Review: Joe Bonamassa

Royal Albert Hall (April 4^th, 2024)

Review/ photography: Phil Honley

I was first introduced to New Yorker Joe Bonamassa in February 2006 when the 28 year old was brought to The Boom Boom Club by Pete Feenstra. I believe this was his second visit to the UK having made a big impression the year before.

Although a newcomer to the UK blues scene, Bonamassa was well established in the USA and had opened for BB King for a run of approximately twenty shows in 1989 when only 12 years old.

The show at the Boom Boom Club was a triumph and fortunately there was a merch desk as Joe had his first four albums in the bag at that time, being ‘A New Day Yesterday‘ (2000), ‘So, It’s Like That‘ (2002), ‘Blues Deluxe‘ (2003) and ‘Had To Cry Today‘ (2004). There was a real buzz at the gig and it was one of those where you just new you were experiencing an artist that would quickly rise to the top.

Joe returned to the Boom Boom Club later that same year armed with his recently released fifth album ‘You & Me‘. I remember the gig really for the moment he gifted a very young fan with his acoustic guitar. Not sure how big his guitar collection was at time but a generous gesture nonetheless.

Anyway that was then when Joe was first establishing himself on the British blues scene by playing the modest circuit venues…this is now, a celebrated and award-winning blues rock guitarist/vocalist of the highest order filling the Royal Albert Hall on the first of two nights. These shows are somewhat special as they celebrate the 15th anniversary since Joe first played the Royal Albert Hall in May 2009 when he was joined onstage by Eric Clapton. Tonight was his eleventh performance at this historic establishment.

To quote Joe, “The Royal Albert Hall is a special venue for me personally. It’s the first venue that literally changed my career overnight. I always look forward to playing the venue because, not only is it a beautiful venue, but the staff are amazing, and the audiences are second to none. It’s always an emotional experience whenever I play the RAH”

One thing is always guaranteed when you attend a Joe Bonamassa gig, it will kick off early and bang on time as it does at 7:30.

Bonamassa has always surrounded himself with stellar musicians and his band featured Josh Smith on guitar, Lamar Carter on drums, Calvin Turner on bass, legendary Hall of Fame keyboardist Reese Wynans who has been tickling the ivories for JB for ten years now, and back up singers Jade McCray and Danielle De Andrea.

Bonamassa opened with ‘Hope You Realize It (Goodbye Again)‘ a funky little number, my favourite track from his latest album ‘Blues Deluxe Vol. 2‘ In fact half of the twelve numbers on the set list on the night were pulled from the latest album ‘Blues Deluxe Vol. 2.‘, a nod to the twenty-year anniversary of his album, ‘Blues Deluxe‘. Bonamassa has 26 number one Billboard Blues albums, more than any other blues artist in history, so it was a little surprising that he didn’t delve deeper into his back catalogue. Nothing from the excellent ‘Time Clocks‘ album, ‘Minds Eye‘ would have been a bonus. I’m not complaining, just my opinion.

Two more blues numbers plucked from his new album, ‘Twenty-Four Hour Blues‘ and ‘Well, I Done Got Over‘ before the superb ‘Self-Inflicted Wounds‘. This had a Floyd feel to it even more so when Jade McCray provided some excellent backing vocals.

‘I Want To Shout About It‘ gave Josh Smith the opportunity to solo. I saw Josh in 2018 with his own band but he seems to be a permanent fixture in Bonamassa’s band these days. Quite a talent as he also produced ‘Blues Deluxe Vol. 2‘. I can never understand why audience clapping is encouraged to accompany any number but it seemed totally unnecessary with the tempo of ‘I Want To Shout About It‘. I felt like shouting something but it wouldn’t have been appropriate. Danielle De Andrea brought the number to a close with some fine vocals.

Bonamassa is currently enjoying some radio airplay with the ballad ‘Last Matador Of Bayonne‘ and it was a fine inclusion in the set. The excellent ‘Breaking Up Someone’s Home‘ gave Josh Smith license to solo. Each member of this fine band was introduced to the audience and special praise given to 76 years old Reese Wynans. Bonamassa then took on lead guitar duties again on ‘Heart That Never Waits‘. The audience respectfully keeping quiet during the low key section. The penultimate number in the main set ‘Lazy Poker Blues‘ saw Smith and Reese Wynans showing what we all knew they were capable of.

Joe brought the main set to a close with a fine cover of ZZ Top‘s ‘Just Got Paid‘ which segued into Led Zeppelin‘s ‘Dazed & Confused‘ which included a thunderous drum solo from Lamar Carter. Lamar didn’t stutter or miss a beat when a stick slipped from his hand.

The inevitable encore and Bonamassa was sure to include crowd favourite, Tim Curry‘s ‘Sloe Gin‘. Joe did say that he became sick and tired of playing it as it was always requested but as it was one of his dear friend Bernie Marsden‘s favourites he was going to play it for us and dedicate it to Bernie. This was followed by ‘Crossroads‘ which has of course been played on this stage on two very special occasions by Cream.

A fantastic evening and another guarantee when Bonamassa plays, the show will always end at a respectable time allowing everyone time to either enjoy a couple of drinks post show or a stress free journey home where you do not have to rush or worry about catching your last train. Bonamassa played for two hours with no banter except the story he had to tell about the difficult customs official. When asked for the purpose of his visit he responded by telling the guy that he was here to play two shows at the Royal Albert Hall, the officials response, “don’t go shi**ing me” but having googled it was satisfied.

click on photos to enlarge

Set List:

Hope You Realize It (Goodbye Again)

Twenty-Four Hour Blues

Well, I Done Got Over

Self  Inflicted Wounds

I Want To Shout About It

Last Matador Of Bayonne

Breaking Up Someone’s Home

Heart That Never Waits

Is It Safe To Go Home

Lazy Poker Blues

Just Got Paid

Encore

Sloe Gin

Crossroads

©All photographs are copyright of Phil Honley – Gigsnapz. They may not be altered or used without express permission.