Joe Perry Project - 11/13, 11/14 concert review

 By Deb Rao

The Joe Perry Project took New England by storm this past weekend with a blockbuster performance at the Hampton Beach Casino on November 13th and a special Boston homecoming at the House of Blues in Boston on November 14th.

Rock and Roll icon Joe Perry took center stage and Let The Music Do The Talkin' at his recent New England concerts this weekend. Perry is touring in support of the latest  release "Have Guitar Will Travel." The Joe Perry Project performed an ecletic 90 - minute set filled with classic and current Joe Perry Project hits along with a few Aerosmith classics including 'Walk This Way', 'Dream On', and 'Toys In The Attic.'

Joe Perry illustrated his passion for the blues in his low-keyed blues voice on 'Slingshot', and the funky bluesy  rendition of 'Dream On.' Joe Perry commented at the Hampton Beach Casino concert,"It is great to be in New Hampshire, Live Free or Die. We used to be an New England band, but we have a visitor with us from Germany. Welcome our singer Hagen from Germany."

 The night is just getting started." As the band launched into their latest single,'Long Way To Go.'  The rhythm section which includes long time Joe Perry Project bassist David Hull and drummer Marty Richards laid down the funky backbone to the catchy blues guitar riffs of Joe Perry. Singer Hagen reminds me of a young Steven Tyler and moved around the stage with relentless energy. The chemistry onstage between Hagen and Perry is unstoppable.

 

The excitement seeing the Aerosmith guitar legend didn't end in New Hampshire. The Joe  Perry Project invaded Boston's House Of Blues on Saturday night November 14 in a star-studded performance in which Joe Perry was joined onstage by Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton on 'Walk This Way.' From the East Coast To The West Coast, be sure to stay tuned to www.joeperry.com for up to the minute news on tour dates.

Have Guitar Will Travel is one of the most outstanding albums of 2010. The brillant guitar work of guitar virtuoso Joe Perry shines. 

 

 Set List

Let The Music Do The Talkin'

Walkin' The Dog

Long Way To Go

Get The Lead Out

Slingshot

Discount Dogs

Head Kicked In

Do You Wonder

Vigilante Man

Dream On

Scare The Cat

East Coast, West Coast

Combination

Brightl Light Fright

Toys In The Attic  

Encore 

Stop Messin With The Kid 

Walk This Way 

Rockin' In The Free World    

Update on Monday, November 16, 2009 at 9:01PM by Thomas

Interview with Joe Perry Project bass player-David Hull

RockMusicStar.com Correspondent Deb Rao spoke to Joe Perry Project bassist David Hull prior to the Hampton Beach Casino concert regarding detailed information regarding Have Guitar Will Travel.

 

RockMusicStar:  David, The Joe Perry Project is currently on tour on the East Coast. How is the tour going so far? I know the band did some warm up shows recently in Foxboro, Providence, and Plymouth, MA.

HULL: "The warmup shows here, and on the West Coast went great.  I don't think I've ever been in a band that sounded so good, so quickly."

 

RockMusicStar:: Will the band be performing some Aerosmith classics in the set?

HULL:  "That would be telling, wouldn't it?  You'll have to come and see... but I don't think anyone will be disappointed."

 

RockMusicStar:  Tell us about the writing process for 'Have Guitar Will Travel.' Where was it recorded and over how long a time period did it take to finish the album?

HULL: "It was recorded over a period of a couple of months, at Joe's studio, The Boneyard, during the Spring of 09. Joe had demos of most of the songs, some of which were very recent, some of which went back a way. He brought me in to play and help put it together, and the recording process was pretty straight ahead - mostly the tracks were recorded live, with Joe, a drummer, and me playing at once. In some cases the vocals were added after the fact, but the basic tracks of the songs are mostly what we just played in the moment. Joe was looking for a spontaneous, freewheeling sound, which is totally what we got, in my opinion."

 

RockMusicStar:  What does the title Have Guitar Will travel denote to the band? 

HULL: "There was a cowboy named Paladin, on TV in the 60s. He was a cool guy who dressed in black, but was a good guy.... kinda.  His business card read, "Have Gun, Will Travel."

 

RockMusicStar: You are no stranger to working with Joe Perry. You recently filled in for Tom Hamilton on the recent Aerosmith tour. What were some of the highlights of that tour?

HULL:  "Playing with that band is always exhilarating.  They play hard, sing hard. No one's phoning it in.  They jam every night. They play some blues every night. They have an ability to live in two worlds at once, that's rare, maybe unique. On one hand the world of hit records, high value production, and a very modern image and Brand awareness.  One the other hand, they're a band that puts a premium on musical chemistry between the members, staying aware of their roots, and giving the crowd a different show every night."

 

RockMusicStar: Also in 1981 you were a member of the original Joe Perry Project. How has the Project evolved since then?

HULL:  "Well, the more things change, the more they stay the same..  Joe has certainly evolved a lot since then, particularly regarding the writing and recording processes.  The Project is certainly a hell of lot less chemically influenced these days.  He's retained his love and enthusiasm for rock music, I think that's the main similarity between then and now. So have I."