1 (edited by Drumdude119 2009-10-25 21:25:20)

Topic: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

Well, I just got back from an incredible show.  It was my first time seeing Joe live after many failed attempts, so it was quite a moment for me.  Everything I've ever read about his live show was completely true.  It was indeed the "religious experience" that I've heard about so many times.  I went with a couple of my band mates, and they were also blown away.  We couldn't get over how perfect the band sounded!  Every single song was incredible.  I absolutely loved Sloe Gin and Happier Times.  Had to Cry Today was great to see, since my band covers it, and oh man, Woke Up Dreaming was perhaps even longer and more intense than the RAH DVD version.  Lastly, as a drummer, I have to say I LOVE Bogie!  He was quite inspirational tonight.

Without further ado, here's the amazing set list from tonight (I don't be believe I missed anything, but forgive me if I did- I was completely enveloped in the show!):

The Ballad of John Henry
Last Kiss
So Many Roads
So, It's Like That
If Heart Aches Were Nickles
Further On Up the Road
Sloe Gin
Lonesome Road Blues
Happier Times
Bridge to Better Days
Had to Cry Today
The Great Flood
Woke Up Dreaming
Mountain Time
***
Ball Peen Hammer
Just Got Paid

I just got a text from my friend saying that Joe sat in with Gov't Mule tonight, another show I was considering going to tonight.  So it's confirmed: Joe is the coolest guy alive!

Sorry about the epically long post, but the show tonight was just that: epic.

Re: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

Thanks for this, Dude! What a set list!!!! tongue

Bridge followed by HTCT - I'd be in hog heaven if I heard that. No need to apologize, this was not by any means a long post. You've obviously missed the postzillas around here. wink

RIP Iron Man

Rock On and keep the Faith

Re: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

Awesome TIME ONCE AGAIN seeing Joe and the band ROCKING IN CHITOWN . The songs might be the same as before but I love the way JB add's a little bit more SPICE to them to make them a little bit more sweet . Can't what till next time cause you just can NEVER get enough of JB and the Boy's . As for the VIC nice place to visit but I sure in Hell would NOT want to live there , Little updating in the latrines would help smile

Jon

4 (edited by dknight16 2009-10-27 03:06:55)

Re: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

It was a great show.  We really enjoyed the set list on this one.  The only thing missing I suppose was Asking Around For You.  I've never been to a show where that wasn't the last song.  Making up for that was an electric version of If Heartaches Were Nickles back in the set list.  It's been acoustic over the last couple of years.

I didn't feel like the crowd was overly subdued, but the set list did start out with slower tempo songs.  The crowd was appropriately reactive after particularly tasty guitar solos and roared with appreciation after every song.  Joe smiled in response a lot.

The second half took things up a couple of notches.  Happier Times is an amazing song, and really comes off well live.  Bogie particularly shines on this one and the crowd definitely eats it up.  This song should probably never leave the set list.  It's a huge crowd pleaser.

We took both of our kids and my daughter's boyfriend along.  He's been hearing about Joe for a while now from us, but this was his first JB concert.  Being a young music fan, he thinks he knows something about great guitar players.  Joe really took him to school and showed what a real guitar player sounds like.  He was entranced the whole show, but was completely blown away during Woke Up Dreaming.  He just couldn't imagine how a solo acoustic performance could be a near-religious experience.  He understands now.

Here's hoping Joe will tour SE Michigan in the Spring and stop making me drive 800+ miles each time to see a show.

Gibson 60th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul Reissue, Gibson LP Standard Faded CSB, Gibson Gary Moore LP Standard, Epi Joe Bonamassa GT LP, Epi Zakk Wylde LP, Dean Michael Schenker Flying V, Jackson Randy Rhoads V, ESP/LTD George Lynch Kamikaze, EVH Striped Series R/B/W, Fender/Squire John 5 Telecaster, Fender Joe Strummer Relic Telecaster

Re: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

Drumdude119, I second your proclamation

             "So it's confirmed:  Joe is the coolest guy alive!"


                                                         pattyluvs cool

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

JBLP CHILD #184

Re: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

As long time fans, my wife and I saw the Vic show last night, and were blown away. Everything is coming together with his show, and he very well may be poised to make the big time.  When we first saw him (as a high energy power trio at Summerfest) the energy and musicianship was stellar and it was HOT, and it was THE BLUES. Over the years, he's made many changes, to his shows, lineup, songs, and style. Some worked, some didn't. Pacing and song choice have been lacking over the past few years but he's refined his style and showmanship. We've enjoyed watching as the venues get bigger, the crew grows, and the business seems truly in order.
Tonight's show was (to me) a culmination of everything coming together - style, showmanship, material, virtuiosity, AND (the most important and) POWER. He's brought it all together, and after watching for many years as one or another area lagged, as others got stronger, and vice versa, it's truly a pleasure to see Joe Bonamassa ARRIVE. And with all the refinement and expertise he's cultivated in the newer image of the Stylin' Joe, he's still not lost the fire of the Smokin' Joe. Time for a hit or two, and the stratosphere. Waytogo JOE!

Chris and Nancy in Chicago

Re: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

The Vic show rocked. My wife and I were there left side of the stage 3rd row.
The band sounded great as always.

Thanks for the great show and set list Joe.

