Joe Bonamassa – ‘Live At Radio City Music Hall’ Review

It would, perhaps, be easy to be cynical about yet another Joe Bonamassa live album. The man has, after all, released more live discs than studio albums to date and, of these, he’s managed a remarkable eight since 2012 (and that’s not including the live albums cut with Beth Hart and Rock Candy Funk Party). The thing is, however, that each Joe Bonamassa show is a unique and unforgettable experience as familiar songs get reinterpreted and different tracks are thrown into the mix to keep things always fresh; Joe Bonamassa has never been one to simply drag the same set list around with him (as the four-disc, four-night ‘Tour-de-force’ set ably demonstrated); and so, on this new release, it should come as no surprise that nine of the tracks haven’t appeared in live form before (many from the blistering ‘different shades of blue’ album) and that the set manages to offer something new even to the most avid Bonamassa collector. Just to put the icing on the cake, there are even two newly recorded songs on the included CD alongside a cut-back version of the live set presented on the DVD/Blu ray. Throw in a forty-five minute documentary about Joe’s experiences in playing the most prestigious venue in his home town of New York and a handsome forty-page booklet packed with photos and you have a generously apportioned set that will not only have Bonamassa fans foaming at the mouth but which also proves the perfect primer for the guitarist’s October UK tour (dates below).

Despite having played a number of amazing venues (the Royal Albert Hall, Red Rocks, the Hammersmith Apollo to name but few), Joe Bonamassa was particularly excited to play Radio City Music Hall, the legendary venue that has seen the likes of B.B. King, Tony Bennett, Dream Theater, and Stevie Wonder grace its boards, so, as a native New Yorker, it was something of a career-defining moment for Joe to play there for two consecutive, sold-out nights. As a result, Joe and his two bands (the acoustic Huckleberries and his electric touring band) are on fearsome form, delivering a memorable set of timeless tunes with all the charisma and skill that we have come to expect. As with previous releases the set starts with a short prologue tune (‘bite the big apple’) before Joe and his Huckleberries arrive on stage for a beautiful, acoustic rendition of perennial favourite ‘dust bowl’ followed by a funky version of ‘trouble town’ which is powered by Lenny Castro’s sweeping percussion and Reese Wynans’ breezy piano. The acoustic performance perfectly fits the new tracks, particularly a stunning rendition of ‘different shades of blue’ which takes on a whole new feel from its recorded counterpart and which might actually prove to be the definitive version of that poignant track. Also of note is Joe’s heartfelt introduction of the acoustic band in which he gives each of his talented musicians a moment in the spotlight in recognition of their amazing time together (two laps around the globe over a year and a half) and it’s a reminder that no matter how large the billboards with his name on them get, Joe Bonamassa is a musician who still keeps his feet very much on the ground. From there we get a couple more acoustic tracks (the amazing ‘black lung heartache’ and ‘happier times’) before Mats Wester plays a beautifully-phrased segue that marks the arrival of Joe’s mighty electric band.

And what an arrival! As the lights on Mats drop, the band is revealed with Joe front and centre ripping away at the heroic introductory solo to ‘never give all your heart’ with a fire that blazes from his fingertips and illuminates the entire stage. It’s a powerful entrance and the performance does not slow down once from there with Joe leading his band into the horn-driven swing of ‘Hidden charms’. It’s yet another reminder that few modern artists capture the life-affirming, celebratory atmosphere of the many facets of the blues with quite the skill that Joe does and, as you watch the band, you’re transported out of the mundane reality of every-day life to some swinging ball room where you dance until you drop to music that is as timeless as it is exciting. The groove doesn’t stop either. ‘Living on the moon’ is delivered with smooth, buttery brass and Lenny Castro augmenting Tal Bergman’s taut beat and it’s a wonder that any member of the audience is left seated by the track’s conclusion. Outwardly Joe maintains that sense of professional calm that travels with him everywhere, but his excitement comes through perfectly in the blistering solos that he tears into periodically, and this frequently proves to one of the most intense performances Joe has yet filmed.

