1 (edited by bobbeyond1313 2020-09-20 22:10:06)

Topic: Livestream from Ryman Review

I'm watching the livestream today and wanted to comment a bit...Like but not love most of the New Tunes from Royal Tea...although a bit more Mellow than I expected...especially since Joe said previously Royal Tea was going to be "Very Heavy"...The one with Jimmy Hall on Harmonica...don't know its title and the one in the graveyard "Beyond The Silence" I think were the best from Royal Tea and I really loved them...Enjoyed the "New Day" Selections Very Much....One Thing Though...HATE the fact there is No Audience. To Me Its Just Not A Concert Without Feedback From The Audience...I Heard Joe comment Why He Was Not Having Audience Sounds...Just Wish They Did...To Me Concert Was Kind Of Dead...I Put it On and After 10 minutes of Watching Walked Away and Just Let It Play In The Background...There Was Just Something Missing...The Life and The Vibe To Me Were Missed Badly!!!...Hope Against Hope We Will Be Back To Live Music By The Spring If Not The Summer...Cant Wait Man!!!!!!!!

Re: Livestream from Ryman Review

I watched the entire show (I only bought a $20 ticket). Was not impressed.

I hooked my wife's laptop to my home theater system hoping to enjoy good 7.1 channel surround sound only to find that the audio was 2-channel PCM. Ok. So I'll use either the Dolby Surround Upmixer or DTS Neural X Upmixer. Nope. Sound was horrible. Spent the next 30 minutes trying to figure out why the audio was so poor. Totally unintelligible. Finally figured out that there were 2 tabs open on the laptop with the show and they were out of sync with each other. Shut down one tab which made the audio tolerable while I played around with various sound modes. Finally settled on the DTS Neural X upmixer. But there was no bass to speak of (I have a 300 watt, 12" HSU subwoofer in my system which will rattle the rafters). No real separation between each performer's audio. Very poor mix. Once I got the audio sorted it took another 10 minutes to find the full screen button. Seems the laptop screen settings didn't quite match those of my 55" HDR flatscreen tv and the button was mostly hidden in the lower right corner of the screen. All in all, wasted about 45 minutes trying to get a watchable picture and decent sound.

The first half of the program, up until the intermission, played OK at 1080p. Starting with the intermission the picture started near constant buffering for several seconds every 30 seconds or so. Had to drop the resolution down to 720p for a constant picture. Such is life with HughesNet.

Was not impressed with the songs from the new album. Most seemed slow and somewhat depressing. The video screen display behind the stage was ridiculous. What did the people in 18th century clothing have to do with anything? The one video with what appeared to be tombstones in a cemetary was particularly distressing. Finally, after intermission when the display switched to a brick wall was I able to ignore the background.

All in all, I am glad I only bought the $20 ticket. Lack of audience sounds was very disconcerting. Some of the cutouts were ridiculous. One guy wearing a clown mask? Really? I have the new album on pre-order from Amazon and was planning on getting the Blu-Ray when it came out, but am now reconsidering things. Go back to Blues/Rock Joe. This new stuff is terrible.

Bill

Re: Livestream from Ryman Review

I've been to Joe concerts were all you heard was a booming muddy mess, I was fine hearing him play and sing.

That's the problem with those higher end surround sound,  too many settings.
My old Samsung 3d Bluray 5.1 worked as expected.
Expected 2 channels out of 5.1 speakers and better than my TV , so I got exactly what I wanted,  no fiddling and missing


Now in "rewind" maybe you can set up the way you like it

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

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

Re: Livestream from Ryman Review

DougH wrote:

I've been to Joe concerts were all you heard was a booming muddy mess, I was fine hearing him play and sing.

That's the problem with those higher end surround sound,  too many settings.
My old Samsung 3d Bluray 5.1 worked as expected.
Expected 2 channels out of 5.1 speakers and better than my TV , so I got exactly what I wanted,  no fiddling and missing


Now in "rewind" maybe you can set up the way you like it

First of all, I don't stream. Satellite internet like HughesNet is not known for its streaming performance. You have your choice of trying to watch in high definition (1080p/720p) and eat up a ton of data with a lot of buffering or standard definition (480p or lower) and use less data that hopefully doesn't buffer as much, and have a picture that looks like crap on a large panel LCD tv. I was pleasently surprised when I was able to watch at 1080p with no buffering .... until intermission. After intermission there was continuous buffering every 30 seconds or so for about 10 seconds each time. Switching to 720p solved the problem. If I had to have gone lower, I would have shut it off. As it was, I used up 10GB of my monthly 50GB data allowance.

