• Registered: 2009-08-24
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Topic: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

What a phenominal show that was put on by Joe & his band. He played a free concert at River Roots Live in downtown Davenport. It was my first time seeing him........ I thought I better check this guy out after hearing he was compared to the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan & others. I loved every song he played & especially his guitar playing. He was absolutely incredible! I bought 4 of his CDs & a shirt after the show................ and I just bought my tickets for Charlotte, NC in Oct. Thanks for the grat show Joe!

Anybody have the setlist for this show?

  • Lee
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Re: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

mrmojorisin wrote:

Anybody have the setlist for this show?

I didn't write it down, but as I recall it was the same as some recent shows:


Ballad of John Henry
Last Kiss
So Many Roads
Had To Cry Today
Sloe Gin
Lonesome Road Blues
Story of a Quarryman
Further On Up The Road
The Great Flood
Woke Up Dreaming
Just Got Paid
e:
Mountain Time

  • From: Deep in the forest
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Re: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

Welcome. mrmojo.. We know exactly how you feel! It's a giant buzz to hear from a new addict. We will encourage your habit and enable when ever possible. Note..Joe is NOT fond of the SRV comparision. He's heard it too much and his sound is nothing like Stevie's. I think he gets the impression that folks who say that have not heard his music. It's not a put down to the skill of SRV at all. Welcome, and enjoy.     Cathy

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Re: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

I was really looking forward to the show Saturday.  It was a big fest with 2 stages 1 block away so the show times did not intend to overlap.  A band called Backyard Tire fire was doing their last song but, by my watch, at 10:28 Joe kicked into Ballad of John Henry. It was not fun hearing 2 bands competing and both songs were ruined.

Sound mix at first has loud bass and drums and the guitar was lost.  After listening to Live from Nowhere in Particular many times over the last few week and expecting the same sound mix, I was VERY disappointed.  I got a little better a few songs into it, but never enough guitar.

I had recommended to everyone I meet to come see Joe and about 20 people came on this recommendation, and many were not impressed. I found Joe's use of about 7-8 guitars over a 90 min show to be more to show off all the guitars he owns instead of sticking to just his favorite 1-2 plus the acoustic for Wake up Dreaming.

Joe has great skills but no personallity on stage. Considering how great the last 3 albums have been, I hope to see him again and hope this Davenport show was just a bad mix.

  • Registered: 2009-08-24
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Re: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

Dobro, you must not have been too close to the stage...I was about 20 yards away and I briefly heard the overlap, maybe 10-15 seconds, but after that, I didn't hear anymore.  I felt it was more as if Joe was "announcing" his presence...and maybe your clock was off.  Either way, this was my first JB show although I have been a fan for a couple of years.  I walked away very satisfied with his performance...I have heard lots of his live stuff and this was right up there...nearly flawless.  I think his constant switching of guitars is only a testament to how technical of a musician he is, not that he was trying to show off...even so, there was nothing wrong with that.

  • suhl
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Re: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

There was definitely competition for the sound.  All i can say is I am glad I didn't pay for that show.  Sad fact is Joe plays is more and more ordinary every time I see him.  It is honestly tragic what the new band has done to had to cry today.  We watched rockpalast upon getting home just to make sure my judgement that it was superior in every conceivable way wasn't flawed.  It wasn't.  I know most people here think it is cruel to have a bad opinion of new Joe, but honestly, watch one of the old dvds immediately following a live show.  I really don't know how anyone could have fallen in love with his old live music and not be incredibly let down by what he is doing now. 

I'm sorry, but this being my sixth time seeing Joe i am not going to see him again unless it is free.  I am not exaggerating when I say it has gotten more and more boring every time.  This is partially because he plays the same basic show every time, but the playing is getting more and more dumbed down far less risky and the band does absolutely nothing to push him.  Like i said, i'll see him again on a free show, otherwise no.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fCdNsm7gvu8

If wine and pills were hundred dollar bills
I might keep you satisfied

suhl's Website

  • jim m
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Re: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

Suhl, You have been around a long time. You have done your share of complaining. Maybe more than your fair share. You have the boss's ear here so knock yourself out. Don't be surprised if he tunes you out.

I have customers like you in my day job. After awhile you realize not to loose any sleep over your inability to please everyone. I think Joe and I have this in common. We know it is impossible to please some.

If at the end of the day you can please yourself then you can sleep at night. I work and I know Joe works to please himself and if others happen to dig it too then you can make a living at it.

