Joe Bonamassa Talks about the Collectors Choice #3

[fretnot]

Guys, let's be honest. All of our "guitar heroes" have taken pages from other players' books. Go back and listen to old Albert King albums or Robert Johnson, and you'll hear where Clapton got many of his licks, note for note. Bonamassa is a killer player, but he heavily focused on Eric Johnson's style and made his own sound out of it. Jimmy Page was a terrific songwriter, even though many feel his playing is "sloppy.". The unfortunate part about many of these guys like Bonamassa is that their audience is relatively capped. The typical radio listener doesn't want to hear a 4 minute blues jam. Guitar nerds like us on these forums appreciate the gear, multi amp setups, pickup combinations, etc. The average person doesn't know if he's playing a Les Paul, Stratocaster, or a ukelele. Joe is not unlike a million other musicians with immense talent, but limited appeal. He's selling out the venues he plays, and that's what matters. He looks like he has an amazing time playing, and his playing is extraordinary. I don't care for several of the artists that Gibson has given a sig model to, but apparently enough people do as they all usually sell out. Joe's having a blast and making cash doing it...we should all be so fortunate.

[b3john]

The CC #3 Les Pauls are copies of Joe's '60 Bigbsy'ed burst. Why wouldn't he go to Nashville for the big rollout?

[Sum1 Else]

All of the Historic's are copies of the originals. What's your point.

Joe is a guitarist trying to make a living in the business,
I would be doing the same in his shoes.

If people don't like that or is jealous of him, then go hang out
on America Got Talent and suck a$$ with Simon Dickweed.

[nicolasrivera]

Originally Posted by Sum1 Else

America Got Talent and suck a$$ with Simon Dickweed.

I bet thats what most JB haters do all the time!!!

[Kim]

Joe didn't even know about the CC#3 until it was already produced.
He showed up at Wildwood guitars April 23 and they had the guitar there waiting for him.
He was more instrumental in the appointments on the Kossoff model.
He shared what knowledge he had gained from the instrument after playing it a few times.

We all choose to play our own style music as well as dedicate our time to it.
Joe in my opinion is one of the most dedicated players I have ever met.

Whether or not I care for his music, He has a passion for gear and he is just as obsessed as many of us if not more.

Whether or not you care for his music or playing you have to give him credit for his intense dedication.

There has to be about fifteen years of working his ass off playing every night we never heard about because it was dues time.
Now that he has risen in the ranks and has a worldwide notoriety he gets criticized pretty heavy at times. He is a very genuine guy and I'm sure like any normal person it bothers him.
After all he is trying to do his best with what he has.

I just don't get it when I hear ill comments about any pro player.
What are they to do. Just go out and try to fail?
What if he was your Son, Brother or maybe Cousin?
Would he be looked upon differently?

For as hard as he works and as assessable to his fans during his grueling touring schedule.
I say give him a break.

[LPCollector]

Like Kim, I have actually met Joe.

I wish those saying that he is egotistical, were there during our discussion of GRATUITY.
He is genuine, down to earth and an AMAZING talent.

Besides, he is more of a gear head than most of us (ok, SOME of us)....but a fellow gear head none the less.
If he wasn't Joe Bonamassa and you just started talking gear with him, I guarantee even the worst of haters would like him!

[Jonny333]

...pretty tired of this 'he sold out' culture.

The Black Keys "Selling Out" in Studio Q - YouTube

The Black Keys "Selling Out" in Studio Q - YouTube

[LPCollector]

Originally Posted by Jonny333

...pretty tired of this 'he sold out' culture.

The Black Keys "Selling Out" in Studio Q - YouTube

I love his last line of: "If you are gonna be randomly exposed to music, I'd rather it be ours!".............

How true was the statement: "music is the only art form that this (selling out) is even an issue".

[RAG7890]

Originally Posted by LPCollector

Like Kim, I have actually met Joe.

I wish those saying that he is egotistical, were there during our discussion of GRATUITY.
He is genuine, down to earth and an AMAZING talent.

