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.
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Showing 5 responses by saki70

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
Wow , just checked Amazon for a used copy of Nowhere in Particular ... $199.99 plus shipping ! New are $249.98 !
I'll stick with my downloaded video's !

Happy Tunes
Just checking back with my take on his LP " Live From Nowhere " .
This was recommended as the best LP recording . It is very clear and clean but ... it appears , to me , to be cut from a digital source . This recording left me wanting more , turning it up made no improvement . I noticed a lack of extension on both ends as well as no drama ! What I would say is the lack of life that I seek from LP's as opposed to CD's ! Everything is there but it just lies flat . It lost that boogy factor . Oh well , live and learn !
Hopefully the Blue Ray's are better .

Happy Tunes