Joe Bonamassa Royal Albert Hall London 6-5-26
Joe Bonamassa.
Royal Albert Hall or as Joe calls it home.
A match made in heaven that started as a small boys dream that became reality in 2009 with his first appearance at the legendary venue now sees Joe return for the 14th and 15th time.
Joe told us he gets offers all the time from Live Nation to play the O2 Arena but why would he want to play anywhere else when the Royal Albert Hall was the venue he always saw as the pinnacle to play.
With his 49th birthday on the 8th of May he reminded us this was his last 2 shows as a 48 year old and as the lights dropped at 735 pm we were then treated to an hour and 55 minutes of musicianship that few on planet earth can match.
Here is the setlist.
Starting with the intro of The Fabulous Thunderbirds song Tuff Enough and the band hit the groove immediately. This being the first of two nights at the Royal Albert Hall saw a change to the rest of the European tour setlist with more of a greatest hits feel with only one from recent album Breakthrough that being Drive Past The Exit Sign.
Opener Hope You Realize It from Blues Deluxe Vol 2 saw the band at full throttle which with it's only recent inclusion in the setlist showed amazing dexterity and class as the end of song full band workout with Joe soloing over the top had my jaw dropping and eyes everywhere watching the class on stage.
His band of second guitarist Josh Smith, Calvin Turner on bass, drummer Lamar Carter, Jade McCray and Danielle De Andrea on backing vocals and full gym workout are all world class musicians and a pleasure to watch and see perform time and again.
Longtime keys playing legend Reese Wynans has retired from the road and after having the pleasure of seeing him with Joe at his Rory Gallagher show in Cork last year it's no surprise to see Lachy Doley now in the band. His first ever show at the Royal Albert Hall certainly won't be his last and he fits in the band like a glove.
In fact as at all Joe shows he gets enormous pleasure of each of his band members having their share of the spotlight . Lachy gets the first solo of the evening and after seeing Reese's understated manner for many years it was interesting to see Lachy's more full body playing manner and from my seat to his left and seeing the blur of his hands he is superb.
Dust Bowl saw the pace ease and Joe's beautiful picked opening section was a treat and his use of light and shade from a whisper to a full band workout throughout the show is so very special. His solo was greeted by huge cheers and how do you describe the best guitarist on the planet apart from he is a god given very special talent that can do it all and being as close as I was I am thankful and blessed to have now seen him for my 5th Royal Albert Hall and Joe worldly experience.
Driving Towards The Daylight is a personal favourite of mine and Joe shows his vocal performance is also world class with held notes that soared to the high ceiling.
Drive By The Exit Sign bobs and weaves along with the backing vocals adding depth to Joe's vocal and a huge chorus sang by all.
Double Trouble saw Lachy starting the song with Joe's picked note accompaniment perfectly matched in time and pitch and as the band ease the pace up in the second half of the song Joe's solo matches the ferocity and Lamar Carter on drums driving the song.
The Heart That Never Waits from Time Clocks is another favourite of mine with Joe's vocal superb and backing vocals from heaven . Joe's fast paced guitar solo then drops to a whisper with picked notes and then a nod from Joe and Lamar crashes back in and love the bobbing bass line from Calvin too.
Well Well Well has superb backing vocals before Lamar's drum solo that shows off his power and timing to great extent.
Mountain Time is a perfect example of Joe and his band in the live setting and you struggle to watch the ocean of musicianship from all one stage all in 15 minutes. Wonderful.
The crowd showed it's appreciation and back out for an encore came Joe and his band.
Or as Joe told us 2 because he only plays Robert Johnson's Crossroads at the Royal Albert Hall because it's the only place it sounds right.
Fabulous and could only be topped by one song.
Sloe Gin.
Playing on Bernie Marsden's Gibson Les Paul loaned to him from the family and he said it's 13th appearance the venue hushed as Joe picked the intro with Lachy accompanying him and the vocal was immaculate. Joe's guitar solo was simply incredible and the whole venue rose to acclaim a truly wonderful evening.
Joe and Royal Albert Hall are in it for the long haul and I for one will be on the journey with them both every 2 years forever.
