1 (edited by cathysiler 2010-03-14 23:47:59)

Topic: Bakersfield, 3/13

Once again a huge thanks to RickB for the calls from the show. From what I heard the audience "got it". I'm sure the reviews will come in soon.
But I was blown away by the harmony of Joe and Sandi Thom during "Bird on a Wire". Even over the phone I got goosebumps! Her voice is powerful and full. To me, she sang like a Les Paul! Must be that tone thing. I hope she comes along for some East Coast shows!! 
Joe continues to put new twists in old favorite guitar licks. There's always room for a surprise or two.
Enough of my pathetic speakerphone show rewiew. Let the "real" raves begin.....     Cathy

(title corrected - ed)

Re: Bakersfield, 3/13

cathysiler wrote:

Once again a huge thanks to RickB for the calls from the show. From what I heard the audience "got it". I'm sure the reviews will come in soon.
But I was blown away by the harmony of Joe and Sandi Thom during "Bird on a Wire". Even over the phone I got goosebumps! Her voice is powerful and full. To me, she sang like a Les Paul! Must be that tone thing. I hope she comes along for some East Coast shows!! 
Joe continues to put new twists in old favorite guitar licks. There's always room for a surprise or two.
Enough of my pathetic speakerphone show rewiew. Let the "real" raves begin.....     Cathy

We are thrilled that you were able to hear that Cathy.  smile  smile

We met Rockfarmer Mike and his wife Susan for pre-show warmup and were joined by San Diego fans Karen and Dean. I was also glad to meet Forum member Rich at the show. He said that audio will be coming from the show.

The venue is an old restored 1930's movie palace done in Art Deco revival with good acoustics. The sound from our vantage was superb. Stage front left. One of the friendly security gentlemen told me the gate was about 1200. He had never seen Joe before. We have another convert. He was suitably stunned after the show.

Our sense of the performance was that it was at least as good as San Francisco. More energy and Joe's voice was better. Miraculous considering he said during the show that he woke up feeling like he had drunk "Fire Ants, Turpentine and Jack Daniels". Credit was given to his friends' ministrations for the rapid recovery.

The set list was much the same as San Francisco. The crowd was more energetic, the band was tight and they tore up Bakersfield with no mercy. Sloe Gin with the incredible intro, Blue and Evil, Mountain Time and Bird On The Wire were standouts to me. Bird On The Wire with Sandi Thom is very special, sung with the power and reverence of a hymn. This has apparantly supplanted Asking Around and that is fine with me. I found myself standing with the cell phone clasped in my hands to my chest in a prayerful pose, sending the tune to Cathy.

Next stop San Diego for a refit, then off to Riverside on Wednesday for the finale. Ohh Baby, I can't wait.

1345 miles and counting on the road trip.
California BonaCruising
Rick and Helen

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

3 (edited by ohiodawg13 2010-03-14 21:14:10)

Re: Bakersfield, 3/13

Rick the SF crowd apparently attempted by blow off more energy, but were all but "cattle prodded" back into there seats by as Joe put it, "these little women in black outfits that came out of the shadows" every time someone stood up. The Palace is a beautiful venue, but old school in the way they expect their audience to behave at any type of performance. There's a ton of music venues in the Bay Area where Joe could play and hopefully mgmt. may explore these options. The newest gem is the Fox Theater in Oakland operated by APE(Another Planet Entertainment) a splinter group from the original Bill Graham Presents. They do it absolutely right there. Check it out.

           www.thefoxoakland.com     

                                                                                        Think Green,

                                                                                        J Dawg

What is success? Is it do yo' own thang, or is it to join the rest?   -Allen Toussaint

4 (edited by PaulN 2010-03-14 23:53:11)

Re: Bakersfield, 3/13

It was a proud night for all of us locals who discovered Joe ten years ago when he opened at the Fox for George Thorogood. Back then it was, and still is, beer time in the lobby of the Fox while a local band opens and practically no one listens. On that night however as the sound of Joe beginning his set filtered into the lobby you could see the WTF! expression appear on everyone's faces. The auditorium immediately filled and the beer vendors were twiddling their thumbs. GT gave a decent performance but trust me everyone remembers that as the night they discovered Joe. The MC Scott Cox, a local radio talk host and long time JB fanatic, chronicled it the same way.

Joe graciously acknowledged Bakersfield as part of his lore. Those of us who remember being among the fifty or sixty at the Doubletree on "two for one bourbon" night were made to feel like special insiders. Coming full circle at the Fox was a great experience for every one.

