When Joe Bonamassa’s dad showed his young son the video of Cream’s Farewell concert from London’s Royal Albert Hall little did he know where it would ultimately lead them.
Watching spellbound, the young Joe calmly declared that he was going to be a guitar player and would one day play in the same majestic surroundings that he had just seen.
We all have dreams. I was going to play professional football and my best mate was going to be a rock star. The thing with Joe though is that he actually made it happen. On the 4th May 2009 clutching his Gibson he walked out onto that very stage and delivered a truly stunning performance.
That night has been superbly captured on the double disc DVD release, Joe Bonamassa Live From The Royal Albert Hall. It acts as living proof that dreams can indeed come true. Not only that but he is joined on stage for part of the concert by none other than Eric Clapton, the man who had inspired him in such a life defining way all those years ago.
In many ways, watching Joe play this venue is the culmination of years of belief many of us had in this young guy from New York. I saw him several times on his earlier low-key forays into the London scene at intimate venues such as the superb Borderline club near Oxford Street. There I had stood right up by the modest stage marveling as he played some of the coolest guitar I had seen since, well, yes, Eric Clapton.
Totally devoid of rock star attitude, and lacking anything resembling arrogance you can’t help but like the guy. He lets his incredible skill do the talking in a well chosen, brilliantly paced, electrifying set that fully justifies why we were rabidly enthusing over his arrival a few years back.
It is a skill that has already seen him named as Guitar Player Magazine’s Best Blues Guitarist in 2007, 2008 and again in 2009. In that time, of course, he has built a huge army of admirers. Let’s face it, Eric Clapton doesn’t pitch up for any old guitar player does he?
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Article comments
1 - Paul Roy
Great review Jeff. This is at the top of my Best of 2009 list right now.
2 - Jeff
Thank you Paul - you're right it doesn't get much better than this.