Disppointed with Crossroads 2010 (Page 1 of 2)

You have to accentuate the positive my friend! Joe was a guest, played one of my long ago requests sitting in a great band playing great and as many of who WERE there will attest, we would have screamed FOUL if what did get in had not. We KNEW it was going to be in.  He got respect. The Ernie Ball stage he got MAJOR respect.  On the spot.  Those of us there will not forget that day and the upticks on respect we could see, hear, discuss, and FEEL...in real time.  That one DVD cut will win over more than one interested in further investigation.

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.”

I'm definitely happy that Joe was invited.  Eric, as the host, knows firsthand that he is deserving of the honor.  After reading the accounts from those that went, I guess my hopes were a little too high.  All-in-all, it was a good show.  It would have been nice to see Joe out there with Johnny, Buddy, Hubert, Eric or Jeff - the old guard - sort of passing of the torch.   After all, the event is supposed to be all about the blues and the guitar, and there is no denying that Joe is the brightest star on the blues guitar scene. 

Admittedly, a DVD will only hold so much.  It just stinks for those of us that can't afford to go and have to experience the edited event.  It would be cool though if they made all of the footage or footage from the smaller stage available on You Tube.  I'm good with unedited material.

I was a little dissapointed that the DVD didn't have anything from the Ernie Ball stage on it. They were filming, so I don't know why they didn't use the footage, and both Joe and Ryan McGarvey tore up that stage.
It was about 200 degrees that day, and both Joe and Ryan sweated their *$#) off, but both put on a great show.
After Joe's short set, Joe had to move over to a tent to handle everyone wanting his autograph or a picture with him. It was funny watching the entire audience following Joe over to the tent, like an exodus through the (very hot) desert!

I've never been a big fan of these all-stars-on-stage-and-sing-and-play-along-finale things and they couldn't have picked a worse song for that.
Joe hidden in the background and Ronnie Wood at the very front in the limelight?      There's something seriously wrong here. 

The Derek Trucks/Susan Tedeschi band set stole the show for my money and ZZ Top were.....well, ZZ Top....gotta love 'em!!! It was long overdue for Joe to appear at this, he should've been on the 2007 bill, but he was there and next time around there'll hopefully be a longer set from him. I also saw footage of the High Voltage festival on TV the other day and judging by that Joe totally blew everyone else away!!

Ronnie's ladeeeee lurved the limelight though didn't she 

Finally got to see the DVD (blu-ray) and I can confirm that there is no extra footage (darn!). I have watched it three times now and must say I am disappointed in Crossroads compared to the previous two.

I think Mr. Clapton needs to seek out some fresh blood. Some of the folks shown on the DVD definitely need to retire and pass on the torch. Yeah I know Hubert Sumlin is a legend, but really folks, he needs to park it and enjoy listening to others and I think he said as much.

Not to pick on him, but please has anyone really heard of Doyle Bramhall II besides at Crossroads and with EC? Joe and a number of others can just tear him up and I don't understand why he gets headline status. And what about Jimmie Vaughn? That seemed totally rude the way he walked over Robert Cray and he has never been even close to Stevie in ability.

I really enjoyed the tracks on DVD two with Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes and company. Probably the best thing on the DVDs. 

Obviously Eric doesn't want to deal with the three day blowout the first Crossroads was. Probably way too much work and logistics involved and that is fine, but pick a better location if for no other reason than the weather, and really think about who is invited.

Maybe those who were there have a much different opinion, but based on the DVD performances, for the most part all I can say is booring with a few glaring exceptions. And lose Bill Murray as host(?). Ugh. How could he say they were finally getting to the good stuff right after Trucks and company were on? Please. If that was actually the sequence he should be drawn and quartered at the very least.

Maybe next time (if there is one).

Maybe it didn't come across on the DVD, but for those of us who were there, it was VERY obvious that Bill's tongue was firmly in his cheek when he said that. Derek and company had just completely smoked the stage and when Murray said that, everybody just laughed. He provided some good comedy relief to break up the acts on a very hot day when a little humor was just what the doctor ordered.

(Actually, the doctor probably would have ordered water at less than five dollars a bottle, but alas, Toyota Park didn't get that prescription. For that reason, I'd very much like to see the venue moved in four years.)

Well, I realized that my comments were based on viewing the DVD so therefore I bow to those of you who were there. I guess maybe the editing on the DVD leaves a bit to be desired (understatement), but in that context they made Bill Murray's appearances look as if he was just kind of annoying more than funny (at least to me).

It's too bad the powers that be at the time didn't realize the issues for the crowd related to the conditions and hand out water for free. That should have happened for sure.

Maybe if Crossroads happens again it will take place in a more audience friendly location.