Joe Bonamassa is a touring machine. He and his incredibly talented band are never off the road for very long and each tour presents a history of the blues through covers of classic tracks mixed with his own originals. I’ve had the opportunity to see Joe Bonamassa many times over the years, and each time I’ve walked out thinking that he is not only one of the best guitarists on the planet, but one of the best live acts as well. This show was no different, Joe and his band exceled and left the crowd feeling like they just witnessed a giant in the blues genre.
Joe Bonamassa released his 17th solo record last July and kicked off the set with 2 of its standout tracks, the title cut “Breakthrough” and “Trigger Finger”. Joe was in fantastic voice, and his band was more than up to the task of keeping up with him. His band is made up of long-time members Josh Smith on guitar, Calvin Turner on bass, Lemar Carter on drums, and vocalists Jade MacRae and Danielle DeAndrea as well as newcomer Lachy Doley on keyboards replacing retired Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Reese Wynans. Doley was an inspired choice; he not only fits seamlessly with the vibe of the band but also adds an energy and a visual component reminiscent of Leon Russell and Nicky Hopkins.
In addition to one more song from Breakthrough (“Drive By The Exit Sign”), the set leaned heavily on Bonamassa’s 2 Blues Deluxe releases. These two releases were made up primarily of covers and helped introduce classic tracks like “Twenty-Four Hour Blues”, “It’s Hard But It’s Fair”, “Well, I Done Got Over It”, “I Want to Shout About It”, and “Pack It Up” to a whole new generation. Bonamassa’s band breathes fresh life into these songs and makes them sound as vibrant as the songs from Breakthough.
A typical Joe Bonamassa concert is about 2 solid hours of music. He doesn’t spend a lot of time addressing the crowd, although he is very funny and personable when he does. With 17 solo records, plus collaborations (his work with the great Beth Hart was represented with the Delaney & Bonnie cover “Well, Well”), there is an enormous amount of music that can’t possibly fit into a set. Unfortunately, a lot of great songs don’t get played live as the years go on. Fortunately, one of my favorite Joe Bonamassa tracks, “Driving Towards The Daylight” was dusted off and became one of the highlights of the set.
The main set ended with a brilliant cover of Irish guitar legend Rory Gallagher’s “A Million Miles Away”. After a brief encore break, the band returned for a true Joe Bonamassa classic. Joe joked that if they ever play a show without “Mountain Time” the internet turns on him and calls him names, so he makes sure it gets played. It serves as a perfect ending to a perfect night.
Aside from his own amazing catalogue, Joe Bonamassa and his Keeping The Blues Alive foundation do just that, he keeps the blues alive. He has mentored countless musicians and, through his record label, has given them a home base for their music. Bonamassa has been eligible for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for a few years now and is the embodiment of the Musical Excellence category. His own music should garner consideration and his advocacy for keeping a truly American form of music alive and thriving needs to be recogized.
