Joe Bonamassa

Frank Roberts · December 12th, 2004, 09:03 PM

Joe Bonamassa returned to play The Garage at the Reno Hilton Friday & Saturday 12/11-12. That road warrior and his band (a 3 piece) are just monsters! The show was at once inspiring and depressing, he's that good. One of my friends said the experience would send him back to the woodshed but I replied, "I don't have that many years left!"

I first learned of Joe years ago in guitar Player magazine. They reported on a pre-teen with the chops to play on stage with B.B. King. He kinda fell off my radar until recently with an ad endorsing Chandler Guitars. So when he came to town 6months ago we went to see him. I was floored! So when he came back yesterday we were back there too. Great blues chops as well as versatility. He played one song reminscent of Eric Johnson and flawlessly threw in Billy Gibbons' signature lick from "Jesus Just Left Chicago", And Peter Frampton's "Do You Feel Like I Do?" in the same song!

On Friday, before the show, Joe came in to my friend's store, Bizarre Guitar, and bought a couple tweed amps. I'm told he was very humble and down-to-earth. I'm buying his CD's and going to see this young man (27yrs old?) whenever the opportunity arises. He deserves to make it.

Nub · December 13th, 2004, 01:08 PM

I'm a big Joe B. fan, too, especially his blues stuff. His earlier stuff is more straight rock; still awesome chops, but I like his blues stuff better.

When you're shopping for his cd's, look for "So It's Like That" from 2002. It's his rock stuff, BUT it includes a free concert DVD of mostly blues stuff... AND he plays an Esquire for a few of the songs! I've just about worn my copy out, gonna have to pick up another one!!

Frank Roberts · December 13th, 2004, 05:53 PM

Thanks Nub I'll check out "So It's Like That" from 2002.

I forgot to mention above that one of the most impressive things about Joe is how he can cover so many different styles. On his most recent CD "Had to Cry Today" he does a tribute to his "friend and mentor," Danny Gatton (who told him he needed to get into Jazz, rockabilly and chicken pickin) in the tune, "Revenge of the 10 Gallon Hat." Extremely well done. Covering that base is impressive enough yet he does so much more.

December 12th, 2004, 09:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Frank Roberts Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 242	Joe Bonamassa Joe Bonamassa returned to play The Garage at the Reno Hilton Friday & Saturday 12/11-12. That road warrior and his band (a 3 piece) are just monsters! The show was at once inspiring and depressing, he's that good. One of my friends said the experience would send him back to the woodshed but I replied, "I don't have that many years left!" I first learned of Joe years ago in guitar Player magazine. They reported on a pre-teen with the chops to play on stage with B.B. King. He kinda fell off my radar until recently with an ad endorsing Chandler Guitars. So when he came to town 6months ago we went to see him. I was floored! So when he came back yesterday we were back there too. Great blues chops as well as versatility. He played one song reminscent of Eric Johnson and flawlessly threw in Billy Gibbons' signature lick from "Jesus Just Left Chicago", And Peter Frampton's "Do You Feel Like I Do?" in the same song! On Friday, before the show, Joe came in to my friend's store, Bizarre Guitar, and bought a couple tweed amps. I'm told he was very humble and down-to-earth. I'm buying his CD's and going to see this young man (27yrs old?) whenever the opportunity arises. He deserves to make it.

December 13th, 2004, 01:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nub Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Location: SoCal Posts: 920	I'm a big Joe B. fan, too, especially his blues stuff. His earlier stuff is more straight rock; still awesome chops, but I like his blues stuff better. When you're shopping for his cd's, look for "So It's Like That" from 2002. It's his rock stuff, BUT it includes a free concert DVD of mostly blues stuff... AND he plays an Esquire for a few of the songs! I've just about worn my copy out, gonna have to pick up another one!!

December 13th, 2004, 05:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
Frank Roberts Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 242	Thanks Nub I'll check out "So It's Like That" from 2002. I forgot to mention above that one of the most impressive things about Joe is how he can cover so many different styles. On his most recent CD "Had to Cry Today" he does a tribute to his "friend and mentor," Danny Gatton (who told him he needed to get into Jazz, rockabilly and chicken pickin) in the tune, "Revenge of the 10 Gallon Hat." Extremely well done. Covering that base is impressive enough yet he does so much more.