Secondly, there are several streaming services that transmit audio with Dolby Digital Plus and Atmos or at least 5.1 channels. To broadcast this performance in 2.0 PCM was ridiculous. Add to that the overall poor quality of the audio, extreme lack of bass, rolled off highs, and muddy mix, made the audio unlistenable for much of the show, even after I solved my initial audio problems. I have all of JB's Blu-Rays and the audio quality is worlds better than this broadcast was. If this is the mix that will be on the Blu-Ray, I won't waste my money. Add the videos that were played on the screen in the background and you have a very dreary presentation. People in 18th century clothing cavorting about? What appears to have been a cemetary? Come on. They made a depressing performance even worse. At least the brick wall after intermission could be ignored.

Thirdly, with the lack of audience sounds, this may as well have been a dress rehearsal. Speaking of dress, please go back to your suits, Joe. At least they are classy looking. The faux cowboy look is not you.

Bottom line, in my opinion, this was a very poor show. I'm glad I only lost $20 and a few hours of my life. I won't be watching it again on demand. I have the CD on pre-order and was planning on buying the Blu-Ray when it came out. Now I am not so sure.

I'm glad Joe was able to raise a lot of money for his charities. I am also glad that you and many others enjoyed the show. Unfortunately, I did not.

Bill

Re: Livestream from Ryman Review

bluesky636 wrote:
DougH wrote:

I've been to Joe concerts were all you heard was a booming muddy mess, I was fine hearing him play and sing.

That's the problem with those higher end surround sound,  too many settings.
My old Samsung 3d Bluray 5.1 worked as expected.
Expected 2 channels out of 5.1 speakers and better than my TV , so I got exactly what I wanted,  no fiddling and missing


Now in "rewind" maybe you can set up the way you like it

First of all, I don't stream. Satellite internet like HughesNet is not known for its streaming performance. You have your choice of trying to watch in high definition (1080p/720p) and eat up a ton of data with a lot of buffering or standard definition (480p or lower) and use less data that hopefully doesn't buffer as much, and have a picture that looks like crap on a large panel LCD tv. I was pleasently surprised when I was able to watch at 1080p with no buffering .... until intermission. After intermission there was continuous buffering every 30 seconds or so for about 10 seconds each time. Switching to 720p solved the problem. If I had to have gone lower, I would have shut it off. As it was, I used up 10GB of my monthly 50GB data allowance.

Secondly, there are several streaming services that transmit audio with Dolby Digital Plus and Atmos or at least 5.1 channels. To broadcast this performance in 2.0 PCM was ridiculous. Add to that the overall poor quality of the audio, extreme lack of bass, rolled off highs, and muddy mix, made the audio unlistenable for much of the show, even after I solved my initial audio problems. I have all of JB's Blu-Rays and the audio quality is worlds better than this broadcast was. If this is the mix that will be on the Blu-Ray, I won't waste my money. Add the videos that were played on the screen in the background and you have a very dreary presentation. People in 18th century clothing cavorting about? What appears to have been a cemetary? Come on. They made a depressing performance even worse. At least the brick wall after intermission could be ignored.

Thirdly, with the lack of audience sounds, this may as well have been a dress rehearsal. Speaking of dress, please go back to your suits, Joe. At least they are classy looking. The faux cowboy look is not you.

Bottom line, in my opinion, this was a very poor show. I'm glad I only lost $20 and a few hours of my life. I won't be watching it again on demand. I have the CD on pre-order and was planning on buying the Blu-Ray when it came out. Now I am not so sure.

I'm glad Joe was able to raise a lot of money for his charities. I am also glad that you and many others enjoyed the show. Unfortunately, I did not.


I can assure you many female fans including me loved the “cowboy” look.

Re: Livestream from Ryman Review

Joybird wrote:

I can assure you many female fans including me loved the “cowboy” look.

I'm glad.

Bill

Re: Livestream from Ryman Review

Cowboy Suite
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nudie_Cohn

Famous tailor for many stars, I took it that Joe was "honoring " Cohn

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

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

Re: Livestream from Ryman Review

Opinions are amazing things, as I wonder if we all saw and heard the same concert.  It was odd that their was no audience, but that was the very reason for the PPV in the first place.

My family streams movies and YouTube videos so I was prepared for the requisites to view and listen to the concert.  I thought the sound and mix were awesome and immediately thought JB's attire was out of respect for the Ryman and it's history, right down to his cowboy boots. Lordy, the place is a shrine in Nashville.

What we heard for the first hour were almost all new releases, and not the typical concert where the new is played with the old to make us feel comfortable and at home.  JB's music is and has been evolving.  Other than his first several albums when he mostly did covers, you are getting his feelings and views not someone else's.  Rarely do I ever listen to an album and like it, and if I do, I find I tire from it quickly.  What I heard was complex, soulful and well worth listening to again.  The performance was almost perfect by all, and I think that may be the problem with most reviewers....we expect so much from JB and his band that anything that alters the perfection we expect disappoints many of us.  Playing in an auditorium devoid of human reaction was offsetting, but only at the end of the song when we again realized how dead the space being played in actually was....which made the performance even more impressive as they played like they were in front of an audience, and not merely staring into cardboard cutouts.

