Joe Bonamassa - Sloe Gin

With each new release, Joe Bonamassa demonstrates an ever increasing maturity in his music, and 'Sloe Gin' is no exception: this is easily Joe’s finest release to date!

After changing his rhythm section two albums ago, (in a somewhat controversial move Joe explained as necessary to forge ahead) Joe has settled into a very comfortable niche in his rock blues style, composition and performance. He is at the very top of THAT and his game. It should surprise no one that this, his latest release has topped the Billboard blues charts for weeks on end, and should in fact have led to a Grammy nomination this year. It is that good!

Overview!

The areas in which Joe has continued to develop are his excellent vocal performances and his ever improving compositional skills. It takes real cojones to attempt a take on the legend that is Paul Rodgers and his magnificent hit 'Seagull'. Joe has those cojones, and his superb rendition leaves no doubt that this is one immensely talented bloke! The other area where Joe so obviously excels, is in his constant and evolving tone quest. Joe, like very few other artists, is on a constant quest to improve and progress his tone from album to album. Unlike another tone quest maestro, Andy Timmons, Joe obviously prefers vintage equipment and the classic sound. Joe demonstrates and discusses his tone and technique in an enlightening DVD we reviewed last year.

Working for the second time with Kevin Shirley, Joe has set the bar very high with respect to tone and production value. His peers will be hard-pressed to match the vibe, tone and attitude of this latest release There is really no need to review each and every track on this album, they are ALL superb. Joe has stated that in general terms, the inspiration for this latest work was derived from repeated listening of the very early Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart seminal recordings.The following songs are particularly worth pointing out:

The album starts off with a classic blues vibe and sound on the tune 'Ball Peen Hammer' a Chris Whitley tune. Joe gives the tune an understated elegance with a nice acoustic playing and traditionally gravelly blues vocals.

'One of These Days' is the great Ten Years After Alvin Lee song and Joe, as usual, shows his love and affinity for classic rock, doing this song justice with a fine performance and searing solo. Next up is Joe’s majestic rendition of the beautiful tune 'Seagull' by Paul Rodgers and Bad Company. At the forefront of this performance are Joe's ever improving, wonderful, warm singing statements. The album is worth buying for this track alone.

'Sloe Gin' is one of those wonderful long-lost songs originally written by Bob Ezrin (of Alice Cooper fame) for Tim Curry of The Rocky Horror Picture Show fame. This rendition by Joe is simply spellbinding, featuring magnificently poignant guitar playing over heartfelt vocals. This one just totally tugs at the heartstrings, another superb performance by Joe.

'Black Night' finds Joe wailing in the best Gary Moore emotionally wrought blues-rock tradition. A superb song, replete with magnificent tone and excellent playing throughout.

'Jelly Roll' and 'India' are acoustic guitar, tour de force performances. The first displays a magnificent touch on a resonator guitar in a performance that is at once modern yet respectful of the songs heritage. The second is a wonderful example of a tune, displaying the exotic vibe and mysticism that its name implies.

Conclusion

If there has been a better blues rock album, issued in the past year. I am unaware of it. This is an absolute must-have album not only for guitar fans, but for all fans of blues rock played with passion, fire and tone. As many of his peers have stated, Joe is the future of blues rock guitar. Check him out...it will be well worth your while: highest marks!!! Joe is doubly impressive live, so for those in the UK it is worth noting that the man is touring Britain early in 2008 - so go and grab some tickets!