JOE BONAMASSA – British Blues Explosion Live (2018)
Virtuoso of the Blues, Grammy nominated guitarist / singer-songwriter JOE BONAMASSA has announced his next live album, “British Blues Explosion Live“, set for release on Friday, May 18, 2018 through J&R Adventures.
As the title suggests, this is a salute to the Brit blues heroes, featuring the unbelievable music of Clapton / Cream (Mainline Florida, SWALBR ), Jeff Beck (opener Beck’s Bolero / Rice Pudding) and Jimmy Page (Tea For One, I Can’t Quit You).
In 2016, for five shows Joe paid tribute to his British Blues heroes during a short but very sweet tour of Britain. This show was recorded at Greenwich Music Time at The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London on July 7, 2016.
Joe Bonamassa has been more influenced by the impact of British Blues than by any other music out there. From a young age, the musically inclined Joe fell in love with the hard-rocking, gritty and edgy sound that emanated from UK.
This is especially true of the highly innovative and evocative guitar music produced by three of the field’s greatest heavyweights, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. With the deepest reverence for what these three men have accomplished and a true love of their music.
Joe Bonamassa’s love of the British Blues is at the heart of his musical inspiration; and, for the first time, with this unforgettable performance he was able to give special homage to the British guitarists that inspired him.
The five-piece band included Michael Rhodes (Bass), Reese Wynans (Keyboards), Anton Fig (Drums) and Russ Irwin (Rhythm Guitar & Backing Vocals). Joe passionately believes in the need for this and future generations of blues musicians to continue to explore the music of these three icons of blues history.
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, Joe 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, Joe 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 Classic Rock fans to rediscover this music and for new listeners to enjoy these classics for the first time.
Electrifying
CD 1
01. Beck’s Bolero / Rice Pudding
02. Mainline Florida
03. Boogie With Stu
04. Let Me Love You Baby
05. Plynth (Water Down The Drain)
06. Spanish Boots
07. Double Crossing Time
08. Motherless Children
CD 2
01. SWLABR
02. Tea For One/I Can’t Quit You Baby
03. Little Girl
04. Pretending
05. Black Winter/Django
06. How Many More Times
Joe Bonamassa – Guitars, Vocals
Michael Rhodes – Bass
Reese Wynans – Keyboards
Anton Fig – Drums
Russ Irwin – Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Pre Order:
www.amazon.de/British-Blues-Explosion-Live-2cd/dp/B07B64T9JM
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