Joe Bonamassa

Show Date: October 30, 2012

Venue: The Music Hall at Fair Park, Dallas, Texas

If you’ve read any of the Boomerocity reviews of any of Joe Bonamassa’s work, you already know that I’m an huge, unabashed fan of his.  So, it should come as no surprise to you when I say that Tuesday night’s performance by Joe Bonamassa completely bowled me over. 

From the opening five song acoustical set (Palm Trees, Helicopters and Gasoline; a cover of the Bad Company tune, Seagull; Dislocated Boy (including the first time I’ve ever witnessed a bongo solo); Driving Towards the Daylight (a Boomerocity favorite); and Woke Up Dreaming) all the way through Joe’s two encores (Sloe Gin and Just Got Paid), the entire 18 song show was over-the-top phenomenal.

Bonamassa thrilled the crowds with both his song selection as well as his legendary prowess on the guitar – especially his smokin’ hot solos on the Howlin’ Wolf classic, Who’s Been Talking and his cover of the Gary Moore tune, Midnight Blues.

I was especially – and very – pleasantly surprised when Joe introduced the crowd to a remarkable, young, up-and-coming guitarist I’ve been following for a couple of years now: Ryan McGarvey.  The two guitar slingers wowed the crowd on the Freddie King tune, Look Over Yonders Wall and the Jeff Beck tune, Blues Deluxe.  I’m pretty certain quite a few folks went home and looked up McGarvey’s excellent solo work and are adding it to their listening library as I write this.

Accompanying Joe on stage was the same band joining him on the concert DVD, Joe Bonamassa Live From New York – Beacon Theatre and they were playing absolutely flawlessly on each and every song.  Rick Melick’s wizardry on keyboards was evident throughout the evening (as well as his generosity in loaning Joe his sunglasses after discovering that he started the show without his signature shades) as was Carmine Rojas’ incredible bass work.  Tal Bergman’s drum work (and the aforementioned bongo solo) was incredible – especially his solo during Joe’s cover of the Mose Allison tune, Young Man Blues.

If you’ve never seen Joe Bonamassa perform life, you will definitely want to add that experience onto your bucket list of things to do while you’re still breathing.  Once you do, you’ll want to see him every chance you get.