My wife skillfully scored us six front row center seats which of course was spectacular. I was therefore able to initiate four Bonavirgins. They were blown away naturally. It just doesn't get any better than that!

I've seen Joe probably 25 times (weak I know compared to the devoted) and can honestly say I consider this the best performance I've ever seen. Joe and band were tight, focused, and put their ever blossoming showmanship on full display.

I got a good recording and would appreciate some help with the set list if anyone has it. As usual I'm happy to share. One of my guests is a professional photographer who will be posting some awesome shots in the gallery.

The best drug in the world are those endorphin inducing chord changes!

Re: Bakersfield, 3/13

Here is the set list


BOJH
Last Kiss
So Many Roads
So It’s Like That
If Heartaches Where Nickels
Further on Up the Road
Sloe Gin
Lonesome Road Blues
Happier Times
Blue And Evil
Bridge To Better Days
Three Times A Fool
Blues Deluxe
Young Mans Blues
Woke up Dreaming
Mountain Time
------------------------------------------
Bird on a Wire
Just Got Paid

"Music Washes Away From The Soul, The Dust Of Everyday Life"

Re: Bakersfield, 3/13

Thanks. I will have it tracked out in a day or two.

The best drug in the world are those endorphin inducing chord changes!

7 (edited by Rockfarmer 2010-03-15 01:30:53)

Re: Bakersfield, 3/13

My wife and I had an absolutely wonderful evening at the show last night.  The evening started with dinner/drinks with RickB and his family.  Great folks and huge JB fans.

So Susan and I have 3rd row seats on the right side of the stage in the Pit.  As it worked out with the curved seating arrangement, we were actually about 5 ft from the stage.

JB killed it. 

A few high points from my perspective.

Blue LP guitar - It looked really cool
Joe playing the lead of "So Many Roads" on the GoldTop Signature JBLP less than 10 ft from Susan and I.
Blue & Evil on the Firebird
The Explorer - could this be the brother of the V?
JB playing "Blues Deluxe" on the red 355 (my personal favorite moment of the night).  Possibly the coolest instrument ever made in the hands of a master.  Simply stunning.
The acoustic work on "Woke Up Dreaming" alone was worth the price of admission.
Sandi Thom's duet on "Bird on the Wire" was spectacular.

Fans across the globe... You are in for an amazing show when JB hits your town.

Enjoy!

Michael

Re: Bakersfield, 3/13

I sure hope he puts When The Fire Hits The Sea back in the set list when gets east.

Re: Bakersfield, 3/13

Rockfarmer wrote:

My wife and I had an absolutely wonderful evening at the show last night.  The evening started with dinner/drinks with RickB and his family.  Great folks and huge JB fans.

So Susan and I have 3rd row seats on the right side of the stage in the Pit.  As it worked out with the curved seating arrangement, we were actually about 5 ft from the stage.

JB killed it. 

A few high points from my perspective.

Blue LP guitar - It looked really cool
Joe playing the lead of "So Many Roads" on the GoldTop Signature JBLP less than 10 ft from Susan and I.
Blue & Evil on the Firebird
The Explorer - could this be the brother of the V?
JB playing "Blues Deluxe" on the red 355 (my personal favorite moment of the night).  Possibly the coolest instrument ever made in the hands of a master.  Simply stunning.
The acoustic work on "Woke Up Dreaming" alone was worth the price of admission.
Sandi Thom's duet on "Bird on the Wire" was spectacular.

Fans across the globe... You are in for an amazing show when JB hits your town.

Enjoy!

Michael

He played the 335???  Praise and Glory.

OldSchool
MuchLove
BIG JJ

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

Re: Bakersfield, 3/13

roadshow101 wrote:

Here is the set list


BOJH
Last Kiss
So Many Roads
So It’s Like That
If Heartaches Where Nickels
Further on Up the Road
Sloe Gin
Lonesome Road Blues
Happier Times
Blue And Evil
Bridge To Better Days
Three Times A Fool
Blues Deluxe
Young Mans Blues
Woke up Dreaming
Mountain Time
------------------------------------------
Bird on a Wire
Just Got Paid


Bird on a Wire as first encore and before JGP = A stroke of Genius

....................... 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

11 (edited by PaulN 2010-03-15 03:50:34)

Re: Bakersfield, 3/13

Michael - I really enjoyed your comments. I don't know the guitars as well as you do but you are correct..Blues Deluxe was sublime!!

