During his relatively short career – compared to his peers BB King, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton – Joe Bonamassa has become known for his relentless work ethic of touring and album releases and continues to keep blues music alive and safe for generations of musicians and fans to come.

On this, the fourth date of his UK tour, he kicked off the set with the swing blues of ‘See See Baby’ followed by ‘Never Make Your Move Too Soon’ and ‘Angel Of Mercy’ all played on his custom signature Gibson 335 before finally letting loose on his own material.

If you ever wondered if this sharp dressed New Yorker has what it takes you soon realise that here beats the heart of a true bluesman as he fires off the heavy riffs of ‘Oh Beautiful’.

‘Trouble Time’ from his 2014 ‘Different Shades of Blue’ features some great slide work and interplay with bass player Michael Rhodes before breaking into a rousing version of Freddie King’s ‘Goin’ Down’.

Finally taking a break he recounts his previous visits to the Nottingham area that included the 250 capacity Flowerpot in Derby and The Rescue Rooms, and thanks the 10000 capacity crowd this evening for their continued support.

After a few more tracks from ‘Different Shades of Blue’ he winds up the main set with the tracks that most have been waiting for.  The applause rings out as soon as the first notes of ‘Sloe Gin’ echo round the arena as Joe puts his all into his haunting rendition of the Ezrin/Kamen song before his own ‘Ballad of John Henry’ finally brings the crowd to their feet in a standing ovation.

Joe appears back on stage and brings a wonderful night to an end as it started. with a nod to his peers and an encore of Jeff Beck’s ‘Spanish Boots’ leading in to Muddy Waters ‘All Aboard’.

Review and photos by Simon Dunkerley

Setlist: See See Baby, Never Make Your Move Too Soon, Angel Of Mercy, Hey Baby, Oh Beautiful, Happier Times, Trouble Town, Going Down, Gave Up Everything, Double Trouble, Breaking Up Somebody’s Home, Love Ain’t A Love Song, Sloe Gin, Ballad of John Henry. Encore: Spanish Boots, All Aboard

Gig review (Brighton, 30 October 2015)

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Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)

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