• Doug
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Topic: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

Thought I'd start a thread (...with my first post in fact) to gather thoughts on what I thought was a fantastic show in Bristol tonight.

The set list was the same as has been with previous nights. Joe mentioned that he had been unwell when he last played the Colston Hall in 2008 but made comments about how kind the audience were that night and him being glad to come back and put on a show for the crowd. He also repeated the comments about the #12 best riff of the decade article (Ballad of...), which was very amusing and drew a good few laughs.

The crowd was a little subdued in parts I thought. One 'strange' thing at the end of the gig was during the final stages of 'Just Got Paid' Bogie threw his drum stick up in the air and caught it, but the crowd seemingly missed this completely (or perhaps were not as impressed as they perhaps should have been, I'm unsure) and there was pretty much zero reaction at all to it. Bogie seemed to make a bit of a fed up face and rolled his eyes at his techies in a bit of a petulant manner… before drumming out the rest of the evening (albeit looking pissed off and keeping his head down till Joe finally got to him when acknowledging the band...) …but anyway, I probably shouldn’t be focusing on a perceived negative…. His playing was fantastic all evening and that’s what matters.

That strangeness aside, the show was more than worth the price of admission. Was fortunate enough to be 7 rows from the stage so felt I got a superb view. 'Woke Up Dreaming' was just absurdly good... the live album versions don't come close to doing it justice. Jaw dropping. Other personal highlights for me were ‘Happier Times’ and ‘So It’s Like That’ but the whole set, that was superbly balanced, was delivered to precision. As others have commented, the sound was fantastic and all the band members cut nicely through the mix.

It is incredibly impressive seeing Joe belt out these extended lead breaks note for note live, with a good deal of improvisation thrown in, especially on the ‘straighter’ blues numbers.

The professionalism with which Joe delivered the show tonight really was remarkable – while the slightly grittier, rawer Bonamassa from the Rockpalast era has arguably been replaced by a tidier and smoother Joe that is more relevant to the masses … I can fault nothing. For me, he has developed into the complete player. Very envious of all whom have tickets to see future shows.



...You are in for a treat.

  • From: Newquay, Cornwall.
  • Registered: 2010-07-06
  • Posts: 192

Re: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

Thanks for your first post, Doug, and a warm welcome to the forum.
I was there at Bristol tonight and thought the atmosphere was great. I was in the balcony towards the back. With regard to bogie's stick throwing, he does it regularly, so perhaps that would account for your percieved lack of reaction. Check out the various links in the forum, via Youtube, to see other stick-throwing occasions.  tongue
I echo everything else you have said in your post. There was a good, rocky edge to some of tonight, which I do welcome. The boys were going for it in places!! The sound was excellent. The band were tight. The whole show was, well, just awesome! "Woke Up Dreaming" was scintilating. "If Heartaches...." was the best version I've heard. "Sloe Gin" was, as you say, jaw-dropping.
For you, and anyone else in the forum, I've posted a photo set of tonight's gig on my FaceBook page. The quality may not be as good as others (Marty, you are THE Daddy!!), but I hope you enjoy them anyway.

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/alb … 1323487935

Stay cool-stay Blue. cool  tongue
  • From: Newquay, Cornwall.
  • Registered: 2010-07-06
  • Posts: 192

Re: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

Forgive the quality of these videos. They were shot on a digital camera with video function. I was sat 2/3rds of the way back on the balcony with an idiot sat next to me who kept nudging me as I was shooting!
There's no editing. You see them as I filmed them. I hope, never-the-less, that you can sense the atmosphere, and enjoy watching. This is my first foray into gig video, so apologies...... roll
Videos shot at Colston Hall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwHGtlUrm-c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u6J1v97w0k

Stay cool-stay Blue. cool  tongue
  • JTOWN
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Re: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

Maybe the idiot that kept nudging you is someone like me who gets totally miffed with going to concerts and seeing nothing but a sea of camera screens in front of you,plus arms coming through from the row behind. Like the idiots surrounding me at Ipswich the other night, fantastic concert by the way,absolutely stunning performance, first time seen Joe live, cant wait for return. What is the point of going to a gig and sitting there looking at a 2 inch screen for 2 hours.

