• Lee
  • Lee
  • BONAMETAL
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  • From: Minnesota
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 2,476

Topic: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

It looks like I'm the first of many to report on this show. Great show, great crowd, great venue - what more could you ask for? Set list the same as previous shows from what I recall.

Ballad of John Henry
Last Kiss
So Many Roads
Mountain Time
Another Kind of Love
Sloe Gin
Great Flood
Lonesome Road Blues
Happier Times
Your Funeral My Trial
Blues DeLuxe
Woke Up Dreaming
Just Got Paid
encore:
Ball Peen Hammer
Story of a Quarryman
Asking Around For You

I love the current set. I think it's the perfect mix of the new and older songs. Like others have said, I think the new songs sound better live. "John Henry" and "Last Kiss" are a phenomenal one-two punch to start. "So Many Roads" is as good as ever. "Mountain Time" had a slightly reworked intro and is still one of the highlights of every Joe show I've ever seen.

I won't go into detail about every song, but two of the "classics" need mentioning. I didn't think it was ever possible to improve on probably my favorite all-time Joe tune, "Blues DeLuxe", but Joe did it! From the "throwing of the guitar picks" intro to the indescribably brilliant guitar work, Joe had the crowd in the palm of his hand! It was, and still is, the first song I think of when I think of Joe. Needless to say, it was the highlight of the show for me. "Woke Up Dreaming" is another song I didn't think could be improved upon, but again, I think Joe did it. The new intro to the song is unreal and the Yamaha acoustic is the best sounding acoustic Joe has ever played, IMO. Sorry Jane, but "Dreaming" is even longer than before smile.

Great to see lots of familiar faces including Bill S., Jon and Roy and meeting ReverendPaul. But really, the number 1 fan in attendance was clearly Steve (MillionMilesAway), who tried his hardest to get EVERYBODY on their feet for the last part of the show. Way to go Steve!!!

I'll probably post some photos in due time.

  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

Sorry Lee! We must have been typing at the same time.
I type with two fingers, and when I finally finished and posted this, I saw that you beat me to the punch!

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"
  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2008-08-15
  • Posts: 7,284

Re: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

Great review Lee! Yes, it was great seeing You, Renee, Bill S., Jon, Steve, Nancy and Gary again! Oh, and Gary's girlfriend too whose name escapes me at the moment.

As far as the show let me just say this; roll up your socks, tighten your belt and if need be, put your crash helmet on because THIS is the BEST SHOW I've seen yet from this elite group. Someone used the word "tight" and that's a perfect description of this show. And my goodness Joe, I'm simply awestruck!! cool smile

Run time was approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes.

Roy

P.S. Hey Bro, I took care of what you asked for. wink

Joe is the Best!

4 Reply by summers (edited by summers 2009-03-08 16:11:48)

  • Registered: 2006-05-12
  • Posts: 74

Re: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

I just want to add a couple of comments about the Elgin show last night. First, I must say that Joe's vocals have reached an all-time high (I greeted him as Joe 'Etta James' Bonamassa). It's been a great ride over the years watching Joe's maturation as a vocalist and a complete showman. Not that they were ever lacking, it's just that he has attained a new level and it is evident in all aspects of his shows. I remember those old Sandwich, IL days of old of which he spoke, but thank God for you that those are but a distant memory ! Again, sorry to let the cat out of the bag concerning the GP cover story, Joe. Anyway, just wanted to say something regarding the show... get ready Milwaukee !

  • Lee
  • Lee
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  • From: Minnesota
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 2,476

Re: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

Bill S wrote:

Sorry Lee! We must have been typing at the same time.
I type with two fingers, and when I finally finished and posted this, I saw that you beat me to the punch!

No problem Bill.

I type with only two fingers as well, and it took me a looooong time to put just those words down.

  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

Lee wrote:
Bill S wrote:

Sorry Lee! We must have been typing at the same time.
I type with two fingers, and when I finally finished and posted this, I saw that you beat me to the punch!

No problem Bill.

I type with only two fingers as well, and it took me a looooong time to put just those words down.

I deleted my other topic and migrated it over here:


After months of anticipation, Illinois finally was able to experience the current version of Bonamassa magic.
There seemed to be enough to go around, and something for everyone!

From a whopping 6 songs from Joe's latest disc, to the standards that everyone wants to see (Mountain time, Woke Up Dreaming) to the newer songs that are becoming mainstays (Sloe Gin, So Many Roads, Asking Around for You) to songs that have been resurrected to everyone's delight (Blues Deluxe), this was a musical cornucopia that should have impressed new Bonamassa fans as well as the seasoned veterans.

The ballad of John Henry was a wonderful start to the show, showcasing both Joe's voice and his significant guitar talents, as well as introducing the theramin to the uninitiated.
Last Kiss reinforced the quality of Joe's newest work.
When Joe played So Many Roads and Mountain Time, he seemed to be hitting his stride, and it appeared to me that these two songs propelled Joe to greater heights. The rest of the setlist selections were superb. Joe's voice seemed to grow as the night went on.

Joe mentioned that the Elgin Theater was the first venue where the current band appeared and that they were happy to be back. I also recall that this was the first location where Sloe Gin was ever played live, which was before that cd was released.

I saw tons of street team members and cannot list them all here, since I need some sleep! Many of those same people, I will see tomorrow night in Milwaukee. I also indoctrinated two new fans to Joe's army.

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"
  • Registered: 2009-03-08
  • Posts: 1

Re: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

We saw the show last night (my 4th time) and again Joe was amazing.  I'm hoping someone out there can help me.  What was that wooden box that he used with the first guitar and the Gibson V that made the feedback/pitch change?  I've never seen one of those before and am curious.  Loved the show...and he even played my favorite...Blues Deluxe.  Someone else said that is the song they first think of when they think of Joe Bonamassa...same with me.  Flippin' awesome!!!

