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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Show Reviews and Set Lists → The River
Well I just LOVE this track and listening to it the other evening was wondering whether Joe will ever be putting it back in the set list. I was lucky enough to see him play this live on two occasions back in 2006 but don't think he's played it live since then? I reckon it's about time it got a dusting off and put right back where it belongs.
How's about Liverpool to kick off Joe?? (a girl can dream ) 
Any more fans of The River out there?
I love The River. It's right up there with So Long and Pain and Sorrow on the list of all-time favorites. I would love to see Joe bring back one of these out of the old playbook.
Jane, right there with you.
i wouldnt count on it within the next year at least, probably longer.
and i agree. river is to me hands down joe's best display of songwriting and one of the best songs he has ever performed or played. quality guitar lyrics and singing with plenty of room to improvise live, it is definitely a fan favorite, i'd say just about everyone would put it in his top 10 songs.
The first show I saw was also the first time I ever heard a note from Joe. I was hooked from the first few chords.
LOTS of memorable songs, but none moreso than The River. I've always loved the slide guitar, but when Joe broke the slide out and played The River and Burnin Hell, I knew that I was home.
The first show I saw was also the first time I ever heard a note from Joe. I was hooked from the first few chords.
LOTS of memorable songs, but none moreso than The River. I've always loved the slide guitar, but when Joe broke the slide out and played The River and Burnin Hell, I knew that I was home.
Same for me Bill,
I think The River and Burnin Hell are my top 2 favorite Joe songs. The River just has such a passion and geat lyrics. Burnin Hell is just a downright fun, dirty swamp blues song that you just can't help joining in on. It has always been one that Joe enjoyed getting the audience to participate in. You can't help but stand up and clap and sing along.
I remember in KC last fall when Joe was leaving the school after the Blues in the School program and he commented that he really isn't that good of a slide player, I told him that was rediculous! Joe has stated that he thinks Sonny Landreth is one of the best slide players, so when I was in Ohio this past weekend I stopped in a used CD shop to see what I could add to my collection. I picked up Sonny's South of I-10. He is a good slide player, but he just doesn't do it for me. Being careful how I phrase this - I am not in any way dissing Sonny, but what my ears hear is that he is good technically, but to me something is lacking. I don't hear the passion that Joe plays with. Joe incorporates change in the volume to emphasize certain phrases. That is something that I did not hear with Sonny. Maybe his other CD's are different?
Anyway, I feel that The River and Burnin Hell represents the best of Blues meets Rock!
I would be sweet to hear these again in the future.
~Rhonda
I would say The River, Burnin Hell, Pain & Sorrow constitute my tri-fecta of all-time Joe B. tunes. I've been fortunate enough to experience one of them, Burnin Hell, in a live setting. I'm not giving up until the tri-fecta is completed!
Is it just me, or does the bass line in The River remind anyone of the Zep' classic When the Levee Breaks?
The River is most likely my favorite slide song of all time. I can't get enough of that powerful lick... or the beautiful runs that Joe pulls off seamlessly. If I had to choose a song to add to the set it would either be The River or Never Make Your Move Too Soon (but I guess that is off topic).
I really would love to see some more slide in the set ( please don't think I'm complaining) and The River is probably the best example of great slide work by Joe.
BTW, who else is a slide guitar fan here???? It's driving me mad because I want to play slide SOOOO badly but I can't figure it out. I'd love to teach myself like I have done for the rest of the guitar but it looks like I might have to call a teacher for this one.... oh well.
The whole song is reminiscent of When The Levee Breaks. Neither it nor The River are truly original anyway, but Joe combines for a 2 fer 1 special.
Rock On & Keep the Faith,
Rocket
I would say The River, Burnin Hell, Pain & Sorrow constitute my tri-fecta of all-time Joe B. tunes. I've been fortunate enough to experience one of them, Burnin Hell, in a live setting. I'm not giving up until the tri-fecta is completed!
Is it just me, or does the bass line in The River remind anyone of the Zep' classic When the Levee Breaks?
