Glasgow

Sometimes, as someone who loves music and live gigs in particular, you do things on a whim just to see if you can catch on to something new. So it was with this Joe Bonamassa gig. I’d heard good things about him and even heard a couple of tracks which I liked so when I saw he was playing Glasgow I thought I’d get a ticket and have a look even though I didn't have any of his CDs. 

There was no support so Joe B and his three piece backing band came on around 8pm to an expectant roar from the sold out crowd of 800 and launched into some groovy, rocky blues. It was obvious from the start that I’d picked a winner here, the band were very, very tight, the man himself can really, really play the blues, or rock in a blues style and he actually has a very good voice, reminiscent of Paul Rodgers in places. He didn’t bother talking much and just ran together song after song for the first half of the set which flew by. There were a couple of tunes which started slow and easy and built to a crescendo in the middle with the obligatory huge guitar solos but they sounded fantastic when played by a guitarist and a band this good. Despite not doing much talking to the crowd he still managed to get a call and response section going during the second tune and for the first hour I was smiling broadly at the quality of what I was hearing and thinking of going out to get some Bonamassa albums the next day. 

The pace slowed for a nice little acoustic number which reminded me of Free. Actually while he definitely has his own style I found some similarities not only to Free but with a little Stevie Ray Vaughan mixed in and even a touch of Gary Moore’s blues efforts, the latter maybe just because they both use a Les Paul on most tunes. The second half of the set didn’t work as well though as he started to lengthen songs well beyond their natural length and get a bit self indulgent, especially in the ten minute long acoustic instrumental he did. I will admit the rest of the crowd seemed to enjoy that a lot more than me! The band came back for two encores, the second being a rare genuine one as the house lights were up but the audience didn’t move and chanted for more which they got!  

The evening ended with some slow blues which was good but if the set had just been paced better and a couple of more songs played instead of the long extended jams then this would have been a great gig instead of just a very good one. I am a convert though and this guy may well be then next blues guy to cross over to the mainstream and make it big. Keep an eye on him! 

Morecambe

There were a few nervous men in the audience, what with it being a leap year and the last day of Feb. Traditionally it means the other half can propose on this day but folk seemed more worried about the biblical weather outside, which was unreal. It was a relief to get inside and a pleasant surprise to see a full house. Even more rewarding was that the man himself took to the stage at the unearthly hour of 8.30pm. No hanging around waiting with this guy then. 

So confession time: I can’t lie when I say that I’ve only got into Joe through his last release ‘Sloe Gin’. Therefore sadly I can’t impress you all with an extensive knowledge of his set list. In fact he played little off Sloe Gin and seemed almost embarrassed by its popularity. I don’t know – these Blues guys are simply too modest for their own good! He even spurted an anecdote about how his manager rang him on a Tour bus in the US last year to inform him it had just entered the British ‘Pop Charts’ at number 22!  

It’s a tremendous record that scurries around the border’s ofr Blues, Rock and Country with such understated ease that you would think he’s a lot older than his years. Dressed in a neat black suit and trademark sunglasses Bonamassa strode onto the stage and proceeded to blow the Morecambe crowd away with some astonishing guitar playing that made me wonder why he’s not more highly rated. He’s everything Gary Moore isn’t to be quite frank and plays with a soulful touch that occasionally bursts into pyrotechnics when required. 

Strapping on a Telecaster he made it sound like a set of bagpipes! Surreal. Then at one point he plays acoustic on his own in a style that, if Eddie of the Van Halen had decided to be a country guitarist, this would have been it. Only Eddie can’t sing at the same time. Or should that be Eddie can’t sing? 

Vocally Bonamassa was also superb. His hushed, gravely tones being perfect for this kind of music. Though his speaking voice does sound a bit odd it has to be said. But hey, I’m not going to slag off a guy that not only knew where he was but also what Morecambe’s famous for. “Cockles” he pronounced in his Los Angeles drawl. Well that’s true Joe but it’s Shrimps that the Bay is world famous for but at least he bothered to find out! Clearly though he doesn’t like the cold. 

So yes he mesmerised the audience for two hours with two separate encores mixing it up between electric and acoustic. There was also some humour when he noted the security barriers at the front of the stage saying “Pantera must have left these last night” in deference to the mild manner of his shows and audience. He told one enthusiastic lady to Shssssh when he was trying to coax some feedback in a quiet song passage and at one point abandoned the mic to sing out to the audience unaided. I like Mr. Bonamassa: he knows how to put a show together and whilst he’s a virtuoso blues player you don’t get the ego like you do with some of the metal guys. A very enjoyable evening and great value for money. Others take note.

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