AdieJ wrote:

Forgive the quality of these videos. They were shot on a digital camera with video function. I was sat 2/3rds of the way back on the balcony with an idiot sat next to me who kept nudging me as I was shooting!
There's no editing. You see them as I filmed them. I hope, never-the-less, that you can sense the atmosphere, and enjoy watching. This is my first foray into gig video, so apologies...... roll
Videos shot at Colston Hall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwHGtlUrm-c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u6J1v97w0k

5 Reply by Rocket (edited by Rocket 2010-10-15 06:36:39)

  • Rocket
  • Rocket
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
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  • From: San Francisco
  • Registered: 2006-04-26
  • Posts: 10,275

Re: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

JTOWN wrote:

Maybe the idiot that kept nudging you is someone like me who gets totally miffed with going to concerts and seeing nothing but a sea of camera screens in front of you,plus arms coming through from the row behind. Like the idiots surrounding me at Ipswich the other night, fantastic concert by the way,absolutely stunning performance, first time seen Joe live, cant wait for return. What is the point of going to a gig and sitting there looking at a 2 inch screen for 2 hours.

AdieJ wrote:

Forgive the quality of these videos. They were shot on a digital camera with video function. I was sat 2/3rds of the way back on the balcony with an idiot sat next to me who kept nudging me as I was shooting!
There's no editing. You see them as I filmed them. I hope, never-the-less, that you can sense the atmosphere, and enjoy watching. This is my first foray into gig video, so apologies...... roll
Videos shot at Colston Hall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwHGtlUrm-c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u6J1v97w0k

Pictures and videos enhance the experience for many.  I could say what's the point of going to a gig if one is blind then? If people are in your way, politely ask them to not obstruct your view.  Most civilized will comply.  If you can't not divert your attention away from their little lit screen or ignore arms from behind...one can usually find some room elsewhere with good view, good sonic quality, and hey, even a little breathing room.  Or listen at home.  It's like being good neighbors, if your neighbors rowdy croquet games bother you, just build a fence...or move away.

Sharing videos and audio recordings ROCKS to me.  Thanks to those who do it for themselves and for others too. we enjoy and need no apologies for qualities.  Excitement is it's own quality, sayeth the excitable boy.

Note to Doug: the drumstick toss is some kind of inside joke with Bogie and the crew...Perhaps some kind of wager, just don't take it so seriously...Bogie could be peeved at a face one of 'em made, quite doubtful he'd be pouty over lack of reaction (from audience, that is).  He's usually mad or disgusted at one person at a time only, not like hitting bunches of punches of drums up at once  lol  lol  lol  Sorry, Bogie, I may be off tempo with my remarks tongue

Rock ON & Keep 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.”
  • From: Swindon, UK
  • Registered: 2008-11-13
  • Posts: 78

Re: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

Rocket wrote:

If you can't not divert your attention away from their little lit screen or ignore arms from behind...one can usually find some room elsewhere with good view, good sonic quality, and hey, even a little breathing room.  Or listen at home.  It's like being good neighbors, if your neighbors rowdy croquet games bother you, just build a fence...or move away.

It’s difficult to move if you are in allocated seating and the venue is sold out, and I must admit I too get a little niggled at seeing hundreds of little screens lit up in front of me, especially if they are on the end of arms raised high obstructing my view.  But I try not to be too upset about it, as each person is there to enjoy the show in his own way.  Actually, at Bristol I didn't think there was too much of it, mainly because the security seemed to be quite hot on camera misuse.  All the official photographers there had to hand over their cameras to be locked away in a safe, after the first three songs, before they were allowed back into the hall.

I had an obstructed view in Bristol, even with a photo pass.  There is no pit and it is a seated venue with no space between the front row and the stage, save for a centre aisle which went right up to the stage.  I believe in these cases it is the responsibility of any photographer present to not be in the way of other paying punters, so I and several other photographers sat or kneeled on the floor in this centre aisle.  It still afforded a decent view of the stage but meant we were below head height of the audience and thus, hopefully, not in anyone’s way.  Except for ONE photographer who decided to stand bolt upright in the aisle right at the front of the stage in front of Joe’s mic stand.  When you only have three songs in which to use your camera it was a real challenge trying to take pictures around him.  I hope he got some decent shots, because the back of his head appears in an awful lot of mine.   

