From A Fan's Eye: Joe Bonamassa at Lousiville Palace
Well folks...if you didn't already realize, Joe Bonamassa doesn't sit home very long. The slogan "Always On The Road", which graces the side of the BonaCruiser, an 18-wheeler to carry sound/lighting equipment from gig to gig, says it all! 
Joe's back out on the road, treking across America, keeping the blues alive and entertaining thousands of American citizens. The Fall Tour USA 2013 kicked off November 2, 2013 in Cleveland, Ohio. Future stops include Richmond's Landmark Theater, Charlotte's Ovens Auditorium and Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall. The tour ends in San Diego on December 14, 2013.
From all fan and press accountings, Joe's rockin audiences with an unique format: Joe Bonamassa (acoustic) opens for Joe Bonamassa (electric). The world-class acoustic band assembled by long-time music producer Kevin "Caveman" Shirley for the (now) infamous Vienna Opera House performance of July 4, 2012, is out on the road with Bonamassa's standard electric line-up of Tal Bergman, drums, Carmine Rojas, bass and Derek Sherinian, keyboards.
Because there are no bookings close enough to my hometown, I thought Deb's Music Stop would feature a fellow BonaHolic's (an advid Joe Bonamassa fan) first-hand impression of the concert she attended.
Please welcome, Mary Moore, from Kentucky.
The set list for Acoustic set, with Gerry O'Conner, Derek Sherinian, Lenny Castro, Mats Wester and Joe Bonamassa:
Woke Up Dreaming
Seagull
Jelly Roll
Black Lung Heartache
Around the Bend
Jockey Full of Bourbon
Stones in my Passway
Ball Peen Hammer
Athens to Athens
The set list for Electric set, with Tal Bergman, Carmine Rojas, Derek Sherinian, Lenny Castro and Joe Bonamassa:
Dust Bowl
Who's Been Talking
Midnight Blues
Dislocated Boy
Driving Towards the Daylight
Slow Train
Yonders Wall
Sloe Gin
John Henry
Encore
Django / Mountain Time
Meet and Greet was wonderful. Erdrago (Erin) and her dad were there with us. So great to share it with someone from the forum. Joe was a few minutes late. I recognized Clay, his tour manager before I did Joe. He looks so normal without that suit and sunglasses. He was very nice and chatting with everyone. Clay was his ominous self.
We had a gift bag for Joe with some goodies (Kentucky Bourbon, Funny Socks that had wine glasses and others with Guitars, and Ice Cube tray with Guitar Shapes). He said he would share the Bourbon with Tal. (I know he is a wine drinker but we live in Kentucky and Bourbon is king.) I had on my new Street Team shirt from Tribute. Joe said, "Is that one of ours?" I said, "Of course." He laughed and said," I need to stay on top of stuff more because I did not know about that one." He was very relaxed and not in a hurry at all. THANK YOU JOE!!!!
We waited for Erin, who got a huge hug from Joe. She and I did the jump up and down dance outside. "Woo Hoo." We met Joe. Got great seats, Pit Row 1, center seats 1 and 2. Right smack dab in front of Joe and his microphone.
The show was just like heaven. It went by so fast. Highlights from Acoustic for me were: "Black Lung Heartache", "Around the Bend". (A dream of mine to see Joe play this.) Security stopped me from filming this. Joe did not like that. "Stones in my Passway" and "Athens to Athens" were the best by far, in my mind. Just can't tell you how good it was to see Mats, Gerry and Lenny with Joe. Like being at Vienna. Stellar group and so tight. Loved it.
After a short break (when I got to meet Lizzee (Liz H.) from the forum, the electric set began. Just wonderful. He opened with my husband's favorite "Dust Bowl". It just got better after that. Not a missed note and saw lots of lovely guitars. Highlights are guitar solo on "Who's Been Talking" and "Dislocated Boy" was scorching hot. Oh my! I have never expected that solo. Just a ++++. "Midnight Blues" again so sweet, mellow, and haunting. Joe just blew my doors off all night. "Look Over Yonders Wall" was exceptional. Greg Martin from Kentucky Head Hunters was a guest with his lovely '58 Les Paul. The "Ballad of John Henry" should be the Encore. He was so smoking hot and the band just went with him. Unreal.
Actual Encore was "Django/Mountain Time". Being in the front row and watching him do that magic song was one of the best moments of my life. Magic. The mix on this song at the end went a bit over our heads but that's okay. I still loved it.
Last tidbits are: Joe joked about how to pronounce Louisville. Which is a funny story if you live here. Song played when lights out was Bone Pony countrified version of "Highway to Hell". Very appropriate. Enjoyed the new light show. Very good. Liked the drums and piano raised so you can really see what they are doing. Derek did a great job. Show lasted until 10:40 even with two less songs from the Cleveland show. Just fabulous. Only real issues were that Joe got mad at the end of the show. Two guys moved up from about three rows back from me. They sat down beside me for the Encore. The song had ended and the security guard came over and loudly told them they had to go back to their seats. Joe stopped in the middle of his final introductions to tell the guy, "Stop. It's okay. Leave them alone." Then Joe resumed his introductions and final bow.
The best show yet. Only 138 days until I see him again.
For more on Joe Bonamassa, including complete tour dates and ticket information, visit the official website and musician page on Facebook.
Related Joe Bonamassa articles include: Hart/Bonamassa's Seesaw, More Joe and An Acoustic Evening, The Week in Joe Reviews Rock Candy Funk Party, to name but a few.
Feel free to message me anytime with questions or comments.
Yours in music,
DebFromMaine Hebert
Photos courtesty of J & R Adventures and Mary Moore. All rights reserved. 2013.
