Joe Bonamassa – British Blues Explosion Live (2018)

Joe Bonamassa (born May 8, 1977) is an American blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. He started his career at age 12, when he opened for B.B. King. In the last 13 years Bonamassa has put out 15 solo albums through his independent record label J&R Adventures, of which 11 have reached number 1 on the Billboard Blues charts. (by wikipedia)

Bonamassa has played alongside many notable blues and rock artists, and earned a Grammy Award nomination in 2013. Among guitarists, he is known for his extensive collection of vintage guitars and amplifiers

Electrifying, on British Blues Explosion Live, Bonamassa and his band made up of Michael Rhodes (bass), Reese Wynans (keyboard), Anton Fig (drums), and Russ Irwin (rhythm guitar) pay tribute to British guitar heroes Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. Giving accolade to his biggest influences, British Blues Explosion Live was recorded on July 7, 2016 at Greenwich Music Time at The Old Royal Naval College based in Greenwich, London during Bonamassa’s short but memorable tour of Britain.

A guitar legend himself, Bonamassa’s journey began in the Empire State of New York where he was born in 1977. Born to play, at the age of 4 Bonamassa was exposed to iconic music by his father who loved British Blues Rock. Before he was a teenager, Bonamassa was already honing his craft, Rockin’ on guitar, and playing in bands. Bonamassa would go on to release 15 solo albums, 11 of which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, beginning with 2000’s A New Day Yesterday culminating to British Blues Explosion Live. Along the way, Bonamassa has played alongside Blues kings like Derek Trucks, Buddy Guy, and even Clapton himself.

Highly active in music, Bonamassa teamed up with Blues songstress Beth Hart and the duo have collaborated and released several albums including Black Coffee, released on January 26, 2018. Bonamassa is also the guitarist for the Hard Rock supergroup Black Country Communion playing alongside Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Jason Bonham (Son of Led Zeppelin’s late drummer John Bonham), and Derek Sherinian (Sons of Apollo, Dream Theater). Giving back, Bonamassa helps young minds to grow through music via his non-profit organization, Keeping The Blues Alive, which provides funds and resources to keep music education in schools.

Over an hour and a half of classic Blues Rock, British Blues Explosion Live is a tantalizing showcase of 14 songs which Bonamassa and company dig into with the unbridled spirit from which these tracks were originally conceived decades ago. Beginning with Jeff Beck, Bonamassa pays homage via a sonically pleasing rendition of “Beck’s Bolero-Rice Pudding” and then a vibrant “Let Me Love You, Baby” in which a subtle breakdown sees Bonamassa going crazy with Blues emotion. “Plynth (Water Down The Drain)” and “Spanish Boots” make for fine high-powered rockers giving Beck a worthy tribute.

The Guitar God Eric Clapton is saluted through covers of his solo works and one song from his most influential band Cream. Starting with the first of two selections off Clapton’s 1974 hit album, 461 Ocean Boulevard, Bonamassa’s version of “MainLine Florida” will make a listener want to put the top down and cruise down the coast. The second cover off Clapton’s aforementioned album, “Motherless Children” sees Bonamassa keeping the feel of the original and the era it represents. Next, Bonamassa takes on Cream’s “SWLABR” where he does the revolutionary band justice on the strings of his guitar. Well done, the Clapton tribute rolls on via “Little Girl,” “Pretending,” and a definitive slow Blues jam on “Double Crossing Time” where Bonamassa takes his time ripping note for note.

Climbing the highest mountain, Bonamassa fearlessly dives into the works of perhaps the greatest Rock band of all-time, Led Zeppelin. On “Tea For One-I Can’t Quit You Baby,” Bonamassa gives a slaying tribute to Jimmy Page and grooves out on “Boogie With Stu.” Magnetic, the 15 minute long “How Many More Times” is a Blues saga complete with extra effects which only add to the musical fireworks by Bonamassa and his band, executing a supreme dedication to Jimmy Page and all the members of Led Zeppelin. Closing the show, Bonamassa’s instrumental “Black Winter-Django” is stunning amongst a setlist of historic Blues tunes.

In supreme fashion, on British Blues Explosion Live, Bonamassa offers up a respectful and honorary tribute to the artists who paved the way for generations of Blues guitarists. Keeping the Blues alive, Bonamassa’s mission is to spread the word of these quintessential artists and their music in order to educate the Blues musicians of today and tomorrow.

