Topic: Fargo Blues Festival - August 15, 2008
Set list as far as I can remember:
Spike Driver Blues
Bridge To Better Days
So Many Roads
Mountain Time
Another Kind Of Love
Sloe Gin
High Water Everywhere
Your Funeral and My Trial
Blues Deluxe
Woke Up Dreaming
Just Got Paid
encore
One Of These Days
For Renee and I, this was our first time at this festival. We opted for the "VIP" tickets that allowed us access to the backstage area which definitely proved to be worth it. We got a chance to talk to Joe, Carmine, and Rick backstage before they went on that night and Bogie after the show. Also met new tour manager Warren. For their set we got a spot that we've had many times - right up front and directly in front of Joe. Because the stage was relatively small Joe's pedal board, mic stand and theremin were within 24 in. from the front of the stage so Joe was virtually right above us for much of the show.
It's a bit of a broken record, but yes it was a great show! I'll just comment on some of the new or different things we heard.
"Spike Driver Blues" is a powerful opener. It's very heavy and dark and absolutely grabs your attention. The theremin adds some very cool effects and the slide solo really rounds it out. Great, great song! Destined to be a classic.
"Mountain Time" was spectacular as usual, but was played on a Les Paul (not the JB) instead of the Gigliotti. It's proof positive that your tone is mostly in your fingers as Joe pulls off another stunning Indian-inspired intro that just takes your breath away!
For "Your Funeral and My Trial" Joe was joined on stage by Fargo native Shannon Curfman. I do believe Shannon was maybe a bit nervous about being up there with Joe because she didn't play as good as she did the week before when we saw her at another blues festival. It also didn't help that she had some technical issues right at the start of the song. Nice gesture on Joe's part to invite her up, though. I do like this song and this was our first time hearing it.
I love seeing "Blues Deluxe" in the set list again, since it's always been a favorite of mine and it's reworked just slightly. It has a little more laid-back feel and I really like Rick's work on the Hammond. Shannon remained on stage for this song as well and sang a verse and did a little back-and-forth jam with Joe. She does have a pretty good voice and, this particular night at least, outshone her guitar playing.
"One Of These Days" had a new guitar intro - very heavy, dark and moody. Somewhat reminiscent of "Spike Driver Blues". Then the band kicks in and the song hits you like a sledgehammer! Wow! I've heard Joe do this song before, but it sounds better than ever.
Joe looked and sounded really, really great! And the band and crew, as always, absolutely top-notch.
As the far as attendance goes, this was not the biggest blues festival we've been to this year. The crowd was very appreciative and respectful, however, and it was easily one of the longest, if not the longest, lines I've seen Joe endure for post-show signings.
Overall, I really liked the venue. Parking was convenient; access to "real" restrooms and shade in the baseball stadium was very nice; and the lush outfield grass where the stage was set up made it easy on your feet. A bigger stage and better sound system would be welcome improvements, though.
