I don't think I like Joe Bonamassa anymore

[kizanski]

Speaking of Montel -- DC is gearing up for medical marijuana sales and turns out, ole Montel is a marijauna mogul and will apparently own a couple of DC's dispensaries. I do know he's been an advocate and user because of his multiple sclerosis

I have no problem with him making money off of a product that he believes in (and uses), but encouraging people that trust him to venture into a lob-sided loan like the ones he endorses is beyond the pale.

Anyone that does that is a soulless scumbag.

[jisham]

Agreed about the loan shark stuff...and here in this area, while it's not Montel doing the shilling, there's a HUGE ad blitz about car title loans, which I understand are major scams.

[MCChris]

I have no problem with him making money off of a product that he believes in (and uses), but encouraging people that trust him to venture into a lob-sided loan like the ones he endorses is beyond the pale.

Anyone that does that is a soulless scumbag.

Between this and your stance on the Nutella lawsuit, I'd have to accuse you of getting soft in your old age.

[kizanski]

Between this and your stance on the Nutella lawsuit, I'd have to accuse you of getting soft in your old age.

I wish I could say you were wrong - lol.

[Jakeboy]

Joe B. might not be an original, but then again, many people claim that Perry and Whitford aren't either and 'smith remains one of my fav bands to this day. Neither Joe nor Brad have an instantly recognizable sound or tone, yet they are considered legends. There is a cool video on the Marshall Forum of Ky Headhunter Greg Martin going toe-to-toe with Joe B. on Crossroads. A good watch.

[specialk]

There is a cool video on the Marshall Forum of Ky Headhunter Greg Martin going toe-to-toe with Joe B. on Crossroads. A good watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3nll33WzCU

[yngwie308]

Saw him on TV when he did his concert in London at what - Royal Hall or something. I much prefer Gary Moore, Stevie or Frank Marino for that matter.

For some reason he just doesn't do it for me.

That you mention Gary Moore is telling. There is such a Joe B. lovefest going on, especially on the LP forums, he has played Rory's Strat's, Koss's LP Burst and guested with everyone, he is making hay while the sun shines..no harm there.

Still deep down I do not care for him, just my personal opinion. He may feel the same way about me and I am a music industry nobody in comparison. I went a different career route.

From the Guitarist magazine in 2009:

' I think everyone latched on to him a bit too much and they've put a lot of pressure on him. You can't be a blues legend at that age for a start, and I think the lad's getting a bit overblown. I've spoken to him about it and told him off for playing too many styles. You know, if you want to be a blues artist, be a blues artist, stop playing Yes songs and Indian songs, and doing a bit of Derek Trucks and a bit of me. he has a lot of influences but I think he's still got to find his own voice really. I think he has to focus on one thing, but I don't want to be derogatory. He's a really great guy and he is going to be really, really good.'

And compared to Gary's older style of commenting that was very considerate and gentle..lol!

Also a lot of it comes from losing so much weight, which nobody mentions..I would act all self confident, ect if my appearance had changed back to the way it was more, ect.

It's just Joe B. overload, everywhere you look he is there, ect.

Gary had a song back in the early eighties, "Teenage Idol", whilst not exactly applicable to Joe, it is still somewhat appropos.

I know Joe B. played since he was like 3 years old or something and was a young legend.

Who cares what I think, well I do sometimes, but I have been trying to keep things positive.

Teenage Idol lyrics

He never did much good when he went to school

Too many teachers there were to many rules

A dirty face kid he was never outta trouble

His mom and papa told him better get out on the double

But when he heared that music on the radio

He knew one day he was gonna be a teenage idol

He quit his job in the factory

He was tired if makin' peanuts so jumped out of the tree

He couldn't wait another day to get out of that place

He punched the clock and he broke its face

But when he heared that music on the radio

He knew one day he was gonna be a teenage idol

He's a teenage idol

(From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/g/gary-moore-lyrics/teenage-idol-lyrics.html)

He knows how to rock and roll

A teenage idol

He's way out of control

He ditched his chick and he sold his car

He bought himself a hot guitar

He joined a band and they cut some tracks

He hit the road and he's never looked back

And now they're playing all his records on the radio

Ans everyone knows that he's gonna be a teenage idol

He's a teenage idol

He knows how to rock and roll

A teenage idol

He's way out of control

And now they're playing all his records on the radio

AnD everyone knows that he's gonna be a teenage idol

yngwie308

[marcus2]

Here's my take on it:

I watched him play 4 consecutive nights in my local casino lounge for free, years ago. I attended 3 of them. Didn't gamble or drink. I stood there and grooved to his tunes. The last night, he tossed me his pick at the end of the show. I think he recognized me and appreciated that I was there for his music. Not to gamble with some blues in the background. He also has a "blues in the schools" program in which he gives a workshop on music and the blues for young kids during their school day. To my mind, that's way cool.