Having said all of this, British Blues Explosion Live is the perfect way for Blues fans to rediscover this music and for new listeners to enjoy these classics for the first time with several formats to choose from, CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, and a 3 LP set. A must listen for Blues fans, CrypticRock gives British Blues Explosion Live 5 out of 5 stars. (crypticrock.com)

Personnel:
Joe Bonamassa (guitar, vocals)
Anton Fig (drums)
Russ Irwin (guitar, background vocals)
Michael Rhodes (bass)
Reese Wynans (keyboards)

Tracklist:

CD 1:
01. Beck’s Bolero / Rice Pudding (Beck/Page/Hopkins/Wood/Newman) 9.01
02. Mainline Florida (Terry) 7.01
03. Boogie With Stu (Stewart/Page/Bonham/Jones/Valens/Plant) 4.17
04. Let Me Love You Baby (Dixon) 5.36
05. Plynth (Water Down The Drain) (Hopkins/Stewart/Wood) 4.05
06. Spanish Boots (Beck/Stewart/Wood) 4.04
07. Double Crossing Time (Clapton/Mayall) 7.323
08. Motherless Children (Radle/Clapton) 6.27

CD 2:
01. Swlabr (Bruce/Brown) 6.27
02. Tea For One / I Can’t Quit You Baby (Page/Plant/Dixon) 8.40
03. Little Girl (Mayall) 3.51
04. Pretending (Williams) 8.32
05. Black Winter / Django (Bonamassa) 5.59
06. How Many More Times (Page/Bonham/Jones/Plant) 15.25

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Coming to me in the morning, leaving me at night.
Coming to me in the morning, leaving me alone.
You’ve got that rainbow feel,
But the rainbow has a beard.

Running to me a-cryin’, when he throws you out.
Running to me a-cryin’, on your own again.
You’ve got that pure feel,
Such good responses,
But the picture has a mustache.

You’re comin’ to me with that soulful look on your face.
Coming lookin’ like you’ve never ever done one wrong thing.

You’re comin’ to me with that soulful look on your face.
You’re comin’ lookin’ like you’ve never ever done one wrong thing.

So many fantastic colours, I feel in a wonderland.
Many fantastic colours, makes me feel so good.
You’ve got that pure feel,
Such good responses,
Got that rainbow feel,
But the rainbow has a beard

Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa – Black Coffee (Limited Edition) (2018)

Black Coffee is the third cover album recorded by American singer Beth Hart and blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa, released on January 26, 2018 on J&R Adventures and Mascot Label Group. It follows their 2013 cover album together titled Seesaw. (ny wikipedia)

Beth Hart first teamed up with guitarist Joe Bonamassa in 2011 and the partnership proved to be mutually beneficial. Hart gave the rock-edged Bonamassa some blues bona fides while the guitarist brought the vocalist to a wider audience. Plus, it was evident from their two studio albums and live set that the two had an easy chemistry: They shared a similar vernacular in Chicago blues and classic soul. The pair rely on that effortless interplay on Black Coffee, their third studio collaboration. Working with producer Kevin Shirley — a veteran of Black Crowes records who has been in the Bonamassa orbit since 2006 — the pair eschew straight traditionalism for a clean, colorful, retro vibe. Sometimes, the duo make choices that are perhaps a little too obvious — the covers of LaVern Baker’s “Saved” and Howlin’ Wolf’s “Sittin’ on Top of the World” are a bit on the nose — but they also know how to kick up the intensity on these chestnuts while avoiding sounding like they’re on steroids.

Still, the highlights of Black Coffee are the originals and lesser-known songs, as they reveal that there is plenty of common ground between Hart’s testifying and Bonamassa’s shredding. Interestingly, that common ground feels formal in a way their individual solo albums don’t — respectively, Hart will delve into the personal spins on roots music while Bonamassa will indulge in blues myths — but that’s the appeal: They’re working on keeping the flame burning, and Black Coffee may be their most effective testament in that effort to date. (by Stephen Thomas Erlewine)

Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa’s third studio album of mostly soul and blues sticks to the formula of “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” and it serves them well.

Hart, a powerful singer also capable of nuance, is a good fit with Bonamassa, a guitar whiz with a wide range of sounds. They are bonded by their shared intensity, and the well-chosen repertoire, including many lesser-known tunes, gives them 10 opportunities to realize their potential.

