Topic: Springfield, Illinois - March 15, 2017
Truthfully, I am not sure how to go about this review other than straight on.
Me: This was my very first Joe Bonamassa concert. I am a 50-something dye-in-the-wool Classic Rock/Southen Rock fan with limited interest in other types of music. Sad I know. But as time passes, my interests are changing. I started listening to JB several months ago, and bought many of the CD and DVD. I knew then I found an artist that could break me from my old musical tastes. I estimate that I have been to over 400 different big name shows over the past 40 years. I am not bragging, just stating the facts. This does not make me an expert, but instead makes me experienced.
Venue: Sangamon Auditorium on the campus of University Of Illinois - Springfield. My first visit to this 2000 seat auditorium. Nothing fancy, but small an intimate.
Arrival: My wife and I arrived one hour before the show. I snuck around and got pictures of the tour trucks with hopes of magically seeing Joe or someone from the band - No dice. As we entered the venue they had bar service set up so we had a few hot toddy's.
Fifteen minutes before the show: We enter the auditorium and I had grave concerns! The seats were less than 1/2 full and I thought this will be an embarrassment to the city and to the University. Joe is going to look out and never return!
SHOWTIME!
• Opening song was "This Train" as has been reported on most set lists I have seen posted here. From that point on. Joe and the band torn the damn place down!
• We had balcony seats. I looked down and then around and was very happy to see the seats were full!
• I tried to keep a set list, but decided to enjoy my first show and not worry about it
• My big "Holy Crap!" moment was when they played "Blues Of Desperation". I like the harder edged stuff and this song has become one of my favorites. But hearing it live was a total emersion into how damn good Joe and this band really is. The double foot base of Anton and the bass line by Michael were penetrating sounds of eargasms! The whole building shook and Joe put everyone on notice that he came to play loud and fierce!
• Once "Blues Of Desperation" was over, I swear Abe Lincoln heard the thundering Joe Bonamassa Band and awoke from his tomb a few miles away! He walked across the hall to Mary and told her to get up, they had another theater date to attend!!
• I lost track of how many "Holy Crap!" moments I had. Seriously, every song (EVERY SONG!) produced several. "How Deep This River Runs" was pure bliss from start to finish and held true to the album version, only the guitar playing was so much better being live.
• Being a newer fan, I have come to appreciate the slower ballad type songs and once again, being live just made them even better.
• Joe didn't appear to have many lasting effects from the bronchitis, or if he did, he masked them well because he was strong in voice and his guitar playing was... Well, we all know what that answer is.
• I was taken aback by the crowd. I am use to standing and cheering at the concerts I usually attend. To see most everyone sitting, but going nuts at the end of songs was just different for me. But..... I really can see why. I was looking for the perfect word to describe a Joe Bonamassa performance and the one that I think fits best is "MESMERIZED". I think people are just so mesmerized at what they are seeing and what they are hearing, they don't want to miss it by standing and cheering and trust me I appreciate that! I've always hated going to concerts and missing so much of it because of the crowds behavior.
• The band was tight and powerful. This is the result of having the right players for your music. Extremely well schooled and professional, I found myself watching them as much as Joe. I really wanted to take in the full concert.
• I would rank this as the second best concert I have ever seen! trust me, that is extremely high praise... Nothing will ever top seeing Lynyrd Skynyrds second to last show in Lakeland, Florida on October 18, 1977 with the original members. Two days later the "Freebird" fell from the sky and my world fell with it
• Where would I rank Joe as a guitar player? Among the very best I have ever heard! I have favorites like David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) The late Steve Gaines (Lynyrd Skynyrd) Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) Jimi Hendrix, SRV, George Harrison and Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath) to name a few. But after seeing Joe live, there is no doubt that he has climbed that chart of "best ever" for a reason.
• There was some violence to report. At the end of the show, it was reported that Joe left behind the carnage of strangled guitar necks all over the stage!
• I am mad at myself for closing the doors to new artists. But thankful I am breaking away from that.
• I have a new favorite and his name is Joe Bonamassa.........
That's the Spear It!!!
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