OK, here's the full report.
He was at the Three Clans Ballroom at the Oneida Casino in Green Bay, WI. Opening for him was
Crosby Loggins without his band. Yes, he is the son of Kenny Loggins, although he joked he was the son of David Crosby and Melissa Etheridge. He was the first act signed to Joe's new label. Right before he started playing, someone from the crowd yelled out "Footloose!" He showed some pretty decent acoustic chops. At the end of his set, he said he wanted his dad to come out and play a couple of songs. Sure enough, there was Kenny Loggins. They played "Danny's Song" and an acoustic medley which included bits of "Superstition." I know it probably sounds like there would be enough corn to feed all the cattle in Wisconsin, but it was actually kind of cool. It was very clear how proud Kenny was of his son. He said it was the first time he ever shared his son's stage with him. The crowd gave a standing ovation at the end.
At about nine Joe and his band took the stage. They broke into "Bridge to Better Days." The band was tight. The PA was just the right amount of loudness. It was good. Joe was playing a honeyburst (I think that's what they call it) Les Paul through a Marshall (it was the Silver Jubilee--it had that silver tolex on it). Over the course of the hour and 45 minute set, he also played a semi-hollow Tele with the shiniest finish I've ever seen, a sunburst Strat, a black 335, and six and 12 string acoustics (Taylors, I believe, but it was hard to see for sure). The Les Paul-through-Marshall tone was to die for. He played an extended solo on acoustic which was very cool and downright humbling.
I don't have an exact track list, but they played through the majority of "You and Me," which is my favorite album of his (it's also a good one to start out on if you don't have any of his stuff) as well as a couple from his other albums, including the new "Sloe Gin." He did not slavishly follow his solos from the albums at all. He seemed content just to let 'er rip. He fiddled with his volume and tone knobs more than any guitarist I've ever seen. While the entire concert clearly sounded like him, it was easy to pick out bits and pieces of influences including Eric Johnson, SRV, and B.B. King (especially on the 335). I was especially impressed with the acoustic tone they were getting through the PA. It was big and bright without being boomy in the least.
While I enjoy his CDs and will continue to, you really need to see him live. The energy is incredible. That's hard to translate on to a studio CD. When Joe was playing, it seemed so effortless yet powerful. After the first couple of songs, I leaned over to one of my friends who came with me and said, "I need to practice." It's the first time I've seen one of my guitar heroes play that I haven't just wanted to go home and set fire to all my guitars. I wanted to play. I wanted to improve. It was quite inspiring. The $18 ($15 + assorted fees) I paid seemed too little for what we got. I bought the "Sloe Gin" CD at the concert. Even though it was expensive ($20--more than the ticket!), I know all the cash was going directly to him. Plus I couldn't seem to find it in any of the stores around here.
Long story short: if you get the chance, see him. You won't be disappointed. And whoever posted in the other thread that he was overrated, after seeing him live, I would have to say that you are absolutely, totally, unequivocally, cataclysmically wrong.
:master:
:rotflmao:
