Joe Bonamassa Captivates a Sold Out Englert Theatre 5-7-10

Joe Bonamassa brought his fiery guitar technique Friday night to a sold-out Englert Theatre in Iowa City. His cross of British Blues and Delta Blues has made Joe a guitar icon. An Englert employee stated that they sold out their seats an added 50 more to try and meet the demand created by Joe Bonamssa.

After taking the stage at 8:00 PM, Joe and his band launched into Ballad of John Henry from his successful 2009 album of the same name. Joe quickly kept the groove progressing with the Last Kiss also from BOJH.

Joe demonstrated his crafty guitar techniques by changing gears with a single stroke, often catching the excited crowd off guard, promoting cheers of GO JOE ! Joe responded calmly by placing his finger to his lips, encouraging their attention.

Early in his 17 song set, Joe stated, “I have never been to Iowa City before…I was told, Joe, you have stopped in Davenport and Cedar Rapids, why don’t you stop in Iowa City.” Joe then said that it (The Englert) was such a wonderful gathering on the eve of his birthday” The crowd erupted in an impromptu Happy Birthday Joe.

A crowd favorite was Leonard Cohen’s Bird on a Wire, which Joe played as his first encore.

Friday’s intimate setting at The Englert featured a superb sound system and stage lights, making Joe Bonanassa’s performance in Iowa City , an experience usually reserved for much more populated venues.

The Set-list:

BOJH
Last Kiss
So Many
So It’s Like That
If Heartaches were Nickels
Further On Up The Road
Sloe Gin
Lonesome Road
Happier Times
Blue and Evil
Three Times a Fool
Blues Deluxe
Young Man’s Blues
Woke Up Dreaming
Mountain Time

Encore

Bird on a Wire
Just Got Paid

About the Author

George Burrows

Concert photography was a natural progression for George given his familiarity of the music industry as a veteran concert goer. George grew up in central Iowa in and around Des Moines. His early musical influences were Errol Garner, Ella Fitzgerald Dave Brubeck and Duke Ellington. George credits his mother's appreciation of jazz as his introduction and appreciation of progressive music. He was introduced to the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964. At 14 George began to embrace rock music and attend concerts. The 1969 Denver Pop Festival at Mile High Stadium in Denver Colorado was George's first rock festival. It was here that many of his musical preferences were born. He was introduced to The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Frank Zappa & The Mothers, Iron Butterfly , Tommy Bolin with Zepher, and Johnny Winter. In December 2010 George began iamnotjerry.com after attending the Wanee Festival in 2009 where he was frequently asked if he was Jerry Garcia. His response, " I am not Jerry."