• From: near Nürnberg Germany
  • Registered: 2008-04-19
  • Posts: 1,204

Topic: 2008 musical highlights

2008 is going to an end. As some "professional" rankings as the Blues Music Award are not really satisfying for some of us, let´s make our own lists. I suggest 10 best live acts and 10 top CDs 2008.

Here are mine.

LIVE
1. JOE in München, Nürnberg and Ludwigsburg: Which one was the best? All!
2. LITTLE FEAT in Nürnberg; brilliant concert from a colourful and playful band.
3.ERIC SARDINAS near Nürnberg (not his best gig, still with the dominant drummer) and Stuttgart(excellent)
4. BRYAN LEE near Nürnberg; in spite of him being severly sick those days a powerful concert, also due to his guitar player Brent Johnson;
5. WALTER TROUT; saw him the first time, surely not the last time;
6. DUKE ROBILLARD in Stuttgart; teaching us how to repair an ancient ancient amp while playing an elegant but down-to-earth blues;
7. ROBBEN FORD in Stuttgart; not so introverted as I had expected, he´s rocking.
8. SANDY DILLON -a night creature singing dark songs in sunny midday on the Nürnberg marketplace.
9. AYNSLEY LISTER near Nürnberg; good concert with a brilliant Hendrix cover
10. ERIC CLAPTON in München; Eric and Doyle were perfect, not so the Munich audience.

CDs
1. LFNIP
2. MARK SELBY: Nine Pound Hammer
3. BRYAN LEE: Katrina
4. EDDIE TURNER: Rise
5. BOB DYLAN: Tell Tale Signs
6. LITTLE FEAT: Join the Band
7. HANS THEESSINK and TERRY EVANS: Visions
8. JAMES BLOOD ULMER: Bad Blood in the City
9. OTIS TAYLOR: Recapturing the Banjo
10. EDDY CLEARWATER: West Side Strut

Günter

Rock On and Keep the Faith

Guenter's Website

  • JBSRV
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  • From: Colorado Springs-Colorado
  • Registered: 2008-07-04
  • Posts: 1,047

Re: 2008 musical highlights

This year was the first time I'd seen Joe. Twice in a year is not bad! I also saw B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Tab Benoit, and BDS for the first time!!! Great year of music for me!!!!!!!!! Happy 2009 (soon)

-Eric

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry
  • From: Netherlands.
  • Registered: 2006-04-27
  • Posts: 2,186

Re: 2008 musical highlights

My best 10 shows in 2008:

1. JOE    6 shows all great
2. STONEY CURTIS BAND- great dynamic blues and nice guy too.
3. TONY JOE WHITE - first time I saw the blues swamp legend. That voice!
4. ZZ TOP great show, better than before!
5. LITTLE FEAT: even without Lowell George great rythms, brilliant musicians
6. DICKY BETTS: not drunk, you could see where the Allman Brothers would have been
                          without him.
7. JOHN MAYALL: getting older but still rocking and bluesing.
8. DEVON ALLMAN: very nice surprise, good show
9. EDDIE TURNER: laidback,laidback, relaxed, relaxed, dark, dark blues
10.DANNY O'BRYANT; powerful blues, voice less but guitarplaying heavy!

CD'S: next time, have to think a bit longer about it.
1. LFNIP

Andre Wittebroek

4 Reply by ohiodawg13 (edited by ohiodawg13 2008-12-20 23:01:55)

  • From: Benicia, Ca.
  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 5,828

Re: 2008 musical highlights

Well I don't know if I have ten of each, but here's what I got.

Shows:   Joe @ Monterey Blues Festival June 28.....loved it when Joe pointed out THE spot where Jimi lit up
              his strat.

              Mark Knopfler @ The Greek Theater UC Berkeley June 28.....that's right, same day as Monterey,
              won the front row orchestra pit seats on KFOG, yer welcome Bluezman.

             Joe @ Fire On The Mountain Sonora, Ca......lotsa fun at the sitdown earlier in the afternoon.

             Joe @ The Ribfest in Sparks, Nv........ The guys won't forget the day the bus broke down.

