Joe Bonamassa — Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom 

Photo Credit: Zoran Veselinovic

This show was the penultimate gig on the UK leg of blues-rock guitarist and singer song-writer Joe Bonamassa’s UK 2022 tour and also formed part of the 150^th Anniversary celebrations at the world-famous Royal Albert Hall in London.

It was really lovely to see this beautiful venue being utilised again after a time of closure and uncertainty. In addition, it was exactly thirteen years and a day ago on 4^th May 2009 that Bonamassa played this venue for the very first time. A special occasion indeed. 

The house lights went down at a prompt 7.30pm with the song ‘Welcome Back’ playing through the speakers as a six-piece band took to the stage opening with the roar of ‘Evil Mama’ from Joe’s 2018 album ‘Redemption’ hitting the audience. Suited and booted with shiny brown shoes and armed with a gorgeous Red Gibson SG guitar, Bonamassa laid down a funky riff that showed just why he has such a large following. 

What followed over a set that lasted over two hours was a carefully-chosen selection of cuts from his extensive solo back catalogue including the atmospheric ‘Dustbowl’ from the 2011 album of the same name with powerful backing vocals from Jade MacRae and Dani DeAndre. The The lead guitar is fluid and pours out like hot butter. 

Soon it was time to break out the Fender Telecaster for the Las Vegas-esque ‘Love Ain’t A Love Song’ from the ‘Blues Of Desperation’ record. The omission of the horn section was a slight surprise but Josh Smith grinned like a Cheshire cat as the guitar solo arrived with such precision. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Mr Reese Wynans then treats us to a lush keyboard solo as the audience soak it all up.

Joe’s take on the late Gary Moore’s ‘Midnight Blues’ is a masterpiece and well-placed in the set alongside the moments where you feel like you are in a smoky New York jazz club withy finger-clicking and light guitar flourishes. 

The psychedelic ‘I Didn’t Think She Would Do It’ from the 2020 ‘Royal Tea’ album recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios was well received with rapturous applause and was a highlight for this scribe. 

Then we have the instrumental ‘Django’ also from the 2006 album ‘You & Me’ album and I hear elements of Pink Floyd in the guitar tone. Joe Bonamassa tells us about his dapper shoes after he was questioned about his trainers in a branch of Nandos in London. It is great seeing Joe and the band at such ease as he name-checks the band; Greg Morrow from Nashville on drums behind a Gretsch kit, Stephen Mackey keeping things groovy on the Fender Bass (Joe explained that he will return to the venue with Mr Peter Frampton in November) along with the aforementioned Wynans, MacRae and DeAndre.

Fan favourite ‘Ballad of John Henry’ saw the crowd leap to their feet as Jade MacRae sings beautifully before Joe approaches a nearby Theremin creating sounds with his guitar and hands. Hauntingly beautiful.

Given his vast back catalogue of both solo and project work, set lists for Joe Bonamassa must be no easy feat. However, the acoustic ‘Woke Up Dreaming’ taken from 2003 ‘Blues Deluxe’ record and his take on Tim Curry’s 1978 track ‘Sloe Gin’ complete with Wynans’ twinkling keyboard sends the audience off with memories of a magical evening.

In conclusion, a Joe Bonamassa live show is always exciting because you never know where he will take the evening whether it will be blues-rock, jazz funk, prog-rock, country-rock. But that’s what makes his live shows such as this on truly spectacular.