J

Joe Bonamassa Covelli Center Youngstown, Oh. November 27th

Reviewed by Michael Rampa

Joe Bonamassa came from a time before social media where you really had to play to be noticed. His relentless work ethic has paid off well. His record 24 chart topping blues albums have garnered him international acclaim and cross format radio airplay. His show is typically billed as an all-out high voltage blues rock assault.

While that is the norm, he has a singular ability to bathe the crowd in sonic layers that bring out each guitar’s uniqueness. He came out wielding a Gibson SG to open with “Evil Mama.” switched to the Strat for the bruising “Love Ain’t a Love Song” then brought out the signature sunburst Les Paul for a mesmerizing cover of Gary Moore’s “Midnight Blues.” The band retains its Nashville flair with Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame keyboardist Reese Wynans and one of Music City’s most sought after bass players, Michael Rhodes.  Greg Morrow, who tours with Bob Seger on drums was introduced as Greg two toms” because “he only needs two toms to get it done.” Bonamassa quipped. They proved all night that they can be aggressive and loud without being overpowering. He did not feature any songs from the very solid “Driving Toward the Daylight” on this night or at any time on this tour. He closed out the set with with the always soulful bruiser “The Ballad of John Henry” and came back out for the hard charging acoustic shreds “Woke Up Dreaming and Sloe  Gin “Bonamassa has gone from relative obscurity to the face of blues rock. You don’t need a Sirius subscription to access and appreciate him. You just need to be a fan of real good music.

for more visit: https://jbonamassa.com/