By Michael Yanko
Rock Legends Photographers
Having been a live performance photographer for the reason that 70s and taking pictures hundreds of live shows, lots of of festivals, and 9 music cruises, Purple Rocks has been on my bucket checklist for a few years. After I bought an e-mail from Gov’t Mule stating that they have been enjoying there, it piqued my curiosity. After I came upon that Jason Bonham was opening and that Joe Bonamassa was enjoying the evening earlier than, I noticed it was time to make a visit to Colorado and cross this one off my checklist!
It takes two 18-wheelers to deliver Joe Bonamassa’s gear to a venue close to you!
I’ve seen Joe Bonamassa carry out a number of occasions, however seeing and listening to him at Purple Rocks was an expertise by no means to be forgotten. It rained nearly the complete present, however the sold-out crowd got here ready with raincoats and ponchos. Photographing was tough within the rain, however I did handle to get a couple of good pictures!
The rising anticipation for the beginning of the present was climaxed with Tom Petty’s “The Ready,” adopted by the band’s entrance to thunderous applause!
Opening the present with “Evil Mama,” the band adopted up with songs from Bonamassa’s big catalogue of albums together with: “Mud Bowl,” “Love Ain’t a Love Tune,” “Self-Inflicted Wounds,” “I Wish to Shout About it” from the forthcoming album, and “Final Matador of Bayonne.”
To the delight of the group the following tune featured particular visitor Warren Haynes (Gov’t Mule, Allman Brothers Band) who was scheduled the following evening. Bonamassa launched him by saying “Some folks right this moment requested me, ‘you going tomorrow, is he coming right here?’ I mentioned ‘effectively I can’t make it tomorrow however I’m positive it’s gonna be f-cking implausible.’ My buddy Jason Bonham is right here tonight. I don’t give this man sufficient credit score as a result of over the course of the primary hour of this present he’s most likely written down 20 issues that I’ve f-cking stolen from him on the guitar, together with this model of this tune by Albert King known as ‘Breaking Up Somebody’s Dwelling’ and we’re gonna deliver out Warren Haynes proper now to play it.” The guitar duo jam throughout this tune was astonishing!
Bonamassa channeled his internal Buddy Man a number of occasions all through the evening, dropping “F” bombs at random. Following the tune with Haynes, Bonamassa launched his band consisting of: Josh Smith (guitar), Calvin Turner (bass, changing the late Michael Rhodes), Lemar Carter (drums), Rock & Roll Corridor of Famer Reese Wynans (keys), and Dannielle DeAndrea and Jade MacRae (backing vocals).
After introductions the efficiency continued with “Curtain Name,” adopted by a inventive cowl of Barbra Streisand’s “Prisoner” (Love Theme from Eyes of Laura Mars). Subsequent up was “The Coronary heart That By no means Waits.” Following a tremendous blues solo, Bonamassa supplied up a touch of “Trigger We’ve Ended as Lovers,” giving a quick salute to the late nice Jeff Beck! After delighting the sold-out crowd with that tidbit, the band adopted up with “Lonely Boy,” adopted by ZZ High’s “Simply Acquired Paid,” which morphed into Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused” earlier than morphing again into “Simply Acquired Paid.” The set ended with a five-minute drum solo after which the band cleared the stage. The gang was loud and hungry for extra. The band returned for the the anticipated encore, “Mountain Time.” Bonamassa instructed the group that somebody posted on Twitter, “Man, I actually hope you play ‘Mountain Time’ on the mountain!” He shared that he didn’t plan it, however that it simply makes f-cking sense. It was an incredible ending to a memorable efficiency!
Joe Bonamassa is without doubt one of the best dwelling guitar gamers and his performances are all the time extraordinary. Whether or not you’re a blues fan, rock fan, or each, make sure to put Bonamassa in your should see live performance checklist!
For extra images from this present https://www.abetterdj.internet/ROCK-LEGENDS-PHOTOGRAPHERS-CONCERT-PHOTOS/BLUES-CONCERT-PHOTOS-1/JOE-BONAMASSA-Purple-Rocks-8-6-23/
