If nothing else, you have to admit that Joe Bonamassa knows how to work an audience, even a cardboard one!
Tired of staying cooped up in his LA home and studio, Joe Bonamassa got together his working band of Reese Wynans/key, Michael Rhodes/b, Greg Morrow/dr, Rob McNelly/g, Jimmy Hall/harp-voc and backup singers Jade MacReae/Dannielle DeAndrea to perform a “live”gig before a packed crowd of cardboard statues. The gig was also filmed for a DVD/TV show, staged at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium in Sept 20, 2020.
If possible, the cardboard might have burned up, as the set is torrid hot. Bonamassa changes his usual Maxwell Smart suit for a more Nashville look, singing and playing with a determined grit. There are a few soft moments, and his singing is rich on “What Does IT Take To Say Goodbye”” and the mysteriously dark “Beyond The Silence”. He switches guitars around like a night at the Guitar Center, sounding Hendrixy while snarling on the head banging “Cradle Rock” and going wah-wah watusi as he attacks the pedals on “I Didn’t Think She Would Do It” and slithers like vintage George Harrison during “Walk In My Shadow”. Morrow and Rhodes hit hard on the staccato’d beat of the thunderous bluesy “Royal Tea” and the rhythm team shuffles like a steam engine locomotive with Rhoades’ thick bass line on ”Lookout Man” and the two step boogie shuffler “Lonely Boy”.
This cd/dvd serves as a fitting invitation to see him as he starts touring around. Get ready for some heat this summer!