March 27, 2010 Fayetteville, Arkansas :)

Well, we're inside a week. Starting to get excited! Black Rock and John Henry been spinning quite frequently.

Row D, on the very end, seats 31 and 32 I believe, for anyone that wants to come up and say hello.

Getting ready to go to the meet and greet.  We are excited.  This is only our second time to see Joe live and we can't sit still.

Will post a full review later. I'm still wiped out. But I am blown away. How far he has come since I've seen him last. And still the same guy.

This is from my facebook page. I didn't feel like retyping it, so here you go, my review of the show.

So, let me just say it: Joe Bonamassa is the most captivating guitarist going right now. Nobody is as talented, and nobody puts as fun a show as he does. In addition to that, his killer vocals and great songs make for an all-around great experience. Whether you like people like Clapton and SRV or Metallica and Slayer or Nickelback and Hinder, go see Joe Bonamassa. He will thoroughly rock your face off.

I last saw Joe three and a half years ago in a tiny venue in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The difference between that show and the one in Fayetteville is night and day. Joe is 65 pounds lighter, and moves around the stage much more (maybe that has more to do with the fact that there is more stage to run around on lol). Instead of being more likely to look down at his fretboard, he moves around stage and is a complete showman, but not sacrificing that incredible guitar work. His vocals have improved considerably. To the point, he is the complete package of vocals, guitar, and songs.

We pulled in for the meet and greet at 5 o'clock in the lobby of the Walton. Joe came out, and was greeted by two guys who had bought an old 57 (I think, not sure) Fender Stratocaster that he used to own but had sold about 10 years ago. Joe picks it up, looks it over, and proceeds to go through all of the stuff that had been changed on the guitar since he owned it. lol I met Joe, and he recognized me from the Tulsa show back in 2006. "You didn't have a beard back then did you?" Amazing that this guy remembers stuff like that. I presented him with a Razorback baseball jersey because he "was in Razorback country." Also, before the show, I was blessed with the opportunity to meet the famous Rhonda Pierce. What an extremely nice person she is.

The show started at 8 o'clock to the opening chords of Ballad of John Henry, and from there it was an intense two and a half hours of rocking blues and blistering rock. Rhonda gave me a setlist, but it wasn't from that night, it was from a few shows before. But I think it's the same one. Here's that list:

John Henry
Last Kiss
So Many Roads
So It's Like That
If Heartaches Were 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 Man's Blues
Woke Up Dreaming
Mountain Time

Encore:
Bird On A Wire (with singer Sandi Thom)
Just Got Paid/Dazed And Confused medley

After the show, I went back by the bus and met Rhonda, where she so kindly gave me the setlist, and also was kind enough to get it signed by the band. Joe came out, and he was visibly worn out, so I just asked him to sign the setlist, said the three and a half year wait was worth it, and left him alone.

What an amazing show. This guy is onto something. You guys are missing out if you're looking this guy up. If you like any kind of guitar playing or rock music, this guy is worth it for you. I first discovered him for myself back in 2004, and since then he has continued to get better and mature as an artist. Trust me, in three and a half years since I last saw him live he's gone from being a guitar gunslinger to an all-around musician that is becoming a star. I took my cousin, and now he is completely hooked. He was absolutely awestruck. That's all you need with Joe Bonamassa. One show, and you will be a fan for life. So, what are you waiting for?

Oh, and by the way Joe: I'm calling b.s. You have heard of Fayetteville before. lol

Very nice Deezer.  An excellent review and I cannot express the joy I get reading it, knowing your patience.   And such a long wait between shows!!  Glad Rhonda and you hooked up! If she was a musician, she'd be a killer diller, to use an old fashioned saying.  Whatever the equivalent with a camera is, she is it!  Speaking of photography, Joe has a photographic memory.  Fayetteville, Arkansas easily could not have ever been committed to the hippocampus, so the elephant's memory may be speaking the truth, as Joe grew up near a Syracuse, NY suburb also named Fayetteville, which he certainly passed through many a time going places often...  So, maybe he's being honest! But NOW he knows Fayettevile, AR!!! ARRRRRRRRR!
See you Around the Bend, Standing at the Crossroads!

Rock ON & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! "
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.”