For the last of my three songs I came out of the aisle and went to the side of the stage next to the front speakers.  That actually proved to be a stroke of genius, as just after I did so Joe came over to that side of the stage for his solo, and the lighting from that viewpoint was excellent as well, giving me my best pictures from the night.  It may be a few days before I can get them online, but I hope it’ll be worth it.

It was nice to finally say hello to Joe as he got on the bus afterwards as well.

Marty

martymoffatt's Website

  • RickB
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  • Registered: 2009-10-30
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Re: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

Well, if Marty has a hard time getting shots, woe betide the rest of us. If the waving cameras irk, bag one of those front row seats and there's no problem.  lol The early bird and all that and you can watch my back.
Oh, and welcome to the forum JTOWN, next post tell us a bit about yourself and how you discovered Joe.
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

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  • Registered: 2010-10-15
  • Posts: 3

Re: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

I'm new to this site and last night at Bristol was my first JB gig.  All I can say is I was completely overwhelmed by the professionalism and talent in front of me. There was so much hair on the back of the neck raising stuff and 1 was such an emotive perfomance I cried!!  I think you guys concerned about the crowd reaction and atmosphere could probably point to the venue.  We were in rear stalls and felt kinda like onlookers rather than being fully involved in the experience.  Hard to stay seated too!!  So cant wait to see him again.

  • Registered: 2008-03-23
  • Posts: 649

Re: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

I'm not very good at writing reviews, so it's lucky I found this one. I think it's sum's up what was one of the best gigs that Bristol has ever seen

http://www.musicradar.com/guitarist/joe … RGUITARIST

P.S Hi LynB and friends it was really nice to meet you all.

No matter how far you try to push the envelope, it remains stationery
  • Registered: 2010-10-15
  • Posts: 3

Re: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

martymoffatt wrote:
Rocket wrote:

If you can't not divert your attention away from their little lit screen or ignore arms from behind...one can usually find some room elsewhere with good view, good sonic quality, and hey, even a little breathing room.  Or listen at home.  It's like being good neighbors, if your neighbors rowdy croquet games bother you, just build a fence...or move away.

It’s difficult to move if you are in allocated seating and the venue is sold out, and I must admit I too get a little niggled at seeing hundreds of little screens lit up in front of me, especially if they are on the end of arms raised high obstructing my view.  But I try not to be too upset about it, as each person is there to enjoy the show in his own way.  Actually, at Bristol I didn't think there was too much of it, mainly because the security seemed to be quite hot on camera misuse.  All the official photographers there had to hand over their cameras to be locked away in a safe, after the first three songs, before they were allowed back into the hall.

I had an obstructed view in Bristol, even with a photo pass.  There is no pit and it is a seated venue with no space between the front row and the stage, save for a centre aisle which went right up to the stage.  I believe in these cases it is the responsibility of any photographer present to not be in the way of other paying punters, so I and several other photographers sat or kneeled on the floor in this centre aisle.  It still afforded a decent view of the stage but meant we were below head height of the audience and thus, hopefully, not in anyone’s way.  Except for ONE photographer who decided to stand bolt upright in the aisle right at the front of the stage in front of Joe’s mic stand.  When you only have three songs in which to use your camera it was a real challenge trying to take pictures around him.  I hope he got some decent shots, because the back of his head appears in an awful lot of mine.   

For the last of my three songs I came out of the aisle and went to the side of the stage next to the front speakers.  That actually proved to be a stroke of genius, as just after I did so Joe came over to that side of the stage for his solo, and the lighting from that viewpoint was excellent as well, giving me my best pictures from the night.  It may be a few days before I can get them online, but I hope it’ll be worth it.

It was nice to finally say hello to Joe as he got on the bus afterwards as well.

