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Joe Bonamassa Forum → General Topics → Black Country at Riverside, CA show on 3/17 ??!! :))
....... in case you didn't believe me....... check it out: http://www.glennhughes.com/
Please help spread the news...... it would be a crime to have ONE single unsold seat tonight.
I'll be posting video as soon as possible.
L 
Hey there..gonna drive up to Riverside to perform 2 songs with our new Band...these are exciting times...GH
Have a great time!
I am really looking forward to hearing about this. We trust you guys to report back with ALL the details.
Have a great evening.
Hey Tom - it might not be that there are that many seats available, but the fact that you were buying a SINGLE ticket. I have scored some really cool seats by buying a "single." Best was 12th row at a Tom Petty concert that was basically sold out.
Have fun tonite - jealous!
Sandy
Hey Tom - it might not be that there are that many seats available, but the fact that you were buying a SINGLE ticket. I have scored some really cool seats by buying a "single." Best was 12th row at a Tom Petty concert that was basically sold out.
Have fun tonite - jealous!
Sandy
So true, I went solo to see Kenny Wayne @ Harrah's Lake Tahoe years ago and when I picked up my ticket the girl said I think you'll like your seat......front row center.
Think Green,
J Dawg
Hey Tom - it might not be that there are that many seats available, but the fact that you were buying a SINGLE ticket. I have scored some really cool seats by buying a "single." Best was 12th row at a Tom Petty concert that was basically sold out.
Have fun tonite - jealous!
Sandy
Sandy, the theatre was only half filled. maybe 600 people. The two seats next to me were empty so there were 2 no-shows right there. I did get almost the entire show recorded. Batteries puked in the middle of "Sloe Gin" but I think I can merge the two halves together and salvage that. They puked again during another song off BOJH and I didn't bother to film the end of that. I cut off WUD at about the 10:30 mark as I wanted fresh batteries in for when the SUpa Dupa Groupa took the stage. I got all of that and will try to get it up on youtube this evening.
Joe did make some jokes/comments about his appearence on George Lopez, I'll post that too.
Anyhow, to Joe and BOTH bands - well done!
Review of show - previous person was correct, the place was not filled to capacity, however I would not rate it as a forum one really wants to see a concert. The floor was basically basketball gym with essentially poorly padded folding chairs set up on it. I'm glad several people did not show up, otherwise I would have had difficulty seeing Joe on the stage and I was only 15 rows back. The lighting was good, and the band didn't appear to act like this was yet another performance in some god-forsaken location. (Joe claimed that until last week, he had never heard of Riverside, even though he is from LA.)
Joe, as expected, was incredible. In fact, he is simply too good. Unless he is surrounded by equally talented musicians, he overwhelms the other band members and the music losses its balance. When Carmine Rojas plays bass with Joe, you can hear his contribution to the song. It is a delight to watch and listen to them together. But with another, less talented bassist, it is like listening to Joe play with a 3 year old who strikes the same note repeatedly. And that was the case with adding Glenn Hughes. If Hughes has any talent, I couldn't hear it. And then there is Hughes's stupid, insipid screaming - it drowned out much of the "music". Jason Bonham isn't bad, but again, he is a step down from Bogie Bowles. And I never could even hear the keyboard player over the screaming by Hughes. This opinion was not just mine, but the folks around me, many who had driven hundreds of miles to hear Joe. (Hey, with all his international gigs, California gigs are becoming fewer.)
Frankly, I believe Joe is wasting his time with "Black Country". Of course it is good for people to explore new areas of interest. Maybe he can extract something of value from this interaction.
Welcome to the forum Bluesfan. Join in and have fun with the rest of us.