Besides, he is more of a gear head than most of us (ok, SOME of us)....but a fellow gear head none the less.
If he wasn't Joe Bonamassa and you just started talking gear with him, I guarantee even the worst of haters would like him!

............you know Mark, I don't actually get the impression that people here or anywhere for that matter actually "hate" him. Hate is a very strong word.

I think the main problem is overexposure & that there are many other guitarists who are as good or maybe better not being discussed as often as Joe.

It is not Joe's fault & I certainly don't blame him.............I'd probably be all over the Custom Shop, the stores, the vintage guitar shows & the like, like a really bad smell. It is great to see he is so passionate. As I said, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

The overexposure of any artist is mind numbing after awhile. Evey time I get in to my wife's SUV.............she plays Celine Dion. Can you fathom what it is like to hear the same Celine Dion song 10,487 times!

IMHO, I love to see a little more balance & as well as talking about Joe, it would be great if we also talked a little more about a whole bunch of other great guitar players................many of which I for one have not heard.

What pains me about this Forum (& it is certainly getting worse over the last 6 months) is that if anyone says anything outside general consensus members start acting like school children.

So while I am not agree with your (I don't mean you specifically Mark) point of view, since I do live in a democracy I'll fight to protect anyone's right to express it.

In the past, many have bagged the Gibson Historic Division for releasing yet another over priced Les Paul but now it seems OK when Joe is involved in some small way...............or so it appears to me.

For the record, I actually like CC#3 & I am not a Bigsby fan.

My 2c FWIW.

Cheers, Rudi

[Backstage]

Thanks for posting!
Sadly he says nothing special except: "... this one got a better top than the original" .

[hank]

Originally Posted by fretnot

Guys, let's be honest. All of our "guitar heroes" have taken pages from other players' books. Go back and listen to old Albert King albums or Robert Johnson, and you'll hear where Clapton got many of his licks, note for note. Bonamassa is a killer player, but he heavily focused on Eric Johnson's style and made his own sound out of it. Jimmy Page was a terrific songwriter, even though many feel his playing is "sloppy.". The unfortunate part about many of these guys like Bonamassa is that their audience is relatively capped. The typical radio listener doesn't want to hear a 4 minute blues jam. Guitar nerds like us on these forums appreciate the gear, multi amp setups, pickup combinations, etc. The average person doesn't know if he's playing a Les Paul, Stratocaster, or a ukelele. Joe is not unlike a million other musicians with immense talent, but limited appeal. He's selling out the venues he plays, and that's what matters. He looks like he has an amazing time playing, and his playing is extraordinary. I don't care for several of the artists that Gibson has given a sig model to, but apparently enough people do as they all usually sell out. Joe's having a blast and making cash doing it...we should all be so fortunate.

Excellent comments.

[nicolasrivera]

Originally Posted by Backstage

Thanks for posting!
Sadly he says nothing special except: "... this one got a better top than the original" .

And neck, and parts, and color etc...

[babatube]

Originally Posted by Jonny333

...pretty tired of this 'he sold out' culture.

[/url]

+1
****en haters...

sold out??
i wonder if gibson offered you free guitars in exchange for advertisement you wouldn't "sell out"

there should be a rule, before any hate posts or threads, the hater should post video of him/her self playing.
if you fail providing such video you will be banned immediately.
just planting seeds...

[Brutus]

It's really a shame that there's so much ugliness in this world. It seems (to me) that, not always but sometimes, certain forums can bring out the worst (in people). Not sure why. I never thought music or discussing music/gear/tone would do that to people. Could it be that those who are attacking musicians are not really musicians themselves?

[LPCollector]

Originally Posted by RAG7890

Can you fathom what it is like to hear the same Celine Dion song 10,487 times!

Rudi,
After reading this, I wanna give you a hug and tell you everything will be alright.

[7gtop]

Originally Posted by LPCollector

Rudi,
After reading this, I wanna give you a hug and tell you everything will be alright.

............Mark .................

