Review: Joe Bonamassa – Live At Radio City Music Hall

Provogue Records(2015)

Reviewer: Dan Mann

Joe Bonamassa is back with another live album ‘Live At Radio City Music Hall’ comprising 13 tracks and which was recorded at one of the World’s iconic music venues and features over 75 minutes of music, including two newly recorded songs, and the DVD/Blu raycomprises 19 tracks and is over 2.5 hours of live footage, plus a special 45-minute behind-the-scenes featurette. So you could say plenty of bang for your buck!

As someone whose been a Bonamassa fan from way back after hearing his Bloodline release back in the mid 90’s, I always look forward to something new.

The DVD/Blu ray is split into two halves with Bonamassa once again teaming up with The Huckleberries, who we last saw/heard on the An Acoustic Evening At The Vienna Opera House for the first half of blues, and then we’re back to Joe’s touring band for the ‘electric’ second half

Starting off with ‘I Can’t Be Satisfied‘ there’s that wonderful sound of the horn section as well as the distinctive Hammond organ. Yes there are no surprises but that’s not the point, what your getting is well constructed and recorded blues. ‘One Less Cross To Bear‘ follows with a rather nifty drum performance.

The following tracks are all pretty much upbeat with plenty of the Huckleberries horn & percussion, making it very accessible for those people still finding their feet in the world of blues music. I love the version of ‘Dust Bowl‘ presented on this release, a track that’s certainly on my favorite Bonamassa list. The acoustic guitar on ‘Trouble Town‘ is also a highlight for me. ‘Still Water‘ has a huge chunk of Celtic charm, obviously due in no small part to Irish fiddler Gerry O’Connor, and as the saying in my house hold goes, it gets your diddly feet going!

‘Different Shades Of Blue‘ and ‘Happier Times‘ have also been given a ‘makeover’ from the original album version, with a far more atmospheric sound to it and I’ll be honest and say I actually prefer these versions.

‘Never Give All Your Heart‘ is the second longest track on the CD at just over 8 minutes, slowly building until we get one of Joe’s ‘giving it all’ guitar breaks.

‘Hidden Charms‘ romps along almost at such a pace you’ll almost miss it, followed by two more tracks from the Different Shades Of Blue album ‘Love Ain’t A Love Song‘ and an extended version of ‘So What Would I Do‘, and I do mean extended, being  nearly twice as long!

My only criticisms would be I wish that more of the ‘electric’ tracks from the DVD/Blu-ray were on the CD and that it was a new studio album rather than another live album, but putting those aside, another sterling release by Bonamassa.

I must give a large thumbs up to the sound and picture quality on the DVD/Blu ray which once again are superb.

You can catch Joe on tour in the UK on the following dates –

JOE BONAMASSA – OCTOBER 2015 UK TOUR DATES

Book tickets online from www.jbonamassa.com, www.eventim.co.uk,

www.ticketmaster.co.uk or www.seetickets.com

Newcastle Metro Arena                            Wednesday Oct 21

Liverpool Echo Arena                                  Friday Oct 23

Leeds First Direct Arena                            Saturday Oct 24

Nottingham Capital FM Arena                Sunday Oct 25

Cardiff Motorpoint Arena                         Tuesday Oct 27

Bournemouth BIC                                         Wednesday Oct 28

Brighton Centre                                            Friday Oct 30

Brighton Centre                                            Saturday Oct 31

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