Topic: Kansas City
Since nobody has posted a review of the show I'll give it a go.
I have seen a few memorable shows of Joe's in the Kansas City area. From the festival in Paola just SW of KC when Mark subbed for Eric. To a couple of midweek shows at the Grand Emporium before it went with a black velvet decor. I was at the last Grand Emp's last Joe show too. This one did not dissapoint.
Voodoo lounge was a nice room. Balcony with a couch seating area in the back. I had never been to a KC cassino before still haven't. I never made it to the actual casino. This was a last minute trip. Got there in time for soundcheck. Spike Driver blues with the new MusicMan baritone. Not many artists do you come to see and they announce a new song and you are really pumped to hear it. Even If I wasn't already familiar with it it would of had the same effect. I like it and the baritone is just another color in the palete that Joe paints his music with. I will say the new guitar doesn't look like a fender or sound like one.
This show was the first for me to see Your Funeral My Trial live and the new arrangement of Blues Deluxe as well as no Gigliotti on Mountain Time. YFMT adds an uptempo song at the right time in the set. Blues Deluxe is I never thought I'd say it but maybe an even better version. Definatley new and improved even though I didn't think it was possible. Missed the Gigliotti if only to see it again. Mountain Time didn't appear to miss it though. An excelent version.
Just got paid is more meat and potatoes than it is on NWIP. Pretty much balls to the wall the entire song. No quiet parts. I like this new version too.
So the over all impression of the tweaked setlist was the additions and pace of the show is even more dramatic. Like people have been saying it just keeps getting better.
The sound in the room was very good. The FX on Joe's vocals that seemed to run a little wet over the last year or so were right on. Only noticeble during the acoustic songs and then you realized how good his vocals really sounded. The majority of the crowd stood in front of the stage which blocked alot of the bottom end and the design of the room kept the lows from reaching the back quarter of the house but the front three quarters were perfect.
Got to meet Rhonda and Misterlee again along with Josh M who I had met back at one of the Paola shows. Rhonda and Misterlee I had met in Tulsa last year. Got to chat with them a while. Always good to see familiar faces.
Joe looks as young as he did when I met him 6 years ago. I got to use the Phil Cornell joke. Joe if you tuned sideways and stuck your tounge out you'd look like a zipper. I don't think he got it. He has inspired me to shed some pounds.
Joe came out and signed from the stage for all that waited. Very relaxed and playfull with the fans. He amazes me as some people have let a little success get to them in a bad way. Joe's recent run of success has brought out an even more humble and patient individual. Just illistrated why we all are pulling for him and working hard to get him where we all know he is destined to be. The extra time he spent with the winner of the radio station contest a guy that was a fan and a player as well. Joe just didn't come out shake his hand and sign the guitar. He took the time to talk to him get to know him. Took him up to the stage and demonstrated his setup. Stoped again to retake a picture because the guy didn't like the way the first came out. Those are just some of the reasons his fans love him.
Over all a great time. No flight delays. No traffic from the airport, a great show at pretty darn good venue back to work the next afternoon with out any problems. A nice midweek break.
