I want to take a moment here to thank Joe for chatting with me after the show, and enlightening me on his future vision of Boston. What venues he wants to headline, and which ones he does not.
So, surviving through work on minimal sleep, I ventured into Bean Town for the second night of shows. Here is the Sculler’s set list for Wednesday night:
EARLY SHOW
• Takin the Hit
• Walk in my Shadow
• Blues Deluxe
• Mountain Time
• Bridge to Better Days
• A New Day Yesterday/Spoonful Tease/Bass solo/Drum solo
• Miss You, Hate You-Acoustic
• Woke up Dreaming
• Bass solo/Had to Cry Today/Drum solo/Heart of the Sunrise/Starship Trooper
Encore
• Asking Around for You/Bass solo
LATE SHOW
• You Upset Me Baby
• Blues Deluxe
• Mountain Time
• Bridge to Better Days
• A New Day Yesterday/Spoonful Tease/Bass solo
• Woke up Dreaming
• The River
• Burning Hell w/sing-a-long
Encore
• Asking Around for You/Bass solo
So, here is the skinny about what Joe and I chatted about. He wants his audience seated. Most of his ticket holders are 45 or older. He would also like his shows to be for all ages. Yes, there were minors at all seven club events that I went to. We talked about venues that I have been pursuing, and the ones that he wants to headline in the future, sooner rather than later.
For the Boston region fans, in reference to Sculler’s, they did do much better on the seating this time around. They refrained from seating a lot of people behind the beam. Now, let’s look at it from the artist's point of view. Sculler’s is paying what Joe and the band what they ask for. They each get their own room and all meals (this club is located in a hotel) are included. However, they did not get much rest this time around; the roof was in the process of being repaired. Anyway, the perks listed above are why Joe is happy at this venue and probably will not go to another Boston venue anytime soon.
So, do I really have to elaborate on how awesome and spectacular these eight performances are? Overdose of live Bonamassa? It's more like withdrawals until the next two shows in Las Vegas.
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