Joe Bonamassa
‘Live At Radio City Music Hall’ (CD)
(Mascot Label Group/Provogue Records)
In January 2015, Joe Bonamassa took the iconic Great Stage at Radio City Music Hall for the first time for a sold-out, two-night run that allowed him to fulfil his lifelong dream of performing in one of the world’s most legendary venues.
The thirteen track CD edition of Joe Bonamassa ‘Live At Radio City Music Hall’ kicks off with ‘I Can’t Be Satisfied’ with a full electric band which consists of bassist Carmine Rojas, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member keyboardist Reese Wynans, drummer Tal Bergman, trumpeter Lee Thornburg trombonist Nick Lane and saxophonist Paulie Cerra. The thing about Bonamassa is that with every live performance and recording his voice gets stronger and stronger.
‘One Less Cross to Bear’ is available as a free track to download and for me, it is a highlight of the set as the rhythm section keeps it tight and Joe’s electric guitar just sings. Next thing you know Reese Wynans plays a glorious keyboard solo with Hammond organ before it transitions to Tal who lays down the funky drum beats.
One of the key reasons for these career-defining shows for Joe was so that he could showcase tracks from his latest album ‘Different Shades of Blue’ as a lot of those songs hadn’t been released as live tracks yet. The Vegas sounding ‘Living One the Moon’ was the first one to be played as the horn section gave it their all. The lyrics of ‘I Gave Up Everything For You, ‘Cept The Blues’ are witty and it is one of Joe’s many songs that gives all the band members an opportunity to shine.
The CD then opts for a change of pace as the band personnel changes as these Radio City Music Hall shows were also the finale of Bonamassa’s special half acoustic/half electric tour, which he showcased around the world for a year and a half. The acoustic band were called ‘The Huckleberries’ and featured on ‘An Acoustic Evening at The Vienna Opera House’ release. The members included Irish fiddler and member of The Dubliners Gerry O’Connor, Mats Wester on nyckelharpa and mandola, keyboardist and Double Trouble member Reese Wynans and legendary percussionist Lenny Castro.
‘Dust Bowl’ works beautifully as a stripped-back piece and it shows the world that Joe Bonamassa is more than ‘the blues guy’ which is a title that he has been pigeonholed into. The musicianship from both The Huckleberries and the electric band is absolutely incredible and they all join together to make the two evening a success. You can hear that egos have been left at the door when you attend a Joe Bonamassa show or buy any of his recordings.
‘Trouble Town’ has a really cowboy feel as Lenny Castro does what he does best with the song’s light percussion (he is currently touring the world with Toto actually). Another highlight for me is ‘Still Water’ which features Gerry O’Connor tender fiddle sound and was well received by the New York crowd.
The title track from his latest album is next and it incredibly emotional number which features a solo from Mats Wester and ‘Happier Times’ (a song I’d never heard before) sounds like a Phil Collins number but it is one of Joe’s own songs. I really enjoyed this song a lot and I will definitely track it down.
Joe Bonamassa is an artist like many others such as The Isley Brothers who will always miss out somebody’s favourite song. Not out of spite or anything as you can understand but because his entire catalogue spans several albums and editions it is not possible. I remember when I saw Joe at The Brighton Centre and he explained that he received an angry letter from a fan in America who drove a long way with his wife to see Joe and he didn’t play ‘Sloe Gin’. ‘Now I try and play it at as many shows as I can!’
‘Never Give All Your Heart’ reprises the electric band as Lee Thornburg and Reese Wynans create an eerie intro. On this form I don’t think it will be too long before Joe Bonamassa does residency in either New York or Las Vegas like the ones you get with Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Rod Stewart and others. The guitar notes soar like a majestic eagle and it is just magical.
‘Hidden Charms’ is an upbeat number that is well placed in the set alongside ‘Love Ain’t A Love Song’ which is a rich textured full band number that is suited to live performances. Closing with ‘So What Would I Do? Reese Wynans piano intro makes me think of Christmas and it is definitely a heartfelt number. Paulie Cerra’s saxophone solo blends really well with the song and the crowd absolutely love it. You can tell that because it is the last song of the set Joe wants to give each band member their moment and he does.