Etta James songs are a staple of the duo and here they take on “Damn Your Eyes,” from 1989’s “Seven Year Itch,” one of James’ multiple “comeback” albums across the years. R&B diva Lavern Baker gets two nods, “Soul on Fire” and “Saved,” while “Lullaby of the Leaves,” a ballad with a scorching Bonamassa solo a la Gary Moore, dates back to the early 1930s.

Other songs include “Joy” from Lucinda Williams, Kansas Joe McCoy’s “Why Don’t You Do Right,” and the title track, Ike & Tina Turner via Steve Marriott.

Horn arrangements from Lee Thornburg, tasteful backing vocals and excellent keyboard parts from Reese Wynans, who used to play with Stevie Ray Vaughan, all help “Black Coffee” percolate into a tasty brew.

Album closer “Addicted” is a real gem, originally released in 2007 by Austria’s Waldeck. It has elements of a James Bond theme, shades of the tango and, unsuprisingly, a certain European vibe. Hart imbues it with passion, as do the Bonamassa and Wynans solos.

The world is full of little underappreciated treasures. If Hart & Bonamassa and producer Kevin Shirley can keep finding them, there’s a bright future in the grooves for more albums like this truly fine effort. (vy Pablo Gorondi)

Personnel:
Joe Bonamassa (guitar)
Paulie Cerra (saxophone)
Ron Dzuibla (saxophone)
Anton Fig (drums, percussion)
Beth Hart (vocals)
Rob McNelley (guitar)
Michael Rhodes (bass)
Lee Thornburg (trumpet, trombone)
Reese Wynans (keyboards)
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background vocals:
Jade Macreae – Juanita Tippins – Mahalia Barnes

Tracklist:
01. Give It Everything You Got (Winter/LaCroix) 4.37
02. Damn Your Eyes (Wyrick/Bogard) 4.33
03. Black Coffee (I.Turner/T.Turner) 4.16
04. Lullaby Of The Leaves (Petkere/Young) 5.43
05. Why Don’t You Do Right (McCoy) 4.35
06. Saved (Leiber/Stoller) 3.50
07. Sitting On Top Of The World (Vinson/Chatmon) 3.58
08. Joy (Williams) 4.23
09. Soul On Fire (Ertegun/Wexler) 5.02
10. Addicted (Engel/Waldeck) 3.40
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11. Come Rain Or Come Shine (Arlen/Mercer) 4.35

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Joe Bonamassa – Rockin’ Christmas Blues (2016)

This is a very special christmas album. because it´s a self-released mp3 album by blue guitrplayer Joe Bonamassa, distrubted via facebook and his newsletter (# 51/2016):

I really look forward to the holiday season each year. The precious family time, the tightly wrapped presents, the glistening white snow – ok, no glistening white snow for me anymore, I’m in Florida now. And holiday time means holiday tunes, usually starting in about October these days. But if you’re like me, you’re just a little bit tired of hearing the same holiday jingles over and over again each year. Of course, there’s something fun about the first time you hear “Winter Wonderland” and “The Christmas Song” coming through that department store’s speakers. After all, who doesn’t love the holidays? And by Thanksgiving, I’m already pulling out my copy of Jewel’s first Christmas album – that can be our little secret, by the way. But you and me – deep down we’re blues fans, and after a few weeks of the novelty of Christmas music starts to wear off like yesterday’s aftershave, we’re ready to get back to our musical roots. (by Joe Bonamassa)

And so this is a nice addition to every serious Joe Bonamassa collection … christmas tunes in his very special way of playing the guitar !

Personnel:
Joe Bonamasse (guitar, vocals)
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a bunch of unknown studio musicians

Tracklist:
01. Merry Christmas, Baby (Baxter/Moore) 4.46
02. Bring Back My Cadillac (Bonamassa) 3.35
03. Christmas Boogie (One Little Kiss) (Bonamassa) 6.52
04. Christmas Date Blues (Turner) 2.31
05. O Holy Night (Adam) 4.05
06. Lonesome Christmas (Glenn) 3.27
07. Santa Claus Is Back In Town (Leiber/Stoller) 2.29

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Joe Bonamassa – A New Day Yesterday (2000)

A New Day Yesterday is the debut studio album by American blues-rock musician Joe Bonamassa. Recorded at Pyramid Recording Studios in Ithaca, New York, it was produced by Tom Dowd and released on October 24, 2000 by independent record label Okeh in tandem with Epic Records and 550 Music. The album registered at number 9 on the US Billboard Top Blues Albums chart and spawned the singles “Miss You, Hate You” in 2001 and “Colour and the Shape” in 2002.

