Review: Joe Bonamassa, Royal Concert Hall
There is one word that was repeated time and again after Joe Bonamassa's quite remarkable performance at the Royal Concert Hall last night – "awesome".
And some more.
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Joe Bonamassa (by Andy Lowe)
Just five years ago, the charismatic New York guitarist was playing to a few people at Nottingham's now defunct blues venue, the Running Horse, followed later with a gig at the Rescue Rooms and then at a jam-packed Rock City last year.
On that occasion, he explained what a dream it was to play there after walking past it on his way to its little sister venue.
And it's still onwards and upwards for the "new king of the blues" as he is now tagged.
But that really doesn't do justice to one of the world's greatest blues-rock, singer-song-writer guitarists, who started playing Stevie Ray Vaughan licks when he was just seven.
Now 32 and determined to keep blues to the forefront of the international music scene, Joe plays more than 200 shows worldwide every year – incorporating his Blues in Schools programme -- and last May he packed the Royal Albert Hall where he played with some of his heroes including Clapton and Paul Jones.
He is simply a master of his craft and he had the RCH audience – some of whom had paid three times the ticket price -- enthralled from start to finish of a staggering set that simply flew by.
Joe cannot be simply pigeon-holed as a 'blues guitarist', though, despite the influences of all the great American and, in particular, British legends.
His amazing finger work on his ten-minute acoustic solo Woke Up Dreaming had the crowd whooping with delight.
From the sweet, gentle sounds and subtlety of BB King, to the rock riffs reminiscent of Gary Moore and Jimmy Page, as well as the late lamented Rory Gallagher, showed he can grind out the dirty, raunchy stuff, too.
And the arrival of the 'flying v' for his encore brought roars of delight from the audience as they rose to their feet to salute a true master of his trade.
It was a memorable night and perhaps next time we might see him at the Arena. Just make sure you get a ticket.
A word also for support act Sandi Thom, the Scottish blues singer and multi-instrumentalist, who became famous for her 2006 hit, I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair)". Take the opportunity to listen to some of her stuff on YouTube. Great band, great voice . . . and not bad to look at either!
Mick Holland
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by Howard J. Blodgett, Traverse City, Michigan,USA
Sunday, December 06 2009, 4:09AM
“I saw JoBo in person three years ago at the local 300-seat college auditorium and was blown away by what I saw. I had his CDs, of course, but they don't do justice to his live shows. He was incredible. Then I bought the live Royal Albert Hall DVD, and I was just blown out of the water! It's the best concert video I've ever seen, and I was absolutely enthralled by his backing band as well--the two drummers thundering out a synchronized beat, the steady reliable bass player, and the keyboardist have to be the best backing band I've ever seen. I think JoBo is the best blues guitarist I have ever seen, and if he comes around this neck of the woods again. you can bet I'll be first in line at the ticket booth! Go Joe!!!”
by Allie Landrum, Warren, Indiana
Sunday, December 06 2009, 1:49AM
“This review hit the nail on the head...Joe Bonamassa, will be a legend in his own time. He has been to Fort Wayne, Indiana numerous times. He is an educator, and has inflenced many young artist in our area. Joe is a class act. He is passionate about what the music he creates and provides for our enjoyment. I did not have a chance to travel to England to see Joe at the RAH, but have enjoyed the live DVD several times in the comfort of my own home. I recommend buying the DVD and re-living the experience. To see Joe playing with his idol, Eric Clapton was a thrill. To see it live had to be orgrasmic. Again thank you for letting Joe's fans spread the good news and for Joe, "Keeping the Blues Alive."”
by Andy, Long Bennington
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 12:16PM
“I've been listening to Joe now for about 5 or 6 years, having been introduced to him by my brother. I saw him at the Rescue Rooms and Rock City gigs a few years ago and thought at the time... you're just too big for this Joe!
I haven't been to the Concert Hall for years, preferring smaller more intimate venues but I was pleasantly surprised how good the acoustics were and I think Joe has now found his natural stage... the performance was simply the best I've seen from any guitarist.
The guy is going to be a legend and I count myself privileged to have witnessed his meteoric rise to fame.
I have the plectrum to prove I was there when it happened!
Thanks Joe!”
by Nick Tooley, Nottingham
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 8:17PM
“Spot on review, the concert was a masterclass in Rock Blues. I took my 10 y/o son to this as his introduction to real music. That could prove to be a mistake as this doesn't get any better (until Joe writes some new songs of course. In defence of Sandy Thom I thought she was good and even bought her CD (aided by the fact she was selling them in person and signing the sleeves) but the sound let her down.”
by Robert Dean, Nottingham
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 7:29PM
“Cant fault the review on Bonamassa, it was outstanding.
The support by Sand Thom however wasnt as great as the Journalist seems to think it was. Very midddle of the road predictability and not at all as good as the surrounding publicity over her sudden rise to fame would claim”