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Frustrated with Bonamassa Live CDs

Several years ago the wife heard and liked Joe Bonamassa, and then we saw him in concert -- a talented guitar player with a solid band. We are very partial to live recordings and have his (i) Live at the Beacon in NYC and (ii) Live at Royal Albert Hall (the CD not DVD). Both are very good performances, but unfortunately both CDs sound bad in our system. Almost no separation of instruments, overall veiled and muddy, etc. Basically (and disappointingly) they sound like the many crap rock/pop recordings that just do not qualify for high-end listening. To be clear, great quality live CDs (e.g., Allmans, Pink Floyd, various Big Swing Bands) sound awesome in our room. Are these two Bonamassa CDs' just examples of a high-end system highlighting poor recording? Anyone else experience this with these two CDs? Alternatives or recommendations appreciated.
whitecap
saki70
907 posts
 
Well , here is where I am coming from ...
I have several of his concerts recorded on my cable box , and for so-so quality I am happy with them .
But , for some nice quality recordings I would be willing to spend some cash which would give Bonamassa some royalties .
Most everything that he has done is available somewhere for free to the end user , meaning he is not receiving any royalties ! Sure he made something for the performance that is being recorded . But he is not getting anything for all of the individuals listening to it outside of the original venue !
So what is the smarter decision , make a recording that everybody will enjoy and revere or make a recording that only a part of the market will enjoy ?
Good recordings are accomplishable because others do it !

Happy Tunes
rhanson739
269 posts
 
Saki70 -- Perhaps that's why Joe is "Always on the Road." Could be his business model.
jperry
2,450 posts
 
Try "Live from Nowhere in Particular". I have the two LP set. There is also a 2 LP set with the same title. I think it sounds good, but I can't comment on the CD as I only have the vinyl pressing. Nice rendition of Slow Gin on the album.
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
The best news re: Joey B. is last week I read a post by Randy Brecker that he's busy writing horn charts for the new Rock Candy Funk Party record! RCFP is Bonamassa's Funk/Fusion band (my favorite project of his! Their 'Live At The Iridium' is killa!). Holy shades of The Brecker Bros. Heavy Metal Bebop Batman!!!;)
whart's avatar
whart
3,050 posts
 
JPerry- It has been a while since I listened to "Live from Nowhere"- my recollection is that the vinyl was three LPs, not two. Perhaps I am wrong. (On the road right now, so can't check).
I used to go hear JB a number of years ago, before he achieved his deserved success. At that time, he was playing a more blues-oriented program, and though he obviously mixed it with hard rock, some great cover versions of things like Zep, ZZ Top and Yes, he added a very high level of playing skill to the mix.
However, it seemed like he shifted to a hard rock vein and at least in concert, became too loud. I like dynamic shading and contrast, and at a certain point, though his voice improved and he still pulls off some wonderful blues-oriented stuff ('Stop' was great), I sort of lost interest. I do wish him the best, and am glad to see that he has continued in his success, given how hard it is to make a living as a performer.
It does appear, based on discogs listings, that many of his earlier records have now been released on vinyl, presumably taken from digital masters (not that I'm against that, but note it).
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