"
Also one of my favorites.
I love the intro when played live.
Here is a few pics I like with his chandler.
http://www.fotopete.com/jb/060706_639lrf.jpg
I know its not rational but for some reason I like you a whole lot without knowing much else about you......
and yeah I have read a fan or two mention that before about Zep.
curious, do you have an opinion about that? like did you just notice it or do you think there is something wrong with that?btw, I lost my Riverginity 10-27-04, and I missed you there.
You lucky dog, you! I'm hoping that it will find its way back into the set list at some point. Where did you happen to catch it?
About the Levee breaking, just something I couldn't help but notice, as my memory for things musical is pretty long. I think it's probably something that just happened subliminally, and if so there's certainly nothing unethical about that. If one were to examine it more closely, I don't believe The River's bass line would be an exact replica, just something that bears a resemblance to or makes one (me) think of the Levee. Heck, it may not even have been added by Joe - could've just happened/evolved naturally during a jam.
In any case, it doesn't affect its placement in my troika in any way. I love the tune for the story that it tells, the feeling/mood that it creates, and the hard-edged, driving beat that screams "turn me up" every time it comes on. Very addictive.
Rock On.
~imaginos
My take is that the harmonica is what makes The River so "When The Levee Breaks"ish.
"I would say The River, Burnin Hell, Pain & Sorrow constitute my tri-fecta of all-time Joe B. tunes. "
I agree! The River has been a part of every show I've seen here so far. Burning Hell and Pain & Sorrow have only been played at one of them. I can understand Burning Hell since it is a cover of a John Lee Hooker song, but he does it soooooooo well.
The problem is if Joe played all of our favorites the concert would be ... let see ... what is the total time of all the albums? Plus any other covers or new songs he throws in. I don't think Joe would have a voice left after the first concert.
Requardless of the set he chooses I know it is going to be a good... strike that ... fantastic concert.
"I would say The River, Burnin Hell, Pain & Sorrow constitute my tri-fecta of all-time Joe B. tunes. "
I agree! The River has been a part of every show I've seen here so far. Burning Hell and Pain & Sorrow have only been played at one of them. I can understand Burning Hell since it is a cover of a John Lee Hooker song, but he does it soooooooo well.
The problem is if Joe played all of our favorites the concert would be ... let see ... what is the total time of all the albums? Plus any other covers or new songs he throws in. I don't think Joe would have a voice left after the first concert.
Requardless of the set he chooses I know it is going to be a good... strike that ... fantastic concert.
I agree with all that has been said here.
I would love to hear those three tracks and although Burning Hell is a cover, there are plenty of other covers in the current live set. The advantage of Burning Hell is that it is a fast tempo song and could get the crowd boogieing a little more too
I know several bands before a tour have allowed their fans to vote for the songs they'd most like in a setlist. Maybe this is not practical for a tour as Joe naturally would want to show of his more recent songs, but for a one off gig, ie at Royal Albert Hall, that could be an idea!
PS. I'm sure the inner notes of HTCT state that Joe took inspiration from the River from an old Fred McDowell song. So maybe it shares the same roots at the Zep song, which was origonally recorded by Memphis Minnie
I know several bands before a tour have allowed their fans to vote for the songs they'd most like in a setlist. Maybe this is not practical for a tour as Joe naturally would want to show of his more recent songs, but for a one off gig, ie at Royal Albert Hall, that could be an idea!
Duncan that is a great idea .... if it ever comes off .... well at least some possible input from Joe's legions of Forum friends
That would at least form a Lively post/discussion
........................................... Michael
I'm gonna go on my own and say I really miss Walk in My Shadow. that was the song that always got the audience in joe's pocket!
varied setlists. i see no good argument against it. especiallyl on here. one, the show reviews and "set lists" name of the forum wouldnt be such a joke. second, we'd have more to talk about, each show being totally unique. i'd love hearing about other songs. as it stands now i rarely read these threads since i have already seen the show people are reviewing.
Joe Bonamassa Forum → Show Reviews and Set Lists → The River
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