Topic: Savannah, Nov. 20, 2011
Cathy asked for a review...
Joe Bonamassa in Savannah, Nov. 20, 2011
The concert was in the Johnny Mercer Theater (2,506 seats, including the balcony, which seemed to be closed) at the Savannah Civic Center. I didn't see how many people were in the balcony but the main floor was almost full, but not quite. The show started exactly on time and lasted 2:20. I was in the eighth row, near the center.
Joe gave it his all. The bass player played well, and seemed to really be having a good time, compared to when I saw them last year and on the Royal Albert Hall DVD. I think they had a different drummer than when I saw them last year. This drummer is really powerful and very reminiscent of John Bonham.
The sound quality varied. On most loud, fast songs (for instance the first two songs of the show), there was so much high-frequency sound that I could barely hear the guitar. "Just Got Paid" is fast and loud, but on that one I could hear the guitar. I know that he switches amps from song to song, so maybe the bad ones were with one amp or special effect. Or maybe the problem was with the mix. On the slower songs the sound was good.
The choice of songs didn't seem to be as good as last year. He didn't play his best song ("Stop"). Several of the songs were loud and fast and seemed to have no point except to showcase some flashy guitar playing.
In the middle he told a nice story about this being his first time in Savannah. He went to an antique mall that gave a piece of apple pie with each purchase. He bought a set of old Beatles bobbleheads (even Ringo). He declined the apple pie. We really appreciated he fact that he got to go out and experience the city.