1 Topic by kissfanps (edited by kissfanps 2010-04-16 06:52:28)

  • Registered: 2009-12-12
  • Posts: 48

Topic: Joe, you must have sold your soul . . .

to play the way you did last night at Town Hall in NYC.  I went with my father, which was awesome because I originally started playing music because of him and he loves good guitar playing.  The two of us sat there stunned last night at what Joe did with the guitar.  I found myself shaking my head in disbelief that a human could pull off some of the riffs that were played.  When he brought out the acoustic I knew it was Woke Up Dreaming time.  I turned to my dad and said "watch this" (like the court scene in My Cousin Vinny, right before Marissa Tomei makes the prosecutor look like an idiot).  Now, I have listened to Joe's live albums and seen some clips on the internet of this solo, but HOLY CRAP!!!  Joe, are you sure it wasn't you playing lightning boys solo at the end of Crossroads?

Now, I am a guitarist.  Watching lasts nights demonstration makes me feel torn.  On one hand, I witnessed a man pull influence from every great guitarist of each generation - BB, JP, EC, JH, EVH, RJ, EJ, etc.  He took their styles to the next level and turned it into his own, the same way each of those guitar greats did the same from those who came before them.  On the other hand, HOW THE HECK DOES SOMEONE TAKE JOE TO THE NEXT LEVEL?  I feel like selling my gear and taking up underwater basket weaving or something.  Well, not really, but almost!

Thanks for the amazing show Joe!  I can't wait for the next one.

  • Tica
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Re: Joe, you must have sold your soul . . .

Hi Kissfanps--
please delete your post from that NYC thread--has my phone number in it
thanks

3 Reply by Tica (edited by Tica 2010-04-16 07:32:03)

  • Tica
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Re: Joe, you must have sold your soul . . .

Why did Joe start BEFORE the concert started? 

I was at Town Hall last night in the lobby at 7:55pm waiting to get a drink--suddenly-- we started to hear music and were like--what? who is the start up band, they sound like Joe. Suddenly people started shuffling in and he was several minutes into John Henry at 7:57!!!!! It took a full 3 songs--15-20 minutes before the audience was all seated--could not see Joe for most of that time since the entire crowd was shuffling lin and trying to be seated and stepping over everyone else--thruout the entire place! Why did he start early? I've seen him almost 15 times and have NEVER seen him start--not just on time--but before the show even officially started? This made no sense...?

I think it really broke the spell because there was no anticipation--sitting there waiting for him to come out--no excitement over the energy from the crowd sitting waiting--more like--sh--t, I'm missing this song! And then missing more of them because everyone else was trying to get seated. It's a real shame because I feel like it took a while to get relaxed and focused and for the audience to be still enough not to be distracted by everyone all around trying to get to their seats. I wonder why he didn't wait till 8:15pm at least? Normally he goes on at 8:30 or 9? I'm just baffled by this.

I think the crowd's energy and ambience is very important to cultivate and keep intact. I once saw Seal. He has a velvet voice, very spacy songs and his cds are magical because of his voice. But in concert the two times I saw him he lost it all because he would completely stop every single song--turn on the lights full blast (so he could see the audience) and stop the music (breaking the spell) and it was like throwing on the lights when you've been sleeping--awful, disruptive! He'd get you into a groove and spacy place during one song and then break it. Joe didn't do this, but by NOT having everyone seating, ready and waiting  no spell was there to start with and then once he came out you couldn't focus because of all the other stuff going on every else but on stage.

But other than that the show was great. INteresting choice of tunes, lots of old stuff, only 3 songs from Black Rock. I wanted more slow bluesy sad ones (from Ballad). He didn't play Quarryman's Lament. I thought we'd get more Greek influence since this was supposed to be promoting the new album,.?

But it was great nonetheless, just a disappointing anti-climatic start. Anyone who wasn't already in the first few rows find that? (I was in the back of the orchestra so couldn't see a darn thing till 8:15-8:20 and had people stomping all over me.

  • From: Long Island, NY
  • Registered: 2009-08-27
  • Posts: 6

Re: Joe, you must have sold your soul . . .