In terms of filming, I was initially sceptical of the frequent split-screen effects that litter the performance, but as I settled into the concert I realised that the director had found the best way to show as much of the onstage action as possible, capturing an intimate view of all those involved rather than focussing too much on any one musician. This is something clearly seen on the funky ‘I can’t be satisfied’ in which the screen splits to show both Joe’s solo and Reese Wynans’ electric piano work, which is far more satisfying than flipping from one to the other (or ignoring one all together). The quality is pristine HD, to the point that it could easily become a reference disc for many with its bright, popping colours and rich, creamy blacks. Every detail is crisp and clear from the individual hairs on Joe’s head to the grain of the piano – it really is a beautiful looking concert and a pleasure to watch. The audio meanwhile, well, the audio is courtesy of long-time Bonamassa collaborator Kevin Shirley and it is clear that Kevin has lost none of his deft touch. Every instrument is captured with perfect clarity whether you opt for the DTS 5.1 or the stereo track and if you pump it loud it’s only just shy of actually being there. In short this is yet another blinder of a concert disc that shows just what can be done with appropriate time and care.

Focusing heavily on songs from ‘different shades of blue’, the film leaves out standards such as ‘the ballad of John Henry’, ‘sloe gin’ and ‘slow train’ in favour of less familiar fare. This is a wise choice as there’s no mileage in wearing classic songs out by placing them on every release, and it also helps to make this new live album something special. As was stated at the outset there is no such thing as just another Joe Bonamassa release, and so it transpires as Joe Bonamassa brings his mother out on stage for an emotional happy birthday that is both beautiful and heartfelt before leading his band into a devastating rendition of ‘I gave up everything for you ‘cept the blues’ which is delivered amidst a hurricane of electric guitars and tinkling ivories. The show ends with ‘so, what would I do’, a sweet, slow-blues number that lets the audience down gently after such an energetic performance. It’s the perfect ending to the perfect show and it’s hard to imagine a better, more satisfying conclusion to the year and a half of touring that Joe and his band had just been through than such an amazing show in such a perfect venue. For those willing to stay the course a little while longer there’s also the brilliant, and very interesting, documentary which charts Joe’s arrival at Radio City and which includes reminiscences, details about the technical set up of the stage and even a little bit of history on the venue itself (courtesy of an enthusiastic Kevin Shirley). It’s a particularly interesting documentary and well worth the time, capping off a package that does not just reflect Joe’s amazing music but also the fulfilment of a young man’s dream to play one of the most iconic venues in New York.

If you’re a Bonamassa fan this is yet another essential release. If you have yet to experience Bonamassa’s work, then this is a perfect introduction, offering up both that beautiful acoustic experience and that full-on rock mode that sends shivers down the spine. There’s more than enough new material here to justify splashing on this new release and the fact that it’s a complete package (with photo booklet, blu ray and CD) will also appeal to fans. Finally there’s simply the joy of witnessing one of the world’s greatest guitar players playing in one of the world’s greatest venues. It’s a concert that proves to be exciting, celebratory and full of great moments from the amazingly theatrical segue from acoustic to electric band to the down-to-earth and humble introductions of Joe’s fellow musicians and it is an absolute pleasure from start to finish.

CD TRACK LISTING:

1. 1. I Can’t Be Satisfied
2. 2. One Less Cross To Bear
3. 3. Living On The Moon
4. 4. I Gave Up Everything For You, ‘Cept The Blues
5. 5. Dust Bowl
6. 6. Trouble Town 
7. 7. Still Water    
8. 8. Different Shades Of Blue
9. 9. Happier Times
10. 10. Never Give All Your Heart
11. 11. Hidden Charms 
12. 12. Love Ain’t A Love Song
13. 13. So, What Would I Do?

VIDEO TRACK LISTING:

1. 1. Bite The Big Apple (titles)  
2. 2. Dust Bowl
3. 3.Trouble Town
4. 4. Still Water    
5. 5. Different Shades Of Blue
6. 6. The Huckleberries – Introducing the acoustic band
7. 7. Black Lung Heartache
8. 8. Happier Times
9. 9. Never Give All Your Heart
10. 10. Hidden Charms
11. 11. Living On The Moon
12. 12. I Can’t Be Satisfied
13. 13. Double Trouble
14. 14. One Less Cross To Bear    
15. 15. Love Ain’t A Love Song
16. 16. Introducing the Electric Band
17. 17. “Happy Birthday Mom!”
18. 18. I Gave Up Everything For You, ‘Cept The Blues
19. 19. So, What Would I Do?

Bonus Featurette:

1. Bite The Big Apple – (behind-the-scenes) 45 minutes