Leeds O2 Academy (Page 1 of 2)

          JOE AT THE ACADEMY FOR THE ALREADY ENLIGHTENED

On a bitingly cold Yorkshire evening, after an interminable drive round the outer tentacles of Leeds we finally managed to find a car parking spot fairly (but by no means very) close to the venue. A short and bracing walk later we were in the very crowded but welcome warmth of the O2 Carling Academy.

Sandi Thom was already well into her set and by the time a pint was been consumed she was on with her “final song of the evening”. I did not see or hear much of her so I cannot really give an informed opinion.

We shuffled our way through crowd, which did have a very wide and varied demography ranging from grey haired, pony tailed old rockers to a very  good sprinkling of young ‘uns. (which is very good too see) to get a better view of the stage  and waited briefly for the show to begin

The venue holds about 2500, nearly all standing, and was sold out. So the atmosphere was building nicely when Joe and the band hit the stage. I am not going to do a song by song review as the set-list, with one or two exceptions, was as other reviews on the UK leg of his 2009 adventure.

From the opening bars of “John Henry” through to the last strums of “Just Got Paid” it was a truly excellent performance. It is quite a Bluesy set and the venue felt perfect for it. The sound was actually better for the crisp, quieter parts of the set (somewhat spoilt by the chatter of certain sections of the crowd, something you seem not to get at seated venues) and the lush new opening to Sloe Gin was as clear as a cloudless sky and it just forces you to listen like a baby hearing its first human voice.. I listened to most of it with my eyes closed as if in prayer (as it turns out did my Brother!!)

I did seem that the other 3 members of the band were left somewhat in the dark by the stage lighting; they did however provide a glorious canvas onto which Joe painted his musical masterpieces. This was particularly evident during Lonesome Road Blues where the bass playing was sublime. “Bridge” made its comeback and the gathered masses seemed to really love it, but I did miss “Stop” as it was a highlight for me at Sheffield.

“Mountain Time” has become one of my all favourite songs and it was thrilling, enthralling and beautifully played. It could make a glass eye weep. The time rattled by as soon the flying vee was belting out “Just Got Paid” ( it was probably a bit lighter than the double necked monster which preceded it). Strings were bent. The Theramin was employed and over 2 hours came to an end. We ventured back into the chill Leeds night with aching knees ( I am getting on a bit for these 3 hour standing sessions) and a heart full of joy.

Thanks Joe and the boys for your efforts this year, thank you my Brother John for your love and endless kindness and I wish all the forum members a very Merry Christmas and a  Bona filled New year

Steve

Thanks for the reviews Gary and Steve.
First of all....yes it was very cold but thankfully it wasn't raining as I was at the Academy at about 4.45pm! I was determined to be at the front of the queue to get a good spot with Geoff and Sue who joined me there about an hour later. There won't be many more standing venues in Joe's future tours.
I also met up with a couple of young guys called Tim and Sam who were very good company. It was Sam's Bonabaptism and Tim's second show. They have promised to join the forum and say Hi. It was nice to see Chantel McGregor and her mum and dad. They stopped to say hello but then went off to find Joe.
The Academy is a fantastic venue, I thought the sound was excellent and the lighting was good although Steve's right, Bogie, Rick and Carmine were not very well illuminated most of the time.

I really enjoyed Sandi Thom's set. She has an excellent voice and a good band with her. I did get my camera out to shoot some video but the security guy asked me to put it away, which I did. Geoff took a sneaky one on his small camera 
Don't worry though...I dared to get it out later on and managed to capture 5 vids without getting thrown out!

The set opened with The Ballad Of John Henry and we got Last Kiss, So Many Roads, Further On Up The Road, Story Of A Quarryman, Sloe Gin, Happier Times, Lonesome Road Blues India/Mountain Time ....not in that order. One of the highlights for me was Heartaches were Nickels which was so moving.
For an encore we were treated to Ball Peen Hammer and a totally amazing Just Got Paid. Joe whipped the crowd up into a complete frenzy! ....very exciting.

After the show Geoff, Sue and I went for a little bit of refreshment in the boozer next door and then went and waited by the tour bus.

There were a dozen or so people waiting for autographs including Sam and Tim. Joe appeared before too long wrapped up against the cold in gloves and woolly hat and was very pleased to sign albums, booklets and set lists and pose for pics. Carmine and Rick came out too and spent some time chatting as did Dave Pate.

Thank you Joe, Carmine, Rick and Bogie for another excellent show. We love you here in the UK and are so happy that you come here so often despite the cold and the rain (even in summer!)

Thanks to all the crew too who keep things running so smoothly....what a great team.

Tripsy

No Michael....no Chantel jam this time......would have loved to see that again. We did go for a drink after the show with her and her mum and dad and a few other peeps which was very nice.

Geoff....thanks for the drink and thanks for your and Sue's excellent company

I have to say that this was another great gig, Joe and the band totally blew me away.

To Sue, I would of stayed but my dad just happened to lose his wallet or so we thought that led to us spending some time looking around for it only to find he left it in the hotel. there will certainly be other times i hope.

Thanks for the great evening and letting me come to the front with you. I hope to meet you at another Joe gig.
Adam

Really sounds a good night,my nephew went and thouroughly enjoyed his first Joe gig.He's been brought up on Clapton,The Beatles and Knopfler-seen Clapton at the RAHsolo AND the Cream reunion gig,put Joe up there with them,in parts.Edinburgh for us tomorrow,anyone -online at the mo- going? We hope to be up by 12 o'clock,a quick bacon sarnie then,i think the girls are shopping (?!) me and bro-in-law hitting the bars.Meeting in Hard Rock Cafe later,i think about 4pm? Bannermans is also on the agenda but not sure what time-ish,how far from venue it is,wether ladies need to go back to apartment to 'freshen up' before show(!:rolleyes:

It was nice to meet you Adam.....we'll have a chat next time we meet. I'm glad he hadn't lost his wallet...I know what that feels like!

Tripsy

Posting a bit late,but one helluva show.I think the best for sound quality I`ve heard Joe.
  I have to admit up `till now The Great Flood has not been my favoured track but then he played it here in Leeds!!!! I`m not ashamed to admit, I had a tear or two in my eyes and this song is now up there for me.
          A great night,now roll on dates in 2010.

Apologies dear brother for the late response to yet another well written review. As always you surpass yourself with your literary prose. Maybe we can do it all again next year!!

John