• Registered: 2007-10-06
  • Posts: 3

Topic: Stafford, TX (9/27/08)

Wow. Just wow.

I've seen Joe several times (including the Houston opening for Peter Frampton). I have NEVER seen him (and the band) perform like they did last night. Unbelievable. The set was great, crowd was great, and the band was really on top of it.

Speaking of the band, I am quite amazed at the performance by Carmine, Rick, and Boogie. Last time I saw Joe, the band didn't seem to click very well, and there was a little nagging thought in the back of my head saying "sure wish Eric and Kenny were up there." Not this time. You guys have really found a sound of your own that is GREAT and REALLY goes with the style of music. Boogie's little drum solo was great, and his strong style of playing really added a ton to songs like "Bridge to Better Days." Rick's trills really stole the show in "Blues Deluxe" and his solo in "Askin' Around for You" was the perfect touch (yes, we were the ones in the crowd cheering very loudly for Rick during his last solo). Carmine's sound was MUCH more out there and jamming with Joe; I really loved how heavy, low, and bold the bass came through in the (new) opening song. Excellent performance guys, keep doing what you're doing, it's GREAT STUFF!!! big_smile

And then there was Joe. Never seem a performance like it. Even after a shaky opening (there were some sound problems), he still pulled off a great show. The new intro to "Sloe Gin" was the perfect touch, the performance of "Blues Deluxe" was spectacular, and I had to scrape my jaw off the floor after the extended acoustic tear-up of "Woke Up Dreamin." (One more thing: last week, I was thinking how good of a song "Your Funeral, My Trial" is, and meant to listen to it, but never got around to it. Couldn't have been more excited when you played it! Great song, it needs to become a staple on Joe's set lists.)

Last night was one of those rare performances where everything just clicked. The crowd was great, band was great, Joe was on fire, and the sound was good once the problems got ironed out. I give it a solid 10/10. Excellent job!

  • From: Deep in the forest
  • Registered: 2007-02-11
  • Posts: 5,296

Re: Stafford, TX (9/27/08)

Wow is the perfect review. Thanks for sharing this. It's so nice for the entire band to be recognized. That's why the new "Live..." CD is wonderful. It's Joe and this band. It lets you revisit shows.......(It's bogie, as in golf, not boogie..sensative subject;)).....   Cathy

  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Stafford, TX (9/27/08)

Bogie?  Booger?  Billionare Industrialist Bowles to you.  lol

mybuddyandbro
athunderingdrumtoplay
perfectionandgrace

BB call JJ!

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

bigjeffjones's Website

  • Registered: 2006-05-22
  • Posts: 109

Re: Stafford, TX (9/27/08)

good show with the same Set List as the last few nights...for some reason the sound was never quite right in the room, but Joe & Band definitely rocked.
Sloe Gin, Blues Deluxe, and One of these Days were highlights for me.
thanks for the nice break from Ike recovery...
KV in Houston

  • From: Charlotte
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 2,350

Re: Stafford, TX (9/27/08)

The Stafford show was a lot fun, but the sound was never quiet right as mentioned.  Same set list as before in Dallas and the crowd really got into, especially after Woke Up Dreaming.  That is really a nice venue, very comfortable seating.  On the way in saw a lot of storm damage in Houston, but they didn't get the worst of it like Galvenston.  Like KV said, it was a nice break, hope you guys recover soon...

Music is good for the Soul...
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 9

Re: Stafford, TX (9/27/08)

I got backstage after the show!

As much as I like to see Joe's popularity growing, I'm gonna miss being able to stand two feet in front of him during a show and get an autograph and photo with him afterward.

But if this was the final time I got to do that it was worth it. I was one of the lucky few who didn't have friends or family on the crew who got to go backstage after the show. It was cool. Everyone but Bogie came in an hung out for a while with about 20 of us.

Joe addressed the room when he walked in and talked about how the night he opened for Frampton at the Verizon Wireless Theatre in Houston was one of the defining moments in his career. He said that he sold a massive amount of cds (I think he said 300) in like 45 minutes that night, something that is rare for an opening act. I was at that show and remember exactly what he was talking about. He stayed and talked for a while and signed autographs. He even told us to feel free to eat and drink from craft services. I couldn't pass up eating a strawberry and having a water.

He mentioned during the show that the next time he came to Houston, it was at the Meridian, but it was actually at the Rhythm Room. There were about 50 of us there and we sat in a couple of bar chairs two feet in front of him.

His next two stops were at the Meridian, first in the smallest room and the second in the large room. His audience grew every time. His next stop visit was to the Galveston Mardi Gras which was marred by bad weather, poor stage placement, and Joe being sick, but still a nice instrumental show.