Marty


I personally hate having my view obscured by arms with mobile phones on the end of them. You come to a live gig not just to see and hear but to feel an atmosphere and an experierience.   I would add that maybe there wasnt so much of that last night at Bristol due to the quality (Dare I say it, possibly also the age!) of the fans. We were there to soak up the wonderful Joe and enjoy the fantastic music and the whole reason for being at a live gig and not watching on a screen.
On a totally unrelated point, I hate more those people that come to gigs and then talk and muck around through the performance. And not wanting to sound like a right moaner, worse are those who cant seem to sit still in their seats for more than 15 minutes without needing the toilet! Perhaps less beer if they cant handle it?! wink  big_smile

  • Registered: 2010-10-15
  • Posts: 1

Re: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

I was at Bristol and just forget the distractions guys - it was THE best versionsI've heard of Sloe Gin and Mountain Time in 6 concerts !

I am so pleased that Joe has kept the band together because as much as I like BLC this is the concert I would rather hear and see.

I loved the addition of Heart of Darkness on SLoe Gin , and as ever Dazed and Confused towards the end of Just Got Paid

So much more relaxed that the Birmingham gig earlier in the year - and as for the version of Slow Train Coming - was blown away.

Concerts are never perfect - would I have like 'Last Kiss ' ? - hell yes .. but if you can't do it live I'm not listening - and I was listening hard last night - loved it and be back for more

  • Registered: 2010-10-15
  • Posts: 13

Re: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

AJSudworth wrote:

I was at Bristol and just forget the distractions guys - it was THE best versionsI've heard of Sloe Gin and Mountain Time in 6 concerts !

I am so pleased that Joe has kept the band together because as much as I like BLC this is the concert I would rather hear and see.

I loved the addition of Heart of Darkness on SLoe Gin , and as ever Dazed and Confused towards the end of Just Got Paid

So much more relaxed that the Birmingham gig earlier in the year - and as for the version of Slow Train Coming - was blown away.

Concerts are never perfect - would I have like 'Last Kiss ' ? - hell yes .. but if you can't do it live I'm not listening - and I was listening hard last night - loved it and be back for more


Can only agree...was superb show last night. Playing was pretty much flawless it seemed and the sound was great. Had a 100 mile drive back to Plymouth afterwards, but glad we hung around after the show to be able to have a chat with Joe and Carmine out by the tour bus - dead chuffed to be able to shake the maestro by the hand (and good to meet you too martymoffat!)

13 Reply by Devonjohn (edited by Devonjohn 2010-10-15 18:34:37)

  • From: Ivybridge, Devon, UK
  • Registered: 2007-08-03
  • Posts: 94

Re: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

martymoffatt wrote:

Except for ONE photographer who decided to stand bolt upright in the aisle right at the front of the stage in front of Joe’s mic stand.  When you only have three songs in which to use your camera it was a real challenge trying to take pictures around him.  I hope he got some decent shots, because the back of his head appears in an awful lot of mine.   
Marty

Oh dear - if that was me I am sincerely sorry.
I really did try to stay low and out of other peoples way with their big professional equipment and later whilst sat down importantly not to have a screen above chest height or shining out to other people - but I did have a front row seat and I was determined to make use of it.

To be honest most of the time when I have a photopass I stay where I am and let Joe come to me. His music is not predictable but his stage movements are.

I got some great shots - particularly second song and later on when Joe was using the theramin.

Slideshow 1
http://s89.photobucket.com/albums/k202/ … 89a31b.pbw

Slideshow 2
http://s89.photobucket.com/albums/k202/ … a9c727.pbw

I got several decent videos with - for the first time - really great sound.

I was tickled pink with my efforts but if I annoyed anyone - my apologies.  big_smile

Below are the links to the youtube videos - any and all comments gratefully received.

