• From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: Chicago Theatre - May 1, 2013

Lee wrote:

The first thing evident about this show was the level of security. I don't know if it's something they do for every show now at the Chicago Theater, but everyone was wanded as they entered and bomb sniffing dogs were present. Wasn't a problem or hassle by any means, just different.

Joe did a great job of building up the qualifications of the guest artist, and I'm sure that 95% of the audience expected Buddy Guy to walk out there - that is until Joe said he drove all the way down from Milwaukee to be there, lol! Classic! But after hearing Greg and Joe trade licks on "Further On Up The Road" and Greg's solo on "Blues Deluxe" the audience knew full well that Greg was more than qualified to share the stage with Joe! Once again, the re-worked "John Henry" was mind-blowing. I hope Rhonda (photogal) chimes in with her description because it is spot-on. Joe was working so hard that one could see the sweat bleeding through to the outside of his gray jacket on yet another intense "Just Got Paid".

Like JBFan4Life, I liked the loge seating. We were second row so only a couple heads to look between and a great view of the stage.

Great hanging out with "the gang" before and after the show!

Pretty sure the amped up security was due to the Boston bombings. I work not too far from the Chicago Theater and a few weeks ago I was walking back to my office and had some trash I wanted to dispose of. After walking two blocks I noticed there was not a single trash can anywhere. Chicago typically has a trash can on every street corner...this was a few days after the bombings.
BTW, I think the theater did a wonderful job with security.

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"
  • From: St. Louis, MO
  • Registered: 2006-06-20
  • Posts: 960

Re: Chicago Theatre - May 1, 2013

I spoke with security before the show and they confirmed that the added security was a result of the Boston bombing. I was in the venue shortly after soundcheck and the dog was brought in to check out the back stage. The whole band and crew were even given the security wand, lol.

Greg Koch was a nice addition, although not as animated as Joe.

John Henry is off the hook EXCELLENT!!! I will forgive Joe for not using slide on this song in lieu of this reworked version. The only thing I would like to see different is the theramin brought back up front so that the audience can get the full effect of what Joe is doing, maybe place it on the audience side of Arlan?

Lee has some very excellent videos from this show that we previewed after the show at the hotel! Hurry up and get home and get them posted!!!

~Rhonda

"I don't think obsessions have reasons, that's why they're obsessions....National Geographic likes their pictures in focus..." Robert Kincaid

photogal's Website

  • From: St. Charles, IL
  • Registered: 2012-11-18
  • Posts: 191

Re: Chicago Theatre - May 1, 2013

Posted a few more clips I took with my iPhone.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9fv9AaAYQLNPGEAcYan49Q

22 Reply by Lee (edited by Lee 2013-05-04 00:20:48)

  • Lee
  • Lee
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  • From: Minnesota
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 2,476

Re: Chicago Theatre - May 1, 2013

Our video of "The Ballad Of John Henry":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhO2-S37 … e=youtu.be

Renee started the video and handed the camera to me right before the whole band kicked in, thus the really brief shaky bit. Second row loge so we did have a couple heads to shoot around and the railing is noticeable on wider shots. We had a great angle for Arlan's solo.

I tweaked the sound a bit from my original upload. Same video, but a different link now.

  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2012-05-13
  • Posts: 2,790

Re: Chicago Theatre - May 1, 2013

Great video, Lee! Nice view from up there. Really cool to be able to see what the Prince of Pandemonium is doing on those keyboards. That reworked John Henry certainly is one of the coolest most intense songs on this tour.

  • RickB
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  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
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Re: Chicago Theatre - May 1, 2013

Thanks for the upload Lee. I guess it was a team effort so thanks to the both of you. cool
Good stuff!
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

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25 Reply by JBFan4Life (edited by JBFan4Life 2013-05-03 20:03:54)

  • From: Greater Chicagoland
  • Registered: 2012-04-21
  • Posts: 657

Re: Chicago Theatre - May 1, 2013

Security team whisked me and my group into the "theatre", and up to my seats.  Not my first balcony seats, but first time, for that row.  Had Joe in my hip pocket, over on that side of the balcony.

Back to security, not a good idea to have a pocket knife, or some popcorn, or something else you thought you could just carry in...but so many do.

Despite me making a point of it, I had two, that had to visit the coat check.  Try to react, after Boston, and not be a pain in the ****, and have a clue...maybe an 8, overall, for security.

While we're at it, try to let a few people get a drink, even as their minds get blown, by Joe.  We all can't be totally enthralled. Though many around me clearly were.  I wasn't watching anything but the stage, got to sit close and it cost me.   NO complaints.

I didn't really see that many people stumbling...maybe I should have worried about that?  I heard some people near me make noise...and was not upset that they were having fun.

I got "the look", at one point, myself....

Settle, people, it's all good, when it's that good.

Nicely done, again.

Back to "what a show", eh?

I'm the Lee that wasn't from Minnesota.

Back to show superlatives....there were songs I was torn between wanting to see in the acoustic set, and electric.

Superbly "strung" together, even as you broke them, Joe.

