Words and Photos: DJ
Blues-Rock superstar Joe Bonamassa is the king of touring. On average yearly, Joe spends over 180 days a year on the road, like a true road dog that embodies everything that is Blues Rock to the bone. Boasting an impressive discography with its humble beginnings way back in the year 2000 when his debut “A New Day Yesterday” first resurfaced, he just keeps pumping out material studio and live for all of us Blues fanatics to enjoy.
As he has become one of the most celebrated musicians performing today. A three-time GRAMMY nominee, Bonamassa earned his 25th No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart, with his latest studio album ‘Time Clocks.’ The superlatives don’t do the man justice. The tour going now is in support of his latest live offering “Tales Of Time” recorded at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre. As usual, Bonamassa is exceptional live and his master class in the Blues is always an encompassing event as we bear witness this night.
This evening we caught him live in Chattanooga, TN at the Soldiers And Sailors Memorial Auditorium. A packed house on this glorious Sunday evening got a powerful performance from Joe and company. I was curious to see how the night went, it has been a rough week for passings in the Rock circles. Bonamassa’s good friend, bandmate, and prolific and legendary session bassist Michael Rhodes we learned had just passed the night before, no doubt a tough night on many levels.
The night kicks off promptly at 8 PM and right away we are greeted with “Evil Mama” a crowd favorite for any Bonamassa die-hards. “Dust Bowl” comes rocking and the pristine guitar riffs and solos are always majestic; the quality of Joe’s guitar playing and style is immaculate. The hot picks keep coming with the emotionally charged “Self Inflicted Wounds”, where Joe’s vocals shine to complement the building guitar solo kicking things into a blues rock explosion. The hits keep coming with “A Conversation With Alice”, a modern-day Classic number that always delivers live. The ZZ Top cover of “Just Got Paid” is nice to hear live. Things close shop with Encore in “Sloe Gin”, and seemingly all ends ever too quickly. Typically what happens when you are absorbed into a brilliant world of music live.
On a particularly tough night personally for Joe he somehow keeps plowing away, doing what he does best. Bonamassa is not about flashiness or bravado, he just brings it live every night, his guitar playing is always top-notch, his vocals are usually always finding the right feel between bluesy and melodic, and with some really good musicians behind him, you really can’t leave disappointed whatsoever. This night was another successful one and if anybody hasn’t seen Joe, (hard to believe), you will surely catch him around your city given his relentless touring all year around.
Joe Bonamassa – 2023 U.S. Tour Dates
March 1 – Benedum Center – Pittsburgh, PA
March 3 – Ovens Auditorium – Charlotte, NC
March 4 – Fox Theatre – Atlanta, GA
March 5 – Soldiers And Sailors Memorial Auditorium – Chattanooga, TN
March 8 – Saenger Theatre – New Orleans, LA
March 10 – The King Center – Melbourne, FL
March 11 – The St. Augustine Amphitheatre – St. Augustine, FL
March 13 – 17 – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea VIII – Miami, FL
May 26 – Capitol Theatre – Yakima, WA
May 27 – Backroads Blues Festival – Hayden Homes Amphitheatre – Bend, OR*
May 28 – Backroads Blues Festival – Chateau Ste Michelle Winery – Woodinville, WA*
August 2 – Vina Robles Amphitheatre – Paso Robles, CA
August 4 – The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas – Las Vegas, NV
August 5 – Eccles Theater – Salt Lake City, UT
August 6 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
August 12 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY**
August 13 – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts – Bethel, NY**
December 1 – Hertz Arena – Ft. Myers, FL
December 2 – Hard Rock Live – Hollywood, FL*Featuring Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Joe Bonamassa
**Keeping the Blues Alive presents: Joe Bonamassa & Friends: Styx and Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles
May 10 – Blackpool Opera House, Blackpool
May 12 – Leeds First Direct Arena, Leeds
May 13 – Newcastle, Utilita Arena, Newcastle
May 14 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena, Birmingham
Tickets available HERE
Aug 2 – Vina Robles Amphitheatre, Paso Robles, CA
Aug 4 – The Cosmopolitan Of Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Aug 5 – Eccles Theatre, Salt Lake City, UT
Aug 6 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO
Dec 1 – Hertz Arena, Ft Myers, Fl
Dec 2 – Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Fl
About Author
