Joe Bonamassa

[Chocaholic]

Just Joe messing around with an old axe...

https://www.facebook.com/JoeBonamassa/videos/10155157024974659/

And in action with another old axe (59 Les Paul)...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSQwj3s8Y4s

Saw him in Savannah a couple weeks ago. Just awesome..

[jhynesrockmtn]

I listened to a great interview with Derek Trucks on the WTF podcast with Mark Maron. Part of the discussion was the generation of kid guitar phenoms that came up at the same time. He mentioned Bonamassa, Jonnie Lang, etc. Funny bit about them being at the same gigs at times and how their parents dealt with them. Worth a listen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1HnNkhyJak

[TheMentat]

Great guitarist. I'm not a big fan of his "standard fare" music though. I prefer his smaller projects:

[Don Ro]

I'll probably catch hell for this, but Joe B. does nothing for me. He's quick, has obvious technical talent, but I just don't get that "feeling" when I listen to and/or watch him.
OK, ducking for cover...
...he almost reminds me of a blues guitarist version of Michael Bolton.
.
As you were, boys.

[astrochex]

^I have exactly the same opinion. I've watched a few live pieces on TV, but like you, I don't get the feeling when listening.

[targa911S]

yep I feel the same way. Pays Clapton to show up at his gigs to sit in. Rich kid with toys.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Don Ro

I'll probably catch hell for this, but Joe B. does nothing for me. He's quick, has obvious technical talent, but I just don't get that "feeling" when I listen to and/or watch him.
OK, ducking for cover...
...he almost reminds me of a blues guitarist version of Michael Bolton.
.
As you were, boys.

I used to think the same thing... but then I have a blues station on my Pandora and found myself giving a thumbs up to a few of his songs with out even knowing it was him playing.

59 Les Paul? Yikes! How many tens of thousands are those going for nowadays?

[Chocaholic]

I guess I appreciate a clean (no drugs) hard working (300 shows/yr), talented and passionate musician. Love the Hammond B3 that often accompanies and of course...he's a great showman. The more I hear, the more I like.

[BeyGon]

I always liked him on TV, good concerts, good shows, but I saw him live at Doheney Blues and didn't like him at all, seemed like punk rock.

[asphaltgambler]

If some of you are not moved by his playing - check out his collaboration with Beth Hart. Her ragged soulful singing (like you're sure on the next note she'll cough up a kidney) and Joe's searing licks on the axe are stuff rarely played today.

Check them out on U tube. Re- effin- diculously good. Like legendary good. I feel some of their best work together are in small venues. Enjoy.

[asphaltgambler]

Also - his take on 'Just Got Paid Today' live is prolly the best..........ever

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

?....with out even knowing it was him playing

In a nutshell, that's the issue.

He has no signature.

While a part of an artists sound is his gear SVR, Clapton, Gilmore, Slash, Gibbons, Bb King, Page, etc... all have a signature style that you immediately recognize regardless of what genre of music they area playing or what gear they happen to be using.

[KFC911]

I've posted this before, but I saw Derek Trucks play his first public performance when he was 9 years old...he sat in a few songs with a local band in a small blues club in Jax, Fl. He'd only been playing 6 months, and was channeling Duane . Two years later, he played a large outdoor show on the Riverwalk followed by some much bigger kid called Lightening Joe (13 yrs old) who was emulating SRV at the time. Now JB has payed his dues, but he just doesn't take me "there", whereas Derek has that special "it" (can't put it into words) that does...whether esoteric, mystical stuff or blues....his wife doesn't suck either . Different strokes for different folks...both have serious chops and have earned it the hard way imo.

I used to be a blues hound....have seen literally thousands of shows...mostly clubs, etc. Both "kids" were destined at a young age and deserve their props imo...it was obvious what awaited them even way back when.

[Jeff Higgins]

No soul, no feeling, no heart. He knows what to do - he just doesn't know why.

[scottmandue]

Joe definitely has some chops but I don't see much stage presence...

I mean, he is no Esteban!

https://youtu.be/23x59neYlJ8

[MMiller]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

No soul, no feeling, no heart. He knows what to do - he just doesn't know why.

This is not correct. This whole conversation is subjective, so we all have an opinion.
I'm ok that you don't enjoy his art. I don't see you're in a position to say the man has no soul, feeling, heart....

I have had the pleasure of seeing his show... Enjoyed it every bit as much as seeing SRV.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by MMiller

This is not correct. This whole conversation is subjective, so we all have an opinion.

You start out by saying my opinion is not correct, then go on to say this is all subjective, and we all have an opinion. Weird...

Originally Posted by MMiller

I'm ok that you don't enjoy his art.

I never said I do not like his music. As a matter of fact, I have quite a few of his CD's and have gone to see him. And I really don't care what you are o.k. with - these are all just opinions and tastes. You are in no position to validate or invalidate mine.

Originally Posted by MMiller

I don't see you're in a position to say the man has no soul, feeling, heart....

I am in a position to state my opinion about his music. We are discussing his music, not the man. He simply does not convey it in his music.

Originally Posted by MMiller

I have had the pleasure of seeing his show... Enjoyed it every bit as much as seeing SRV.

SRV didn't have "it" either, so no wonder you compare the two. And, before you say it, I like SRV and own copies of most of what he recorded. Never did see him live though - my loss. Anyway, he was well on his way, but died way too early. My favorite recording is when he sat in with Albert King on one of Ian Anderson's (of Jethro Tull fame) In Session television episodes. Albert King was very much the old mentor, instructing the budding young "fiddler" (as Mr. King referred to him). Albert King's music conveyed a great deal of feeling, heart, and soul. Stevie Ray Vaughn's was getting there. Joe Bonamassa has a long, long ways to go. Still good music, though, with a great deal of technical prowess.

[MMiller]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

SRV didn't have "it" either, .

Tell me more about the "it" that SRV didn't have.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

He knows what to do - he just doesn't know why.

This is I agree with

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

SRV didn't have "it" either, so no wonder you compare the two.

This I do not agree with.

I remember the first time I heard Stevie. Walking through a mall with some friends and the high end electronics shop had a rack system out front with the first album cranking. We all stopped and our jaws hit the floor. We stood there and listened to the first side then stayed when the sales guy came out and flipped on the second side. After it was done we all went to the record shop and bought a copy.

Lenny brings me close to tears every time I hear it and as sacrilegious as this my sound I like his version of Little Wing better. It's emotionally more evocative than the original. Hendrix delivered the emotion through the lyrics. SRV delivered IMHO a more emotional rendition without vocals.

SRV reignited interest in the blues and introduced it to a whole new generation. No SRV and Bonamossa is probably playing dives for gas money and beer.

There was no one who had a bigger impact on the resurgence of the blues in the last 30 years.

That's my opinion.

[Chocaholic]

I don't think you can make a guitar sing like JB, SRV, EC, etc without heart, soul and feeling. That's the magic that separates the greats from hacks like me. Years of lessons and practice and I can't string three notes together with the feel and texture of any of those guys. No, I'll have to respectfully disagree Jeff. Regardless of how anyone feels about any accomplished musician, without those three ingredients there is no gift. These guys are all very gifted.

Just my opinion.