Re: Live at Rockpalast

I have been thinking about this in the context of the question as posed. Would Joe be where he is today if he stayed in the original power trio format and if not why?

What got me thinking about this was a recent concert I attended by an artist I'm not going to name but he is considered a great guitar player. His band has toured for the last 20 years and I saw them in 2003 not long after seeing Joe for the first time. While having a head start on Joe's career his growth has not kept pace with Joe. In 2003 maybe 200 people and last week maybe 600. The band has not changed during that time and to tell you the truth the show hadn't really changed either. I asked myself as a casual fan would I ever even bother to see them again? Probably not.

I damn near cried upon hearing that Kenny Eric and Joe were going to be no longer together. I also thought Joe was making a mistake even though I knew that he had to make the move I just thought that Rockpallast was going to be the catalyst for a wave of new fans and that would be what they would expect. The safest move he could of made would of been to just carry on with Kenny and Eric and many people would love to see them grow old together. I'm afraid that Joe's career would of at some point stagnated. Like the artist mentioned above. Maybe max out at 5 or 6 hundred people a night which is dang good for a blues act with a $25 ticket price which is a bargain for a fan but I'm not so sure I would still be here.

I have grown to like the change. I think it is exciting to see what the next chapter will be. If Joe is a book his career is a real page turner. He has grown exponentially and has the freedom to do so many things. Without the RAH 2009 I don't believe there would be a RCFP, BCC or a Beth Hart or a Muddy Wolf with The Three Kings coming soon. Leaving the power trio was the toughest thing Joe had to ever do and it took a leap of faith. I really believe if he hadn't done that he wouldn't be where he is today. The speculation as to what is up next and the anticipation of the next tour keeps me interested. Joe never just phoning it in. Putting it all on the line every tour. He knows he has to be as good or better each time he goes out there. If anything it may put undo stress on him but then some people work better when the pressure is on and it sure seems to be the case with Joe.

Re: Live at Rockpalast

That's a great post, Jim.  I don't doubt that it was the best move for Joe to grow from his power trio format.  While the power trio format was outstanding, he's benefited from expanding his band and ultimately his catalog of songs and sounds.   He's matured and it's 100% for the better on all accounts.

Re: Live at Rockpalast

I think either way it could have worked out, Joe now or Joe then.
Either way it would have brought something different to the table, in both contexts.

I realize for certain reasons that it wasn't gonna stay the same, but it doesn't mean those 3 together couldn't have expanded to newer, different heights.  Lord knows they all had incredible musicianship.  All you have to do is listen to Pain & Sorrow to see one way it could have expanded. 

Joe has music to please everybody, and so much to choose from.  Hopefully a CD will come out of the Rockpalast show, that would be awesome.  Especially my favorite slide intro to "The River".  Man that whole song is Massive BAM BAM BAM.

"Holy Toledo"  -  Bill King   "Just Win Baby" - Al Davis  "The Autumn Wind" - Steve Sabol

Re: Live at Rockpalast

Agree with you Jim, that's what I said too. Jane I don't believe he would have been there where he is now. Too easy to say you never know, of course  you never know but when he split up  with kenny and Joe I predicted Joe would grow worldwide soon and he did....
I talked about this  with Roy and Joe years ago. They had a clear vision and it worked.

Re: Live at Rockpalast

It just occurred to me that the Rockpalast dvd is the one I listen to the LOUDEST.  The foundation of the house rocks...  It was meant to be listened to loud!  There are probably people 6 or 7 houses away going, "I don't know what that vibe is, but it sure is cool."

"Oh baby, since you're gone, I got a massa the blues!"

Re: Live at Rockpalast

I just posted on Joe's wall about a petition to get this as a CD..

lets see us get 2million LIKES on it maybe that will get Joe/Roy/Caveman a nudge to do it.

---------------

(If only I had 1% of Joe's guitar talent)

Re: Live at Rockpalast

DougH wrote:

I just posted on Joe's wall about a petition to get this as a CD..

lets see us get 2million LIKES on it maybe that will get Joe/Roy/Caveman a nudge to do it.

Well if they can make JB Sandals they should be able to do the Rockpalast cd !!

Your rock candy baby
Your hard sweet and sticky

Re: Live at Rockpalast

2012BFT wrote:

Does anyone wish this would be available as an audio version? I love this show and Joe's playing in it...

Also, does anyone wish that Joe would go back to this kind of playing/ style? It seems like the new releases are so much more tamed down... I just miss the old stuff!

