• Registered: 2008-06-13
  • Posts: 137

Topic: Singapore Esplanade 15th May

WOW, my last show was the RAH, so I was intrepid about this being a come down, no chance of that, what a show!!!!

Joe as ever was on top form, with the guitar and his jokes smile Highlights for me would be Slow Train, Young Man(not sure its the name, but he says it a lot in the song) both for Tal's inspired drumming, what an addition to the band, I have never seen someone hit drums that hard before, like Captain Caveman with 2 big clubs hammering away, for me this might just be the best lineup Joe has had around him, Carmine seems to have come alive, loved the dueling solo he did with Joe on one track.

I had spare tickets but the people i met in the day didnt turn up, but gave 2 young guys a very good deal on the tickets(less than half price), as I could see they were really really wanting to go inside. Found them 5 mins before the gig, and looked like they had given up hope smile

What a city, What a night, What a band, What a Joe!!!!!

Thanks Joe et al

tewker

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Re: Singapore Esplanade 15th May

Thanks Tewker. What a guy to give away tickets. The song is Young Man's Blues. I hope Joe&Co. get to do a bit of tourism there. Singapore is just so cool. Great review and I agree on the band. Best lineup yet.
Rick

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  • Rocket
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  • Registered: 2006-04-26
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Re: Singapore Esplanade 15th May

Wow.  London 2009 to Singapore 2011, that's a wide time and distance spread.  I see that even given that, there's no room or need to complain what you've missed.  It's still all good.  To me though, 3 of Joe's 4  post drummer's have truly pounded (Kenny was more finesse) the life out of the drums; Tony, Bogie, and now Tal.  Bogie hits about the same, maybe even harder in my opinion, as far as the drum heads.  The cymbals I think Tal punishes them hardest (got to be the gloves!)......and so FAST at it!
There's so often someone ready to kick themselves over missing out on tickets to a show, so often I have found.  Nice to help them out.  I wouldn't ahve waited for anyone to turn up.  When it comes to tickets for Joe Bonamassa or Black Country Communion, I have a "it's now or never policy", get 'em while they are hot!!!

Rock ON & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

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  • From: Atlanta
  • Registered: 2009-10-31
  • Posts: 23

Re: Singapore Esplanade 15th May

I'm glad to say I purchased the last ticket available that night.  It was my 5th time seeing him and it was a great show.  I wish there was a bit more from Dust Bowl.  Slow train was very well done!  I'll see him again in Atlanta in November.

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  • Rocket
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Re: Singapore Esplanade 15th May

I'm holding you to that set list promise!  smile  Sound good? What about seeing Tal for the first time?
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: Atlanta
  • Registered: 2009-10-31
  • Posts: 23

Re: Singapore Esplanade 15th May

You know I hate change so I wasn't thrilled when Bogie left but I gotta tell you Tal was great especially on Young Man Blues.  He seemed to fit right in, lots a smiles with the band.  His style is a lot faster and harder than Bogie's was. 

It seemed like there was a number of changes in the arrangement of the songs.  He has been playing some of those songs since I first saw him in 2007 but he seems to make changes that keep them fresh.

As far as the set list goes it was just about the same as Antwerp's.  I don't remember Lonesome Road or Happier Times.  But I gotta tell you the 12 hour time change and the 20 hours I spent in the plane going over may have had an effect on my ability to recall everything.  Django did precede Mountain Time and he did not do Bird on a Wire in the encore.  So Many Roads was outstanding as was Slow Train.  I've seen a lot of bands over the years but all 4 of those guys are really talented. 

The show was officially sold out because the guy told me I got the last ticket.  But they did not sell any tickets in the two upper levels.  There are a total of 1600 seats in the theater so I'd guess they sole 750-1000 of them.  I'd say the crowd was maybe about 60/40 expat (Caucasian) and Asian.  They were over all a lot younger then the 4 shows I've seen in the States.   The expats were all 40s plus similar to the Atlanta area shows.  A few parents with kids too which is great.

Thats it.  I got tickets for the Atlanta show in November.  I think that venue holds 2K.

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  • Registered: 2008-06-13
  • Posts: 137

Re: Singapore Esplanade 15th May

pnh2atl wrote:

You know I hate change so I wasn't thrilled when Bogie left but I gotta tell you Tal was great especially on Young Man Blues.  He seemed to fit right in, lots a smiles with the band.  His style is a lot faster and harder than Bogie's was. 

It seemed like there was a number of changes in the arrangement of the songs.  He has been playing some of those songs since I first saw him in 2007 but he seems to make changes that keep them fresh.

As far as the set list goes it was just about the same as Antwerp's.  I don't remember Lonesome Road or Happier Times.  But I gotta tell you the 12 hour time change and the 20 hours I spent in the plane going over may have had an effect on my ability to recall everything.  Django did precede Mountain Time and he did not do Bird on a Wire in the encore.  So Many Roads was outstanding as was Slow Train.  I've seen a lot of bands over the years but all 4 of those guys are really talented. 

The show was officially sold out because the guy told me I got the last ticket.  But they did not sell any tickets in the two upper levels.  There are a total of 1600 seats in the theater so I'd guess they sole 750-1000 of them.  I'd say the crowd was maybe about 60/40 expat (Caucasian) and Asian.  They were over all a lot younger then the 4 shows I've seen in the States.   The expats were all 40s plus similar to the Atlanta area shows.  A few parents with kids too which is great.

Thats it.  I got tickets for the Atlanta show in November.  I think that venue holds 2K.

I am only 32 wink Agree about Tal a great guy to fill the void.

  • Registered: 2011-05-19
  • Posts: 113

Re: Singapore Esplanade 15th May

I was one of the younger (by age) guys there. I'm sure everyone there was 18 at heart and still lived in the 60s.

Check out my review of the gig at the Introductions page.

Come to Manila, Joe! I loved you in Singapore. Great show! Thank you for playing balanced songs/solos. It was most enjoyable.

During Just Got Paid, did anyone notice Joe cranking his amp to 11? lol.

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Re: Singapore Esplanade 15th May

http://www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=17626
The review belongs here and here it is!  EXCELLENT!!!

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.”
  • Registered: 2011-05-19
  • Posts: 113

Re: Singapore Esplanade 15th May

dalandan wrote:

Hi everyone,

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.

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


Cheers,
Alexis

Here's the abridged version of just the review.

Thanks again, Rocket.