerek Trucks Band was SO great as well ... what a soulful playing and great band-interaction. I also think that Joe and Derek are the two best players of their generation - and the good thing is that they don't need to be rivals, because they're just so different.
We had a great brunch at Jane's house on Sunday morning and were hanging out eating the TONS of wonderful food that Jane had prepared for us. The only thing we were able to do afterwards was sitting in the shade under a tree - "like digesting cows" as Cathy put it. lol Thank you Jane, that was just perfect!
To end a wonderful day, Cathy took us to a secret cabin by the river - what a stunningly gorgeous place! I kept that picture in mind while we were walking the buzzing busy streets of New York City the days afterwards.....

My internet time is running out now, so there's more to come next time. Just wanted to send out a BIG thank you to all of you ! smile

Eva

Re: America Trip

Eva Darling,
Don't forget the shades! lol 
MuchLove
BigJeff(hardlyalegend)Jones
but I am the FDOL wink

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

Re: America Trip

Thanks Eva and Gunther for sharing your experience and pics with those of us who weren't fortunate enough to be there.
How lovely to see so many happy, smiling Bonabuddies.
Enjoy the rest of your stay!

Tripsy smile

Re: America Trip

I second this, thank you so much for sharing all your impressions, it sounds awesome. And the pictures are way cool! LOL, the shades are everywhere. lol

Claudia

14

Re: America Trip

(Guenter writing)

Meanwhile we flew to LA, thundering down with our "full seize" Toyota to San Diego, ZZTop soundtrack (we know that they are not exactly Californian). We are in the territory of Rocket and Libby, so again safely embedded in the Forum's network. Rocket took us to a nice tour along the coast to the Coachhouse where we saw Sonny Landreth.

But first back to NYC. We saw it from the air, from a mad house called Empire State Building, from the sea via STaten Island ferry, followed Bob Dylan Steps in the Village, remembered John Lennon in the Central Park and in the Rock'nRoll'' House of Fame Lennon exhibition.... From an antrophological perspective we were impressed by new communication patterns. Especially the businessman tribe seems to be in a severe Blackberry Trance. If their toy is taken away they look like babies being seperated by their pacifiers: good working chances for a future geration of psychotherapists. The more common inhabitants seem to develop a new art form. On Washington Square we saw a young black woman talking to her (ex?)lover covering with her voice at least half of the place. I didn't understand all, but I think it had to be labelled "mature content". MOre important was how she did it. She did some dancing steps, meaningful body postures and vocal expressions, she was singing and repeating certain phrases like in a gospel song: I was impressed!!)

Seeing the Allman Brothers in New Jersey was wonderful. (Roy, thanks again for organising tickets.) A huge venue (we expected a small one, because Homdel is so tiny), playing the national anthem before the show, Doobie Brothers opening (quite nice) and then the Allmans. Big Lighshow- nostalgic feelings, late 60s, psychedelic "underground" - but these guys are very much on the ground and up to date!! I think, in the 40 years they are around there were weak periods, but they seem to be in top form. It was something to hear Warren and Derek play together in front of a most powerful rhythm machine....

Sonny's show yesterday was another highlight. Together with Libby, Steve and Rocket we had the first table, and I could see Sonny playing just in 2 meters distance. Well, together with Derek and Ry Cooder he is one of the definitive masters of slide guitar. It's outrageous what sound he's getting out of his guitar. Sunday it's Devon Allman. Could be a worse holliday..

Guenter

15

Re: America Trip

Oh yes, don't get me started on the Crackberry disease ... "babies being separated by their pacifiers" just hits the nail on the head! lol

Seeing the Allman Brothers Band was right on the top of my "must do list" for this trip and indeed they were worth every penny ... to see Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks trading licks on "Soulshine" was just about as good as it gets. What a Band! They played a lot of new stuff, but also some of the classics like "You don't love me". It's just impressive how many layers of sound they create - and how tight their sound is even though it's such a huge Band with so many excellent players. I'm so glad we got to see them...

Yesterday we had the pleasure to meet up with our Californian "tourist guides" again - first we had a little guided tour along the San Diego coastline with our friend Rocket, who took us to the most beautiful places ... it didn't even matter that the sky was cloudy and that there were even some drops of RAIN coming down (in California! We were shocked to say the least!! wink). Then we met up with wonderful Libby and her husband Steve for yet another musical highlight - Sonny Landreth playing at the Coach House. Man, this guy can play! Nearly like a classical player ... and each of his fingers seems to have their own life. Just impressive! We also enjoyed the opening band Anderson Hall, great rocking sound. And of course there was more hysterical giggling with Libby as she pulls out a SOCK of mine that I had forgotten at Cathy's place in the middle of the show ... lol! We could barely look at each other.

Rocket is here now, so off to more adventures! smile

Eva

16 (edited by BluesMan 2009-08-22 23:20:55)

Re: America Trip

You're welcome Günter, I was just glad to help out. Sounds like you two are having the time of your lives! Hmmmmm....The Coach House, I seem to remember seeing another famous person performing there a while ago, but I could be wrong. wink

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8384830@N0 … 851258350/

Roy

Joe is the Best!

17 (edited by andre wittebroek 2009-08-22 23:15:35)

Re: America Trip

Thank you Eva and Gunter for these wonderful reports.

What a holiday with all those lovely people and all that GREAT music!

I'm just a bit jealous but what I think is not fair Eva:
I'm  the biggest Allman Brothers Band fan in the world from their first LP till today, so at least 40 years and NEVER saw them live because they DON'T COME TO EUROPE..........

You my dear are 23??, sorry if I'm wrong, and you SAW them live!!
I was a fan for 17 years before you even were born and YOU were FIRST!!

Just joking of course but I would like to see them so much..

Enjoy your stay and give all Bonabuddies my regards, love them too.

Rocket and Libby take care of those Germans please and of yourself

A big hug to all of you from me.

Sorry I wasn't on the computer too much lately: holidays and trouble with the computer. My wife's laptop is broken and our  homecomputer falls out very often and needs repairing too after the laptop has been repaired.

Viel Spass noch und : 

Nuernberg- Hannover  0-2
Mainz- Bayern Muenchen 2-1............Van Gaal pppffff

Andre Wittebroek

Re: America Trip

I love these reports, obviously because I was there for certain parts, but for lots of other reasons too! Most of all, for Günter's occasionally wonderful turns of phrase!! big_smile

My favorites are - "Under the disguise of a hippie anarchy appearance there was a perfect household functioning seemingly effortless" and "In the basement of Cathy's house there are living a most remarkable man and his guitars."

Please keep them coming...enjoy California with Libby and Rocket you two...so envious you got to see Sonny... I'll add some pics when I have the strength, which is not now. wink

Much love, and hey, let's be careful out there!

RIP Iron Man

Rock On and keep the Faith