   
          My absolute favorite "JOE ERA"- Love everything from New Day Yesterday and SILT. It's just so hard for any artist to want to maintain one style or sound. Take a look at any artist in any category. Metallica, Aerosmith, Rolling Stones even Clapton to some degree changed there style as times changed. I find personally that most bands best music is in the early years of their career when it's most fresh. I think it must be very hard for someone with Joe's talent not to want and try different things. Just look at the side projects of RCFP and BCC-very different than what Joe has been doing. Joe's changing is actually trying to keep it fresh and I appreciate that. Finally I wish Jane wouldn't keep holding back on her feelings(lol)!!

Dont need a helmet to get me through life-walk across the water blame it on foolish pride.

PORTLAND2012/SPRINGFIELD2012/BOSTON2013/HAMPTON BEACH2014/BANGOR2015/PORTLAND2016/PORTLAND2017

27 (edited by Jimi75 2014-10-12 10:41:37)

Re: Live at Rockpalast

Just watched the DVD again this morning. Joe's playing is so melodic and versatile on this one, incredible! And the Gigliotti Tele is by far the best sounding instrument he ever owned, due to my musical taste.

Re: Live at Rockpalast

Did you spot yourself in the crowd? wink

Agreed, also love the Gigliotti Tele! It's gorgeous!

Jimi75 wrote:

Just watched the DVD again this morning. Joe's playing is so melodic and versatile on this one, incredible! And the Gigliotti Tele is by far the best sounding instrument he ever owned, due to my musical taste.

Re: Live at Rockpalast

I love all of Joe's playing,The rythem section was dead on yet super spontaneaous,no mistake I love the music that's coming out now

Re: Live at Rockpalast

I loved this era of joe's performing, and it will likely always be my favorite period of his. I know it's all subjective, but for raw talent and power of performance I'd put that power trio up with the all time legends. I don't think there has ever been better.

That said I think it is for the best he moved on from that period. I think we can safely say he would not have the audience he has now had he stayed making that kind of music. No blues act I'm aware of since Stevie Ray Vaughan has found a large audience playing music like that. Also him being a true solo act gives him the freedom to put out great material like the Albums with Beth hart and the acoustic performance at the Vienna opera house. And the ever growing list of various projects that just would not be possible being part of a full time band the way the power trip was when they were hitting on all cylinders.

Let's enjoy the rockpalast era even more since it was short lived it is even more special. I would love to see them take the stage together and see more improvising as a one off, however, as much as I loved it, I'm glad that era is over.  And I'm glad there is a modern day blues artist who has achieved mainstream popularity and notierity that can help introduce people to the modern era of the genre and let the world know it didn't did with srv.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fCdNsm7gvu8

If wine and pills were hundred dollar bills
I might keep you satisfied

Re: Live at Rockpalast

andre wittebroek wrote:

Agree with you Jim, that's what I said too. Jane I don't believe he would have been there where he is now. Too easy to say you never know, of course  you never know but when he split up  with kenny and Joe I predicted Joe would grow worldwide soon and he did....
I talked about this  with Roy and Joe years ago. They had a clear vision and it worked.

Strategy is working fine so far … chapeau to Management and Kevin Shirley.
The thing is, it doesn't mean that I like it better !!!
Since "the Management & Kevin Shirley times" the albums don't rock me in the way they did compared to the "Rockpalast" era.
For my part I hope that Joe isn's bound for all his life to this strategy.

Re: Live at Rockpalast

I can see Joe doing some power trio stuff....just because he is good at whatever he does....I can seriously say that there is none of his material that I do not like to listen too.

I am going to be seeing him for the first time nov 20th in Columbus, Ohio....with my wife

nov 22nd Youngstown , ohio with my son.....I am so pumped......I just love this guy's playing so darn much....I smile and my head bobs  smile

I have passed out Joe's card promoting the columbus show....my first street team effort.....I would love a meet and greet , but I can imagine how many people is on that waiting list.......Any way the whole family is pumped to see our first show....and lucky me will see two shows.

I am so looking forward to it Joe  smile

My Favorite Bonamassa Songs
Happier Times... Sloe Gin...Last Kiss...Lonesome Road Blues...Blues Deluxe...No Slack
Equipment For Listening To Joe
Sennheiser HD800 Headphones & Mad Ear+HD Headphone Amp

Re: Live at Rockpalast

Gotta say that adding Lenny Castro was a brilliant move.

Re: Live at Rockpalast

+1

etexsly wrote:

Gotta say that adding Lenny Castro was a brilliant move.

Re: Live at Rockpalast

Ditto....made the shows last year...best new band member and a GREAT percussionist !

Murfdog