• Registered: 2012-05-01
  • Posts: 3

Topic: Hartford Show

Great show, my First.
The mix on the vocal had them a bit reserved and behind the music.  The bass was a bit boomy and not as much punch as I prefer.
2 1/2 hours of great music.  I think that I saw 8 guitars used.  One broken string and one monitor blew.
Saw the stage hand change a white piece of paper for the drummer ever other song.  Any Ides on what this was?

Loudest show that I have heard in a while.  Anyone have the set list.  Great sound to the acoustic guitar and also the double neck.

  • Registered: 2006-04-23
  • Posts: 269

Re: Hartford Show

Below is the set list the best I can remember - pretty much the same as recent shows:
Slow Train
Last Kiss
Midnight Blues (spectacular)
Dustbowl
Who's Been Talking (from new CD) Catchy tune - crowd liked it although few knew it was new
Sloe Gin (standing "O" by the masses)
The Ballad of John Henry
Lonesome Road Blues
Look Over Yonder's Wall
Dislocated Boy (from new CD)
Blues Deluxe (Next standing "O" from the crowd)
Young Man Blues
Woke Up Dreaming
Django / Mountain Time

Encore
Driving Towards The Daylight (title track form new CD)
Just Got Paid (and crowd went wild!)

My wife and I partook in the M &G (first time - an honor - I can relate to the nervousness others have conveyed). Got the EPI signed and will now be retired to the Joe wall of fame. Joe was very nice about signing all kinds of stuff. We were fortunate enough to have dead ctr first row seats. Regardless of who the artist is there is nothing like it. Part of me wonders if I can ever enjoy Joe the same way ever again. In his intro Joe made a comment he was happy he wasn't playing at the Webster Theatre as he had a number of yrs back (iffy area some would say). He thanked Hartford (sellout or extremely close) for their support, etc.

A few comments on songs: The three new songs came off very well I thought. The title track is a sure winner - maybe destined for Letterman Mon night? Dislocated Boy was another song that may become a fav for me on the new CD. Slo Gin - as we know in concert this is one of the highlights for all. The crowd  exploded from their seats at the conclusion as Joe gave his usual humble grin. Midnight Blues - how lucky are we to have Joe honor Gary by including this on a regular basis. For those (like me) that look forward to bluesy tunes this song is very pleasing. Speaking of bluesy - Blues Deluxe brought he crowd to their feet once again. It is so nice to have Joe include this song from yesteryear. Excellent vocals on this tune. As mentioned on the previous post - it took the crew a while to adjust Joe's vocals. Look Over Yonder Wall - it took me 20 secs to realize the all new version of this song - sort of 1/2 time but Joe customized it  - I liked the version by the time it ended.Young Man Blues - I love the Who version but Joe has created a "concert must play" version. From the Stairway to Heaven riff to the Joe/Tal banter this song was a highlight for me. Mountain Time - nothing needs to be said. This tune has always been one of my favorites - how it has evolved since the original! Title track -first encore - excellent song - Joe could have his first hit unless he works against it happening. (-:
Crowd on their feet as usual for Just Got Paid - As those who have seen this song live  "as the icing on the cake" we all know this is the correct choice to send the crowd away happy. 2.5 hrs of non stop action!! Joe expressed he was looking forward to taking a break soon after a few more shows - along stretch since he started the European leg of the tour. I took a zillion photos - I will try to post as many of the quality shots once I find the time. Nice to meet street teamer Nancy and many others at Black Eyed Sally's before the show. Being form Hartford originally  - thank Joe Bonamassa for delivering the finest homecoming gift a person could ask for. As if the night wasn't graeat enough - my wife and I both caught a drum stick each. To the wall they go! See you in Springfield in the Fall Joe.

  • Registered: 2011-03-28
  • Posts: 122

Re: Hartford Show

Great  write up Rhoovis ,  I agree with everything you said. we were in the second row
right in front of Joe all night.   Great show !!

  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Hartford Show

Thanks for the nice review.  Good job,

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

bigjeffjones's Website

  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 3,019

Re: Hartford Show

Great review also..

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)
  • From: Maine-USA
  • Registered: 2012-04-11
  • Posts: 378

Re: Hartford Show

great review-will get one out after the Portland show.

Dont need a helmet to get me through life-walk across the water blame it on foolish pride.

PORTLAND2012/SPRINGFIELD2012/BOSTON2013/HAMPTON BEACH2014/BANGOR2015/PORTLAND2016/PORTLAND2017
  • pwat
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2011-05-21
  • Posts: 12

Re: Hartford Show

Hi there,
My first show...yes I am embarressed to be a virgin...lol
Joe was excellent as I expected. As the first person said, the mix was not very good. I am a part time musician, so I feel I can complain. The bass drum and floor tom toms were way too loud obscuring the bass player and JOE. I sat in row U dead center and the sound was too loud. Joe's vocal was way down in the mix, his guitars were right on.

But Joe was the reason I came and he didn't disappoint. Pretty good support from the Bonoholics too.

  • From: Connecticut
  • Registered: 2007-11-19
  • Posts: 254

Re: Hartford Show

It's been awhile since my last Joe Show and it will be a nice appetizer for Friday in NH. Everything is getting so much better..vocals, tightness of band and the lighting was amazing. Almost better than my first show at the Webster in 2004!

