• Registered: 2011-03-20
  • Posts: 7

Topic: Pittsburgh show

For some unknown (and maybe inconceivable) reason, I've seen no newspaper review of Joe's concert 3/27 in Pittsburgh's Carnegie Music Hall!!  I'm not offering that review here, since I have nothing new to add to the glow that is Joe, and others have already used the correct words in describing past shows.  I will say that this was only our (wife and me) second time at a concert in the Carnegie, and while it is a magnificent place, acoustic and otherwise, it's decor, though classic, also means certain seat locations  seem to have been designed for, er, persons of more than 6'6" tall and no wider than a railroad tie.  NEVERTHELESS, after we squeezed into our seats, adjusted our claustrophobia, and Joe took the stage, we were tranported to Blues/Rock Valhalla, whereupon we were oblivious to anyone or anything else that constrained us!  Ecstasy?  Out of Body experience?  Liberating?  All of the aforementioned.  Like I said, no item by item review here, just some comments on the little things that matter too:  Been going to concerts for MANY years, and can't remember the last time a performer was not only ON TIME to start the show, but began about 5 MINUTES EARLY, clearly pronouncing that he loves his job, came to play, and is considerate of an audience. MUCH appreciated!  Then, of course, the magic dominated--we've seen quite a number of  guitar gods in person, and Joe has taken his rightful place among them.  My wife, not one given to superlatives, indicated that she heard notes/sounds from a guitar that she never heard before, and, in addition to that sadly overused word "awesome," I can only say that the experience was "jaw dropping."  As I stated, I can't add anything that hasn't already been better said in previous reviews, but the experience was enriched by the "little things" too, like Joe acknowledging where he had appeared before in the Pittsburgh area, and that he genuinely was now grateful that he made it to Pittsburgh Carnegie, populated by 2000 appreciative fans. (my inference of the wearing of the mortarboards during the encores is that it wasn't accidental, but symbolic that Joe has "graduated" to another level).  To echo some other posts, we believe that this was the last time we will see Joe in venues this size, and while we followers may be ambivalent about losing the "intimate" feeling from the theaters, etc., Joe deserves the leap to larger arenas.  He's more than ready, the question is, are they prepared for him?  I don't think that it's "If Heartaches were nickles," anymore, I believe it's "good fortune is a byproduct of hard work."  Our wish is for Joe B. to be "the most fortunate guy in the world."  Continue your assault into Canada and the rest of the world, Joe, 'cause they haven't seen a juggernaut like you for quite some time.

  • From: Central PA
  • Registered: 2010-04-28
  • Posts: 272

Re: Pittsburgh show

SyracuseDuke wrote:

My wife, not one given to superlatives, indicated that she heard notes/sounds from a guitar that she never heard before, and, in addition to that sadly overused word "awesome," I can only say that the experience was "jaw dropping."

 

That was exactly my reaction the first time I saw Joe perform, in February of 2006; that Joe had created sounds I had never heard before. And it's why I keep coming back, every time he comes within range. Many of the denizens in this forum have frequently commented on how much fun it is to watch the reaction of Bona-virgins and help them lift their jaws back off the floor!  yikes

SyracuseDuke wrote:

To echo some other posts, we believe that this was the last time we will see Joe in venues this size, and while we followers may be ambivalent about losing the "intimate" feeling from the theaters, etc., Joe deserves the leap to larger arenas.

For quite some time I have realized the irony in introducing more people to Joe, in that while I am helping others (and Joe), I'm actually hurting my own chances for cheap, close seats at his future shows. But I can't help myself.  hmm

3 Reply by Bonaddicted (edited by Bonaddicted 2011-03-29 23:44:28)

  • From: Mountain Time, PA (East on 80)
  • Registered: 2011-03-29
  • Posts: 14

Re: Pittsburgh show

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Music Critter must have his head very far up a dark nasty place. Back in January he wrote up a list of must-see concerts for the next few months and Joe's concert wasn't on the list. It was listed on the PG website, but at the wrong location (Carnegie Music Hall in Homestead) and at the wrong time. I wrote an email to him asking why the concert wasn't in his article and asking him to correct the other listing, but he never replied, and never bothered to correct the other listing either.
Personally, I loved Sunday's show, the only other time I've seen Joe & the band was last November when I dragged my wife up to Wilkes-Barre to see him. (Somehow I must have been living in a cave for the   last 10 years as I only "discovered" his musical magic in June of 2010.) Nothing against the good people of Wilkes-Barre, but I felt like the crowd was much more enthusiastic in Pittsburgh, maybe that's why he played for 2.5 hours instead of 2 back in Nov. The interplay between Joe, Carmine, Rick and Tal was fun to see (we had much better seats thanks to the presale tip in this forum), and Tal certainly impressed me with his drum playing.
Looking forward to the fall when they're back in the US, we've got family in Philly, Baltimore, Minnesota, and Atlanta that we'll be coincidentally visiting in November. My only regret is missing all of his visits to Moondogs, guess that's my fault for having kids and staying out of bars while they were around  :)

Thanks to Pandora for introducing me to Joe's music!

Bonaddicted's Website

4 Reply by 49 Red (edited by 49 Red 2011-03-30 00:07:07)

  • Registered: 2011-03-29
  • Posts: 2

Re: Pittsburgh show

I,too really enjoyed the Pgh concert. I loved the humbleness of such a great musician and his sense of humour about Moondogs. The tickets were right. He started on time ( a pleasant surprise form the usual) and never stopped until the end of the show. I went solo  as a birthday present to myself. I have really good taste in presents! 'Smokin' Joe' delivered and I was delighted. I met some really nice people there, too. He didn't play "Stop" but he did play The Great Flood (one of my favorites) Loved how he crossed many genres and did them all well. Being a Jimmy Page fan, loved the last one ZZTop/Led Zeppelin  "Just Got Paid/Dazed and Confused" I loved the audience response and I had a good set right on the aisle in the dress circle. Perfect concert perfect present. Thanks again Joe

  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: Pittsburgh show

PITTSBURGH SET LIST 3-27-2011:
.
CRADLE ROCK
SO MANY ROADS
WHEN THE FIRE HITS THE SEA
SO ITS LIKE THAT
HEARTACHES WHERE NICKLES
SLOW TRAIN
DUST BOWL
YOU BETTER WATCH YOURSELF
SLOE GIN
BALLAD OF JOHN HENRY
LONESOME ROAD BLUES
HAPPIER TIMES
STEAL YOUR HEART AWAY
GREAT FLOOD
YOUNG MANS BLUES
WOKE UP DREAMING
MOUNTAIN TIME
BIRD ON A WIRE
JUST GOT PAID

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • From: Charlotte
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 2,350

Re: Pittsburgh show

Bonaddicted wrote:

My only regret is missing all of his visits to Moondogs, guess that's my fault for having kids and staying out of bars while they were around  smile

Hey Bonaddicted, family comes first! Good for you.  Great review and writeup, in fact all the comments were spot on. We never regret traveling to see Joe.  Four times in the Pittsburgh area, saw him at Moondogs twice, once in 02 and in 03 and at Seven Springs.  He sure has come a long way! Met a lot of people who never have seen Joe live, but saw the RAH show on Public TV and they had to come!  And Joe played his socks off, BTW nice shoes Joe!  Nice to see three songs off Dust Bowl in the Set List.  Great energy with Tal, everybody was having a good time and even jamming some.  Until next time!

Music is good for the Soul...