I surmise by your handle that you are a Blues fan. Your critique of the new band may have some bearing on your view. Joe has stated that he wanted to explore new avenues of music and Rock is the one he is on now. Those looking for a Blues touch will not find it in the new band. From another perspective, mine, being an old rocker who also enjoys Blues and many other music forms, this took me back to the roots of Rock. If you are looking for the Blues, Joe's band fills the bill. Don't expect the same from his new adventure. Comparing the other members is apples to oranges. Two bands, two musical forms, one common player. This is in no way an attack on your viewpoint or critique. It was valid. Joe's presentation of a new Rock Band to a Blues audience obviously grated on more than a few. Others may see it differently.
Rick
Welcome to the forum Bluesfan. Join in and have fun with the rest of us.
I surmise by your handle that you are a Blues fan. Your critique of the new band may have some bearing on your view. Joe has stated that he wanted to explore new avenues of music and Rock is the one he is on now. Those looking for a Blues touch will not find it in the new band. From another perspective, mine, being an old rocker who also enjoys Blues and many other music forms, this took me back to the roots of Rock. If you are looking for the Blues, Joe's band fills the bill. Don't expect the same from his new adventure. Comparing the other members is apples to oranges. Two bands, two musical forms, one common player. This is in no way an attack on your viewpoint or critique. It was valid. Joe's presentation of a new Rock Band to a Blues audience obviously grated on more than a few. Others may see it differently.
Rick
I agree with much you say here, that this is a new direction for Joe which I applaud. I have no issues with his choice of music, nor do I believe that there are no quality rockers who can match up well with Joe. However, from what I saw last night (yes, small sample size ), Black Country has its work cut out for it. Bonham did seem to sink well with Joe, but Hughes came across as possessing little musical value. Yes, it did appear to generate a mixed response by the audience.
By the way - thank you for the intelligent response to my posting.
RickB wrote:Welcome to the forum Bluesfan. Join in and have fun with the rest of us.
I surmise by your handle that you are a Blues fan. Your critique of the new band may have some bearing on your view. Joe has stated that he wanted to explore new avenues of music and Rock is the one he is on now. Those looking for a Blues touch will not find it in the new band. From another perspective, mine, being an old rocker who also enjoys Blues and many other music forms, this took me back to the roots of Rock. If you are looking for the Blues, Joe's band fills the bill. Don't expect the same from his new adventure. Comparing the other members is apples to oranges. Two bands, two musical forms, one common player. This is in no way an attack on your viewpoint or critique. It was valid. Joe's presentation of a new Rock Band to a Blues audience obviously grated on more than a few. Others may see it differently.
RickI agree with much you say here, that this is a new direction for Joe which I applaud. I have no issues with his choice of music, nor do I believe that there are no quality rockers who can match up well with Joe. However, from what I saw last night (yes, small sample size
By the way - thank you for the intelligent response to my posting.
I always respect well presented points of view. I'm waiting to render final judgement after hearing the new cd. Some of the edge of the songs may have been due to this being the first time on stage for the group. Rough edges, obviously. Keep those posts coming.
Rick
Can I just add to that comment about Jason...
I don't feel that is true - I have both seen Jason and Bogie live and I feel it can be looked at from a number of angles.
I personally felt that Bonham had a lot more groove and power in the hitting of the skins, plus a better sounding kit (comparing shows).
Bogie is more than competent and can play anything it seems - it's just I feel I wouldn't recognise his playing separate from other seasoned session players (maybe in the rolls).
Now the person who would know this best is Joe, but that's just my view from seeing them both.
I personally like Hughes and his style of groove, he might be a bit 'marmite', but I think it carries a lot of fun with it - Some people are either purists or just boring and stuck in their ways. I'd like to accept music for what it is...but have you seen some videos of Glenn in Purple? That guy CAN play.
I like Joe branching out...the guy can play all sorts...and should do as much as possible these days whilst having the most fun out of it.
I just find some people are a bit stuck-in-the-mud with artists and should listen to the music for what it is.
My view only. 
I wasn't there last night and haven't heard any of the new stuff much less all of the new ones.
