How true, Joe has so much awesome music and is outstanding to see live but the cds all sound like garbage. Same with Warren Haynes and Gov't Mule my other favorites. I have all of Joe's Blu-ray concerts and they are the only way I can listen to him. Invest in a high end TV and sound system and you will feel like you are at his concerts. The sound and video on his blu-rays is outstanding. I do it every weekend and love it. Just hoping the cds all come out in SACD or SHM someday.
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.