Standing in The Marquee last night for the second night of Joe Bonamassa plays Rory Gallagher, you could feel it… what that “it” was can’t be done justice by words alone, but if you were there, you know what “it” was.. a sense of excitement, of a building expectation, a hum from the sold out crowd that knew they were in for something special.
Word had spread like wildfire of the previous evenings show, and those present last night set the tone beforehand with the palpable sense of atmosphere that grew and grew, waiting for the inevitable moment… and when the house lights went down, “it” exploded.
If ever there was a venue that can exemplify the true fervour of a crowd, it’s The Marquee. As Joe came on stage, the roar from the crowd that greeted him was like that of a vent that had suddenly given way to the huge pressure it had been under. It shot to the roof, did a quick U-turn, and spilled back in on itself.. it was deafening, and it hit perfectly!
If there was even so much as a fleeting doubt if the music of the great Gallagher was in safe hands, it was promptly dispelled. The heat of the capacity crowd was matched and surpassed by the searing guitar skills of Bonamassa. For anyone that had never seen him perform live, they now knew why he is one of the greatest rock and blues guitarists in the world. And more so than that, last night, it was evident from Joe himself that he was in heaven.
Faultlessly playing his way through the greats of “Cradle Rock”, Walk On Hot Coals”, “Tattooed Lady” and “I Wonder Who”, Bonamassa gave what the crowd had been hoping for, and they let him know in return that yeah, they loved it!
A really special moment came a number of songs later, when Joe introduced Rorys former band mate and base player Gerry McEvoy, who joined him on stage for “Bullfrog Blues” and “Treat Her Right”. The smile said it all as he walked on to tremendous applause, and when he left the stage, the way he clenched his fists and brought them tight to his chest, screaming that internal “Yes!”, it seemed he had been transported back to and had just relived those golden years of Irish Tour ‘74.
That is how special and perfectly Bonamassa honoured the music of Rory Gallagher last night. It was all at once exhilarating, spine tingling and emotional. I’m sure that Rory was looking down on all gathered in this amazing venue, from the amazing band that Bonamassa had assembled for this occasion, to the phenomenal crowd, and smiled, and was proud. His music will live on, in that there is no doubt.
We didn’t want this to end, but inevitably it had to, but not before a final treat of a beautiful acoustic rendition of “As The Crow Flies” before finishing with “Stompin’ Ground”. It was a night to remember, it was a night that wont be forgotten, thanks to the legend that was Rory Gallagher, and the legend that is Joe Bonamassa.
Joe Bonamassa photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Cradle Rock
Walk On Hot Coals
Tattooed Lady
I Wonder Who
Calling Card
Who’s That Coming
Messin’ With The Kid
Bullfrog Blues
Treat Her Right
Bad Penny
I Fall Apart
A Million Miles
__________________
As The Crow Flies
Stompin’ Ground
Photos & Words – Lar Gilmartin @larsoffthebeatphotography