Woke up dreaming - completely reworked and just pure jaw dropping genius for 10 minutes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYoTNcpkvt0

Steal your heart away - beautiful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q623CbPLeu4

Slow train - new to me but a real bit of fun with a fantastic but all too short break.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enqLiijZ6F0

Sloe Gin - my personal favourite but yet again it was even better than last time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K58lM6LMDE

Mountain time - a real highlight for me I love that Alvin Lee music master sound.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLl60El8A4M

Just got paid - I never tire of listening to this or watching Joe play his V.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ2bh5gk-lI

If heartaches were nickels - perhaps the best song of the night and perfect in every way. Substantially reworked, with amazing polish and almost effortless emotion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsKd8fAS2pY

Devonjohn's Website

  • Registered: 2010-10-15
  • Posts: 9

Re: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

http://www.jbonamassa.com/forum/img/smilies/cool.png
We were in the stalls, & frankly didn't see any "misuse" to any great extent - just a few people, on a few instances, keen to get a reminder of a great night, which didn't bother me.
And, being of a certain age myself, I thought the atmosphere was fantastic, despite the audience having an incredibly wide demographic, probably  more than any other I've seen.
Oh, and the Colston was, in comparison with other places I've been to, a pretty classy act !

Finally, Thanks to a genius for an unbelievable experience.

Another guitarist used to rejoice in the title "God".

Well, last night I went to Heaven, & and I saw His Face -  and His name was Joe.

I shall never fall from grace.


Thanks Joe.

  • From: Newquay, Cornwall.
  • Registered: 2010-07-06
  • Posts: 192

Re: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

JTOWN wrote:

Maybe the idiot that kept nudging you is someone like me who gets totally miffed with going to concerts and seeing nothing but a sea of camera screens in front of you,plus arms coming through from the row behind. Like the idiots surrounding me at Ipswich the other night, fantastic concert by the way,absolutely stunning performance, first time seen Joe live, cant wait for return. What is the point of going to a gig and sitting there looking at a 2 inch screen for 2 hours.

Thanks for your post, JTOWN, and a warm welcome to the forum.
With regard to your comments, I am very well aware of the distractions of camera and phone screen brightness in gigs. That is why I bought a camera that allows me to shoot AND view photos through a viewfinder without the need to look at a screen (although I DO have that option).
I do NOT raise my camera above my eye level at any time. When I shoot photos or video I keep myself still, with my arms locked tight to my sides. This not only helps steady the camera, but also has the advantage of my neighbours not being nudged by ME.
The idiot I referred to in my original post was one of a group of three whose main aim at the show-it seems-was to fool around and drink lager.
The show was absolutely superb, and now, in addition to thoroughly enjoying the evening, I have a set of photos and three videos that whenever I look at them, take me straight back to Colston Hall.
It also gives me great joy to know that by posting links to my photos and videos in this forum and on my FB page, others can share in my enjoyment of them.
I hope this clears up any issues you might have.

Stay cool-stay Blue. cool  tongue
  • From: Essex
  • Registered: 2010-01-11
  • Posts: 2,119

Re: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

...YOU CANT PLEASE ALL THE PEOPLE ALL THE TIME!...PERIOD!...people should just learn to live and let live!... but that aint going to happen either!..  roll

...i love looking at a 2 inch screen for two hours!... then i come home and look at a great big screen for hours and hours and hours and hours.....  wink

Everyone is born a genius, but the process of living de-geniuses them.
R. Buckminster Fuller
  • Registered: 2010-10-15
  • Posts: 9

Re: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

Forgot  -  Devonjohn  ( we'em Zomerset, but won't hold that agin you ! )  thanks for the videos, excellent, a great  momento.

Can I archive them somehow ?

Cheers.

  • Registered: 2010-10-15
  • Posts: 3

Re: Colston Hall - Bristol, UK (14/10/2010)

We were in the stalls, & frankly didn't see any "misuse" to any great extent - just a few people, on a few instances, keen to get a reminder of a great night, which didn't bother me.
And, being of a certain age myself, I thought the atmosphere was fantastic, despite the audience having an incredibly wide demographic, probably  more than any other I've seen.
Oh, and the Colston was, in comparison with other places I've been to, a pretty classy act !

Finally, Thanks to a genius for an unbelievable experience.

Another guitarist used to rejoice in the title "God".

Well, last night I went to Heaven, & and I saw His Face -  and His name was Joe.

I shall never fall from grace.




I think that one word you've used sums it all up - - GENIUS