Hammersmith Apollo 21 March 2015

Thanks for capturing that encore Phil. That was great! What a fun, fun song that is and so cool to see Joe having a blast with Reese and Randy Bachman.

And I've always said they need to sell tickets according to height Thought you did a great job on the video. Thanks!

The Tuesday show at Hammersmith ran to just over 2 hours, although there was only one song played as an encore.
Don't think you are going to see any longer concerts on this current tour.

Lester.....

More lovely prose from Nigel regarding this gig
Joe Bonamassa

Night four of four for Joe and the band, night two of four for me and if the guys in the band are half as exhilarated as me the adrenaline will keep them awake for the next 24 hours.

Such is the talent, intensity and now polish of the Bonamassa show that it almost defies description and on this mini tour he has proved that he has taken things to another level in terms of his unrivalled talent and his ability to entertain with an unrelenting set of fully 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Tonight, knowing pretty much what to expect I was really able to immerse myself in the aural and visual spectacle and I sit here now with a head full of sights and sounds that will live long and large in the memory.

Saturday, time to dress up so Joe was looking uber cool in dark suit, dark shades crisp white shirt and a palette in his hands of Different Shades of Blue. The palette translated in to a number of beautiful Gibsons and a couple of Stratocasters and with these in his dextrous hands Joe painted swathes of colours on the canvass.

The set list mirrored that of Thursday but no complaints here because every song was embellished with musicianship that was truly world class from the assembled band of consummate musicians. As stated the other night the addition of a brass section and extra percussion brings another dimension to Bonamassa's live sound. Combining effortlessly as they did the band created a cacophony of sonic sounds that veered through flashing funk, jazzy sweeps, heavy Blues vibes and just a splash of rock.

Joe sure was smoking as he wound his way through the set list incorporating the loping licks, deep heavy chops and searing solo after searing solo, including some sublime slide playing that sent torrents of razor edged notes out in to the auditorium.

Improvisation is a tool Joe used to stunning effect displaying dexterity, intricacy, passion and hand speed were totally beguiling to witness.

Every song was unadulterated class but tonight Never Give All Your Heart was drenched in feel and Living on the Moon had a furious funky strut but once again the set closers were astonishing. The second coming of the towering anthems that were Sloe Gin and The Ballad of John Henry. Sloe Gin is cause for hairs on neck and arms to stand to attention and literally moves me to tears as the heart wrenching solo floods out. John Henry fearsome in its power and intensity, and tonight rammed full of lacerating riffs and a stinging solo.

Every night this week has brought a special guest for the encore and tonight Joe was joined by Randy Bachman and the two proceeded to duel like gunslingers through a stretched sassy Blues jam, a fitting end to not one but four nights of incredible music and entertainment.

To put the icing on the proverbial cake for me I was in the company of special people, James Charalambides, Tim Bamforth-White and his son Tom.

Will I sleep tonight or will I just keep replaying the show?

I was at the Hammersmith show on Friday 20th. My first Bonamassa show - will not be my last! I loved the set which as brimmed with old school blues. Go an advanced copy of Muddy Wolf CD - which was a little silly as I plan to buy the vinyl - but disappointed they didn't carry the blu-ray. I also bought a signature guitar slide which will come in very handy!
Set ran to around 2hours20mins but I swear it was only five minutes it whizzed by so fast! Special guest was Bernie Marsden who I'd never heard of before that night so didn't mean much to mean - GUTTED to have missed Beth Hart as she was top of my "I bet it's so and so" list for who could be appearing with the great man. But she'll be playing UK in May so will get to see her then.
Spell binding night. Just wish I had the full set list. The one showing on setlistfm is wrong as has Someday After A While on it which they definately DIDN't play and is missing Don't Burn Down That Bridge which they definately DID play!
Must save up to buy Leeds tickets for October now.