When I read things like no talent and little musical value attached to Glenn Hughes name I have to shake my head. Anyone who says that obviously has no idea what they are saying where he is concerned. He not only has many many great albums worth of material, he is widely regarded by his peers as one of the all-time greats. I've seen him 4 times and they were amoung the very best shows I've ever seen in more than 30 years of going to shows.
He is a GREAT singer who has many different flavors and has been featured on many albums in a variety of genres. Steveie Wonder called him the best white soul singer on the planet.
All this said, I think people are taking two songs and drawing conclusions here. Mistreated always has been a showcase for his vocal range and acrobatics. He doesn't do what he does there on every song. As to his bass playing, he is a VERY good bass player. He is old school though and goes for the groove.
This is just my 2 cents here. I just think it's a little direpectful of someone who is so extremely talented. Sounds an awful lot like those at his board who can't imagine Glenn palying with Joe. In both cases ridiculous and they'd both say as much. In the end some may not like the music and that is how it goes. Some surely will. In any case these are great musicians.
Anybody can have a bad night...even critics!
MuchLove
BigJeff
I should probably expound on that a little. Glen Hughes is a survivor. He was/is big time all over the world. He's a vocal gymnast(?). JOE! says he's a really nice guy and he's stoked.
It's possible to be disappointed in a performance; even my own...for any reason. Unprepared, mix not just right, nerves, over extending/over reaching...
Or just a style one does not care for.
It's real easy to say something sucks. It's just as easy to say one prefers this over that.
I might not be the audience somebody's aiming at. Peace &
MuchLove
BJJ FDOL
Thank you folks for the feedback. I stand by what I heard - last night, Joe was excellent, but Black Country was not well received and Hughes really did sound comical and childish. He really sounded like he was plucking the same string repeatedly and screaming at the top of his lungs. However, I recognize the problem with small sample size hence my prediction that there will be no benefit to this venture is too hasty. So I'll wait for a studio release. I wish Joe and BC good luck in finding their voice. And yes - it may need to be directed toward a completely different audience.
I enjoy reading constructive criticism and so reserve the right to change my mind. 
(I hope Joe feels similarly. )
Black Country(for now), plays Two songs and a few people don't get it.
First off, this is a Rock project not a Blues project. When it gets released, and people put their Rock caps on and dissect it, then they will get the picture.
The first time together on stage they played one new song and a version of a 35 yr old Deep Purple tune.
Breathe in and Exhale, the BEST is yet to come from this band.
Black Country(for now), plays Two songs and a few people don't get it.
First off, this is a Rock project not a Blues project. When it gets released, and people put their Rock caps on and dissect it, then they will get the picture.
The first time together on stage they played one new song and a version of a 35 yr old Deep Purple tune.
Breathe in and Exhale, the BEST is yet to come from this band.
What do ya think? Black Rock? Rock or Blues?
MuchCurious
BigJeff
Gotta weigh in on this one.....I just saw video clips of both tunes from last nights show, and came away mightily impressed. It's one thing to say that it's not your cup of tea, but to proclaim Glenn Hughes to be talentless, makes me wonder, "Why all the vitriol?"
The man has been hired by Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, Gary Moore, and now plays with a man who is surely at the top of his field, Joe Bonamassa. He's obviously tremendously talented. Bonamassa looks ecstatic in the videos, and that to me reduces any one else's reaction considerably. He played as if his **** were afire and when the two are face to face on Mistreated, well, that's really it for me, two really talented men egging each other on to their best.
I loved the original tune as well, and realize fully that that is a first show without a month of rehearsals....Mind you, they need no apologist type stuff here, watch the videos yourself when they get posted.
The need to compare Glenn and Joe's thing to Joe's band leaves me cold. They are different and I enjoy them both for what they are.
I think it went down rather well, and sounded just great.
Joe Bonamassa Forum → General Topics → Black Country at Riverside, CA show on 3/17 ??!! :))
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