             Steve Miller @ The Fillmore March 26th.......in the right place at just the right time to see Steve
             joined by Bonnie Raitt, Joe Satriani, Al Jardine, and a host of others, 90 min. of nothin' but the blues
             sandwiched between the SMB hits, 3 hrs. plus, not bad for a 65 year old.

             Tommy Castro + Volker Strifler @ The Mystique Theater in Petaluma, Ca. March I think?.....Tommy
             shook the place to the rafters.

             Los Lobos, Tommy Castro, Albert Cummings, & Roy Rodgers @ The Coloma Blues Festival June 8th
             Great day of blues on the American River.

             Back Door Slam @ The Hotel Utah Saloon San Francisco, Ca. Oct. 3rd.....great way to celebrate one
             year anniversary of successful cancer surgery. Thanks Libby, Shred, Bluezman, Lisa & Scott for a
             memorable evening.

             BDS & Gov't Mule @ The Fillmore Nov. 21.....thanks to Evan & BDS for the free ride that night.

             AC/DC @ Oracle Arena Oakland, Ca. Dec. 4th......just about the best damn rock show I've ever
             seen.

             Lynyrd Skynyrd @ Konocti Harbor Kelseyville, Ca. July.....always the knockout punch of the summer

CD's:     LFNIP

             Black Ice     AC/DC

             Albert Cummings Live

             Not much else comes to mind right now.

                                                                                                    Still Thinkin',

                                                                                                    J Dawg

What is success? Is it do yo' own thang, or is it to join the rest?   -Allen Toussaint
  • Lee
  • Lee
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  • From: Minnesota
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 2,476

Re: 2008 musical highlights

Live:
1. Joe at the MN Zoo Amphitheater. His River Roots Live Festival in Davenport, IA and the Fargo Blues Fest performances are right behind.
2. BB King at Mystic Lake Casino near Prior Lake, MN. First time seeing BB as the headliner.
3. Larry Carlton and Robben Ford together at the Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul.
4. Sonny Landreth at the Cabooze in Minneapolis followed closely by his show at the MN Zoo.
5. Walter Trout at the Prairie Dog Blues Festival in Prairie du Chien, WI.
6. Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi at the MN Zoo.
7. Robben Ford at the Sioux Falls, SD Jazzfest.
8. Jonny Lang at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, IA followed by his show at the Sioux Falls Jazzfest.
9. Gov't Mule and Back Door Slam at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis.
10. Robert Cray at the Fitzgerald Theatre.


CDs:
1. LFNIP
2. Sonny Landreth - From The Reach
3. Sean Costello - We Can Get Together
4. Walter Trout - The Outsider

I think those are the only four 2008 CDs I bought.

  • From: Harrison, Arkansas
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 3,155

Re: 2008 musical highlights

Top 5 cd's of 2008:

1. Joe Bonamassa - Live From Nowhere In Particular
2. John Mayer - Where The Light Is: Live In Los Angeles
3. Buddy Guy - Skin Deep
4. Los Lonely Boys - Forgiven
5. Hernando - North Mississippi Allstars
6. Eric Sardinas - Eric Sardinas And Big Motor
7. B.B. King - One Kind Favor
8. AC/DC - Black Ice
9. The Black Crowes - Warpaint
10. Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple

I know, some shockers in that. I'm okay with that.

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

My ReverbNation page for Dees & Friends - check us out!
www.reverbnation.com/deesfriends
  • eva
  • eva
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  • From: germany
  • Registered: 2007-03-15
  • Posts: 1,885

Re: 2008 musical highlights

Live:

1. JOE BONAMASSA - 8 times (München, Berlin, Liverpool, Nürnberg, Ludwigsburg, Hamburg, Osnabrück, Köln), all of them unbelieveably good and unsurpassable wink