Joe has a new band he has gone a different direction some of us are enjoying it you obviously don't. I suggest you deal with it or move on.

jim m's Website

8 Reply by pattyluvsjoe (edited by pattyluvsjoe 2009-08-25 04:20:28)

  • From: Indianola, IA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
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Re: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

You know I loved it..........  wink

Rhonda (aka Smokey) and I (aka Bandit) rolled in to Davenport at 4:30 am from the St. Joseph, MO show the night before........can you say t.i.r.e.d.   Our wake up call was Boot (Rhonda's husband) telling us that we missed soundcheck  sad  Knew we needed to rise & shine to get spots reserved down front.  Joe didn't go on until 10:30 pm,  but spots were going early.  Thank goodness some other Bonabuddies were early risers.  Great day making new friends, talking with old friends and listening to the buzz circulating about Joe!  People got so excited when they saw Joe milling about the festival.  smile      Beautiful weather...actually gorgeous weather! Variety of music thru out the day.  Take your pick...love it or leave it.....just like art...... "doesn't look like art to you, doesn't mean it's not art" 

I thought Joe and the band were ON TOP of their game.  Scintillating would be my choice of words!  Me, myself, & I were thoroughly entertained from start to finish.  I love seeing Joe be Joe.  I didn't hear anyone around me that wasn't just as excited.  A young man, probably all of 15 years old, behind me said, "Joe's my inspiration to be a better guitar player."   My only complaint would be that the show ends too soon........I could go for a marathon of Joe  wink

And the excitement afterwards of seeing people meet Joe for the first time......priceless.....

Joe, thanks again for coming to Iowa. Can't wait for October!    Always so proud of you.....and the kettlecorn was delicious........thanks  smile  luv you lots

                                                                                                     pattyluvsjoe

P.S.  Special thanks to Bogie, Rick, Carmine, Warren,  Aaron, Dave, Colin, Clancy, and the Big-Rig Man for being so kind hearted.  You are the best collection of kind souls.  I hear there is a new soul amongst you, Troy...will look forward to meeting him, too.

"I'm not nice to any guitar!"      lol
                 Joe Bonamassa 05-03-12

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Re: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

I am fairly new to Joe, so forgive me for not having the history.  Listening to some of Joe's earlier stuff, I truely like the most recent albums, The Ballad of JOhn Henry is a great album start to finish and better then most of the earlier stuff.  Thats why I was pumped about seeing the show and it just didn't look like he was really into it.

I am debating going to Peoria, but afraid I'll be disappointed after droping $100 for a couple of tickets.

BTW, my watch was not off, it was my cell phone which is the TRUE time.  Joe was early and dumped all over the other band.

10 Reply by the dude (edited by the dude 2009-08-25 07:23:15)

  • Registered: 2006-04-21
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Re: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

I was there, too, and thoroughly enjoyed the show.  I got up to within 30-50 feet of the left bank of speakers about straight on from where Joe was on stage much of the time.  I looked for forum regulars, and I think I saw Lee during the show, but that was it. 

Anyway, to the substance of the show, highlights for me were Last Kiss, So Many Roads, HTCT, Sloe Gin, Lonesome Road Blues, Just Got Paid, and Mountain Time.  Particularly great were Last Kiss, HTCT, and Lonesome Road Blues as great live and the first time I saw them live (except for HTCT but it's been a while and is a new version).  I was surprised by how much the new version of HTCT knocked me out after hearing a few complaints about the new version a while back and having liked but not been knocked out by a somewhat recent Youtube of it.  I don't know if there was some reworking done or just something doesn't translate from live to Youtube, but I was very impressed by the new HTCT Saturday night.

One quibble from me would be the mix or loudness on TBOJH, but my location (maybe too close at 30-50 feet from the gigantic left speaker bank) was perhaps the cause of this.  In the future I think I'll go further back in the crowd at such outdoor events to alleviate this as I was rather deaf in my left ear for much of the next 24 hours.  But then maybe I'm just getting old and all of this is mostly minor quibbles and included simply to be a full and honest report as opposed to a whitewash.  Thanks Joe and guys for a very high energy and enjoyable performance.  I'm planning on seeing you a couple times in October as you swing back through the area.  Enjoy your hard-earned time off.

