I don’t know if it’s the doughnuts or a stick of Blackpool rock, but whatever it is Joe Bonamassa can’t keep away from Blackpool. From his first visit in 2006 for his second ever UK show, he has been back many times. This is Joe’s fourth visit to the Magical Opera House and the perfect venue for the incredible artist that Joe is and with him his talented band.
As Joe hit the stage with ‘Evil Mama’ from his ‘Redemption’ album, you just knew this was going to be an epic night. Joe was heavy with his trusty Les Paul, cranking it up through a multitude of amps on the stage, accompanied by some awesome Hammond playing from Reese Wynans on this one. The band rocked, with a big shout out to his two fabulous backing singers. Strapping on his Gibson 355 Joe slid into one cool version of ‘Dust Bowl’… wow the band are as tight as tonight! And what soul there is in Joe’s fingers, as he weaves his magic on the fretboard. Lemar Carter on drums was on fire, driving the band with that grove… sublime.
Strat time and we have the wonderful ‘Love Ain’t a Love Song’ from ‘Different Shades of Blue’, with some tasty delicate playing and soulful backing singing. ‘Self Inflicted Wounds’, again from ‘Redemption’ was majestic and beautiful with Joe weaving his way through this one, accompanied by the backing singers, once again perfectly complimenting the song. Some incredible vocals here. ‘Breaking Up Someone’s Home’ from ‘Live at the Greek’ is next and the Gibson 355 looks and sounds so right on this one. Next is the Coco Montoya song ‘I Wanna Shout About It’, with an audience sing along. Strapping on the big red 355 again, Joe channels his inner Otis Rush on the excellent ‘Double Trouble’… you could hear a pin drop as he turns it down. Joe sure can play the blues.
The frantic ‘I Didn’t Think She Could Do It’ from the excellent ‘Royal Tea’ album. The haunting beauty that is ‘Happier Times’ – a Gibson SG never sounded so sweet. ‘Lonely Boy’ sees Joe strap on the Telecaster but it’s Josh Smith letting rip on his Ibanez Tele that steals the thunder on this one and as Joe says of Josh, “he is the best guitarist on the stage tonight.”
Some honky-tonk piano from Reece before Joe let’s the telecaster rip, Wow wow wow is all I can say as, a quick Hammond fury allows Joe just enough time to swap the Telecaster for the Flying V finishing the song and going straight into the ZZ Top classic ‘Just Got Paid Today’. Boy, Joe is in overdrive now, the Flying V perfect for the chunky riff, Joe struts every inch of the Opera House stage with an understated air of confidence slaying all before with his axe.
Joe’s inner Page comes out as he uses his Theremin dipping into a bit of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Dazed and Confused’ before it’s all over. But Joe and the band quickly return to the stage to great delight and we are given the most amazing version of the sublime ‘Mountain Time’, nearly 15 minutes of pure bliss – a telecaster has never sounded so good. Joe’s guitar playing is smooth like honey and as in the words of ‘Mountain Time’, “it takes me somewhere and it’s good to be there” which leaves me feeling truly satisfied.
When you have such a vast back catalogue of songs to chose from, the thirteen songs Joe played almost feels like you have been short changed. Like when you get a bag of donuts and there are only a few in there, but when you taste one you realise that these are the best god damn donuts you have ever tasted. And that was tonight – Joe didn’t play all my favourites but the 2 hour 20 minute set was sublime. The best god damn show I have seen him play and I have seen a few going back to 2007. If you haven’t got a ticket for a show on this tour, then get one and that’s an order! You won’t be disappointed.
Review & photos by David Pickles
GALLERY
Joe Bonamassa – May UK Tour 2023
May 9 Bournemouth International Centre
May 10 Blackpool Opera House
May 12 Leeds First Direct Arena
May 13 Newcastle, Utilita Arena
May 14 Birmingham, Utilita Arena
Tickets available HERE
