GRAHAM BONNET BAND – Day Out In Nowhere (2022) HQ
The GRAHAM BONNET BAND has announced the upcoming release of a new studio album, “Day Out In Nowhere” on May 13, 2022. Graham is joined by long-time bandmates Beth-Ami Heavenstone (bass) and Conrado Pesinato (guitar) on this new opus, as well as keyboardist Alessandro Bertoni and drummer Shane Gaalaas (Michael Schenker, B’z).
“Day Out In Nowhere” also sees guest appearances from Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy, Nevermore), John Tempesta (The Cult, White Zombie), Mike Tempesta (Powerman 5000), Roy Z (Halford, Bruce Dickinson), and Graham’s former bandmate, legendary keyboardist Don Airey (Deep Purple, Rainbow).
In a similar fashion to the first two albums, “Day Out In Nowhere” reflects Bonnet’s different eras from his career, but with a contemporary twist.
At 74, Graham Bonnet still delivers like it’s nobody’s business. Graham Bonnet Band’s third studio album offers up some excellent classic rock.
It was obvious from the start that GBB’s core trio of Graham, bassist Beth-Ami Heavenstone and guitarist Conrado Pesinato had some real chemistry and smoking potential to not only play the Bonnet catalogue but also create and perform new music.
When it comes to the drum stool there has been somewhat of a revolving door of drummers coming and going. On this new album, the band has opted to use several guest drummers to get the job done: Shane Gaalaas (MSG, Yngwie Malmsteen, B’z, Glenn Hughes), John Tempesta (The Cult, White Zombie, Exodus, Testament) and Kyle Hughes (Bumblefoot, Marco Mendoza, Oliver-Dawson Saxon). Beth-Ami’s teenage son Levi Dokus, a very promising drummer, also appears on the album (not a bad way for a young drummer to arrive on the scene, I’d say).
My favourite track on the album, “Brave New World”, is GBB in a nutshell: catchy classic hard rock with fab guitars and Graham’s characteristic voice. Guest guitarist Roy Z (Bruce Dickinson, Halford) adds some spice to that song. Other guests appearing on the album include Alessandro Bertoni (Aphelion), Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy, Nevermore) and Mike Tempesta (Powerman 5000, Scum of the Earth).
Keyboard wizard Don Airey (Rainbow, Deep Purple) adds his magic to the good-fun rock track “It’s Just a Frickin’ Song”. Other standout numbers include the high-energy “Imposter”, “Twelve Steps to Heaven” and “Jester”. “Uncle John” is also a fabulous track that I take an immediate liking to.
“Suzy” is an outlier on the album, sounding like some kind of “the Rat Pack–meets-Disney-meets-Broadway” tune. It’s a beautiful showpiece and it demonstrates well that Graham can excel in many different musical styles.
Perhaps Graham can’t tour anymore but into the studio, he delivers for sure. I am amazed, but not at all surprised, that he, at 74, still has his terrific voice that we love. He had his first hit single (“Only One Woman” with The Marbles) 54 years ago.
In 2022 he still has that golden voice. In GBB he has a band that helps him create and perform the music that perfectly frames his vocals.
Highly Recommended
01 – Imposter
02 – Twelve Steps To Heaven
03 – Brave New World
04 – Uncle John
05 – Day Out In Nowhere
06 – The Sky Is Alive
07 – David’s Mom
08 – When We’re Asleep (ft. Mike Tempesta, John Tempesta)
09 – It’s Just A Frickin’ Song (ft. Don Airey)
10 – Jester (ft. Jeff Loomis)
11 – Suzy (Orchestra)
Vocals: Graham Bonnet
Guitars: Conrado Pesinato
Bass: Beth-Ami Heavenstone
Guest musicians:
Keys: Alessandro Bertoni
Drums: Levi Dokus
Drums: Shane Gaalaas
Guitars: Jeff Loomis
Acoustic Guitar: Takanori Ozaki
Drums: John Tempesta
Guitars: Mike Tempesta
Guitars: Roy Z
Orchestal Arragement: Shota Nakama and Antonio Teoli
Pre order:
www.amazon.co.uk/Day-Nowhere-Graham-Bonnet-Band/dp/B09RMDP7S3
