Wichita, KS 10-15-09 Review

We drove to Wichita, KS from Bentonville, AR to see Joe play.  It was a little over a 4 hour drive and we had to be back that night for work the next morning.  Man, this was certainly worth the road trip.  Joe put on one hell of a show.  His tone was out of this world...... DUH.  The man's got the best tone in the business.  If I had to be a #@$@# and be picky I would have to say that we were all disappointed he didn't break out the resonator guitar nor the Gigliotti.  We were all very much looking forward to seeing him play The River, Bridge to Better Days and High Water Everywhere, but he didn't play any of these great tunes.  That's just being nit-picky.  We did not leave there disappointed in the show at all.  We were all thrilled by the show we did get to see. 

The venue was very small.  It holds maybe 1000 to at the most maybe 1500.  It's set up for opera or symphony with the Balcony and lower seating.  I couldn't think of a better place to see Joe Bonamassa.  It gave it that personal kind of touch.  We were on the 5th row which made it exciting.  I've never seen a guitarist adjust the volume and tone knobs on a guitar so much to find that perfect tone for every note and chord.  So many guitar players just put it on 10 and go.  Not Joe, he knows exactly where to put those knobs and adjust for it damn near every other note he plays and it shows.  The man has magic in those fingers. 

To top the evening off we got to meet Joe after the show outside his tour bus.  I own an aged Bonamassa Les Paul Signature guitar, #161.  I brought the pick guard with me just in case we were able to meet him.  When we did I just couldn't believe it.  Joe was TOTALLY COOL.  He was happy to sign my pick guard for me and take a picture with me.  That just made the night.

If you haven't seen Joe in concert do yourself a favor and do whatever it takes to get to a show.  You won't regret it.  You will however regret it if you let a show get by you.  There will come a day when you will wish you had.  I predict that he will become a legend.  It will be like SRV.  I was a friend of SRV.  Well, more like an acquaintance.  I got to know him throughout his last several months before his untimely death.  At the time I had no appreciation for his music and didn't even think twice about knowing him.  I never even went to watch him play.  Today I'm kicking myself in the **** for not going to a show or even having him sign something.  I've never been one to be star struck and ask for autographs.  I sure wish I would have at the time.  I'm certainly glad I did get Bonamassa's on this guitar.  I will cherish this guitar forever.  This will be one to hang onto.

Thanks Joe for the great show and for being so cool when we had the privilege of meeting you.
Todd Fleeman
Bentonville, AR