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.
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