Arriving early enough to have dinner, because I don’t have a tolerance for dining while the headline performer is on stage, there were about fifty of us waiting to be seated. Besides, we wanted to sample the rice that Joe fried up from sound check!
The week prior, I managed to group a few reservations together of Bonamassa regulars, so we would have prime seating. I guess it was prime; the young fella at our table was almost in Mark’s spot on stage. And I almost got a monitor on my foot, one I really was not expecting. Joe had kicked over the monitor located near Mark, once during each show, and stood on the base of it (I don’t think it was a speaker, perhaps another monitor). I asked a few days later about the launching of the monitor; Joe chuckled, and said, “I needed a place to stand.”
Johnny Chan got on stage to welcome us and introduce the band. Since it was St. Patrick’s Day, he renamed the venue O’Chan’s and performing is the Joe Bonamasso Band.
Many folks have noticed that Joe has not been performing with his Joe Bonamassa custom gold Fender. Lately, he has been sporting a Gibson in its place. Well, Dennis dug it out for him to perform the first two songs of the late show.
Custom you ask? According to Joe (from a February 2004 Tonequest report): "The gold sparkle strat is a Custom Shop body with a '65 neck and wiring harness and pickups. It's something that I put together."... "Eventually, all three of the pickups had to be rewound, and I had Lindy Fralin rewind them."
Chan’s was, in my opinion, more than sold out. Joe expressed the ticket count was at 160 for the early set and 140 for the late set. Even though I voiced my impression of the sold out show to Joe, I will let you in on the conversation. I am not sure what the head count is according to the fire code, but for the early show, with staff, there were probably 180-190 in the room. The outer perimeter of the room was completely lined, about thirty folks were standing, and the 160-ticket count does not include the guest list or complimentary tickets. This room should probably only hold 140, with staff.
Article comments
1 - Joan Hunt
Now you just have to tell everyone what Vegas was like in comparison!
I'm still really envious of these eight shows, Tara. I'll be grumbling about them until the day I die, I bet.
2 - Paul Roy
Wow, you REALLY like Joe Bonamassa. Can't blame you - the guy is awesome. That was a great review of what sounded like some killer shows. Joe is scheduled to play Blues Alley in Georgetown this November (finally), for three nights, two shows per night. Are you gonna be there? I definately plan on being at one of the shows.
3 - Tara
Thanks, Paul. Sure thing, he brought me back to blues, blues/rock. I am up to about 25 shows, now. He will be up here for the week of 4-July. So, their are four more shows. I have Blues Ally penciled in on my calendar.
4 - Fotopete
Excellent review Tara, Are you planning any of the upcoming East Tour? Only Kiding - see you there.
I also heard Joe's new album just hit #1 on the blues chart - yahoo.
5 - JB
Just downloaded a few JB tunes on my Mac. Great stuff. 1st time listener. He reminds me a bit of the greatest blues guitarist alive (IMHO), Gary Moore. Also, plays a Gibson. Les Paul 1959 given to him by Peter Green.
6 - JB
Oh. Don't diss East Coast blues spots .... some of the greatest and most knowledgeable fans are here.
Love to see Joe at The Iron Horse in Northampton, Mass.
One of the best blues gits of all time plays and lives here - Ronnie Earl!
7 - Tara
Hi JB,
You just missed the Iron Horse show. It was on 9-Jul. Jeff Pevar was visting Mark, too.
Cheers,
Tara