I had quite a different opinion.  This was my first JB concert, won't be the last.  I have been to other concerts of course, and none have ever started on time.  My opinion, and my opinion only, I was impressed.  Yes I was in my seat early, 4th row, Drum/Bass side.  There were some people arriving late, but I really didn't notice because of the music.  I can understand your point, building up the fans anticipation, but I still like the fact that he came out at 8 sharp.  Maybe getting the fans all worked up might make for a better start, but I still like what I saw.  Great show!!

  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: Joe, you must have sold your soul . . .

I'm sorry for anyone that missed the beginning of the show, but why would you be standing in line waiting for a drink that close to showtime? If you're thinking 8PM means 8:30PM, you can hardly blame Joe for that.

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"
  • From: Amsterdam
  • Registered: 2007-10-06
  • Posts: 5,249

Re: Joe, you must have sold your soul . . .

These blips can happen now and again. The Wilmington show was advertised for months on the Tour page as starting at 8 pm. Anyone who checked with the venue found out that the show was actually due to start at 7 pm with no opening act.

As a result, when Joe started on the button at 7 pm, there were still many empty seats that gradually filled towards 8 pm. Of course, this meant that those of us there on time had to keep getting up to let latecomers in - and of course, there are always some people who turn up even later.  roll

RIP Iron Man

Rock On and keep the Faith
  • jim m
  • jim m
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Re: Joe, you must have sold your soul . . .

Tica wrote:

Why did Joe start BEFORE the concert started? 

I was at Town Hall last night in the lobby at 7:55pm waiting to get a drink--suddenly-- we started to hear music and were like--what? who is the start up band, they sound like Joe. Suddenly people started shuffling in and he was several minutes into John Henry at 7:57!!!!! It took a full 3 songs--15-20 minutes before the audience was all seated--could not see Joe for most of that time since the entire crowd was shuffling lin and trying to be seated and stepping over everyone else--thruout the entire place! Why did he start early? I've seen him almost 15 times and have NEVER seen him start--not just on time--but before the show even officially started? This made no sense...?

I think it really broke the spell because there was no anticipation--sitting there waiting for him to come out--no excitement over the energy from the crowd sitting waiting--more like--sh--t, I'm missing this song! And then missing more of them because everyone else was trying to get seated. It's a real shame because I feel like it took a while to get relaxed and focused and for the audience to be still enough not to be distracted by everyone all around trying to get to their seats. I wonder why he didn't wait till 8:15pm at least? Normally he goes on at 8:30 or 9? I'm just baffled by this.

I think the crowd's energy and ambience is very important to cultivate and keep intact. I once saw Seal. He has a velvet voice, very spacy songs and his cds are magical because of his voice. But in concert the two times I saw him he lost it all because he would completely stop every single song--turn on the lights full blast (so he could see the audience) and stop the music (breaking the spell) and it was like throwing on the lights when you've been sleeping--awful, disruptive! He'd get you into a groove and spacy place during one song and then break it. Joe didn't do this, but by NOT having everyone seating, ready and waiting  no spell was there to start with and then once he came out you couldn't focus because of all the other stuff going on every else but on stage.

But other than that the show was great. INteresting choice of tunes, lots of old stuff, only 3 songs from Black Rock. I wanted more slow bluesy sad ones (from Ballad). He didn't play Quarryman's Lament. I thought we'd get more Greek influence since this was supposed to be promoting the new album,.?

But it was great nonetheless, just a disappointing anti-climatic start. Anyone who wasn't already in the first few rows find that? (I was in the back of the orchestra so couldn't see a darn thing till 8:15-8:20 and had people stomping all over me.

Tica, Joe has been doing this run of shows without an opener. He has been playing a two hour set. When you are in a union house meaning you are paying union crews to load in and load out going past midnight on the out can cost thousands of dollars.

Playing clubs or venues that have Joe booked with beverages served want to keep the people in the seats as long as they can therfore openers and set changes fill in time where people can buy drinks. The theatre mindset is different.

Joe starts the Maiden song and turns it up to let people know they have 5 minutes to take their seats. I busted his chops about the choice of song recently but he explained it lets people know it is getting ready to roll.

My recent show in OKC was billed as an evening with so people knew there was no opener. I instructed the ushers to tell everyone that Joe goes on at 8 sharp. I went in the lobby where there was a huge line at the bar and told everybody 5 minutes. Nobody moved. They finally did when they heard TBOJH coming out of the Theater.

I don't know what else you can do.

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