"Is it the new blues mobile or what?"                                                                                                                                                                                                     "Fix the cigarette lighter."
  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,855

Re: Hartford Show

pwat wrote:

Hi there,
My first show...yes I am embarressed to be a virgin...lol
Joe was excellent as I expected. As the first person said, the mix was not very good. I am a part time musician, so I feel I can complain. The bass drum and floor tom toms were way too loud obscuring the bass player and JOE. I sat in row U dead center and the sound was too loud. Joe's vocal was way down in the mix, his guitars were right on.

But Joe was the reason I came and he didn't disappoint. Pretty good support from the Bonoholics too.

I was there. Sorry I didn't get to meet you. Next time perhaps.

  • Registered: 2006-04-23
  • Posts: 269

Re: Hartford Show

Sorry to hear about the sound from some....we got lucky up close I guess. Guitar was perfect sounding - vocals seemed better later on. I have heard similar comments from other fans in other venues. I  have to guess it is EXTREMELY difficult to get the sound perfect for everyone in a venue. Take the Bushnell for instance - beautiful venue but ancient. Who knows what sound it was built for - classical?, chorus? Sure wasn't screaming electric guitars and vocals. As far as the loudness issue is concerned - I always bring ear plugs but did not use them Sat. I do also think shows that are too loud do distract from the overall performance.
I do have to say Rick and Carmine were more difficult to hear then Joe and Tal but I attributed it to the instruments they are playing and where I was sitting. Speaking of Rick and Carmine - I was sadly remiss in my earlier review in not mentioning them. We had a great view of Carmine - supurb playing from what we could hear. Rick - same thing - excellent job!

  • Registered: 2012-05-22
  • Posts: 9

Re: Hartford Show

I just signed up  today to this  site.   I need to explain a thing or two first.   Being from Waterbury Ct, we were fortunate to have some super class acts at the Palace theater in the early 70s.    My last concert was Bruce Springsteen ( 1974?).   My Guitar Idol was  always Alvin Lee from Ten Years After.   Seen him 2 times in Connecticut, also in the early 70s.   Anyways I have not been to a concert in over 30 something years,    So there I was layin in bed back in December and couldn't sleep so I put the tv on and there is Connecticut Public TV, and there is this guy named Joe Bonamassa playing  like nobody I have ever heard or seen.   So at 2.30 in the morning I bought 2 tickets to the Hartford show.  I had great seats, and I have to say, I now have a new guitar idol.  I feel  Joe has a true gift from God, This isn't something you learn from sheet music, its in his veins.   I had a tear in my eye regarding his solo rift,  I don't understand why this young man isn't lighting the music world on fire., My first concert in 30 years was phenomenal. Sure it was loud but I wouldn't have it any other way.   Sorry Alvin Lee,  But I got a new guitar Guru and his name is Joe Bonamassa.

  • From: Amsterdam
  • Registered: 2007-10-06
  • Posts: 5,249

Re: Hartford Show

bowmanmt wrote:

I just signed up  today to this  site.   I need to explain a thing or two first.   Being from Waterbury Ct, we were fortunate to have some super class acts at the Palace theater in the early 70s.    My last concert was Bruce Springsteen ( 1974?).   My Guitar Idol was  always Alvin Lee from Ten Years After.   Seen him 2 times in Connecticut, also in the early 70s.   Anyways I have not been to a concert in over 30 something years,    So there I was layin in bed back in December and couldn't sleep so I put the tv on and there is Connecticut Public TV, and there is this guy named Joe Bonamassa playing  like nobody I have ever heard or seen.   So at 2.30 in the morning I bought 2 tickets to the Hartford show.  I had great seats, and I have to say, I now have a new guitar idol.  I feel  Joe has a true gift from God, This isn't something you learn from sheet music, its in his veins.   I had a tear in my eye regarding his solo rift,  I don't understand why this young man isn't lighting the music world on fire., My first concert in 30 years was phenomenal. Sure it was loud but I wouldn't have it any other way.   Sorry Alvin Lee,  But I got a new guitar Guru and his name is Joe Bonamassa.

big_smile big_smile

Such a familiar story for many of us! Welcome, you should enjoy this place! smile

RIP Iron Man

Rock On and keep the Faith
  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: Hartford Show

Welcome Bowmanmt. Nice report, thank you. Your story exemplifies why so many have come here. I'm sure Alvin won't mind sharing the spotlight with Joe. Keep them both up there on the pedestal together. smile
Rick

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

RickB's Website

  • pwat
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2011-05-21
  • Posts: 12

Re: Hartford Show

Spider wrote:
pwat wrote:

Hi there,
My first show...yes I am embarressed to be a virgin...lol
Joe was excellent as I expected. As the first person said, the mix was not very good. I am a part time musician, so I feel I can complain. The bass drum and floor tom toms were way too loud obscuring the bass player and JOE. I sat in row U dead center and the sound was too loud. Joe's vocal was way down in the mix, his guitars were right on.

But Joe was the reason I came and he didn't disappoint. Pretty good support from the Bonoholics too.

I was there. Sorry I didn't get to meet you. Next time perhaps.


Never thought to ask you if you would be going...darn!! NEXT time.

  • Registered: 2012-05-22
  • Posts: 1

Re: Hartford Show

I have been a big fan of Joe's for the last 5 years. First show I saw was at Toad's in New Haven in July 2007 and he blew the walls out of the place and cemented his position with me as one of the best guitarists in the world. He is without a doubt talented, but no one ever hears of him except in a very small circle of musicians. His show in Hartford was wonderful and much more polished than the previous show I saw. However I was very disappointed in the David Letterman show on Monday night. Other than a few vignettes and mentions of the new CD, there was little performance on camera. Dave - Give him some air time for a full song! Joe deserves the same respect as any other fine musician.