19 March 2015 (gig)
20 March 2015
Joe Bonamassa at Hammersmith last night was simply brilliant. Adding the horn section and Reece Wynans on keyboards has fattened his sound and allowed him to get funkier and rockier all at once and from the opening notes of ‘Hey Baby’ and its album mate ‘Oh Beautiful’ you could tell that he had put his music exactly where it needs to be in 2015.
The stage was simple and the lack of props made the music all the more important, with Bonamassa centre stage throughout there was nowhere to hide but he threw the shapes and tore out the riffs and solos that the crowd wanted, pouring with sweat and giving it everything.
The main feel of the gig was powerful and rocky but there was no shortage of funk (how could there not be with Tal Bergman on the drums and Daniel Sadownick on percussion as well as Carmine Rojas on bass) and the shades of the music showed that he is so much more than a rock slinger or Blues freak and the extra weight of Wynan’s Hammond alongside the horn section means that he was able to recreate the showband pomp of his ‘Different Shades of Blues’ album. Even though he was suffering from a severe chest infection his vocals sounded fine and once more the horns backed him up there.
Number after number pealed out at the crowd and his playing was never less than immaculate but Joe Bonamassa, even with his suit and shades image, is capable of putting over the emotion of a song as well as the structure and features.
‘Living On The Moon’ was an early highlight, with the jazzy riffs and horns underpinned by that wonderful Hammond getting a few early dancers up on the sides of Hammersmith. ‘Trouble Town’ was sublime, funky and grooving with all the band giving their all.
‘Love Ain’t A Love Song’ was, for me, the absolute highpoint of the gig with JB’s guitar burning and soulful and the band cooking a groove that just wouldn’t quit. ‘Sloe Gin’ had the crowd clapping from the start and he gave a hugely emotional vocal performance to the song before ending on his hard rock pinnacle – ‘Ballad Of John Henry’.
Encore ‘All Aboard’ featured a young lady name of Eilidh McKellar and she had a great time swapping solos with the man and showing some skills on the way.
Over 2 hours had flown by like a blur.
If you see a Joe Bonamassa show you kind of know what you are getting but he never seems to disappoint and every time I have seen him he has taken his music further and still delivered what the audience wants – no small talent.
There are a few tickets left for the gigs tonight and Saturday – well worth making the effort, this is a great show.
Picture copyright Mart Moffatt
