Riding his own waves of success due to the release of "Blues Deluxe," guitarist Joe Bonamassa adds his chapter of blues rock with quotations from scriptures written by prophets Jeff Beck, Roy Buchanan and Eric Clapton.
The crowd assembled for his show at Atlanta's Masquerade on February 6th seemed a small one. Bonamassa came on with an attitude as if he was playing at an outdoor arena. With bassist Eric Czar and drummer Kenny Kramme, Joe redefined "power trio." Sporting an arsenal of a dozen or so guitars and a couple of Marshall amplifiers, Bonamassa had all tools needed. Performing tunes from "Blues Deluxe" and his other cds, Bonamassa wore the hats of blues, rock and classic rock.
Realizing the importance of fluctuating a show from themes of madman shredding, Bonamassa would take a breather. But not for long. After Warren Haynes' slow rock ballad "If Heartaches Were Nickels," Bonamassa shifted back into hyper-drive with Blind Faith's "Had To Cry Today."
Born in 1977, the year for high school graduation for some in attendance, Joe surprisingly reached into a time capsule and pulled out guitar signature lines from Yes' "Heart Of The Sunrise." Younger audience members probably didn't have a clue where those came from. For those of us brought up in that Watergate era, it was nice shot into yesteryear.
And the young dude is no slacker in the slide guitar department, his take on "Burnin Hell" might have made the Devil himself proud. It blended Windy City boogie with Southern Rock mania.
Joe has terrific people working with him. Drummer Kenny Kramme can drum with any outfit as his role of timekeeper never sputters. Bassist Eric Czar works potent chemistry with Bonamassa as he becomes a second guitar player. His bass lines are all over the frets working rhythm and lead mayhem.
The show just seemed to clock in at an hour and a half. The finale with Joe soloing alone and segueing into Jimi Hendrix' "Are You Experienced." Bonamassa pulled no punches as he bent, twisted and whammied his way through this flower power classic. Enough for some folks, but not for all that craved more of a Bonamassa fix. In that area, the word "enough" has no limitations.
Buy this CD NOW:
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
"This review is copyright © 2004 by Gary Weeks, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without permission."
Copyright reuse notice: If you would like to reprint or use this review please include the above copyright notice, contained within the quotation marks, PLUS this statement: "Used with permission." Then send an email to Ray at: mnblues@aol.com indicating how you are using the review or the website page address it will be appearing on. Thanks!
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
Click on this banner to get you new low percent credit card:
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! You can help support this blues website by making a contribution (click on the banner below for details).
Or mail a donation to: Ray Stiles % Blues On Stage, PO Box 582983, Mpls, MN 55458. Thanks!
Web Hosting & Design:
CLICK HERE for Web Design SPECIAL, get your own website for just $75.
The most affordable web hosting and design services available. Click Here
to find out how you can host your current site at Blues On Stage, or how I can help you design your own website!
If you would like your CD reviewed, please send TWO (2) copies, along with promotional material to:
Blues On Stage
PO Box 582983
Minneapolis, MN 55458-2983
E-mail Ray Stiles @ mnblues@aol.com with any questions.
We build websites