Newcastle, Australia 18th May 2011

This is the set list as I recall it.

Cradle Rock
So Many Roads
When The Fire Hits The Sea
So, It's Like That
If Heartaches Were Nickels
Slow Train
Dust Bowl
Sloe Gin
The Ballad of John Henry
Steal Your Heart Away
Woke Up Dreaming
Midnight Blues
Young Man Blues
Django
Mountain Time
Encore:
Just Got Paid

Had first class seats six rows back and dead centre of stage.  Magic venue, it was like an oasis, from the outside you think WTF, but it is a real majestic venue inside, very ornate and regal.

The band were in first class form and the rapport between them is very obvious, lots of smiles and acknowledgements, and most of all a sense of fun which makes for a great show.  They had quite a few gear failures during the show, first Carmine on Bass, then Rick, and finally Joe himself.  If they were frustrated or angry it certainly didin't show on stage, complete professionals.  Joe commented at the end that Tal was the only one who had put in a full shift, as none of his gear failed!!! Funny.

Highlights for me were So Many Roads, which I think was was a highlight for quite a few of us as his solo drew spontaneous applause, Heartaches were Nickels, Slow train was as good as fellow forum members have said it is live, and the accoustic set was well just brilliant. I believe it is only when he does this set that you truly realise the brilliance of the man.  It's alternative, and shoves his complete talent right into your face. Awesome.

Young man blues is where they all seem to have the most fun, leaving each other to pick the momentum.  At one point Joe left Tal to pick up and there was just a slight hesitation when Tal took his que, really funny and Joe loved it.  Midnight blues was played perfectly and you would not think it is a fairly recent inclusion.  Carmine appears to love this song.  Great.

My only gripe is one of quantity, certainly not quality.  Joe did state at the end that "we would have played longer but we blew everything up".  The show was "only" 1 hour 50 minutes and we were perhaps robbed of a bigger encore and maybe Happier times and You'd better watch yourself in the main set, by the equipment failures.  It's a minor gripe and as I am seeing him tomorrow night in Brisbane I hope the show is a little longer.  JB told the story of his nightmare 25 hour flight from Singapore to Melbourne and then crashing in his hotel room, and in doing so he wasn't offering any excuses he was just telling the story.  Maybe, just maybe it had some effect on his stamina?

This was my first JB concert and it did not disappoint.  Not only that, but I knew he wouldn't let me down.  Brilliant evening just brilliant, can't wait for the next one.....34 hours and 5 minutes at time of posting.

Lenny