11 Reply by Rocket (edited by Rocket 2009-08-25 23:41:58)

  • Rocket
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Re: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

You layed your opinions down bare, so I'm laying mine down bareback

suhl wrote:

There was definitely competition for the sound-Question, was someone jumping the gun or was someone's time up??? The fact there were 2 stages should've been a clue or were the showtimes layed down to the split second???  All i can say is I am glad I didn't pay for that show.  Sad OPINION OF FACT fact is Joe plays is more and more ordinary TO ME every time I see him.  It is honestly tragic TO ME what the new band has REdone to had to cry today.  We watched rockpalast upon getting home just to make sure my judgement that it was superior in every conceivable way wasn't flawed.  TO ME It wasn't.  I know most people here think it is cruel to have a bad opinion of new Joe, but honestly, watch one of the old dvds immediately following a live show-WHY????? Ooooohh yeah prejudice!!!! "I really don't know how anyone could have fallen in love with his old live music and not be incredibly let down by what he is doing now". -So your mind is closed? Yes, because I can completely understand how you can form & express your opinions, but you cannot understand someone else (JOE INCLUDED) AT ALL???
I'm sorry, but this being my sixth time seeing Joe i am not going to see him again unless it is free.  I am not exaggerating when I say it has gotten more and more boring FOR ME every time.  This is partially because TO ME he plays the same basic show every time, but the playing is getting more and "more dumbed down far less risky and the band does absolutely nothing to push him".  Like i said, i'll see him again on a free show, otherwise no. WHY BOTHER AT ALL?  HONESTLY!!![

 
The underlined parts of your quotes are the most asinine things I've ever heard you state.

Rock On & Take the Faith, Wherever it may lead you-There are so many roads, choose your forks and your bridges tactical worth wisely,
Rocket

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! wink"
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here.  I mean, there are professionals in here.”
  • Registered: 2009-08-25
  • Posts: 1

Re: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

Wow! mad

Who do these guys think they are? Look at their facebook page! Blasphemy, joe is a rock legend. They are a small time bar band.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Backyard- … 190?ref=ts

Dear Joe or should we refer to you as the self-proclaimed "World's Greatest Guitar Player",

We aren't usually fans of drama but we needed to call you out on one of the douche-iest moves we can remember. When you started your set 8 minutes early at River Roots Live you seemingly took the thunder out of the final song of our set. Did you really need to do that? Is your ego that large and confidence that small that you feel the need to step on other bands' sets at festivals? Surely someone who has played as many gigs as you knows better. It's not our usual policy to air our dirty laundry in public, but dude, get a @#$%^^&# life and get over yourself. Though you can play a million notes a minute doesn't playing the blues require soul?

- Backyard Tire Fire

ps - The Bee-Gee's called and they want their white jumpsuit back

  • From: Hampton IL
  • Registered: 2009-07-01
  • Posts: 123

Re: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

WOW! I have a hard time seeing/understanding the different opinions of the show. I was dead center maybe twenty feet away from the stage. I guess I missed the overlap of bands. As for the show, I thought it was great. If you know or read anything about Joe you have to know he is shy and not outspoken. If you want someone who will come out and do a bunch of talking to the crowd or staged comments you have plenty of other bands to choose from. Me personally, I prefer he comes out and lets his music and performance do the talking. I don't need or want him to stick the mic out for the crowd to sing or try and be funny or use staged set ups prior to the song. I have his DVD's (was first in line for the Royal Albert) seen him several times and talked as many people as I could to come to the show. I watched the look on their face as they stood in amazement during the show and enjoyed listening to them after the show rave about how great it was. I have yet to walk away from one of his shows disappointed. I don't follow him from town to town but I could see fans wanting him to mix up the set list from show to show. The only thing I was a little disappointed with was the riffs in Slow Gin after stormy seas seem to be cut a little short but the overall performance was outstanding. Feedback, maybe throw Bridge to Better Days back in the set list:D, just mix it up so people have a chance to see some different shows or rare tracks from one show to the next . The dumped down comment was without a doubt the most idiotic thing I have read. Comment of the night: This guy tells another who was seeing Joe for the first time "He's going to come out and lay it in your eye!" I don't think you could wipe the smile off his face after the show.

