Bonamassa!

[paulster]

Have you listened to the Ballad of John Henry CD?

I love that one.

I want to get his latest as well.

I wouldn't get overly excited about the new one (Black Rock) if you haven't heard it as it sounds like it was recorded in a rush compared to all the other albums, and doesn't feel (to me) to have the same inspiration. It's not bad by any means, but I don't think it's nearly as strong and the mix on the guitars is nowhere near as good as usual.

John Henry is a great album, but I think you've got to go a long way to top Sloe Gin as an album and a track in particular. That album seems to have the combination of great songs, great playing, great tone and great production all in one package.

If you want a great live performance then get the Rockpalast DVD, from way back when, when he was performing with a three-piece band. It's really raw and really bluesy, if you know what I mean!

[Sonny ReVerb]

I just don't find the majority of his music compelling. It's like it's too sterile or white, for lack of a better term. Is it just me or what? Enlighten me if you please.

I tend to agree. Overall, his music doesn't excite me for some reason. It seems as though the songs are too similar or something.

[Structo]

I recently introduced my wife to Joe's music.
She likes modern blues with more of a rock vibe.

Anyway, she loves the John Henry CD and plays it anytime she is in her car.

Then we watched the Albert Hall concert show on Palladia and she goes, man that ruined the image I had of him.
She pictured a tough looking dude with a rough physique showing life's journey on his face.
She asked me, how old he is and I said I think he is 33.
she said he looked like he was an old man.

Mind you we are both in our mid 50's.
I suppose the fact that he wore sun glasses the entire show didn't help.

What I really enjoyed was the sound quality of the recording.
Of course I had it blasting out of my 7.1 receiver.

I like the fact that even though he jammed a bit on the solos, he didn't stray far from the CD as far as the arrangements went.

Too many times when I had gone to concerts in the old days, my favorite group would come on and I could hardly recognize their "bullet" song.
Different guitar parts, tone, arrangements.

Mostly due to crappy sound systems then and also because their tone did not match that of the album.
I remember going to see the Outlaws in 1979.
It was at a ice skating rink, yeah they covered the floor with plywood.
But the acoustics were beyond terrible.
The PA was distorted and the sound waves were bouncing all over the place with the low end bass just kind of reverberating all over.

Molly Hatchet opened for the Outlaws and we suffered through that.
Then the Outlaws came on and I didn't think it possible but they turned up the volume even higher.
The songs weren't recognizable and we left after the second tune.

Anyway, sorry for the derail but I just wanted to comment on Joe's live sound, awesome!

[blinddog]

I was never that overwhelmed by his playing but he and Robert Randolph did a very good job re-lighting that Eric/Duane (or more recently Eric/Derek) flame at Crossroads this year. Playing against and with each other. One of the other higher points although Derek Trucks and Warren Hayes took turns playing slide with David Hidalgo and Cesar Rojas including a cover of Wolf's 300 lbs of heavenly joy( too bad Hubert Sumlin was still backstage for that one, he did do Killing Floor, later).

Joe then did an acoustic gig on the Ernie Ball Stage as it was really just too hot and muggy to do a clinic.

Happy 4th All

[C Moore]

I have never been a big fan........ I did enjoy that little trio he had with Kenny and Eric. But since then...... I realize he is a very hard working, and capable player. Just something about his sound that wears on me, maybe he has too much of a hard rock tone for me. My ears are much more in tune with a guy like Sean Costello.
I doubt Joe will loose any sleep over my opinions
I have seen him play clubs with four 100 Watt heads, and have seen other players in the same venue plugged straight into a single 30 watt Dr Z. Guess I have a Joe B metal block, and I really cannot explain why. He is a damn good player and I understand why he has a devout following.
Guess I would rather see/hear a guy like Marc Ford.
Joe has been working hard for a long time and deserves his success. Best of luck to him and his music fans.