Joe Bonamassa - Live at Radio City Music Hall

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A concert that Blues fans must own!!!

Joe Bonamassa is making his name as one of the best Blues / Rock guitarists in the World, with his new album 'Different shades of Blue' being nominated by Classic Rock for a award in this years ceremony. I have to say I am not the biggest fan of Blues, but heard about Joe's great technical and well polished performances. So wanted to see if he lived up to the hype, and their is no better way to see than with the multi angle DVD on this release.

The new Joe Bonamassa CD + DVD package 'Live at Radio City Music Hall' was recorded live in New York on the 23rd - 24th of January 2015 over his two night residency. Firstly I would like to say the DVD is really nicely shot, and the sound is really good. It also contains a massive eighteen tracks, almost his full set from the New York show. Sadly the CD does not contain all the tracks, but I think they could only fit the best ones on the CD.

Photo by Christie Goodwin

Also the lack of the brilliant 'Sloe Gin', is a big mistake for me. I saw the footage from the concert on YouTube and his performance on the 23rd of this song is really beautiful. So I feel they really should have put it in, and can't understand why they didn't.

Check Out! the live performance of 'Sloe Gin' live on the 23rd from New York Radio City Music Hall Below...

I can't really understand why the CD has a different order to the tracks on the DVD, it's a little confusing. But I am sure it makes sense in someway, maybe it's to do with the talking in between. Tracks like 'One less cross to Bear' and opener on the CD 'I can't be Satisfied', have great attitude and show an understanding of the genre.

Joe has his own tone and has taken the Blues genre until 2015, with style and class and a touch of the Las Vegas on stage atmospheric feel. Making his show stand out against other artists in his genre, that can seem to me a little bit bland and boring at times. You just have to see the keyboard playing by legend Tal Bergman, it's just something to be seen.

He displays a great steady Blues performance for the track 'Living on the Moon', which is taken from last years smash 'Different shades of Blue'. I think the best thing about this track is the dirty sounding guitar solo and the flawless trumpet playing by Nick Lane and trombone by Paulie Cerra. The song goes into mass Rock / Blues chaos at the end, giving it a new life and sound.

Also the fact he get's acoustic for songs like 'Still Water', shows that Joe and his band have great versatility. I am quite into Country music, so this track is a real highlight on the CD for me. I love the banjo played by Gerry O'Conner and the extra striped down instruments really make the song. Also this song in a way shows off Joe's vocals at their best. 

Photo by Christie Goodwin

Joe looks cool and swarve all through the performance and has changed what I feel about him, he has a great talent to mix things up. Which I really liked, and their is so many good tracks over the CD and DVD too many to mention. Making this a great package for Joe Bonamassa fans. If you love Joe this concert is a must have... Bonamassa is a guitarist that so knows how to release a great live album that will survive the test of time.

Review by Dan Devour

Check Out! a live performance Video for 'One less cross to Bear' from New York Radio City Music Hall Below...