Lexington KY Rupp Arena April 25 2014

Well, we are only six weeks away from this concert and man I am excited.   Then see Joe the next day in Nashville at Ryman.  Will be a great weekend.

Show at Rupp was perfection!more to come

Set List for this show and Ryman in Nashville was the same.I apologize if the order is wrong, was so high on Joe Music when I wrote the list out I could have mixed it up. 

Accoustic Set:
Woke Up Dreaming
Seagul
Jelly Roll
Black Lung Heartache( with a just killer sweet Intro)
Happier Times ( I can't tell  you how awesome this was)
Jockey Full of Bourbon
Dislocated Boy
Ball Peen Hammer
Athens to Athens

Electric Set:
Dust Bowl
Who's BeenTalking
Oh Beautiful(Highlight was that new Bonabird oh my)
Blues Deluxes  ( Just so wonderful it made me cry)
Slow Train
Love Ain't a Love Song
Sloe Gin
Ballad of John Henry
Django
Mountain Time

First, they only used about a Third of Rupp Arena for this show. Had huge black out curtains hung.  I was a bit concerned for the sound prior to the show but I give a 10+ for the guys mixing this show. They did a great job. I was 3 row center so sure that probably helped. Only once did I think Joes vocals were a bit louder than the band.  Just a class operation in our minds.

Lucky us got to meet PhotoGal( Rhonda) and Lizzee( Liz ) prior to the show so was great to meet up with them just for a minute. Also met Liz's husband Jimmy. What a remarkable story that is. He looked so good. Was going up front prior to show to photograph the instruments and set list  taped to the floor and spotted Lenny Castro standing by a security fence looking out at the audience. I walked over and shook his hand and introduced myself. Told him I loved his music and all its personifications thru the years.  He said it wasn't his music that he just added to it. Said he would need to look Personification up in the dictionary. Dumb me who was holding a camera in my hand totally blanked on getting a picture with him  Just a lovely man.  Later I tweeted  about meeting him how nice he was and he retweeted me so woo hoo for that. 

Comments on the actual Show:

This show was superb. Not a bad note, two surprise songs, both bands happy and laid back, having fun with each other. Many grins and laughs through the night. Superb band Joe has, They just feed off each other and Not enough words or accolades can be given to them for how great they make Joe look and sound. 

Joe was well the Bonamonster.  So handsome in a Dark Charcoal suit with black shirt.   Black shiny shoes.  He looks really thin to me.  ( the mother in me coming out)   His voice is like butter or silk or any other words you want to think of.    When he played Happier Times   the entire place just became hushed. Everyone was looking at each other  and the thing Derek does with the keyboard just haunting. This would have been worth the ticket price but no then later in the electric set he plays Blues Deluxe with such fervor. It was almost like he could not get the notes out fast enough.  I don't know where he gets this emotion from but I cried from the sheer impact and culmination of sounds.  ( I know that I tend to go on when it comes to Joe but this was by far the best sound I have ever heard at any show of anyone)

Last thoughts are the two new songs, if they are an example of what is on the new album then shut the door. We may have a number 1 first day of sales.  Oh Beautiful like everyone has said it so intense. From Joe 's  voice alone to the intense rocking chorus and that new guitar. Mind blowing.  The other song is  just a huge rocker, Love Ain't a Lovesong is flat out a fun time from beginning end. 

Thanks Joe for giving 100+% of yourself. Perfection.

Last comment is a funny moment after Blues Deluxe.  The guys beside of me came in late on the first acoustic song.  One was on crutches and both had been drinking. They were giggling all night about Joe's playing.  At the break  the guy on crutches told me he had his leg amputated in December and had just got a new prosthesis the day before the show.  He showed it too me. Pretty  space age looking leg. He was seeing Joe for the first time.    At the end of Blues Deluxe the house went crazy and gave Joe a standing ovation. The Amputee guy  could not get up so he took his leg off and started waving it in the air. It was the funniest thing I had ever seen in my life. Priceless. So Joe I guess you really have made it when an amputee salutes you with his false leg.  Love it.