Taking its title from the song of the same name by British progressive rock band Jethro Tull, a recording of which is featured on the album, A New Day Yesterday features six original tracks written by Bonamassa and others, in addition to six cover versions of songs by classic blues and rock artists. The album was reviewed positively by critics, who praised Bonamassa’s performances throughout on both the original and cover songs, identifying it as a strong debut release.

Joe Bonamassa recorded his debut album at Pyramid Recording Studios in Ithaca, New York, working with producer Tom Dowd, and engineers Alex Perialas and Jason Arnold. His backing band included bassist Greg “Creamo” Liss and drummer Tony Cintron, with a number of guest musicians also contributing to the recordings (including guitarists Rick Derringer and Leslie West, and keyboardists Gregg Allman and David Borden). A New Day Yesterday was released on October 24, 2000 by Okeh in tandem with Epic Records and 550 Music.[2] “Miss You, Hate You” was released as the first single from the album in 2001, including a music video which received airplay on shows including Chicago, Illinois-based JBTV and Brockton, Massachusetts-based Rage. “Colour and the Shape” was issued as a promotional single in 2002.

After an initial low-key release, A New Day Yesterday “caught the ears of veteran record executives”, according to CNN’s Simon Umlauf, and was rereleased in September 2001 by Medalist Entertainment.[5] Later reissues would follow in 2004 and 2009 by J&R Adventures (Bonamassa’s own record label), in 2005 by Provogue Records and in 2012 by Mascot Records.[6][7] All later releases include the original full-length version of “Miss You, Hate You” as a bonus track.[6][7] The album was promoted on a North American concert tour throughout 2001, the final date of which (December 12, 2001) was recorded for the 2002 live album A New Day Yesterday Live.

Despite being released almost two years earlier, A New Day Yesterday debuted at number 9 on the US Billboard Top Blues Albums chart in the week of August 17, 2002. Bonamassa’s second studio album So, It’s Like That would enter the chart at number 2 just two weeks later. The album has the lowest peak position on the chart, with all of Bonamassa’s future releases reaching higher than number 9.

A New Day Yesterday received positive reviews from critics. AllMusic’s Eduardo Rivadavia described the album as “a fine debut by guitar ace Joe Bonamassa”, claiming that it proves the guitarist and vocalist to be “much more than a traditional bluesman”.[12] Rivadavia highlighted several songs on the album, including “A New Day Yesterday”, the cover of which he dubbed “a jaw-dropping performance”, the singles “Miss You, Hate You” and “Colour and the Shape”, which he described as a “jolting double whammy” and “the most obvious standouts”, and “If Heartaches Were Nickels”, which he suggested featured “a tense, riveting performance”.[12] In a review of the album’s lead single “Miss You, Hate You”, Chuck Taylor of Billboard magazine praised Bonamassa as “a bold talent, who rises above narrow radio formatics”, outlining that the song “throws in all the ingredients of a classic rock moment, led by a thrush of driving guitars … and a vocal that sounds like sandpaper against velcro”. (by wikipedia)

Personnel:
Joe Bonamassa (guitar, vocals)
Tony Cintron (drums)
Creamo Liss (bass)
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Gregg Allman (vocals, organ on 10.)
Len Bonamassa (guitar on 09.)
David Borden (keyboards on 08.)
Rick Derringer (vocals, guitar on 06.)
Leslie West (vocals, guitar on 10.)
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background vocals on 05. + 13.)
Annie Burns – Jeannie Burns

Tracklist:
01. Cradle Rock (Gallagher) 3.50
02. Walk In My Shadows (Rodgers/Kossoff/Kirke/Fraser) 3.27
03. A New Day Yesterday (Anderson) 4.45
04. I Know Where I Belong (Bonamassa) 5.38
05. Miss You, Hate You (rock radio remix) (Bonamassa/Feldman) 3.39
06. Nuthin’ I Wouldn’t Do (For A Woman Like You) (Kooper) 5.10
07. Colour And The Shape (Bonamassa) 5.03
08. Headaches To Heartbreaks (Bonamassa) 4.56
09. Trouble Waiting (Bonamassa/Steve Tyrell/Stephanie Tyrell) 3.25
10. If Heartaches Were Nickels (Haynes) 7.51
11. Current Situation (Bonamassa) 3.35
12. Don’t Burn Down That Bridge (Jones/Wells) 4.21
+
13. Miss You, Hate You 8long version) (Rock Radio Remix) 6.04

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Joe Bonamassa – Kassel/Germany (2016)

Joseph Leonard Bonamassa (born May 8, 1977) is an American blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter.