Since I have somewhat enjoyed the LOVE/LOVE-less remarks from all
of us towards JB, I have an explanation :

W E ................... all have what I call AGD ( acquired guitarist disease ) .
We all listen to our own voices when wood-shedding .
We all like to speak-up when we feel necessary (almost always ).
We all like having company regarding OUR opinions .
We as fiddle-rebels like a "good-fight" .

I think that's what ALL this is ................

I like JB ............... He's livin' our dream .................
He will make mistakes , He will be brilliant at times , He is human.

He reminds me of "BUBBLES" , of The Trailer Park Boys .
With a killer "SUPER GUITAR MAN" life .

imho.................

[guitarnut_germany]

I'm just glad guys like Joe still make it in todays "lady gaga" market. I am thankful to Joe for "popularizing" the music we love.

Apart from that, he looks like a really nice down to earth kinda guy. I like 'im!

Thank you Joe for your contribution, great music and devotion!

[Brutus]

Originally Posted by 7gtop

He reminds me of "BUBBLES" , of The Trailer park boys .
With a killer "SUPER GUITAR MAN" life .

imho.................

I just busted a gut! Thank you! That analogy is too perfect!

[Zack]

Originally Posted by kdm

what shall I say, he's marketing these guitars.....

no shit... isnt that his deal with gibson

[RAG7890]

Originally Posted by LPCollector

Rudi,
After reading this, I wanna give you a hug and tell you everything will be alright.

..............I am a broken man Mark................haunted by Celine Dion!

Thanks.

Cheers, Rudi

[BillB1960]

Originally Posted by RAG7890

..............I am a broken man Mark................haunted by Celine Dion!

Thanks.

Cheers, Rudi

You ain't heard nuthin' til you've heard her do AC/DC!

Celine dion - You shook me all night long (AC/DC) - YouTube

Celine dion - You shook me all night long (AC/DC) - YouTube

[7gtop]

Originally Posted by RAG7890

..............I am a broken man Mark................haunted by Celine Dion!

Thanks.

Cheers, Rudi

Rudi,
Can you at least barter for more "man-cave" time ..........
Recovery of course should be understandable.

[7gtop]

Originally Posted by BillB1960

You ain't heard nuthin' til you've heard her do AC/DC!

Celine dion - You shook me all night long (AC/DC) - YouTube

Bill,
I "liked" to dislike.....................

[RAG7890]

Originally Posted by 7gtop

Rudi,
Can you at least barter for more "man-cave" time ..........
Recovery of course should be understandable.

I really can't complain Dean...............guitars are littered throughout the house (which makes it easy to hide another one ) & she does not complain......ever. I only get the occasional...................

I would not swap her for anything.

Thanks for lightening the moment Bill.

For the record my favorite clips of Joe are the ones where he is noodling at Rumble Seat Music.

Cheers, Rudi

[NowGibson]

Ahhhh...we all bought into it didn't we when we bought our historics?
Hey Joe, where you going with that guitar and money in your hand?

[LPCollector]

Originally Posted by BillB1960

You ain't heard nuthin' til you've heard her do AC/DC!

Celine dion - You shook me all night long (AC/DC) - YouTube

OMG!

Poor, Poor Rudi............................

That was a "Partridge Family/Brady Bunch" version of a CLASSIC!

I now hate Bill for making me watch Celine Dion!

However, I REALLY pitty Rudi. As that woman's voice.....well, let's just say that I am not a fan.

An absolute, crystal clear sign that Rudi loves his woman to endure that kind of punishment (borderline abuse).

[BillB1960]

Originally Posted by LPCollector

OMG!

Poor, Poor Rudi............................

That was a "Partridge Family/Brady Bunch" version of a CLASSIC!

I now hate Bill for making me watch Celine Dion!

However, I REALLY pitty Rudi. As that woman's voice.....well, let's just say that I am not a fan.

An absolute, crystal clear sign that Rudi loves his woman to endure that kind of punishment (borderline abuse).

You know what they say...misery loves company!

Here's what Brian Johnson had to say about it:

"I heard her brother told her to sing this song. He probably said 'You'll slay them in Vegas','' Johnson says of Dion's cover, nay, suffocation.