He has worked hard year after year recording and touring. He plays well and has cool songs. I got to meet him at a pre-show meet and greet last year. He was nothing but kind to *everyone* in attendance. He played the guitars people brought to have autogrpahed. He smiled for every photo. He was engaged in every bit of conversation his fans initiated.

I've been lucky enough to meet many of my musical heroes and artists I have admired. Few have been as gracious and generous as Joe.

In a time when many other artists I truly admire take years to release new music, Joe gets new music out far more frequently. And to my ears, it's not rehashing the same stuff as on the last album. I hear growth over his releases.

So, I'm a big fan and that may color my views. At the end of the day, I preorder his releases and look forward to the day my mailman delivers them. Isn't that part of the magic of music in our lives?

Last, his latest interview in one of the guitar magazines addresses hie weight loss and change of band members. It's worth a read.

[elduave]

This...

At the end of the day, I preorder his releases and look forward to the day my mailman delivers them. Isn't that part of the magic of music in our lives?

...is cool.

[conorb]

There is a cool video on the Marshall Forum of Ky Headhunter Greg Martin going toe-to-toe with Joe B. on Crossroads. A good watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3nll33WzCU

Great video; thanks for posting it here.

At the end of the day, I preorder his releases and look forward to the day my mailman delivers them. Isn't that part of the magic of music in our lives?

Agreed; I consider myself a big Bonamassa fan. I'm surprised at all the vitriol regarding his tone or how much he sells his tickets for or how derivative he is; for someone that's never had radio play or a #1 hit/album to be "suddenly everywhere" to be seen as a bad thing I see as a gross misconstruing of how hard he works and how much talent he has.

In the long run, I guess this is why *they* make chocolate and vanilla.

conorb

[kizanski]

Here's my take on it:

I watched him play 4 consecutive nights in my local casino lounge for free, years ago. I attended 3 of them. Didn't gamble or drink. I stood there and grooved to his tunes. The last night, he tossed me his pick at the end of the show. I think he recognized me and appreciated that I was there for his music. Not to gamble with some blues in the background. He also has a "blues in the schools" program in which he gives a workshop on music and the blues for young kids during their school day. To my mind, that's way cool.

He has worked hard year after year recording and touring. He plays well and has cool songs. I got to meet him at a pre-show meet and greet last year. He was nothing but kind to *everyone* in attendance. He played the guitars people brought to have autogrpahed. He smiled for every photo. He was engaged in every bit of conversation his fans initiated.

I've been lucky enough to meet many of my musical heroes and artists I have admired. Few have been as gracious and generous as Joe.

In a time when many other artists I truly admire take years to release new music, Joe gets new music out far more frequently. And to my ears, it's not rehashing the same stuff as on the last album. I hear growth over his releases.

So, I'm a big fan and that may color my views. At the end of the day, I preorder his releases and look forward to the day my mailman delivers them. Isn't that part of the magic of music in our lives?

Last, his latest interview in one of the guitar magazines addresses hie weight loss and change of band members. It's worth a read.

That's all well and good, but would you buy the shirt?

[jettster]

I've seen Joe several times and he always puts everything into it live. He seemed very humble and appreciative the time that we met him after a show. The last time we saw him (Stood by the front of the stage the whole show) he came over at the end of the show and shook hands with both me and my wife, said "thanks for coming out". I honestly prefer his earlier material to his later boxed in Blues stuff, I almost feel like he is doing it to earn cred with the Blues crowd but his playing on studio recordings seems way more restrained than the old stuff. I also miss his original trio, he had a killer drummer and bassist that wouldn't hesitate to cut lose and the energy was off the charts. He's out there busting his ass and deserves whatever fame or fortune comes his way as far as I'm concerned.

[cynic]

I honestly prefer his earlier material to his later boxed in Blues stuff

I agree. He was the no-name opener for a Buddy Guy show I saw back in 2001 I think. He impressed me enough that I stopped by the merch table and picked up A New Day Yesterday. I really like that disc, but have never heard anything in the rest of his catalog that made me rush out to buy it.

I've also tried to like BCC but there's just a lack of something reeling me in. I haven't followed him too closely so there's lots he's done I've not even heard, but I'll take his first record (or any John Mayer record for that matter ) over the BCC stuff every time.

That said, I can't give two shits about him selling a shirt with Blues Dude on it.

[devrock]

I've met Joe twice, both within the last 6 months. He's extremely down to earth and quite appreciative of his fans.

I agree that the crass commercialism is getting pretty bad; but I don't begrudge anyone trying to make money for playing the guitar and being on the road 250-300+ days a year.

Personally I love his music and his guitar playing. Live he's another experience altogether and worth the effort to see whenever possible.

conorb

This! /thread

I ignore the merch stuff. He does go over the top. But this is a guy who doesn't have any hit records, either. He's an odd duck, but find his personality sort of innocent and nerdy.

