Topic: Oklahoma City, OK, 4/8/2014
I know Jim has reviewed this show on another thread but I feel that this concert deserves to have its own space so here goes. This was my fifth Joe show and the first I’ve attended unaccompanied since my two reluctant but otherwise good-natured concert-going companions are both away at college. Nevertheless, I made sure to text them during the show to keep them abreast of the situation. Some selected excerpts:
Me (before the show): I’m looking around and don’t see anybody I know, so sad
Son: You’ll see JB soon, you know him
Daughter: Lol so cheesy
Me (a little later): Joe rocking the Chesapeake!
Son: Lol sure …
Me (not long after): Joe on fire!
Son: Would have been cooler if he WERE on fire
Me (at the end of the show): Crowd chanting Joe, Joe, Joe!
Son: Your hearing is failing you, they’re chanting No No No!
Okay, so maybe my kids will never be into Joe’s music as much as me but, being musically talented themselves, I know they appreciate his amazing artistry and the tremendous pleasure he’s given me these past few years. My fourth row seat was purchased as soon as tickets became available last year and, after months of anticipation and long hours at work, I was more than primed for a cathartic release. I’ve been guilty on previous occasions of spending too much time fiddling with my camera trying to capture that perfect shot of Joe but having done so to my satisfaction in Tulsa two years ago, I decided to leave it at home this time around and simply sit back and enjoy the music. And I’m so glad I did. It might just have been a Tuesday night but Joe and the two bands absolutely smoked it! As is his calling card, Joe took to center stage promptly at 8:00 p.m. and began strumming like a man on a mission. Woke Up Dreaming never sounded better! I’ve watched the Vienna acoustic concert on TV and looked at a few YouTube clips online but experiencing this wonderful group of musicians live is worth the price of admission alone. My favorite tune of the acoustic set was Driving Towards the Daylight. I’ve loved this song ever since I first heard it and was there with Joe note-for-note as he sang his heart out. Yes, I’ll admit it, I did become emotional. Ball Peen Hammer was another song that the band well and truly hit out of the park. During one unbelievably inspired solo, I looked up and realized to my surprise that Joe was playing quietly in the background while the person plucking away like a man possessed was Gerry, the Irish fiddler who had switched instruments from violin to mandolin … he is truly a talented musician! If I’m not mistaken, Joe himself popped a string somewhere along the way. The funniest moment for me came during Joe’s introductions of the acoustic band. I may not be word perfect here but Derek Sherinian was heralded as being a former member of Dream Theater as well as a “little known group called Black Country Communion who lasted a grand total of 15 shows before they imploded beneath a barrage of e-mails, tweets and Instagram messages”! I don’t know how many in the audience who laughed actually understood the reference but it was refreshing to see that Joe can relax and joke about those tumultuous events now. When the electric show began with “Dust Bowl” (always apt for an Oklahoma audience), I became rather alarmed because while I could see Joe’s lips moving, I couldn’t hear any words as his voice was being drowned out by the music. Thankfully, this situation was soon corrected and I was able to enjoy the rest of the show. And I really did enjoy it. In fact, I even worked up a sweat rocking back and forward in my seat! Joe didn’t hold anything back. His guitars were snarling and growling and wailing and screaming. How this guy can go out on stage night after night in city after city and put on such an energetic performance remains mind-boggling to me. There were many high moments but my favorite song in the electric set was one of the new ones, Oh Beautiful. I don’t know what the studio version of this is going to sound like but if Joe is accepting suggestions for what he should play at the Download Festival, my advice to him would be to play Oh Beautiful ... TWICE! The live version of this song absolutely kicks ****! By the way, call it coincidence if you will but I’m one for one re suggestions of songs that Joe should play (https://forum.jbonamassa.com/viewtopic. … 28#p269928), hee, hee! Oh, before I forget, the “new” version of Sloe Gin sounded just fine to me. By now, I’ve listened to the hauntingly beautiful RAH rendition ad nauseum (the oft-overlooked studio version is wonderful too) and, even though I was afraid I wouldn’t like it at all, I actually enjoyed the brasher sound of the reworked version. During the shortened intro, I heard a guy behind me whisper to his friends, “This is Joe’s Stairway to Heaven”, but to me it’s now just another song in his extensive repertoire. If it was dropped altogether from the set, I probably wouldn’t miss it. The extended version of John Henry at the end of the show is absolutely killer and effectively showcases all the talent on stage. Finally, it was Mountain Time and perhaps the sound did become a little muddy on this one. However, this is probably more fitting for an encore than Just Got paid since it’s Joe’s own song and really has it all. In summary, this was one of the best Joe shows I’ve attended ... perhaps THE best! I wasn’t planning on doing so but after this performance, I might just have to drive up to Tulsa in November and do it all over again. Thanks, Joe.
that put me in an excellent mood for what awaits me in a week! Great review sir.