"I bet he's still looking for his left testicle. Jesus! Talk about bad decision-making. Never get your family involved in music. Oh, and Celine - why the long face?"

[freebyrd 69]

Man oh man...where to start!?

First off, to anyone who says that this guy is egotistical, what basis do you have? I have had the opportunity to meet him several times, and that word shouldn't be used in any sentence with his name. He has been nothing but humble, humorous, and gracious. If there are fans outside after the show, he will make sure and talk to every single one of them, sign their stuff, take photo's, etc. after doing a 2+ hour show where he never leaves the stage. In almost every single interview I've read or heard, every liner note to dvd's, cd's, he mentions his gratitude for the fans, and how grateful he is to them for any success he has.

I have also dealt with his Dad over at Bonamassa guitars. He too is very humble and grateful for the success his son has had, as well as being passionate about instruments. He wasn't trying to sell me anything, you could just tell he was very in to the guitars that Gibson has made. At the time, he wasn't even a Gibson dealer!

Selling out? I can tell you, this guy has a true love and passion for guitars. The same passion we all share among ourselves here on the forum. I bet it's safe to say that if Gibson contacted any one of us today, and said hey, I'll give you 10k and a free guitar if you do an interview with us and talk about the instruments you love and why you love them, none would say no. You'd become a "sellout" pretty quickly.

As far as not paying dues, WTF? I saw this guy in 2002 when he was touring (as he had been for about 2yrs. at the time) out of the back of a van. So he should still be doing that in order to call himself a "blues" player? LOL. So I guess he will be a real dick and sellout if/when he has a radio hit eh?

IMHO, it's nice to see someone succeed the way he has. You don't see it anymore. Hardwork, dedication, passion, and a big "**** you" to the record/radio industry. What he has done, he has done largely on his own. And because of him, people like Eric Johnson, Steve Via, etc. WILL get more exposure as he continues to site them as an inspiration, and his admiration for them.

I think some people just aren't happy unless they have something bad to say. LOL. Like his music or not, he should be recognized as a great talent and a great guy. NOT an egotistical sellout. I don't know him or his Dad THAT well, but, certainly well enough to comment with SOME knowledge of what they are about. They are good people who deserve good things. That's my 2 cents.

[huffdaddy]

Originally Posted by 7gtop

He reminds me of "BUBBLES" , of The Trailer Park Boys .
With a killer "SUPER GUITAR MAN" life .

Oh crap ! Now you did it ! Bubbles has "sold out" to Eastwood guitars !

BUBBLES The Trailer Park Boys with EASTWOOD Guitar - YouTube

BUBBLES The Trailer Park Boys with EASTWOOD Guitar - YouTube

[nicolasrivera]

The most hilarious part is when they say he has not paid his dues!!!

Just take a look at what he has done so far....


Solo studio albums
A New Day Yesterday (2000)
So, It's Like That (2002)
Blues Deluxe (2003)
Had to Cry Today (2004)
You & Me (2006)
Sloe Gin (2007)
The Ballad of John Henry (2009)
Black Rock (2010)
Dust Bowl (2011)
Driving Towards the Daylight (2012)

Collaboration albums
Don't Explain (2011) (with Beth Hart)
Black Country Communion albums
Black Country (2010)
2 (2011)
Live Over Europe (2012)

Guest appearances
Joe Lynn Turner – Holy Man (2000)
Joe Lynn Turner – JLT (2003)
Walter Trout and the Radicals – Full Circle (2006)
Carl Verheyen Band – Trading 8s (2009)
Shannon Curfman – What You're Getting Into (2010)
Sandi Thom – Merchants and Thieves (2010)
Healing Sixes – Blue Jay (2010)
Lee Ritenour – 6 String Theory (2010)
Henrik Freischlader – Still Frame Replay (2011)
Don Airey – All Out (2011)
Derek Sherinian – Oceana (2011)
Leslie West – Unusual Suspects (2011)
Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat - Tijuana Bible (2009)
Europe - Bag of Bones (2012)

And best of all he is only 35 years old!!!, just think about what he has accomplished as a musicians so far....and what is yet to come!!!