It is a very detailed and entertaining set that is available in various formats and it will be well-received by Joe’s fans all around the world. It is no surprise really that Joe will be headlining two shows in New York in 2016 at the prestigious Carnegie Hall. I will say though, if you haven’t seen Joe Bonamassa live before than have a look online and see if he is playing a show near you as you won’t be disappointed.
Glenn Sargeant
![JBNYC176_Credit_Christie_Goodwin[1]](https://justlistentothis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/JBNYC176_Credit_Christie_Goodwin1-187x300.jpg)
Joe Bonamassa ‘Live at Radio City Music Hall’ will be released on Friday 2nd October 2015 on Mascot Label Group/Provogue Records as a DVD + CD, Blu-Ray + CD packaging with a perfect bound (40-page) photo booklet inside. Also available as 2 LP and MP3.
Download a free MP3 of “One Less Cross To Bear” taken from the album ‘Live at Radio City Music Hall’ by clicking the following web link: www.unlock.fm/4uw
In addition, Joe will be performing songs from ‘Live at Radio City Music Hall’ and songs from his back catalogue on his Autumn UK Tour at the following venues:
NEWCASTLE METRO ARENA
Wednesday 21st October 2015
Ticket Prices: £45, £60, £75
Book Tickets Online: eventim.co.uk
Box Office: 0844 493 6666 / Doors: 6:30pm
Arena Way, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 7NA
www.metroradioarena.co.uk
LIVERPOOL ECHO ARENA
Friday 23rd October 2015
Ticket Prices: £45, £60, £75
Book Tickets Online: accliverpool.com
Box Office: 0844 8000 400 / Doors: 6:30pm
Echo Arena, Kings Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, L3 4FP
www.echoarena.com
LEEDS FIRST DIRECT ARENA
Saturday 24th October 2015
Ticket Prices: £45, £60, £75
Box Office: 0844 248 1585 / Doors: 6:30pm
Book Online: eventim.co.uk
Clay Pit Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 8BY
www.firstdirectarena.com
NOTTINGHAM CAPITAL FM ARENA
Sunday 25th October 2015
Ticket Prices: £45, £60, £75
Book Tickets Online: www.capitalfmarena.com
Box Office: 0843 373 3000 / Doors: 6:30pm
Bolero Square, The Lace Market, Nottingham NG1 1LA
www.capitalfmarena.com
CARDIFF MOTORPOINT ARENA
Tuesday 27th October 2015
Tickets: £35, £45, £60, £75
Book Tickets Online: Ticketmaster.co.uk
Box Office: 029 20 22 44 88 / Doors: 6:30pm
Mary Ann St, Cardiff, CF10 2EQ
www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk
BOURNEMOUTH BIC
Wednesday 28th October 2015
Ticket Prices: £35, £45, £60, £75
Book Tickets Online: bhlivetickets.com
Box Office: 0844 576 3000 / Doors: 7:30pm
Exeter Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5BH
www.bic.co.uk
BRIGHTON CENTRE
NEW DATE JUST ADDED!
Friday 30th October 2015
Ticket Prices: £35, £45, £60, £75
Book Tickets Online: Ticketmaster.co.uk
Box Office: 0844 847 1515 / Doors: 6:30pm
Kings Road, Brighton. East Sussex BN1 2GR
www.brightoncentre.co.uk
BRIGHTON CENTRE (SOLD OUT)
Saturday 31st October 2015
Ticket Prices: £35, £45, £60, £75
Book Tickets Online: Ticketmaster.co.uk
Box Office: 0844 847 1515 / Doors: 6:30pm
Kings Road, Brighton. East Sussex BN1 2GR
www.brightoncentre.co.uk
(All photos credited to Christie Goodwin. Thanks to Peter for help with review)