We missed his first visit to the Stafford Center last year, but got to see this show and it was great. Although I hate the Verizon Wireless Theatre, I can't wait until his audience grows enough to headline a show there. But I'll miss how accessible he use to be.

  • From: Heading west on 80....
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 864

Re: Stafford, TX (9/27/08)

Verizon Wireless in Houston could be done now. The promoter that did the show at Stafford was pleased and understands there is competition for Joe's show in Houston now, especially since HOB will be opening soon. The show in Stafford was said to be 'sold out', and Verizon can be configured many different ways for different capacities. LiveNation does the (most)  booking there, as well as HOB. It will be interesting to see what offers come to JB from Houston next year and what venue he ends up playing. Any of the above will work nicely.

We don't mind the accessability of Joe decreasing, even if we get caught in that web too. As the show grows, the professionalism increases and things like that have to change. We wonder how Joe keeps his sanity now, with all the demands put on him. It'll be nice that he knows he has sanctuary somewhere, if he wants to get away. If not, he can come out front.

“A friend is someone that will help you move............a TRUE friend will help you move the bodies." -- anon
  • Registered: 2008-02-14
  • Posts: 2,578

Re: Stafford, TX (9/27/08)

mjnavarro wrote:

I got backstage after the show!

As much as I like to see Joe's popularity growing, I'm gonna miss being able to stand two feet in front of him during a show and get an autograph and photo with him afterward.

But if this was the final time I got to do that it was worth it. I was one of the lucky few who didn't have friends or family on the crew who got to go backstage after the show. It was cool. Everyone but Bogie came in an hung out for a while with about 20 of us.

Joe addressed the room when he walked in and talked about how the night he opened for Frampton at the Verizon Wireless Theatre in Houston was one of the defining moments in his career. He said that he sold a massive amount of cds (I think he said 300) in like 45 minutes that night, something that is rare for an opening act. I was at that show and remember exactly what he was talking about. He stayed and talked for a while and signed autographs. He even told us to feel free to eat and drink from craft services. I couldn't pass up eating a strawberry and having a water.

He mentioned during the show that the next time he came to Houston, it was at the Meridian, but it was actually at the Rhythm Room. There were about 50 of us there and we sat in a couple of bar chairs two feet in front of him.

His next two stops were at the Meridian, first in the smallest room and the second in the large room. His audience grew every time. His next stop visit was to the Galveston Mardi Gras which was marred by bad weather, poor stage placement, and Joe being sick, but still a nice instrumental show.

We missed his first visit to the Stafford Center last year, but got to see this show and it was great. Although I hate the Verizon Wireless Theatre, I can't wait until his audience grows enough to headline a show there. But I'll miss how accessible he use to be.

Hi Mjnavarro, interesting story. Perhaps I should get you to come to my next Joe gig so you can show me how you did it!

"The recently formed Edinburgh Blues Club has identified an appetite for the personal communication between musicians and audience that the blues long ago perfected." The Herald Newspaper (Scotland)
http://www.edinburgh-blues.uk
  • From: Heading west on 80....
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 864

Re: Stafford, TX (9/27/08)

It wasn't hard; if Stafford could do anything better it would be improve security. It was basically an open door to back stage. We escorted a few different people out of that area during the show, that just happened to wander back there.  Tour manager was a few hundred feet away, mixing the show, so someone to stand by the door would have been all that was needed. When the tour manager is available, it is locked down now -- to JB's discretion, of course.

As the crowds get bigger, its a safety concern as well. You just never know about people these days and you can never be too careful.

“A friend is someone that will help you move............a TRUE friend will help you move the bodies." -- anon
  • jim m
  • jim m
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Okie City, OK
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
  • Posts: 3,429

Re: Stafford, TX (9/27/08)

I think mjnavarro is talking about the meet n greet that the promoter arranged for his friends and family. They were in a room off stage after the show.

There is a definite tightening of backstage security as per Warren's direction. I have yet to see a person willing to wait and talk to Joe unable to it is now usually near the bus.

With the larger crowds it is just not possible to go the merch table like in the days of old. Joe hasn't changed but the need for a change in policy has become necessary.

jim m's Website

  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 9

Re: Stafford, TX (9/27/08)

Yes about the meet and greet jim, if you weren't a family member of the crew, you had to know someone affiliated with the Stafford center to get in. Didn't know that security was lax there. I'm always a little uncomfortable when I go to a concert where there is no one at the door with a metal detector.

Glad to hear you can still see Joe at the bus, I'll keep that in mind for next time. Sloe Gin is the only full length album I don't have autographed, only cause I forgot to take it with me.