2. LITTLE FEAT - my "discovery of the year" ... how could I have missed this band for so long?? Must have been blind and deaf...
3. WALTER TROUT - 2 times, Bluesrock festival near Venlo with George, Cathy and Geko and on my birthday near Nürnberg
4. ERIC CLAPTON - just had to see the legend live, despite the ticket prices ... it was worth it (but agree on the audience, dad)
5. ERIC SARDINAS - 2 times in Nürnberg and Stuttgart - I like the new line-up better, but Eric always rocks ...
6. DEVON ALLMAN - at Burg Satzvey (can you say Rockpalast?!) - what a nice surprise!
7. ANSLEY LISTER - didn´t like his new record, but did like him live - beautiful version of "Purple rain"!
8. BRYAN LEE - near Nürnberg, how does this man sound when he´s not ill when he sounds that good while being ill?!
9. EAMON McCORMACK - at the Venlo-Festival, didn´t know him before but liked his playing a lot
10. POPA CHUBBY - in Nürnberg, not as good as he used to be, but still Popa Chubby ...

CDs:

1. JOE BONAMASSA - live from nowhere in particular ... my favourite record ever

2. ALBERT CUMMINGS - feel so good live ... when does HE come to Germany?!
3. LITTLE FEAT - live from neon park ... not released this year, but as I said: my personal discovery of the year
4. SONNY LANDRETH - From the reach ("Storm of worry" ... wow!)
5. GOV´T MULE - with a little help live ... also not from this year, but discovered this year ...
6. WALTER TROUT - The outsider ... the best Walter - album in my eyes
7. ERIC SRADINAS - and big motor ... as I said: this guy always rocks
8. MARK SELBY - Nine pound hammer
9. OTIS TAYLOR - Recapturing the Banjo
10.MICHAEL BURKS - Iron man ... thanks for the tip Cathy ..

That´s it. Look forward to 2009 and already know who will be on top of the list again ... wink

Eva

8 Reply by Greenose (edited by Greenose 2008-12-22 04:37:00)

  • Registered: 2008-02-14
  • Posts: 2,578

Re: 2008 musical highlights

Here's my go, hope I can read my handwritten scribbles

LIVE
1. JOE BONAMASSA - Glasgow Arches - finally got to see him, you know the rest
2. OLI BROWN - Berwick The Barrel House - Possibly Britain's best new blues band put on a great show
3. WALTER TROUT - Edinburgh - The Picture House - Walter on the first date of his European tour, superb
4. AYNSLEY LISTER - Newcastle The Cluny - Great gig by Aynsley on a night he and the band were on fire
5. THE BLACK KEYS - Edinburgh Queens Hall & Glasgow ABC  - Rockin blues for the masses, fab
6. IAN SIEGAL - Carlisle Blues Festival - Two superb shows from a superbly intense modern bluesman
7. MATT SCHOFIELD - Carlisle Blues Festival - Matt and his band performed a fantastic show
8. BUDDY GUY - Glasgow Academy - Great bluesman and showman, shared a room with a legend
9. ROSE HILL DRIVE - Glasgow - King Tuts - Firely blues based rock from the Colorado trio.
10. SEASICK STEVE - Glasgow ABC - Steve takes his hobo blues to the larger stages, inspirational

ALBUMS
1. SEAN COSTELLO  - We Can Get Toghether - Should have been his breakthrough
2. LIVE FROM NOWHERE IN PARTICULAR - Joe Bonamassa
3. WALTER TROUT - The Outsider
4. OLI BROWN - Open Road
5. SIMON MCBRIDE - Rich Man Falling
6. IAN SIEGAL - The Dirt
7. THE BLACK KEYS - Attack & Release
8. JOHN MAYER - Where The Light Is (Live in LA)
9. KINGS OF LEON - Only By The Night#
10= ALBERT CASTIGLIA - These Are The Days
10= NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS - Hernando

Biggest Hopes for 2009:

The Ballad of John Henry
New Aynsley Lister Album
Debut release by Jay Tamkin (new Brit blueser)
Back Door Slam UK tour (?) and new album
A certain date at the Royal Albert Hall

NEXT!

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

Re: 2008 musical highlights

Deezer wrote:

Top 5 cd's of 2008:

1. Joe Bonamassa - Live From Nowhere In Particular
2. John Mayer - Where The Light Is: Live In Los Angeles
3. Buddy Guy - Skin Deep
4. Los Lonely Boys - Forgiven
5. Hernando - North Mississippi Allstars
6. Eric Sardinas - Eric Sardinas And Big Motor
7. B.B. King - One Kind Favor
8. AC/DC - Black Ice
9. The Black Crowes - Warpaint
10. Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple

I know, some shockers in that. I'm okay with that.

