Joe Bonamassa "Tales of Time" Blu-ray Concert at Red Rocks, CO 2023

[Bob Rapoport]

Concert:
Video:
Audio;
Final Score:
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Joe Bonamassa's latest live concert release, "Tales of Time" - is a sprawling and expansive musical undertaking filmed in August 2022 at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado and released on Blu-ray in April 2023.

The show showcases Joe Bonamassa at his best, delivering powerful and raw blues-rock performances alongside his exceptional band. It really gives you that live concert feel, with Joe fully immersed in his playing, unleashing fantastic riffs and solos, and clearly enjoying the musical connection with his bandmates against the breathtaking backdrop of Red Rocks. It’s hard not to get caught up in the energy of his performance.

As always, Joe has surrounded himself with an incredible lineup of musicians: Reese Wynans on keyboards, Calvin Turner on bass, Lemar Carter on drums and percussion, Josh Smith on guitar, and the powerful vocals and percussion of Jade MacRae, Mahalia Barnes, and Dannielle DeAndrea.

The show begins with a unique touch – Deepak Chopra narrating passages from Kahil Gibran’s The Prophet over the rhythm of percussion, leading into the rocking energy of “Notches.” Joe’s vocal range and inspired guitar solo in this opening number are truly impressive. The production quality, both visually and sonically, is outstanding.

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Tracks like the bluesy “The Heart That Never Waits” are highlights, with Reese Wynans shining on the keys and a tight performance from the rhythm section. While Joe’s vocals might sound a touch strained at times, the backing vocals add great depth. And, of course, his guitar playing is as soulful and electrifying as ever. The video beautifully captures the band, moving from wide stage shots to close-ups of musicians like Wynans and Joe himself playing his blond Telecaster, with a fantastic vocal moment from Jade MacRae over Lemar Carter's impressive drumming.

The energy continues with the rocking “Curtain Call,” before the show takes a more introspective turn with “Mind’s Eye,” a beautifully simple yet complex song where Joe’s vocals and guitar work truly shine, creating a moving ballad of heartbreak. This is the blues.

Joe’s songwriting talent is evident throughout, with impressive melodies in tracks like “The Loyal Kind,” the 70s-infused blues-rocker “Known Unknowns,” and the driving “Just ‘Cos You Can Don’t Mean You Should.”

Midway through the performance, the band really lets loose on “Evil Mama,” a standout with its infectious rhythm. Wynans’ magic on the B3 Hammond organ is always a treat, and the song builds into a seamless rocker featuring a detailed guitar solo from Joe on his Les Paul. The Blu-ray soundtrack really lets you appreciate the band’s deep groove and interaction.

When Joe shifts gears, like on the Blu-ray-exclusive “Midnight Blues” by Gary Moore, the performance takes on a truly soulful quality.

The Blu-ray also includes bonus video tracks of “Dust Bowl” and “The Ballad Of John Henry.”

Joe Bonamassa has established himself as an incredibly prolific live artist, with his live albums now outnumbering his studio releases. While some might see this as a lot, his live performances are where he truly excels. Each live release feels like a unique event, showcasing Joe’s continuous growth as a musician and songwriter, always pushing his boundaries with a fantastic band. There’s a palpable rawness to his stage presence that makes each live album as exciting as being there.

Track List:
1. Notches
2. The Heart That Never Waits
3. Curtain Call
4. Mind’s Eye
5. Questions And Answers
6. The Loyal Kind
7. Known Unknowns
8. Time Clocks
9. Evil Mama
10. Midnight Blues
11. I Didn’t Think She Would Do It
12. Just ‘Cos You Can Don’t Mean You Should
13. Mountain Time
Bonus:
1. Dust Bowl
2. Band Intros
3. The Ballad Of John Henry

Video / Audio Quality

The Tales of Time package is a real audio-visual treat, even by Joe’s high standards for live releases, making it a perfect memento of a special event. The Blu-ray version offers three bonus tracks, including an extended “Ballad of John Henry.” The booklet is also nicely done, featuring a note from Joe, full production credits, and some stunning photography by Jenise Jensen. I loved the original video content produced for the show, projected on a massive 4K screen behind the stage. It sets the mood at the start for a very special event.

Each Joe Bonamassa show has its own distinct character, from the various nights of Tour-de-Force to the brass-infused Live At The Greek Theatre and the acoustic Live At Carnegie Hall. Tales of Time captures Joe’s performance at Red Rocks, leaning into a harder rock sound reminiscent of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, while still grounded in the blues but with more room for improvisation. It’s an epic show that highlights the breadth of Joe’s influences and his constant desire to explore new musical territory. Beautifully filmed and edited, with a fantastic surround sound mix, this release is a wonderful reminder of what must have been an incredible night.

Specifications:

Video
Codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1

Audio
2-Channel LPCM 24 / 192K Uncompressed
5.1 Channel DTS Master HD Lossless

The show begins "Notches"

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[Sonnie Parker]

Thanks for the review Bob... definitely diggin' Notches. This is one I'll have to see for sure.

 

[JStewart]

Mountain Time to close. One of my JB favorites and very fitting for the venue.