Frankly, I love the output. I'm tired of bands putting out an album every 4 or 5 years. Joe seems to just keep pumping stuff out that's usually pretty damn good.

I highly encourage people to grab the Live at The Beacon Theater DVD. I was at the show and it was phenomenal.

If you don't like him, that's OK. No one likes everyone, right?

(If he comes out with the Joe B coffin, then I might change my stance).

[RichF]

I go back and forth. Sometimes I dig his stuff, sometimes he comes across as a bit dickish. Definitely a talented player. I just wish he would emphasize the Eric Clapton in his playing more than the Eric Johnson.

elduave, I really enjoyed that article in Classic Rock. Whether people like what he's doing in his career or not, I love the fact he and his manager have taken control and are doing it for themselves. I wish more artists would do that. He's his own record company, so he gets to make the records he wants to make without answering to anyone. They control their live shows and merchandise. Are his ticket prices and merch too high? In my opinion yes, so I respond by not buying. I stick with the CDs. I've already seen him live, so I don't feel compelled to spend big bucks to see him again. Obviously there are people who feel differently. They wouldn't be selling the high end stuff if there weren't people buying it.

MCChris, I agree that A New Day Yesterday is his best performance DVD. Just wish they showed the girls more and the rock n' roll pirate playing bass less.

The shirt is terrible, but most band merchandise is.

[kizanski]

The shirt is terrible, but most band merchandise is.

Most, yes, but not all.

[bubs_42]

LOL!!

[belikerick]

I've been a big Bonamassa fan since 2002 when I saw him touring off of "So It's Like That" at the Buffalo Rose in Golden, CO. There were MAYBE 150 people there and he totally played his ass off - my jaw was on the floor. I've seen him at least 4 times since and will go again, when I can afford it (that first concert was $12 at the door). I've never been disappointed by a show of his.

He may be too prolific for his own good (8 solo studio albums in 9 years + BCC & Beth Hart, not counting live albums and DVDs, etc) but I think he may only be over exposed in the guitar playing community. Whenever I mention his name to people who aren't musicians, the response is always WHO?

I buy every album because I love his tone and his playing and I know it will be a well made record. Even if the whole album isn't exceptional, it will always be better than 90% of other music being released. Plus there are always a few songs on every album that just make me stop and say... Damn!

That said - In all this time I have never bought a Joe B t-shirt at a show or online cause they always suck. I don't know if he comes up with the designs himself or what but I have never seen a shirt of his I would ever wear in public. He used to dress like an old blues man and if you see any pictures of him off stage he always looks like a dork so I assume he really has no fashion sense or taste whatsoever. Prime example = that retarded bowling shirt (I voted for the work shirt btw).

I know a guy like Joe is not going to make any money selling records these days and hence the DVDs, and other merch which he seems to pushing at a pace even faster than his records. I agree that his merch promotion is a bit over the top but if that's what he's got to do to make money, then I can't argue with that. Maybe if he could get his tunes on a bunch of commercials like the Black Keys he could be a bit more selective on the merch he tries to sell.

[devrock]

It isn't just a Joe thing. I'm 40 and I just don't buy concert/band shirts any more, regardless of who it's for. I did that when I was 13 and enjoyed it. Now, don't care so much.

[hardheartedbill]

My last concert T was the Highway to Hell shirt 1980. I opened for Joe in Charleston years back. He had the nutty bassist and Kenny on drums. He came off as slightly spoiled backstage. Not in a kiss my butt way but a why am I not as famous as Beyonce way. I thought it was good enough to have a cool trio several marshalls and a guy handling your dozens strats played w Gatton and BB and Guy and everyone else before you had to shave. He only talked about crappy pop w big sales. And I thought I was a glass half empty dude lol

[Pierre07]

I wont buy his shirt... already spent money for the concert, now I will give him "free" advertisement?

[elduave]

[Trower]

Saw him on TV when he did his concert in London at what - Royal Hall or something. I much prefer Gary Moore, Stevie or Frank Marino for that matter.

For some reason he just doesn't do it for me.

Frank Marino?!!! That's the smartest thing I've seen on this board

[Sugartune]

Since I like to am smart, I asked the internet who Frank Marino were.

So I ask, as a Canadian (& lifelong Jays fan. Woohoo!)...how could there be a band called Rush AND a band called Mahogany Rush, BOTH from Canada? No one found a problem with this? Should I try Mahogany Led Zeppelin? The Mahogany Who? (Trademark pending!)

At one point in the CFL (zzzzzzz) there were two teams called The Rough Riders. 7 teams in the "league" and two of them share a name. Thats just for your brain info.

[scottcald]

To me he seems like an OK guy, but I don't go out of my way to listen to him. Is he still schlepping Bernie Marsden's LP around? Yeah, his life's tough.

Maybe that's his thing - he plays the guitars of the legends.