I’ve been so fortunate to see Joe 8 times now since March 2009, and with the timing being Fall/Sping tours I’ve been lucky to see 7 different set lists. The only duplicate was Las Vegas HOB, 2/19/11 and Taft Theater 3/19/11. As I mentioned on my previous post it was one of the best shows yet, however all of them are one of the “best ever” because they have all been different. It’s just this show was way different , mainly the acoustic set, different arrangements of songs I have seen previously and the 1st time I’ve been to a show with special GUESTS, yes that is plural What a treat!
I had read in Rockfarmer’s Dallas review that 2 Minutes to Midnight had been replaced, in Tulsa it was Tulsa Time, and then Back Home Again in Indiana was played at the Fort Wayne show. I was beginning to detect a pattern here and was racking my brain what could be a Cincinnati song? I’m sure there are plenty but nothing came to mind. I am at my seat and had not looked at the time and then I hear it, the theme song to WKRP in Cincinnati! It was so cool, the crowd loved it!
The acoustic set is just incredible, I love Dislocated Boy and enjoyed seeing it performed “unplugged” as apposed to the studio version. Tal adding the percussion just killed. Seagull, live loved it and the rest of the acoustic. Woke up Dreaming shorter but always so fun to watch how fast those fingers move. I am looking even more forward to the release of the Vienna dvd. It was mentioned there would be a US acoustic tour previously and I would love to see this happen. After seeing Pete’s vids and these 5 songs live really leaves me wanting more. Perhaps that’s the plan I’ve got my fingers crossed!
Slow Train makes a great opening, the perfectly timed train effects so dramatic, even more so after the acoustic set. It really sets the tone for what is ahead. Joe’s version of Midnight Blues has become one of my favorite songs. I couldn’t wait to get my Beacon cd so I could have it on my ipod & in the car. I’ve seen it live 3 times now and it is one of those that belongs in the “Songs that should never come off the set list” thread. I could never get tired of it, last night’s performance was perfect and so beautifully done, it brought me to tears. Dust Bowl live is another one of my favorites too. I’ve loved this song from the moment I first heard it. The live arrangement has really evolved since the first time I heard it live at Las Vegas HOB, the guitar solo and Carmine’s bass just rock! Glad to have that on the Beacon cd too! BOJH is definitely different without the theramin but still great live and brought the crowd to their feet. Who’s Been Talking has also evolved since last May at Rupp Arena which was more like the studio version and last night’s arrangement was another highlight of the show. I really hope this one makes it on to a London set list so I can have it on dvd and hopefully cd some day.
The first guest was JD Simo, what a player, can’t wait to see/hear more from him. Since my post last night I’ve seen the thread in other artists with some video links. If you haven’t checked those out I encourage you to do so soon! As I mentioned they played Wee Wee Hours and Look Over Yonders Wall, and it was just fun to watch. I really hope some video of this turns up and would love to see JD & Joe jamming together again in the future.
The other guest Greg Martin, of Kentucky Head Hunters, played Blues Deluxe and Further on Up the Road and again, lots of fun on stage by all. Great musicians doing what they enjoy, such a great vibe and the audience loved it. It’s so hard to describe other than it was live entertainment at it's best. It is like one of those “you had to be there moments” and I feel so blessed that I was there.
Joe told a funny story about playing in Cincinnati at Bogart’s to just a few people, so few there they left with only $6.00, and there were over 2500 in attendance at the Taft last night. Now I know Joe was exaggerating a bit there but if you see this Joe I would like you to know Jimmy & I had planned on going that night. It would have been our 1st time seeing you live and we had a several inches of snow that night and could not make it to Cincinnati, I’ll never forget how disappointed we weren't able to go
I said one of the best yet, mainly because different from the others, I enjoyed every moment of it and sang along on every song as I do when I’m all alone in the BonaHonda with tinted windows . I was definitely lost in the music and cannot thank Joe, Tal, Carmine, Rick, JD, Greg and all those on the crew that make this happen for music loving fans to enjoy what I consider the best live show in the market today. Keep doing what you’re doing and count on me to buy a ticket every chance I get
Set List
Palm Trees, Helicopters and Gasoline-acoustic
Seagull-acoustic
Dislocated Boy-acoustic
Driving Towards the Daylight-acoustic
Woke Up Dreaming-acoustic
Slow Train
Dust Bowl
Who’s Been Talking
Midnight Blues
Ballad of John Henry
Wee Wee Hours w/ special guest J D Simo
Look Over Yonders Wall w/ special guest J D Simo
Blues Deluxe w/ special guest Greg Martin
Further On Up the Road w/ special guest Greg Martin
India/Mountain Time
Encore
Sloe Gin
Just Got Paid
Hopefully, no errors or omissions, if so please post correction
f/k/a #1kyfan original registration 5/2010
"Lookout Man the storm's about to rage"