Joe & Beth Live in Amsterdam DVD (The Reviews)

Can't believe this Totally Amazing DVD hasnt been reviewed here, so here goes

I believe this is Joe's Best Collaboration by far, the tightness and chemistry between all band members is insane, Beth is like Joe's Rival pushing him, she is a raw loose musical entitiy going off on vocal runs just like he does on guitar, both of them at this moment are moving so forward ahead of the field in their own genres, Beth's voice has everything and is matured from those indie songs she was performing a decade ago, she is a soul songstress with an absolutely awesome vocal range.

This DVD shot at The Le Carre in Amsterdam captures them pushing all they know to the limit with Soul Classics and self penned songs given a Big Band Electrified Modern sound with a Raspy and Atmospheric edge and ticking like a Metronome to The Nano Second.

There are some Joe and Beth Career defining performances on this stellar release, with the opening big band rockin' intro of "Them There Eyes", with horn section blazing and a punchy country shuffle, "Sinners Prayer" slides and oozes with bad intentions and Beth opens up her pipes and rasps with a Bluesy swagger, its a criminal seduction and is heavy in delivery, and the tunes keep flowing like the soul stars of yesteryear used to, no trickery just plain on the stage talent, this is tight.
    Up next is the rockabilly rocker "Can't Let Go" with a rollin' Guitar Solo from Joe that has to be seen and heard to be believed, his just pushes Country Guitar playing to levels not many have dared to tread, its like a Country Shred, with Anton Fig on drums Train snaring like a Locomotive, this is a Rockin Stomping Train Wrecking performance. "For My Friends" crashes in swinging with Beth's vibrato in shattering form, and the band rock behind, this is one of the highlights of the show, then we slip into the sultry sexy "Close To My Fire" it just melts with soul and an infectious guitar lick, and Carmine's lays a sensous bass line that is equal. "Rhymes" is a throwback to the 50's, big big soul sound, Beth just lives for these songs and immerses herself in the flow and shows some wicked vocal chops, horns and backing vocals add the huge sound here.
"Somethings Got a Hold On Me" blasts out like a Rock Blues Gospel concert Swinging Wild and preaching with Arlan and Joe Trading its just so rockin enjoyable. The pace is slowed down for the next few songs, needed and welcome showing the subtle and delicate side of the band, Beth's voice out there whispering and light vocals with "Your heart Is As Black As Night" and Joe lets rip a solo so devilish, "Chocolate Jesus" is like Parisian Cafe tune with some delicious saxophone too, then "Baddest Blues" is from the heart of Beth, she tells us a story so deep, it is a sad song with pain and scarred memories sung with pure emotion, she really excels herself here, this is powerful stuff and one of the highlights for sure, Joe steps up to the lecturn to deliver a truly Blues epic performance on "Someday After Awhile", like he is in turn pulling on those 50's roots, this has it all, with Joe's time to shine vocally, surely one of his best vocal songs ever, Blondie Chaplin sets the tone for Mr B to follow with a needle sharp pre solo and Joe likewise is not very kind to his guitar mid song he drains every blues note out his Gibson. "Well Well" comes jumping like a 60's soul/funk jive everything is shaking onstage and off cos the audience is up groovin along, Joe's soloing over Antons tribal drumbeat, superb stuff, another french laden tune arrives in the form of "If I Tell I Love You" a lovely pace changer with Beth singing deep tones, "SeeSaw" comes a blasting out like a real 50's soul classic  with Horns backing vocals swagerring behind Beth letting go with vocals so strong, this is delivered so powerfully rockin out soul style, then we have something so atmospheric and eerie, "Strange Fruit" on the album was sort of on its own, but here it is standout for its originality and audience capturing moment, it is Beautiful in its own way, very very humbling, then we are taken on a thundering soul rocker "Miss Lady"  one if not the show stealer this is way too much fun, Beth is screaming her love for this tune, and the whole band is jumping n jivin and Joe is Rockin out soulwise, this is crazy good, oh so crazy,
The Encores :   "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know"  is just sublime and stunning. Joe's solo is probably best of the night here the whole delivery is awesome and Epic,
"Nutbush City Limits" is everything you'd expect it to be, Joe Beth and all the band cutting loose and just freaking out on this rocked up tune, it smashes across the stage as a party style closer, they take their bows to a hugely deserved standing ovation, very well earned applause fades, but they all return for The One Spellbinding Encore that stands head and shoulders of everything thats been played earlier, yes they saved the best til last  "I'd Rather go Blind"  is this bands crowning glory and shows how great this band really are, it is just an unbelievable rendition of the soul classic, but its what Beth gives is her whole heart and soul here in words and leaves it all there onstage for all to see and Joe lets his fingers give all too, an amazing and awesome close to a classic live music dvd, dont matter what genre of music you like, if you dont like this you dont like music, seeing old classics injected with Soul Blues Country in the tightest form, it is a electric big band sound like harking back to tunes of a by gone era, how great was those songs

There it is, a wonderful live soul music extravaganza with so many enjoyable moments, a band letting loose on stage like they did back in the day with catchy soul songs and beautiful ballads

Enjoy it as much as i did

Michael

ps .... aint the Antwerp Jam fun, that is just so crazy good     Word Up People