Few contemporary artists have been quite as prolific with regards live releases as Joe Bonamassa, whose live album tally now eclipses his studio output. While this might feel excessive, the live arena is where Joe has always excelled and, with no disrespect intended towards his excellent studio output, it is to Joe’s remarkable live offerings that I turn the most frequently. The reasons for this are twofold. Firstly, there’s the fact that Joe, always with a crack live band in tow, has a penchant for challenging himself with every live offering, always seeking to improve upon what has gone before. Secondly, there’s a rawness to Joe on stage that is palpable even when watching at a remove, with the result that every live release is as much an event as the shows themselves.
The Package
Even by the lofty standards of his previous live releases, Joe’s return to Red Rocks is an audio-visual feast, and this package is the perfect memento of an auspicious event. Available in three formats – triple vinyl, CD/DVD digipack and CD/Blu Ray Digipack, it is good to have the audio-visual elements packaged together, although the trade off is that the CD is a cut-down and re-sequenced version of the show, featuring ten tracks to the DVD’s fifteen. The full audio is available on the triple vinyl set, of course, but there’s no DVD in the package, which feels a little like a missed opportunity. Otherwise, this is a generous set and, for those buying the audio-visual version, there are three bonus cuts to enjoy, including an expansive Ballad of John Henry. Finally, the decent booklet features a brief note from Joe, full production credits and some stunning photography from Jenise Jensen. In short, Provogue have pulled it out of the bag, offering a comprehensive package that fans will want to add to their collection.
The Feature
Fire up the blu ray and the first thing you’ll notice is the striking quality of the visuals. As the ethereal Dawn Of Time ripples from the speakers, director Scot McFadyen’s camera roams over the glorious Red Rocks venue, before a time-lapse shot shows us the complex set-up of a Joe Bonamassa show. It sets the stage nicely before the band explode into the Led Zeppelin-isms of a meaty Notches. It’s a very different band this time out and, while Reese Wynans (keys), Mahalia Barnes and Jade MacRae (vocals) remain, Joe has welcomed several newcomers into the fold, including Lemar Carter (drums), Calvin Turner (bass), Dannielle De Andrea (vocals) and Josh Smith (guitar), all of whom provide Joe with a thunderous backing. It’s not only the band that has changed. Joe now has visuals projected onto a giant backdrop behind the stage, combining elements of Pink Floyd, The Grateful Dead and Unledded-era Page and Plant into a compelling, mildly psychedelic tapestry that is perfectly suited to both the Red Rocks location and the music. Of course, while Joe’s blazing rock heart is very much on display for this release, there’s still plenty of blues, not least the slinky The Heart That Never Waits, a mid-paced barroom brawl with a sweet beat and a chorus that just won’t quit. The Led Zeppelin vibe returns on the immense Curtain Call, all chunky power chords, and Kashmir strings. It’s aided immeasurably by Kevin Shirley’s richly textured production (especially noticeable in the immersive 5.1 mix) and, when Joe unleashes the eerie sound of the Theremin, it brings goosebumps as the sound pans around the speakers. Having effectively demolished Red Rocks, it’s time for a calmer moment, and the lovely Mind’s Eye provides Joe with a self-penned ballad to match the beauty of his take on Sloe Gin. In contrast, Questions and Answers has a soulful Beth Hart vibe and a twinkle in its eye, although it’s the stinging solo that highlights the emotions simmering just beneath the surface.
With the show in full swing, the mid-section truly flies. From the slow-burning The Loyal Kind, a track that builds to one hell of a bruising finale, through the smoother waters of Known Unknowns to the Pink Floyd-influenced Time Clocks itself, it’s a thrilling masterclass in heavy, heavy blues and grandstanding prog, with Joe and his band holding the audience in the palms of their hands throughout. It’s an awe-inspiring display and, judging by the roar of the crowd, well-received.
With Time Clocks done and dusted, it’s time to bring the set home and, for the final third, Joe offers up some well-worn classics, including a blazing Evil Mama and a typically elegant take on Midnight Blues, long a staple of Joe’s live sets. Even better, there’s a bristling, jazz-infused take on Redemption highlight “Just ‘Cos You Can Don’t Mean You Should”, which is expanded by almost two minutes, providing even more space for Joe’s wah-inflected guitar shenanigans. It also benefits from a remarkable performance behind the kit from Lemar, who really shines here. For the finale, Joe leads his band through the epic Mountain Time, a track that seems perfectly suited to the location and, as an eagle soars across the giant screens flanking the stage, Joe lets the song build and build to a final chorus that seems to ring out across the whole of Colorado.
Final Thoughts
Every Joe Bonamassa show has a unique identity. From the four-part love letter to London that was Tour-de-Force, via the brass-soaked Live At The Greek Theatre, to the astonishing acoustic set of Live At Carnegie Hall, you can never take anything for granted, and each of the eighteen releases to date captures a snapshot of Joe’s remarkable progress as a musician and song-writer. With Tales of Time, we find Joe once again at the legendary Red Rocks, indulging in a harder sound that sits somewhere between Led Zeppelin’s heavy, heavy, Cream-influenced rock and Pink Floyd’s latter-day output. Still tethered to the blues, but with a little more space for interpretation, it’s an epic show and a reminder that Joe’s influences are broad and his desire to experiment unabated. Beautifully shot and edited, with a surround sound mix that does the music full justice, this is a remarkable memento of what must have been a truly spectacular night. 9.5/10
For more information on ‘Tales Of Time’ and to purchase tickets to Bonamassa’s upcoming tour, please visit https://jbonamassa.com
‘Tales Of Time’ by Joe Bonamassa (CD)
1. Notches
2. The Heart That Never Waits
3. Curtain Call
4. Mind’s Eye
5. Questions And Answers
6. The Loyal Kind
7. Known Unknowns
8. Time Clocks
9. Just ‘Cos You Can Don’t Mean You Should
10. Evil Mama
‘Tales Of Time’ by Joe Bonamassa (DVD/BR)
1. Notches
2. The Heart That Never Waits
3. Curtain Call
4. Mind’s Eye
5. Questions And Answers
6. The Loyal Kind
7. Known Unknowns
8. Time Clocks
9. Evil Mama
10. Midnight Blues
11. I Didn’t Think She Would Do It
12. Just ‘Cos You Can Don’t Mean You Should
13. Mountain Time
Bonus:
1. Dust Bowl
2. Band Intros
3. The Ballad Of John Henry
‘Tales Of Time’ by Joe Bonamassa (3 LP 180 Gram Vinyl)
1. Notches
2. The Heart That Never Waits
3. Curtain Call
4. Mind’s Eye
5. Questions And Answers
6. The Loyal Kind
7. Known Unknowns
8. Time Clocks
9. Dust Bowl
10. Evil Mama
11. Midnight Blues
12. Just ‘Cos You Can Don’t Mean You Should
13. Mountain Time
14. I Didn’t Think She Would Do It
15. The Ballad Of John Henry
Joe Bonamassa – 2023 U.K. Tour Dates
Tickets: https://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
May 9 – International Centre – Bournemouth, UK
May 10 – Opera House, Blackpool, UK
May 12 – First Direct Arena – Leeds, UK
May 13 – Utilita Arena – Newcastle, UK
May 14 – Utilita Arena – Birmingham, UK
Joe Bonamassa – 2023 U.S. Tour Dates
Tickets: https://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
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
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