We couldn't all make the latest Royal Albert Hall  show, but I remember welcoming Joe to ECC, about a year after his first time there.  Remembering that show as a B-day, for Joe, or thereabouts.

I'll be all over the London "live" show Blu-Ray/DVD, when it's released.

Play like you've worked at it, and don't worry about sounding like your influences.  You can't cheat on them, or your practice, anyway.  If you've worked hard at your skill, your audience will know it.
  • RickB
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  • Registered: 2009-10-30
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Re: Chicago Theatre - May 1, 2013

Lee wrote:

Our video of "The Ballad Of John Henry":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yXlMovB … e=youtu.be

Renee started the video and handed the camera to me right before the whole band kicked in, thus the really brief shaky bit. Second row loge so we did have a couple heads to shoot around and the railing is noticeable on wider shots. We had a great angle for Arlan's solo.

I tweeked the sound a bit from my original upload. Same video, but a different link now.

Set to "private" now. Go back, edit and set to "public"

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

  • From: Indianola, IA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 4,429

Re: Chicago Theatre - May 1, 2013

Great show in Chicago and our seats were in Row PP....what a coinky-dink..."P"atty "P"atrick.... wink.  Got to meet Barbie D and her sister Jane,  great Joe fans!  I felt sorry for my sister and many others in our area...we did not get to see the acoustic set because so many people were late to their seats, so our view was blocked the entire time....ggggrrrrr and then there was a constant parade of those up and down for beverages......double ggggrrrrr.....but Joe was FANTASTIC!!!!!!!
                      pattyluvsjoe

"I'm not nice to any guitar!"      lol
                 Joe Bonamassa 05-03-12

JBLP CHILD #184

28 Reply by Lee

  • Lee
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  • From: Minnesota
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
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Re: Chicago Theatre - May 1, 2013

RickB wrote:
Lee wrote:

Our video of "The Ballad Of John Henry":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yXlMovB … e=youtu.be

Renee started the video and handed the camera to me right before the whole band kicked in, thus the really brief shaky bit. Second row loge so we did have a couple heads to shoot around and the railing is noticeable on wider shots. We had a great angle for Arlan's solo.

I tweeked the sound a bit from my original upload. Same video, but a different link now.

Set to "private" now. Go back, edit and set to "public"

Set to public now. Also, I didn't like the audio adjustment so I readjusted again, so the new and correct link is in post #22 above.

  • Registered: 2007-11-26
  • Posts: 10

Re: Chicago Theatre - May 1, 2013

Agreed another great performance. Joe B. you have come a long way from that night years ago at "Joes On Weed St."

  • From: Indianola, IA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 4,429

Re: Chicago Theatre - May 1, 2013

Loved Joe at Joe's Sports bar.....first time we met Bill S and I got an awesome Joe poster out of the women's bathroom....Joe pounded his fist on an amp prior to show and called it a f***** and then turned around and said "Hi Patty" with a grin.....one of those up close and personal shows...Mark Epstein fulfilled a dream for me, got to go on the bus........first and probably the last time I drove a car in downtown Chicago.....sorry for the digression from current show, but it was very memorable.......
                             pattyluvsjoe smile

"I'm not nice to any guitar!"      lol
                 Joe Bonamassa 05-03-12

JBLP CHILD #184
  • Registered: 2012-04-18
  • Posts: 125

Re: Chicago Theatre - May 1, 2013

Its time for the Zebra pattern suit . When I saw Joe in Minneapolis and Rockford , the shows were the most energetic that I have seen. Its pure energy from start to finish. Not sure how Joe does it .  So once again my rant for the Zebra pattern suit goes on. If ever Joe could pull it off , its now . The band is on a stone groove and cannot do anything wrong. All I ask is this, If Joe decides to do the Zebra pattern suit , PLEASE let us know what show so I can be there.  Tickets will be hard to get. I love this band and of course Joe as a player and singer are just off the hook.

sally12333 wrote:
bump827 wrote:

For a second I thought he was wearing the LV white suit until I realized it was light grey.

Bump, pretty soon methinks Joe will have a suit in every color!  He already said he wants one in Augusta green.  I suspect the zebra pattern being touted on here may take a little longer, however.

  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: Chicago Theatre - May 1, 2013

flatsman wrote:

Its time for the Zebra pattern suit . When I saw Joe in Minneapolis and Rockford , the shows were the most energetic that I have seen. Its pure energy from start to finish. Not sure how Joe does it .  So once again my rant for the Zebra pattern suit goes on. If ever Joe could pull it off , its now . The band is on a stone groove and cannot do anything wrong. All I ask is this, If Joe decides to do the Zebra pattern suit , PLEASE let us know what show so I can be there.  Tickets will be hard to get. I love this band and of course Joe as a player and singer are just off the hook.

sally12333 wrote:
bump827 wrote:

For a second I thought he was wearing the LV white suit until I realized it was light grey.

Bump, pretty soon methinks Joe will have a suit in every color!  He already said he wants one in Augusta green.  I suspect the zebra pattern being touted on here may take a little longer, however.


If Joe decides to wear a zebra pattern suit, let me know too....so I can make sure to be somewhere else, lol.

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"