The best drug in the world are those endorphin inducing chord changes!

Re: Bakersfield, 3/13

bigjeffjones wrote:
Rockfarmer wrote:

My wife and I had an absolutely wonderful evening at the show last night.  The evening started with dinner/drinks with RickB and his family.  Great folks and huge JB fans.

So Susan and I have 3rd row seats on the right side of the stage in the Pit.  As it worked out with the curved seating arrangement, we were actually about 5 ft from the stage.

JB killed it. 

A few high points from my perspective.

Blue LP guitar - It looked really cool
Joe playing the lead of "So Many Roads" on the GoldTop Signature JBLP less than 10 ft from Susan and I.
Blue & Evil on the Firebird
The Explorer - could this be the brother of the V?
JB playing "Blues Deluxe" on the red 355 (my personal favorite moment of the night).  Possibly the coolest instrument ever made in the hands of a master.  Simply stunning.
The acoustic work on "Woke Up Dreaming" alone was worth the price of admission.
Sandi Thom's duet on "Bird on the Wire" was spectacular.

Fans across the globe... You are in for an amazing show when JB hits your town.

Enjoy!

Michael

He played the 335???  Praise and Glory.

OldSchool
MuchLove
BIG JJ

In an earlier post, JB said it was a 355.  It's red with a bigsby.  Way, Way Cool

13 (edited by RickB 2010-03-15 07:36:41)

Re: Bakersfield, 3/13

Rockfarmer wrote:
bigjeffjones wrote:
Rockfarmer wrote:

My wife and I had an absolutely wonderful evening at the show last night.  The evening started with dinner/drinks with RickB and his family.  Great folks and huge JB fans.

So Susan and I have 3rd row seats on the right side of the stage in the Pit.  As it worked out with the curved seating arrangement, we were actually about 5 ft from the stage.

JB killed it. 

A few high points from my perspective.

Blue LP guitar - It looked really cool
Joe playing the lead of "So Many Roads" on the GoldTop Signature JBLP less than 10 ft from Susan and I.
Blue & Evil on the Firebird
The Explorer - could this be the brother of the V?
JB playing "Blues Deluxe" on the red 355 (my personal favorite moment of the night).  Possibly the coolest instrument ever made in the hands of a master.  Simply stunning.
The acoustic work on "Woke Up Dreaming" alone was worth the price of admission.
Sandi Thom's duet on "Bird on the Wire" was spectacular.

Fans across the globe... You are in for an amazing show when JB hits your town.

Enjoy!

Michael

He played the 335???  Praise and Glory.

OldSchool
MuchLove
BIG JJ

In an earlier post, JB said it was a 355.  It's red with a bigsby.  Way, Way Cool

I will have to include Blues Deluxe in my list of favorites for the night after recovering my senses. Absolutely stunning, and we got to see him shred that long lead from 4 feet! Great report Michael.
Rick
edit: After many failed attempts, misfires and a chilly wife who made it clear that waiting in the cold was NOT on the agenda in San Francisco, I finally got my face to face with the Man himself. He graciously signed my cd's and posed for a group photo. Thank You Joe! (as we left the theater, I overheard a  gentleman discussing the show say "the acoustic was pretty good but all that electric guitar sounded the same"??? What gig were they at!???)

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

Re: Bakersfield, 3/13

roadshow101 wrote:

Here is the set list


BOJH
Last Kiss
So Many Roads
So It’s Like That
If Heartaches Where Nickels
Further on Up the Road
Sloe Gin
Lonesome Road Blues
Happier Times
Blue And Evil
Bridge To Better Days
Three Times A Fool
Blues Deluxe
Young Mans Blues
Woke up Dreaming
Mountain Time
------------------------------------------
Bird on a Wire
Just Got Paid

Thanks WC!

Rock ON, Word! And Keep Adjusting the Faith,
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.”

Re: Bakersfield, 3/13

The four hour drive from South Orange County was well worth it (as always). The time flew by as I was listening to Black Rock OVER & OVER & OVER!
When I first heard that Joe was coming back so soon (last show was the 20th Anniversary at CH 11/11/09) I had to decide between Riverside and Bakersfield.  Being that Riverside is a 30 min drive, it seemed the logical conclusion.  But after reading about the Fox Theater I knew I had to make the trek.  The venue was all that it's history said it was; such a wonderful vibe to great old historic venues such as this.  I was so glad to actually be able to sit is a real seat (facing forward) and watch the show.  I am getting tired of the "diner theater" experience, with all of the noise and waitresses constantly in the way mad ...
Anyway, the Fox was superb!!!  Audio was great (Warren, another fine job!!!)  Seeing that red 355 was a treat also, sure hope he plays that one more often.  Must be hard to choose which ones to play when you have over 300 (poor baby).

