Live Review
The Joanna Connor Band
Famous Dave’s – Minneapolis, MN
October 1, 2004
by Dave "Doc" Piltz
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"Keeping the Blues Alive Award"
Achievement for Blues on the Internet
Presented by The Blues Foundation
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Joanna Connor is a regular visitor to the Twin Cities and a Famous Dave’s favorite. Although Joanna’s October 1st show was lightly attended, probably because of the gala events attached to Dave’s anniversary celebrations on the previous weekend, the sparse crowd did not dampen Connor’s enthusiasm or her signature talent as a guitarist. Connor is one of several fine female blues guitarists performing today and has been able to more than hold her own against her female peers, as well as many of her male counterparts. With her scorching slide guitar and soulful vocals, Connor is an excellent and entertaining performer.
On Friday night, The Joanna Connor Band performed with its usual fervor at Famous Dave’s in Uptown Minneapolis. Featuring Connor (clad in black) on guitar and slide guitar, Quentis McCormick (second guitar), Lance Lewis (drums) and J. R. Fuller (bass), the band opened with a showcase instrumental featuring solos by Connor, McCormick and Fuller. Following the initial vocal number, “You’re So Fine,” featuring a searing slide solo by Connor, the bad performed a hot version of Albert King’s “Born Under A Bad Sign” and a great version of “Shake your Money Maker” that included a nice guitar solo by Quentis McCormick and another burning slide solo by Connor.
Among the other highlights of the evening were several songs featuring the guitar and vocals of Quentis McCormick, an accomplished guitarist/vocalist himself, including a nice version of “Sweet Little Bluebird.” Connor’s version of “Walkin’ Blues” did homage to the Johnny Winter version, with some badass slide guitar, along with solos by all of the other members of the band. Overall, the show was as good as any of the many other times I have gotten to see Joanna Connor perform live, as she continues to perform with a high level of energy and skill.
Connor is a regular on the club scene in Chicago and continues to visit the Twin Cities on a regular basis. To find out more about the talented Ms. Connor, visit her website at www.dmamusic.org.
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