At first it seemed that Joe Bonamassa would skip the Netherlands in 2025, but at the end of 2024 three shows suddenly appeared in the Dutch agenda.
All three shows are different: a regular show with his band at Bospop (July 13), a performance with the metropole orchestra at North Sea Jazz (July 12), and the big surprise: a mini tour of ten concerts with Black Country Communion. What a versatility this man offers!
When four musicians of this calibre share the stage together, the bar is set sky-high.
With a line-up that reads like a who’s who of the rock world – Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian – Black Country Communion is more than a band: it’s a test of experience, virtuosity and undeniable chemistry.
The evening starts with “Sway”. The catchy riff by Bonamassa immediately draws the audience into the evening. What power is on stage!
Glenn Hughes plays, despite his 73 years of age, like a young god. Jason Bonham drums with so much power, as if his life depends on it, and Derek Sherinian lets his Hammond howl wonderfully.
The sequel “One Last Soul” is of the same cloth: catchy riffs with a solo at the right moments.
With “Wanderlust” the proverbial gas was taken off a bit and a blues solo actually came from Bonamassa’s guitar, to rock on in the old-fashioned way with “The Outsider”.
“Song of Yesterday” is a special song for the band. Besides being one of the few songs sung by Bonamassa, it is also the first song they composed together and with which they decided to form the band.
The song doesn’t really feel like a typical Black Country Communion song to me; it could easily have been on a Bonamassa album. But as a change in the set it is a perfect moment.
The band is clearly not playing just to promote their album. From their latest album, “V”, which was released in 2024, only “Red Sun” and “Stay Free” are played towards the end of the set.
“The Crow” is a bit too loud for me personally, but judging by the audience, it can’t be loud enough for some tonight. The last song of the regular set was “Black Country”, with Hughes playing a leading role.
What a wonderful bass intro that song has, and the takeover by Bonamassa was phenomenal. The interplay between bass and guitar was world class.
The encore consisted of two songs tonight. “Sista Jane” has a classic rock feel. What makes the song especially special is that both Hughes and Bonamassa sing, and the chorus is two-part.
In Bonamassa’s solo, “Won’t Get Fooled Again” was clearly audible, and that was reinforced by Sherinian closing the song with the iconic intro of that same song.
The band ended with the Deep Purple cover “Mistreated.” According to Hughes, “We like to jam on it.” And so it did. Joe started with some great guitar work, and eventually it even moved into a reggae feel via Derek Sherinian.
But of course, rock and blues were always lurking. A short but great solo by Bonamassa led to the end of the song – and the end of a great evening.
The band is clearly inspired by all kinds of rock bands. Many grooves and the bluesy character are reminiscent of Led Zeppelin. In addition, I hear Uriah Heep; Sherinian lets his Hammond howl like in the old days of Heep.
Glenn Hughes’ voice also sounds a lot like that of David Byron, the original singer of Uriah Heep. You also hear Deep Purple, Free, Rush – too much to mention. Let’s just call it Black Country Communion.
Hopefully we won’t have to wait that long for the next tour. Glenn Hughes was clearly looking forward to it, but I doubt whether it fits into Bonamassa’s schedule.