Hey that ain't bad!

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

bigjeffjones's Website

  • Registered: 2008-02-14
  • Posts: 2,578

Re: 2008 musical highlights

bigjeffjones wrote:
Deezer wrote:

Top 5 cd's of 2008:

1. Joe Bonamassa - Live From Nowhere In Particular
2. John Mayer - Where The Light Is: Live In Los Angeles
3. Buddy Guy - Skin Deep
4. Los Lonely Boys - Forgiven
5. Hernando - North Mississippi Allstars
6. Eric Sardinas - Eric Sardinas And Big Motor
7. B.B. King - One Kind Favor
8. AC/DC - Black Ice
9. The Black Crowes - Warpaint
10. Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple

I know, some shockers in that. I'm okay with that.

Hey that ain't bad!

The only shocker is the title, Deezer, did you choose to write five and then remember some more!? smile

"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: Massachusetts
  • Registered: 2007-10-23
  • Posts: 1,929

Re: 2008 musical highlights

Didn't get to as many shows as some, but what I did get to was all good.

1.  Government Mule's Halloween Floyd Show at the Orpheum - sorry fellow Bonamaniacs but this has to top my list-it was one of those once in a lifetime shows, which had the added bonus of Back Door Slam.

2.  Joe at ShowcaseLive in Foxboro, MA - packed in like sardines, but the acoustics were great and got to meet a few Bonabuddies as a bonus.

3. Joe at Toad's in New London - first live intro to Spike Driver Blues and that awesome Theramin!

4.  Gov't Mule on Block Island - this show was at one of the coolest venues I've ever been to.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24057301@N05/?saved=1 

The show was shortened thanks to the lovely thunderstorm that rolled in, but it was a great time.  I WOULD LOVE TO SEE JOE PLAY HERE!

5.  Tom Petty twice - once in Boston Garden and then at the Tweeter center.  Both were great shows, but the Garden Show was extra special.  Steve Winwood opened for him [this should probably be listed as a separate show, it was that good] and he played Had to Cry Today!

6.  Back Door Slam - two shows, both in Burlington, Vt.  [thanks again JBRules] They were both great, full length shows.  The first was special because it was my first, and I wasn't disappointed, and the second was in another cool venue [the Higher Ground] and I got to hear "Stay" live.

7.  Gov't Mule in Northampton, MA.  Bought these tickets as a backup in case we didn't get Halloween tickets and almost didn't go.  Boy, am I glad I changed my mind.  BDS played two songs with Danny Lewis of Mule adding keyboards to the mix, and the highlight of the night was Davy Knowles playing Cortez the Killer [one of my all-time favorite Neil Young Songs] with the Mule.  My interest in the Mule has been rekindled after all this exposure to them this year.  They are a special band to see.

8.  Honorable Mention:  Not really a live concert, but a good movie of one was CSNY's movie that Eva suggested from their Freedom of Speech tour.  Brought back lots of memories, and I do like Neil Young [but not enough to pay the ticket prices he gets these days].

I'm going to take a pass on the albums.  Obviously Live from No Place in Particular would be on that list, as would Roll Away by Back Door Slam [new to me].  I've spent a lot of this year rediscovering old favorites and hidden gems, and also finding bit torrents of some pretty cool stuff.  I think my iPod sometimes thinks that the only artist on there is Joe and his live shows.

For next year, I already have tickets for 4 Joe concerts, including RAH, and look forward to more Mule and BDS.  Hope to catch Derek Trucks and/or Susan Tedeschi and the Allmans sometime, too.  As for albums, I will look forward to all the cool info that gets passed along on this Forum in the Other Artists section, and can't wait for Ballad of John Henry and the new BDS.

Sandy

"There's a lot of people that are in so much of a hurry to be, I guess, to be famous or that they don't want to take the time to learn to play and do all that.They'd rather just knock it down off a computer and maybe get on a game show and get famous..That's fine if that's what you want to do.
"We're more old school than that. We like creating the sounds."  - Tom Petty