Beacon Theatre: Live From New York [DVD] [2012]

Joe Bonamassa once more sets the blues/rock world on fire with the release of his new 'live' DVD... 'Joe Bonamassa: Beacon Theatre - Live From New York'. Recorded at the historic Beacon Theatre in New York during his current world tour, Tal Bergman is on Drums, Carmine Rojas plays Bass & Rick Melick is at the Keyboards with very special guest appearances by Beth Hart, John Hiatt & Paul Rodgers! Kevin "Caveman" Shirley who also produced Dust Bowl is again credited for the astounding sound mix that must be heard to be believed, and indeed everyone involved in the production of this sensational DVD should take a bow!

Joe Bonamassa continues to fascinate his audience with his gifted guitar and passionate vocals, and whilst extending his own repertoire, he also makes sure he pays tribute to all the people who inspired him along the way. Like all great musicians Joe Bonamassa knows it's not just what you play that's important, but how you feel and deliver it that matters... and this guy certainly knows how to do just that!

Disc 1 (Feature) starts with an interesting opening sequence showing Joe Bonamassa busking '72nd St. Subway Blues' at the same location in New York. He then joins his band at the Beacon Theatre to open the show with his pulsating 'Slow Train' followed by 'Cradle Rock', 'When The Fire Hits The Sea', 'Midnight Blues', 'Dust Bowl' and 'The River'. Next enter one of the most powerful female blues/rock singers to emerge since Janis Joplin... Beth Hart joins Joe onstage, having worked together on Dust Bowl before making their stunning hit collaboration album Don't Explain. Bonamassa's guitar once again provides the perfect foil for Hart's soulful vocals as she beautifully delivers Brook Benton's 'I'll Take Care Of You' (worth the entry fee alone) and then pleads for mercy on 'Sinner's Prayer', probably just as Ray Charles imagined when he wrote it... simply breathtaking!

Worthwhile renditions of 'You Better Watch Yourself'' and 'Steal Your Heart Away' precede a heartfelt cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Bird On A Wire'. American songwriter/musician John Hiatt then makes his entrance with 'Down Around My Place' off his excellent Dirty Jeans And Mudslide Hymns album and 'I Know A Place' that nearly brings the house down, and rightly so as this storyteller is way overdue the recognition he truly deserves! After being treated to 'Blue and Evil' off his Black Rock album, rock royalty takes centre stage with Paul Rodgers (Free/Bad Co/Queen) singing the first song he ever wrote 'Walk In My Shadow', prior to strutting out another Free classic 'Fire And Water' aptly fuelled by Bonamassa with Kossoff inspired guitar riffs... totally spellbinding! And just as you thought this concert couldn't get any better, you get blown away with a monumental version of 'Mountain Time' before 'Young Man Blues' ends this memorable set.

Disc 2 (Bonus Disc) boasts another couple of fine tracks from the gig... 'If Heartaches Were Nickels' and his acoustic extravaganza 'Woke Up Dreaming'. Other special features include 'A Friend Drops By' that reveals amazing footage of Joe discussing chord structures with Byrds/CSNY legend David Crosby! Finally 'A Busker's Tale' explains the making of '72nd St. Subway Blues' that opened proceedings followed by some memorable photos & credits... end!

For those of you who couldn't make it... Joe Bonamassa: Beacon Theatre - Live From New York is a modern day musical happening thankfully captured 'live' on Saturday, November 5th 2011 and is as good as it gets... enjoy the ride!

I think Joe B is the best blues/rock guitarist there is, and have been a fan for a long time now. I have also been serially disappointed with the DVDs of both him and BCC - nothing to do with the musicianship of him or his band, just either poor sound, or awful, intrusive filming and editing, or a combination of both.

Finally, they have delivered something that does him proud. A DVD that really does give you a feeling of being at the event. Beautifully, sympathetically filmed and edited, superb sound, and it goes without saying, fantastic music, expertly performed. My goodness, if you like Joe B, you are going to ADORE this!

Just buy it!

I won't even bother trying to comment on his performance, other than to say it's awesome. Here is the track listing to get all you fans salivating:

72nd St. Subway Blues
Slow Train
Cradle Rock
When the Fire Hits the Sea
Midnight Blues
Dust Bowl
The River
I'll Take Care of You
Sinner's Prayer
You Better Watch Yourself
Steal Your Heart Away
Bird on a Wire
Down Around My Place
I Know a Place
Blue and Evil
Fire and Water
Walk in My Shadow
Mountain Time
Young Man Blues

bonus tracks If Heartaches Were Nickels, Woke Up Dreaming

on the bonus disc:
If Heartaches Were Nickels
Woke Up Dreaming
A Friend Stops By
A Busker's Tale
(photo gallery)

Having been fortunate enough to have seen Joe Bonamassa live on several occasions,in venues both large and small,and having thoroughly enjoyed the Albert Hall DVD to say I was looking forward to this release is an understatement! And I am happy to say it is no disappointment.
Joe has always managed to surround himself with superlative musicians,and I will admit to being slightly concerned to hear neither Bogey Bowles nor Anton Figg would be playing drums on this occasion,however my fears turned out to be totally groundless with Tal Bergman fitting in superbly,the clarity and sharp sound from his Sonor kit is wonderful throughout the show.
Joes' guests fit in so well with Beth Hart proving just what an amazing blues/rock singer she is-truly a delight in her two songs-if you dont have the Joe/Beth album-buy it!!! Paul Rogers simply oozes class,his voice has matured even more as he grows older and his rendition of Fire and Water is beyond description. John Hiatt again proves what a class act he always has been,slotting in with the band seamlessly.
The production is of a very high standard,and although the stage set/lighting is basic it is absolutely right-we want to see the performers after all,not a laser show!!
Joe somehow always manages to reach new heights with his shows,this one is no exception,he continues to prove why he is regarded as the number one blues performer in the world at the moment.
If I was going to have a niggle,it would be a generic one and one which I have noticed on so many live shows recorded in the States-simply put,why on earth do American audiences find it so hard to be quiet DURING songs???? We do not need to hear whooping and hollering through the songs,save it for the end guys.There we go,whinge over.
Overall I would rate this DVD as 9/10.