blue heron wrote:Red, thanks for sharing your view
One of the pitfalls of this sort of forum and fandom in general is "groupthink".
It is good to hear all opinions.
That said - I don't think Joe bases his musical growth on what others think. His seems to follow his own instincts - and thay are very good. With that comes growth and change over time. I kind of agree that I enjoyed some kickass jams with Mark and bogie a few years ago a bit more than the more polished shows now. BUT, I am there to see and enjoy where Joe takes his music. I feel he has extrordianry talent - not just his technical guitar playing, but his musical and emotional sensibility. So I go to each show to see and to enjoy what he is doing now.
I have not been dissapointed or underwhelmed.
One of the bonavirgins I took to the birchmere show, is a fairly accomplished musician, who has performed quite a bit. He was honest enough to have a few critiques - about emphasis, and mix. He could see room for improvement. But his bottom line was that it was some of the finest musicianship he has ever seen. To me - not being perfect, and not being the same as he was 4 yerars ago are not negatives. They are to be expected.
Onward
I have found that I am most critical of the extremities of musicianship...I am harsh on the pseudo-talents and picayune about the top musicians. Since it is playing with amplification & electrons, "The Mix" is ALWAYS some thing to possibly knock a small combo or ensemble performance down a few or several severe notches, whether with or without their control and / or knowledge...It is a bane to me and, I am sure, to the performers especially. However, the great ones make the best of it, usually still sounding GREAT, and press on. As blue heron says Onward!
Thanks for the setlist Dean!
Rock On & Keep the Faith,
Rocket
"He still doesn't charge for mistakes!
"
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here. I mean, there are professionals in here.”