  • Registered: 2009-03-08
  • Posts: 4

Re: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

Great show!! Joe was really on his game last night!!

  • SgtB
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  • Registered: 2009-03-08
  • Posts: 309

Re: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

Great show last night.
Best I've seen/heard. Amazing acoustics at ECC.
I recorded audio up until almost the end of asking around for you. Ran out of memory. sad Pretty good quality. I also video recorded up until the beginning of just got paid. Ran out of memory there too. sad Decent quality video and sound too.

Also ordered my glossy JBLP Friday so that should be arriving this week. smile

Gibson Collectors Choice #6
Joe Bonamassa Custom Shop Goldtop Unaged 1st run
Alvarez Acoustic '95
Gibson Skylark GA5-T '65, Marshall JTM45 Reissue, Fender Princton Reverb '72, Modded Bugera V5, Fender Bandmaster '68, Marshall Silver Jubilee 2558
  • From: Naperville IL
  • Registered: 2007-05-23
  • Posts: 504

Re: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

ALL I CAN SAY IS
THE MAN AND HIS BAND KICKS A**
AWESOME SHOW JB!!!!

JON

MILWAUKEE HERE WE COME big_smile

  • gary
  • BONAMETAL
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  • From: Palatine Illinois by Chicago
  • Registered: 2006-08-25
  • Posts: 4,768

Re: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

OMG!I wondered if Joe could top the last show I saw,well folks he has!Joe looks and sounds better than ever.He has lost 65lbs and with some time off looks energized like never before.The band was tight,tighter than a mosquito's tweeter.The have been together now for 2 years.Joe reminded us that the current bands first show was 2 years ago at Elgin.The new songs sound specatular live.He has tweaked a little with the old songs for a breath of fresh air.The set list is designed perfectly with the faster rockin songs mixed with the more emotional ones.In keeping with the sound of TBOJH the band sounds heavy as hell.Carmine and Bogie keeping the bottom groovin and rockin.Rick as always tickling the ivory in spectactular fashion. Glad he still keeping woke up dreaming in the set,always makes my jaw drop.
     Great to see Bill S, Roy(blues Man),Nancy,Met Rev Paul,and JB#1 fan.
Special shout out to JB#1 and mrs JB#1 for the tickets.
  My girlfriend Crystal had her bonabaptism,what a show for that!

Wish I was a better writer to express what I witnessed last night,hard to put it into words.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your rock candy baby
Your hard sweet and sticky

gary's Website

  • From: Cliftonville Kent England
  • Registered: 2006-07-30
  • Posts: 2,150

Re: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

Nice reviews from Lee Bill Millionmiles & Gary and the rest of the JB fans that attended
Can't believe it's nearly 2 years since i was at that first Carmine & Rick show and also was
Sloe Gin's first appearance too with One of These Days 
What a night that was Smiley Pie Faces , Rhonda , Patty , Bill S ( and the strangeland clan) Melissa & Nico , Gary , Nancy      Elgin/Chicago loves Joe and The Boys

............................ Michael

Joe Bonamassa .......  His Greatest 3 Videos ... IMMHO   After Much Deliberation
3rd ...... Mountain Time / Rockpalast       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h01xa6NMsJo
2nd ...... Sloe Gin       /  Vienna            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRASS8O8ZnE           
1st ....... Blues Deluxe / The Borderline    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnl3E_KLxYg
  • From: West Yorkshire, England
  • Registered: 2007-08-02
  • Posts: 1,587

Re: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

Thanks for the reports guys. My excitement grows a little more with each one I read.

Hope we get to see some of your videos SgtB!

Tripsy smile

  • Registered: 2009-03-08
  • Posts: 4

Re: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

Here's a little video from last night. Not the best quality because I took it with my little Flip camera, but pretty decent sound.
http://sharing.theflip.com/session/ef06 … eo/3374586

  • SgtB
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  • Registered: 2009-03-08
  • Posts: 309

Re: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

Tripsy wrote:

Thanks for the reports guys. My excitement grows a little more with each one I read.

Hope we get to see some of your videos SgtB!

Tripsy smile

I will upload it if someone knows who can host a 1.9 gig file.

Gibson Collectors Choice #6
Joe Bonamassa Custom Shop Goldtop Unaged 1st run
Alvarez Acoustic '95
Gibson Skylark GA5-T '65, Marshall JTM45 Reissue, Fender Princton Reverb '72, Modded Bugera V5, Fender Bandmaster '68, Marshall Silver Jubilee 2558
  • From: Indianola, IA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 4,429

Re: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

bakerzz wrote:

Here's a little video from last night. Not the best quality because I took it with my little Flip camera, but pretty decent sound.
http://sharing.theflip.com/session/ef06 … eo/3374586


Thank you, Thank you, Thank you  !!!!    I loved it!!!!!
                                                             pattyluvs cool

"I'm not nice to any guitar!"      lol
                 Joe Bonamassa 05-03-12

JBLP CHILD #184
  • From: the Netherlands
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 315

Re: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

Thanks for the reviews guys!

Can't wait for my first show now..... the RAH.

Bakerzz a big thank you for the awesome video !

Joe you are so talented!

  • From: Naperville IL
  • Registered: 2007-05-23
  • Posts: 504

Re: Elgin, IL - March 7, 2009

Bakerzz
Thanks for the video !!! Know I can go back and relive "THE MAGICAL NIGHT"

Jon