Joe Bonamassa Live from the Royal Albert Hall
admin | Mar 12, 2010 | 5 comments
Product Description
Award-winning blues rock star, guitar hero and singer-songwriter Joe Bonamassa s new release, Joe Bonamassa Live From The Royal Albert Hall, a 2-DVD live set, just made it s debut at #6 on Billboard Magazine s Top Music DVD Chart and #10 on the Top Blues Album Chart. The film, released on October 6 by Bonamassa s record company J&R Adventures, captures the intensity and excitement of the May 2009 show that marked Bonamassa s headlining debut at arguably the most prestigious concert venue in the world. May 4, 2009 was a day 20 years in the making, says Bonamassa. I have never been so honored in my life. It was truly larger than the sum of its parts.
At the Hall, Bonamassa had the added honor of being joined onstage by the legendary Eric Clapton. The Guitar Buzz calls it, A must-have DVD for any Joe Bonamassa fan and frankly, any person who plays the guitar and appreciates instrumental mastery at work. Joe Bonamassa is to the guitar what Liberace was to the piano. He s a 6-string maestro. And Brian D. Holland writes in Guitar International, It s not only a momentous occasion for Joe Bonamassa, it s one for bluesrock in general.
This double DVD set, which features a twelve-camera high definition, surround sound shoot produced by Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Black Crowes, Aerosmith) and an exclusive interview and behind-the-scenes footage with Bonamassa, presents that magical night in full for posterity, and for all the fans that couldn t be among the roughly 5,000 concertgoers filling the seats.
Bonamassa performs with a combination of searing excellence and showmanship that underlined exactly why he has risen to the top of the most punishing circuit in popular music today.
$16.96
Joe Bonamassa Live from the Royal Albert Hall
Filed Under: Entertainment
The GOOD: Bonamassa is a great guitar player and a pretty good singer. The dvd has overall excellent sound and production values. (Seems like it was done by the same folks who did the Cream reunion and Clapton-Winwood DVDs) and its always great to see a motivated Eric Clapton. If you are a FAN…you will love it.
The BAD: The songs are weak. No memorable tunes in the lot. In my opinion, I think Joe “oversings” and “over-emotes.” To me his singing is very “contrived.” And he flat out overplays. “guitarists disease”. For all of Joe’s talents, his guitar playing lacks the true lyricism of the genius of Jeff Beck, whom he so clearly attempts to imitate. If you’re gonna pay such homage to your heroes, unflattering comparison is inevitable.
The UGLY: Ultimately this whole DVD falls flat. And WHY is it on 2 discs? All of this material would easily fit on one. I get the feeling that Joe is a very nice person but on stage he has NO charisma. When Bonamassa plays the well-worn 5 note blues cliche opening of “Blues Deluxe” I feel nothing. When BB plays the EXACT same notes, it can make me cry and laugh at the same time. For all the flash and speed and articulation and virtuosity, it all comes up so very….boring. The Yngwie Malmsteen of modern blues playing. Also when Claton guests the volume of Eric’s guitar is about 60% of Joes in the mix. This is the case with every single guitar players DVD I have ever seen. when the guest comes out, his volume is always significantly less then the stars. I hate that. Joe obviously respects and loves Clapton but in the “mixing” of the sound I can absolutely guarantee the words “turn him down.” were said. The whole show seems to sink under the weight of its own self-importance. I was hoping to become a “fan”, as I was vaguely familiar with Joe though the various guitar publications, so for me it was a huge disappointment.
Rating: 3 / 5
As far as camera work, this isn’t as bad as some, but to me this is still a distraction. Why can’t they just prop a camera in front of the stage and leave it there? There’s always some artsy director guy attempting to make a name for himself isn’t there? Sometimes the camera angles turn into a Blair Witch kind of thing if you know what I mean. Besides that I think the music is great and Joe is on. Because of the camera angles I get more of a joy listening to this DVD than watching it.
Rating: 3 / 5
ten out of ten Joe ! Fantastic sound and quality, plus a legend guitarist! and an appearance by God !! what more does one want.
Rating: 5 / 5
It was amazing seeing Joe play with Eric Clapton.
That had to be one of the highlights of his career. It was a performance by the both of them worth watching over and over again.
With or without Clapton Joe holds his own on this one!
He should be pleased with his performance. Very entertaining and soul felt.
Rating: 5 / 5
that your sister got all the looks…
I watched the entire RAH DVD last night…I was almost speechless. I know. Hard to believe. interviews and all. I’m not one to tell secrets, especially in print, or I’d never be let backstage or on the bus, again. I have a checquered past at best.
Watching that DVD, I was there onstage with my friends, couldn’t help it, transported by magic. Every nuance of expression, every quick grin, every slick Rojas bass trick, every fake out by Bogie (when one thinks crash and all you get is “ting”), every time Joe closed his eyes and breathed power into every note, every Rick doubling of a guitar part and more, every horn swell in perfect time, the respect given to and received from the second drummer Fig, every unspoken communication between master artists at the top of their game, I felt more than saw, and I’m somewhat visual.
I try not to be too critical, as a musician, because I am a musician, and I know how much WORK it is. I was moved when Joe’s Dad. Len said yeah he has God given talent, but his work ethic is why he is what he is, and why he’s here. I KNEW THAT. I said that the first time I watched him play. I have no critique…i love it. I connected with the force of a BAND making music. You will too.
I call them my friends, my mates, my brothers. I hope they know it. Hope that doesn’t sound like I’m bragging.
I’m getting wound up…anyway, I saw the old stoic, Eric Clapton himself, smile a little when Joe pushed him just a bit, so he pushed back. Sweet! I heard blues variations on a theme. Chorus, verse and bridge. A lost art raised from the spiritual death of ignorance and commercialism. Emotion both raw and processed. Edited superbly. I liked the stereo and the Dolby 5.1.
My son came out of their bedroom and sat. He looked at me and said, “Well that was kickass.” in his usual too cool for school way. High praise.
Blues Deluxe answered every blunatic purist in the world…take that, you unwashed heathens. Happier Times, The Great Flood, TBOH, Joe dug deep and put it out there. Let no man judge. Genius! SloeGin? Broken down old Bob Ezrin should thank you.
All of the standards: especially…So Many Roads… covered with an unstoppable force of artistic expression. Just listen, I mean, really listen to what this art form is telling you. You will not be sorry. You might even be better for it. Screw politics.
Well done Bonamassa Band and the Caveman. Just another gig, RoadDawgs? Respect to you.
I have spoken
with much love
I am the Funky Dr of Love
The Real Salsa King
[...]
Rating: 5 / 5