When he was only 12 years old, Bonamassa opened for B.B. King.[2] In the last 13 years Bonamassa has put out 15 solo albums through his independent record label J&R Adventures, of which 11 have reached number 1 on the Billboard Blues charts.

Bonamassa has played alongside such artists as Stephen Stills, Eric Clapton, Blondie Chaplin, Foreigner, Buddy Guy, Steve Winwood, Warren Haynes, and Derek Trucks among others. His career highlights include performances at the Royal Albert Hall and a Grammy Award nomination in 2013. In addition to his music career, Joe Bonamassa runs a nonprofit organization called the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, whose mission it is to further music education by funding scholarships and providing music education resources to schools in need.

Unlike many blues rock guitarists that came before him, Bonamassa’s influences are British and Irish blues acts rather than American artists. In an interview in Guitarist magazine he cited three albums that had the biggest influence on his playing: John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton (the Beano album), Rory Gallagher’s Irish Tour and Goodbye by Cream. He also noted that Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Texas Flood had a big influence when Bonamassa was young. Among other bands, he listed the early blues playing of Jethro Tull as an influence, and named both Martin Barre and Mick Abrahams as important musicians to him.

He elaborated on his influences in a 2007 interview:

“You know, my heroes were the Columbia guys – Paul Kossoff, Peter Green, Eric Clapton. There’s so many – there’s Gary Moore, Rory Gallagher – another Irish musician who played the same things, but don’t tell him that. But those guys were my guys – Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page. There’s a certain sophistication to their approach to the blues that I really like, more so than the American blues that I was listening to. B.B. King’s a big influence – he’s probably my biggest traditional influence. I love Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson and T-Bone Walker and stuff like that, but I couldn’t sit down. I was always forcing myself to listen to whole records by them, where I’d rather listen to Humble Pie do “I’m Ready” than Muddy Waters, you know? I think, the English interpretation of the blues just hit me a lot better, you know?”

In an October 2008 interview with Express & Star he said:

“When I heard Kossoff playing “Mr. Big” and when I heard Clapton playing “Crossroads” and when I heard Rory Gallagher playing “Cradle Rock”, I was like, ‘This is way cooler’…. “British blues are my thing. When I heard Rod Stewart and the Jeff Beck Group singing “Let Me Love You”, it changed my life. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Those are my influences”. (by wikipedia)

And tis is a German digital broadcast from 2016. The sound is  great and Joe and his band were in great form !

Joe was on tour to promote his twelfth studio album called “Blues Of Desperation”.

What a great concert !

Recorded live at the Orangerie, Gartensaal, Kassel/Germany, March 07, 2016

Alternate frontcover

Personnel:
Joe Bonamassa (guitar, vocals)
Paulie Cerra (saxophone)
Anton Fig (drums)
Michael Rhodes (bass)
Lee Thorburg (trumpet)
Reese Wynans (keyboards)

Tracklist:
01. Intro by Joe Bonamassa 3.42
02. Locomotive Breath (Anderson) 0.55
03. This Train (House/Bonamassa) 7.16
04. Mountain Climbing (Hambridge/Bonamassa) 5.52
05. Blues Of Desperation (House/Bonamassa) 8.48
06. No Good Place For The Lonely (Nicholson/Bonamassa) 8.13
07. See See Baby (King/Thompson) 3.46
08. Never Make Your Move Too Soon (Jennings/Hooper jr.) 7.09
09. Angel Of Mercy (*) (Banks/Jackson) 7.42
10. Love Ain’t A Love Song (Smokin Joe/Bonamassa) 10.51
11. Nobody Loves Me But My Mother (King) 10.14
12. I Gave Up Everything For You Except The Blues (Steele/Flowers/Bonamassa) 8.47
13. Going Down (Nix) 7.24
14. Spanish Boots (Wood/Beck/Stewart) 4.03
15. Are You Experienced (Hendrix) 7.13

(*) taken from FM broadcast by NDR 2, 26.09.2016

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