You don't find a style, ... a style finds you

Keith Richards
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
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Re: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

I honestly went on exactly at 10:30 pm according to our time.  I cant be responsible for 10, 000 watches that are not in sync or bands who run over.  I heard the music stop on the side stage and started the Ballad of John Henry.  It was 10:30 and I went on.  I then did realize that the band Back Yard Tire Fire had put in a fake ending on the song was still going on.  I ve done this type of arrangement and its no fault of theirs. But I was on at that point and what can you do? Walk off ? start over?  I think their open letter is misguided and full of cheap shots that I do not or will not respond to.  I suggest that they think about how they are look writing something like that when my intention was to only go on ON TIME and make the festival end by 12 midnight.  But why would they care about my slot or any of the myriad of factors that go on in a open air multi stage festival that has a curfew.  This is the kind of thing that makes me want to find another profession frankly.  Let those guys close the show next year.. Im done.
Joe Bonamassa

15 Reply by Rocket (edited by Rocket 2009-08-25 21:20:32)

  • Rocket
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Re: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

joerulez wrote:

Wow! mad

Who do these guys think they are? Look at their facebook page! Blasphemy, joe is a rock legend. They are a small time bar band.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Backyard- … 190?ref=ts

Dear Joe or should we refer to you as the self-proclaimed "World's Greatest Guitar Player",

We aren't usually fans of drama but we needed to call you out on one of the douche-iest moves we can remember. When you started your set 8 minutes early at River Roots Live you seemingly took the thunder out of the final song of our set. Did you really need to do that? Is your ego that large and confidence that small that you feel the need to step on other bands' sets at festivals? Surely someone who has played as many gigs as you knows better. It's not our usual policy to air our dirty laundry in public, but dude, get a @#$%^^&# life and get over yourself. Though you can play a million notes a minute doesn't playing the blues require soul?

- Backyard Tire Fire

ps - The Bee-Gee's called and they want their white jumpsuit back


This goes for those chumps too:
Rock On & Take the Faith, Wherever it may lead you-There are so many roads, choose your forks and your bridges tactical worth wisely,
Rocket

Personally, I can see their intent is obvious from the start at the festival, let alone their web stuff.  My forceful opinion is they are obviously no fan of Joe to start.  Anyone who nominally was would want to be done and over to watch, so screw 'em I say.  Punks. And second time I state 2 stages=competition period, even if only for standing room if no 2 shows are supposed to be on at once, in which case it's why are there 2 stages??? BAHHHHHH!!!!!!

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! wink"
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here.  I mean, there are professionals in here.”
  • From: Indianola, IA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 4,429

Re: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

I for one didn't hear any other music playing from where I was standing.  I told those around me that Joe starts on time.  Every concert that I have been to, that is one of the many things about Joe & Co. I admire, starting on time.  When I looked at my cell phone it said 10:30.   I feel bad that the Iowa show has to have a "sour note" in it.  Sorry Joe, it appears it's a "damned if you do and damned if you don't"  ...this too shall pass...... And the childish comments about what you had on......just ask the ladies of the crowd what they thought   wink    You are loved by many.....
                                                       pattyluvsjoe

"I'm not nice to any guitar!"      lol
                 Joe Bonamassa 05-03-12

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  • From: Cazenovia, NY
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Re: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

Joe Bonamassa wrote:

...This is the kind of thing that makes me want to find another profession frankly.  Let those guys close the show next year.. Im done.
Joe Bonamassa

Hey Joe...

Don't let it bother you.  We're completely behind you.  Great show at Penn's Peak 2 weeks ago.  My buddy Dave was floored!  Another new fan born that night.

L8r... John

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"  unknown
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 1,168

Re: Joe at River Roots Live - Davenport, Iowa

Ok one more thing and I will try to forget I even played this gig..  I have been on second stages where other bands sound checked and jammed a song during my show with full PA, I have done festivals in Europe were Brian Wilson was on at the same time as me across the way, I have seen bands run over 30 mins past their scheduled show time leaving me with 45 mins before curfew and thus criticized for playing a short show.  So When my watch says 10:30 and crowd is there Im going on.  Calling me out for 10:28 is nonsense and what that band wrote if they are still around in this business 20 years from now, they will regret what they said and understand hopefully and have traveled around and seen sometimes how you are put in a catch 22 situation at these things..  The organizers were very nice and said that they enjoyed the show. I like them as people and they were very welcoming.  As far as the sound system, we should of insisted on hanging our PA but in the interest of making it easy on the crew and deflecting shout outs of DIVA-massa from some of the other bands which they would of been welcome to play through as well. I didnt.  I should of but I didnt. 
thanks again.
Joe Bonamassa