Just received my email indicating we can re-watch the concert until the 27th. I am in and will be inviting friends to other  viewings.  What a bang for the buck!  I was not disappointed.

Re: Livestream from Ryman Review

We watched the show through the Roku so we could sit in the living room and watch it on tv.  I was surprised how easy it was to do that because I usually have to bother my daughter to help me with most technical things much to her chagrin.

I really enjoyed the show although it was weird of course not to hear an audience reacting, but I clapped and cheered anyway like I do when we see Joe live.  I liked the new music but don’t know the names of most of the songs yet so I can’t really name my favorites.  I’m not wild about A Conversation With Alice.  It’s okay, but I can take it or leave it.  Joe sang it when we were very lucky to see him in Cleveland in March shortly before he had to cancel the rest of his tour.  To me it’s just kind of repetitious but different strokes right?

Joe looked great, and I would guess that the suit and boots were in honor of the Ryman, not that I would know or speak for Joe, lol.  The band was excellent as always.  It was odd not hearing the horns.  The guy (sorry but don’t know his name) playing the harmonica was awesome as well as the other guitar player. 

Sorry to ramble on, but it was great seeing Joe playing live even if I was just watching from home.  I hope he raised a lot of money and had fun being with the band and playing live music.  Looking forward to watching it again this week and buying the album when it’s released.  Thanks Joe!

Re: Livestream from Ryman Review

Personally, I really enjoyed the show although it was immensely 'eery' with no physical audience!
Joe played amazingly well and it was just so good to hear him play 'Live' again.
I did enjoy being in Nashville albeit as a cardboard cutout!!!! Hee hee

*Huge Knopfler & Bonamassa fan....
* Mr Kyps, Poole, UK is where Joe played his first ever UK gig in 2005 and was originally my middle school!!!!
*A fully fledged Cardboard 'cut out' audience member at the Ryman Auditorium 20/09/2020

Re: Livestream from Ryman Review

Thoroughly enjoyed the show.   As a local musician and sound guy I find the mix on Joe’s live videos to be always great. 

I thought the ppv couldn’t be simpler.  I clicked on the email link via my iPhone, took me to a website, I selected my home theater Airplay device, and enjoyed the show. Watched it several times since.

I did miss Anton.  Greg Morrow is a great drummer and I actually saw him live with Joe several years ago at the Hampton Beach Casino in NH.  Anton missed a show due to, I think, one of his children graduating or something.  But Anton has a phenomenal snare and kick sound and leaves a lot of space in his playing that you notice when it’s not there.  I have really come to appreciate Anton the more I see him live and in dvd with Joe.

I thought Rob McNally really added a lot.  His second guitar parts were spot on and he actually shared several lead parts on a few songs.   He was a perfect compliment to Joe. 

Can’t wait to get out and actually see live music someday.

12 (edited by DougH 2020-09-28 07:32:39)

Re: Livestream from Ryman Review

I read that Joe asked crew not to clap during the show as he wanted it to be a "snap shot in time" with the covid lock down on musicians playing their hearts out to silence.

I watched partially again last night (works crazy with 12hr days 6 days straight, so didn't get a chance at whole rewatch)

I really think I'll love hearing this again fully with the extra "complexity " of songs are growing on me

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

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

Re: Livestream from Ryman Review

I think the concert was fantastic. I really liked the new music from Royal Tea - every song was brilliant. I also liked the dazzling displays on the back screen - helped to make up for the lack of audience. I think the lack of applause between songs was very effective as a memorial to the devastation caused by coronavirus. It amazes me how Joe and his band can put together such a well executed concert with just one attempt. Really looking forward to the DVD/BlueRay, and of course the new Royal Tea album.

Re: Livestream from Ryman Review

review https://bluesmatters.com/joe-bonamassa- … vHVyIfPOsE

Re: Livestream from Ryman Review

Wow!  Quite the favorable review.  Looking forward to the BlueRay release.

Gibson 60th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul Reissue, Gibson LP Standard Faded CSB, Gibson Gary Moore LP Standard, Epi Joe Bonamassa GT LP, Epi Zakk Wylde LP, Dean Michael Schenker Flying V, Jackson Randy Rhoads V, ESP/LTD George Lynch Kamikaze, EVH Striped Series R/B/W, Fender/Squire John 5 Telecaster, Fender Joe Strummer Relic Telecaster

Re: Livestream from Ryman Review

Good day everyone! Thank you for your thoughts, they are useful and interesting.