The scene where guitar tech extraordinaire, Dave Pate kept the low E string going while he helped Joe change acoustics after a string had broke was  icing on the cake.  Dave does an excellent job and is a great guy (thanks for the interview Dave!) lol
Bird On a Wire With Sandi was ethereal.  I had heard from Warren before the show that Joe's voice was not doing to well, I could not tell at all- it sounded great!!  Hope all went well at Kevin's Studio the following day.
I did get audio of the whole show and video of the 1st 45 min before the battery died.

Think I might just have to make that riverside date too.... tongue

Re: Bakersfield, 3/13

RickB wrote:
cathysiler wrote:

Once again a huge thanks to RickB for the calls from the show. From what I heard the audience "got it". I'm sure the reviews will come in soon.
But I was blown away by the harmony of Joe and Sandi Thom during "Bird on a Wire". Even over the phone I got goosebumps! Her voice is powerful and full. To me, she sang like a Les Paul! Must be that tone thing. I hope she comes along for some East Coast shows!! 
Joe continues to put new twists in old favorite guitar licks. There's always room for a surprise or two.
Enough of my pathetic speakerphone show rewiew. Let the "real" raves begin.....     Cathy

We are thrilled that you were able to hear that Cathy.  smile  smile

We met Rockfarmer Mike and his wife Susan for pre-show warmup and were joined by San Diego fans Karen and Dean. I was also glad to meet Forum member Rich at the show. He said that audio will be coming from the show.

The venue is an old restored 1930's movie palace done in Art Deco revival with good acoustics. The sound from our vantage was superb. Stage front left. One of the friendly security gentlemen told me the gate was about 1200. He had never seen Joe before. We have another convert. He was suitably stunned after the show.

Our sense of the performance was that it was at least as good as San Francisco. More energy and Joe's voice was better. Miraculous considering he said during the show that he woke up feeling like he had drunk "Fire Ants, Turpentine and Jack Daniels". Credit was given to his friends' ministrations for the rapid recovery.

The set list was much the same as San Francisco. The crowd was more energetic, the band was tight and they tore up Bakersfield with no mercy. Sloe Gin with the incredible intro, Blue and Evil, Mountain Time and Bird On The Wire were standouts to me. Bird On The Wire with Sandi Thom is very special, sung with the power and reverence of a hymn. This has apparantly supplanted Asking Around and that is fine with me. I found myself standing with the cell phone clasped in my hands to my chest in a prayerful pose, sending the tune to Cathy.

Next stop San Diego for a refit, then off to Riverside on Wednesday for the finale. Ohh Baby, I can't wait.

1345 miles and counting on the road trip.
California BonaCruising
Rick and Helen

Rick, Nice seeing you again, was envious of your seat, what a great location in the Orchestra Pit, I was 7 rows back and the show and sound were great.  See you at Riverside???

Rich

Re: Bakersfield, 3/13

Sounds like a Bonamassa binge as we did up here in the northwest....Enjoy your bonamassification! And, Rick...if anyone says anything negative about Joe, just sigh and feel sad for them...as they have apparently lost their way!!

Murfdog

Re: Bakersfield, 3/13

Great  report Rich. That historic venue was so cool. I have to agree about the cafe scene, and you didn't even mention the lousy acoustics in that place.
Yes, we will be in Riverside. Nasty run up the I-15 in rush hour but we will suffer it. The better half is taking a bye due to road burnout so just 4 in our car and RamiLP, courtesy of the other half of Cathysilor's secret prize, running in from the OC. Seats not nearly as good due to a late commitment, but 7th row left center will do. My son in law Dean got video of all of Sloe Gin, all but the first bars of Blue and Evil and a bit more. It will be up and a link will appear. We hope the audio comes out ok since we were 6 feet from the left stage PA. It was clear but Loud. The video was from 6 to 20 feet as he walked around. Maybe we can sync your audio and our video. Sloe Gin was epic! That sly smile as the crowd erupted after the killer lead was priceless; love to see a man that enjoys his job.
See you there, Rick

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381