Kamusta? from Manila

Hi everyone,

I'm new here. Name's Alexis from Manila. I have been a JB fan for the last couple of years. I've been playing guitar for 4 going on 5 years with some progress. I don't have the chops I hope to have had by now but I'm working harder than I have in the past, so I hope I get somewhere.

I saw my first Bonamassa concert in Singapore. The only reaction I have is just like what Joe's mum said when she heard that Joe was in Singapore - "OH DEAR." As in, OH DEAR LORD WAS HE ON FIRE!

I thought Joe would play a lot of the unfamiliar songs (just like what other artists do when they have a new album out) but boy was I happy to hear all those hits. The pinnacle of my night was the back-to-back songs of Sloe Gin and "The Tenth Best Riff of the Decade" Ballad of John Henry. Then he closed the set (prior to encore) with my favorite JB song, Mountain Time.

Joe was playing through rented Marshalls. DSL, I think. Two cabs were miced and baffled with a third one on stage (for the theremin maybe?) There were quite a few guitars on tour with him here - a 58 plain top sunburst, a JB with Bigsby, a Bonaburst, and his acoustic. They all sounded good but the 58 was my favorite. It was the cleanest of the bunch and had such a smooth sound to it. The distortion was not harsh and the notes sang. A close second was the Goldtop with Bigsby. I never thought you could get away with Beck-isms with a Bigsby. Joe B proved me wrong. I also heard a lot of Phaser (Phase 90? 100?) for some texture. But it was mostly Joe's fingers, guitar and amp making the sound. I'm sure a lot of people in the audience came to hear how Joe's massive rig and tone sounds like but I liked the show for a different reason. BTW Joe, have you stopped using your delay? I heard a very slight hint of delay but not the "everything straight up" kind.

The songs were beautiful. Young Man's Blues (?), Sloe Gin, Ballad of John Henry, and Mountain Time were the songs that stood out for me. My mom, who came to the show with me and whispered that all great guitarists love their moms (Joe made a comment about calling his mom), especially liked his acoustic songs. After the show she said, his acoustic playing was phenomenal.

There you have it Joe, my mom - a Swing Out Sister, Madonna, and 70s music listener - sat through your show and said she liked it. The rock songs sounded the same to her but she was mesmerized by the acoustic set.

Thanks Joe for keeping the blues alive for a 23 year old like me. I fell in love with the music when I was 18, admittedly after hearing SRV's Pride and Joy. Then I stumbled upon Joe's A New Day Yesterday video from his site and I can't be happier. Joe, I will tell you right now - I'm going to be stealing your licks, phrasing, and tone ideas.

I hope you can come to the Philippines. I would love to meet you then.

Cheers,
Alexis