JOE BONAMASSA – Redemption (2018)
To be released next September 21, 2018, “Redemption” is JOE BONAMASSA’s 13th solo studio album and third in a row of all original material and sees him at his most ambitious and diverse yet as he continues to redefine and push the barriers of blues-rock.
Simply put, “Redemption” is Bonamassa’s finest offering to date. At first glance this album could be mistaken as another off the cuff release by one of Blues most prolific musicians, but that would be a hasty call.
What you have here is a melting pot of sublime audible delicacies that ebb and flow like a river. You don’t get one JB here, you get them all.
It’s a fusion of the hard rock of Black Country Communion, Three Kings, British Blues Explosion and of course solo Bonamassa on par.
The album bursts to life with a high-energy track in ‘Evil Mamma’, which is where JB and BCC collide, it’s a killer track that just grabs you by the throat and leads your way into an equally savage album.
Equally as energetic is ‘King Bee Shakedown’ which has a more old time Blues vibe, but is a great foot-stomper and you could easily imagine a dance floor packed with beautiful ladies swinging in the arms of their partners.
Enter Black Country Communion once again with the gutsy ‘Molly O’ with a Zeppelin-esque riff and addictive melody.
Bonamassa as always has surrounded himself with a majestic collection of musicians to transform these songs into cinematic proportions, his faithful team including drummer Anton Fig, bassist Michael Rhodes, keyboardist Reese Wynans, horn players Lee Thornburg and Paulie Cerra, harmony vocalist Gary Pinto, background singers Mahalia Barnes, Jade McRae, Juanita Tippins and Kevin Shirley introduced two extra guitar players, Kenny Greenberg and Doug Lancio.
With such a gathering you can only imagine the quality of musicianship on “Redemption”, it does not disappoint.
One of the highlights is the collaboration with native Nashville singer Jamey Johnson on ‘The Ghost Of Macon Jones’ with a nice change of direction on the album, Johnson’s twang in his vocals compliment Bonamassa beautifully and it has a rather tasty solo or two to boot.
‘Just Cos You Can Don’t Mean You Should’ screams Bonamassa’s tribute to B.B., Albert and Freddy with wailing guitar licks and screaming tube amp’s pushed to their limits it’s a sublime addition to the album.
The albums self-titled track is a cautionary tale with peaks and valleys in abundance, and the backing vocals of his trusted trio is perfection which elevates it to a soundtrack worthy anthem.
‘Stronger Now In Broken Places’ is a diversion of sorts as Bonamassa takes to the acoustic for a melancholy number which sits beautifully before the album closer ‘Love Is A Gamble’ which is your standard album closer by JB which sets the scene perfectly as the last few hang onto the bar at the end of a hefty smoke filled night at your local dive.
“Redemption” is blues rock at its finest, and no-one does it better than Joe Bonamassa.
This is his more complete album to date, ranging from bluesy hard rockers to soulful ballads.
Another remarkable recording from this talented cat, an one that is HIGHLY Recommended
01 – Evil Mama
02 – King Bee Shakedown
03 – Molly O’
04 – Deep in the Blues Again
05 – Self-Inflicted Wounds
06 – Pick Up the Pieces
07 – The Ghost of Macon Jones
08 – Just ‘Cos You Can Don’t Mean You Should
09 – Redemption
10 – I’ve Got Some Mind Over What Matters
11 – Stronger Now in Broken Places
12 – Love Is a Gamble
Joe Bonamassa – vocals, guitar
Anton Fig – drums
Michael Rhodes – bass
Reese Wynans – keyboards
Lee Thornburg, Paulie Cerra – horns
Gary Pinto – harmony vocals
Kenny Greenberg, Doug Lancio – guest guitar
Mahalia Barnes, Jade McRae, Juanita Tippins, Kevin Shirley – background vocals
PRE ORDER:
www.amazon.com/Redemption-Joe-Bonamassa/dp/B07DY289XM
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