Joe Bonamassa – Live at the Greek Theater
J&R Adventure
http://shop.jbonamassa.com/collections/live-at-the-greek-theatre

Rating:  A

I actually get tired of giving Joe Bonamassa raving reviews, but...  I can’t help it.  Everything he releases is pretty freaking amazing.  Joe is an extraordinary talent.  He knows what his fans want and he gives it to them.  He reinvents himself, yet stays close enough to his roots that it never alienates any one of his fans.  In fact, he gains fans with every release.  His songwriting, soloing, vocals and ability to reinvent classics is second to none.  He is the total package.  He is also amazing live in concert.

This live effort is released in the following formats: a 22-track Double CD, Double DVD, Blu-ray, and 4-LP Deluxe Edition.  The live set sees Joe pay tribute to the Three Kings of the Blues… Albert, B.B. and Freddie.  The concert was recorded during his The Three Kings Tour in 2015.  The concert was over two hours long and it contained the blueprint and the foundation of the blues.  We are talking about timeless songs performed by one of the greatest living blues masters on the planet.  How do I not give this an “A” rating?  I can’t.  This is brilliant release from start to finish.

Guitar nerds out there will love the Blu-Ray as Joe trots out some of the coolest old axes known to man, including four Gibson ES models, a Gibson Les Paul, a Gibson Flying V, two new Gibson Custom Shop models, two Fender Strats, and a 1972 Dan Erlewine custom Flying V named “Lucy,” originally owned and played by Albert King and currently in the collection of actor Steven Seagal.  Joe filled the stage of the Greek with amazing musicians.  His band featured 11 musicians, including Anton Fig (drums), Kirk Fletcher (guitar), Michael Rhodes (bass), Reese Wynans (piano, Hammond organ), Lee Thornburg (trumpet, horn arrangements), Paulie Cerra (saxophone), Ron Dziubla (saxophone), and a trio of backup singers including Mahalia Barnes, Jade MacRae, and Juanita Tippins.

The Blu-Ray includes a behind the scenes segment where Joe reveals himself to his audience as never before.  This is a fun extra that will thrill his fans. 

This is a classy release by a classy guy who is running a classy organization in J&R Adventures.

Bottom Line:  Joe did it again.  Buy it.  Play it.  Play it often.  Turn your friends on to it.

All I can say is “WOW!”

Track Listing:
CD 1
See See Baby
Some Other Day, Some Other Time
Lonesome Whistle Blues
Sittin’ On The Boat Dock
You’ve Got To Love Her With A Feeling
Going Down
I’ll Play The Blues For You
I Get Evil
Breaking Up Somebody’s Home
Angel Of Mercy
Cadillac Assembly Line

CD 2
Oh, Pretty Woman
Let The Good Times Roll
Never Make Your Move Too Soon
Ole Time Religion
Nobody Loves Me But My Mother
Boogie Woogie Woman
Hummingbird
Hide Away
Born Under A Bad Sign
The Thrill Is Gone
Riding With The Kings

By Jeb “DAMN THIS GUY IS GOOD” Wright