Blues titan Joe Bonamassa hasn’t graced New Orleans since he performed at House of Blues in October, 2008. Now he’s at the crossroads of a number of genres, displaying mastery of them all and an ability to wield an electric guitar that puts him among the best players on the planet. With almost as many albums as years of age, this child prodigy who is now in his mid-30s has been as prolific as any artist in blues, rock, or any genre for that matter.
Joe Bonamassa at the Saenger Theatre on November 26. (Photo: Kim Welsh)
His performance at the newly renovated Saenger Theatre on Tuesday, November 26 included a 45 minute acoustic set with his Vienna Opera House ensemble, followed by a searing 75 minute electric set. During the acoustic set, Bonamassa was supported with vintage acoustic instruments by an eclectic assortment of craftsmen from around the globe including a traditional Irish fiddler, a Swedish multi-instrumentalist on Nyckelharpa (a keyed fiddle,) and legendary Puerto Rican percussionist and Lenny Castro (who Joe claimed “has played on every recording you have ever heard”). Each member of both bands is a rockstar in his own right, together making for an unbelievably eclectic set. His bass guitarist, Carmine Rojas, has toured with Rod Stewart, David Bowie, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Al Green, Herbie Hancock and more. On keys, Derek Sherinian is equally versatile and has toured with Buddy Miles, KISS, and Alice Cooper. World class drummer and producer, Tal Bergman, joined Bonamassa in his band Black Country Communion. Bergman produced and played on Rod Stewart’s platinum album, It Had To Be You, as well as produced with Herb Albert, Chaka Kahn and Billy Idol. Bonamassa’s concert troupe clearly displayed as a who’s who of some of greats “behind the music.”
The set list for the evening’s acoustic set included “Woke Up Dreaming,” “Seagull,” “Jelly Roll,” “Black Lung Heartache,” “Around the Bend,” “Jockey Full of Bourbon,” “Ball Peen Hammer,” and “Athens to Athens.” While his electric set included “Dust Bowl,” “Who’s Been Talking,” “Midnight Blues,” “Dislocated Boy,” “Driving Towards the Daylight,” “Slow Train,” “Look Over Yonder’s Wall,” “Sloe Gin,” and “Ballad of John Henry.” And finally, Bonamassa’s encore was a dazzling “Django and Mountain Time.” The axe maverick’s jettisoning fiery riffs need no rhythm guitar support and certainly make the Gibson Guitar Company proud. His versatile performance at the Saenger confirmed that “Guitar God,” Joe Bonamassa, is one bad ass class act.
Enjoy more of Kim Welsh’s photos from the concert in the photoset below…
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