Gibson Collectors Choice #6
Joe Bonamassa Custom Shop Goldtop Unaged 1st run
Alvarez Acoustic '95
Gibson Skylark GA5-T '65, Marshall JTM45 Reissue, Fender Princton Reverb '72, Modded Bugera V5, Fender Bandmaster '68, Marshall Silver Jubilee 2558

Re: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

To agree with the previous posts-a fantastic show. The last time my wife and I saw Joe was a couple years ago in Rockford at the On The Waterfront festival. His show has evolved quite a bit. Very professional and POWERFUL!! I have a technical question for you guitar players out there (big guitar fan, but not a player). What was the gizmo on the stand on the left side of the stage? Joe would put his hand near it and it would either change the tone or pitch, or create its own sound...radio frequency thing?

Re: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

taz6067us wrote:

To agree with the previous posts-a fantastic show. The last time my wife and I saw Joe was a couple years ago in Rockford at the On The Waterfront festival. His show has evolved quite a bit. Very professional and POWERFUL!! I have a technical question for you guitar players out there (big guitar fan, but not a player). What was the gizmo on the stand on the left side of the stage? Joe would put his hand near it and it would either change the tone or pitch, or create its own sound...radio frequency thing?

lol!-my wife so agrees with the "SAW" comment about the women's bathrooms....wouldn't cost a fortune to make them ALMOST bearable to use...

10

Re: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

taz6067us wrote:

What was the gizmo on the stand on the left side of the stage? Joe would put his hand near it and it would either change the tone or pitch, or create its own sound...radio frequency thing?

Theremin.

Re: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

Lee wrote:
taz6067us wrote:

What was the gizmo on the stand on the left side of the stage? Joe would put his hand near it and it would either change the tone or pitch, or create its own sound...radio frequency thing?

Theremin.

explain if you could, please...

Re: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

taz6067us wrote:
Lee wrote:
taz6067us wrote:

What was the gizmo on the stand on the left side of the stage? Joe would put his hand near it and it would either change the tone or pitch, or create its own sound...radio frequency thing?

Theremin.

explain if you could, please...

never mind-looked it up...thanks...

Re: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

The last time I saw Joe was in Sandwich. Wow, what a difference. Don't get me wrong, he was great back then also. I turned my girlfriend on to Joe and the first C.D. she ever heard was Blues Deluxe. She has been obsessed ever since. When he played heartaches she actually started crying. I felt kinda bad how security kept making the one dude in the front row sit down. I mean how do you have front row center and NOT stand up ? Great show...

Re: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

wideglider10 wrote:

The last time I saw Joe was in Sandwich. Wow, what a difference. Don't get me wrong, he was great back then also. I turned my girlfriend on to Joe and the first C.D. she ever heard was Blues Deluxe. She has been obsessed ever since. When he played heartaches she actually started crying. I felt kinda bad how security kept making the one dude in the front row sit down. I mean how do you have front row center and NOT stand up ? Great show...

I guess when Joe is literally 2 feet away, you don't need to stand up and block everybody else's view. If it's the same guy that was to my left, he was pretty drunk and was not only standing but was clapping out of beat and talking to Joe while he was playing. Joe had to shush the guy a couple times. Having a good time is one thing, being a horse's a** is another.

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"

Re: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

Yes that guy was obnoxious. How many times must one be told to sit down. I was 2 rows behind you to your left.

I wish I had some cargo tie downs. We could have tied him to the chair. smile

Gibson Collectors Choice #6
Joe Bonamassa Custom Shop Goldtop Unaged 1st run
Alvarez Acoustic '95
Gibson Skylark GA5-T '65, Marshall JTM45 Reissue, Fender Princton Reverb '72, Modded Bugera V5, Fender Bandmaster '68, Marshall Silver Jubilee 2558

Re: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

(I just got a text from my friend saying that Joe sat in with Gov't Mule tonight, another show I was considering going to tonight.  So it's confirmed: Joe is the coolest guy alive!

Sorry about the epically long post, but the show tonight was just that: epic.)

just got to see the sit-in with mule on YT, amazing lead for a scomule jam like hes been playing it all his life. sorry no link here, not especially computer literate.

As corn through a goose, so are the days of our lives

Re: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

Bill S wrote:

I guess when Joe is literally 2 feet away, you don't need to stand up and block everybody else's view. If it's the same guy that was to my left, he was pretty drunk and was not only standing but was clapping out of beat and talking to Joe while he was playing. Joe had to shush the guy a couple times. Having a good time is one thing, being a horse's a** is another.

The guy was a ROYAL PAIN IN THE ASSSSSSSSSSS ,I was hoping Joe would kick him in the head big_smile

Re: Chicago, IL (The Vic Theater) 10.24.09

JB was in top form at the Vic. This was my second chance this year to see JB live and as others have said, the musicianship by all of the band members was phenomenal. My wife came along with me this time and now understands why JB's my current guitar hero !

And thank you for those that posted comments about that obnoxious guy in the front row. I happened to be in the balcony for the show and couldn't figure out why someone like that wouldn't be escorted out of the theater.  But the other thing I noticed throughout the show was the sheer number of people talking while JB was playing. I mean, I don't mind when people react to the performance, that's part of a concert experience and it can energize a performer.  But all the chatter going on was noticeable whenever JB softened things down a bit.  Some people need to learn some basic concert etiquette. But that's not specific to JB's shows. But in general I do think it's getting worse over time, not better.