Absolutely stunning performance by Joe Bonamassa of the Tim Curry (1978) song Sloe Gin (albeit with some cleaned up lyrics).
By the way – how did Bowie miss this one…tell me this wouldn’t have been an awesome David Bowie + Joe Bonamassa collaboration?
Anyway – Joe has shown many times before he can master slow blues…what I really like about this version is that he hangs onto the notes as he sometimes has a tendency to blast his wicked speed running through the scales. He still manages to show his flash, but also holds back and really hangs on to the notes as only true bluesmen will do.
Weird background to this song too…Tim Curry is perhaps better known as an actor, but had this song written and had a version that may surprise you under Joe’s version (for those of you who like to go back into the wayback machine)
By the way – the lineup for Red Rocks was terrific including David Letterman’s House Band drummer Anton Fig and Stevie Ray Vaughan Double Trouble keyboard aficionado Reese Wynans (now a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of Double Trouble)
And Now The Tim Curry version
Filed under blues guitar, Joe Bonamassa by on Feb 4th, 2016. Comment. 
What makes a blues rock performance turn into pure magic? Watch this video, and you’ll find out:
This video was taken from the wonderful DVD “Joe Bonamassa Live At Rockplast” – perfect trio where tone, amazing songs and energy come together for one magical show.
If you like Joe at all, this is one of his best concert DVD’s of all time.
Filed under blues guitar, Joe Bonamassa by on Jan 9th, 2015. Comment.
New video of “Different Shades of Blue” from blues guitar great Joe Bonamassa – what do you guys think?
Nice to see him play a Fender Strat, usually he’s a Gibson, Marshall guy. The cutting, clean edge of the strat brings out a new urgency and bite to his soloing doesn’t it?
I personally find this more melodic (dare I say mainstream) than much of Joe’s stuff….nice change, still has the same killer guitar solo. I wouldn’t want to hear too much from Joe in this vein, but totally see it fitting in with his various other influences and genres.
What do you think?
Filed under Joe Bonamassa, New Blues by on Jul 15th, 2014. Comment.
Funny post by Joe Bonamassa on Twitter today showing the crazy life a rock star (or in this case, guitar GOD) must live…reinforces the notion that you better as hell love what you do…
Clay and Eric did a little number crunching this morning for our entire tour from March through the end of this week. pic.twitter.com/utMmorDqTX
— JOE BONAMASSA (@JBONAMASSA) June 23, 2014
Filed under blues guitar, Joe Bonamassa by on Jun 26th, 2014. Comment.
I really like these “behind the scenes” views into the recording process musicians use on their songs.
This video shares such a view (albeit still officially produced) into the recording studio during a recording of the song “Stop” from Joe Bonamassa’s 2010 CD “John Henry”.
Notice a few things:
- How several overdubs of vocals and guitar solo is done
- How Joe switches guitars on the solo – starting with a very clean “Lucille” model Gibson into a much dirtier Les Paul for the latter half of the solo
- How Bonomassa even switches from sitting to standing on different parts of the vocal (honestly I don’t know how anyone can record sitting down)
Anything else you notice of note in the video?
Filed under blues guitar, Blues Legends, Joe Bonamassa by on Dec 26th, 2013. Comment.
On a steamy day in Chicago this past summer the sound of blues guitar power rang out through the sweat & burning sun. Just released is Eric Clapton – Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010 (2 DVD – Super Jewel Case)
Some of the top names appearing include a very cool pairing – Buddy Guy with Ron Wood (apparently a surprise or somewhat unexpected appearance), John Mayer, Johnny Lang, the always energetic Robert Randolph, Doyle Bramhall II as well as slide guitar virtuoso Derek Trucks and up and coming Joe Bonamassa balanced again by the country pickers (those guys amaze me) Vince Gill and Albert Lee. What about some of the new country pickers – I would love to see Brad Paisley and/or Keith Urban get rid of their shiny, over-produced country shows and dig into a Crossroads Guitar Festival for some down and dirty guitar playing – these guys really can play.
Here are a few chosen clips, at the end of the day, you want this DVD – Eric Clapton – Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010 (2 DVD – Super Jewel Case)
Buddy Guy and Ronny Wood – in the true spirit of jam find some great chemistry as they go:
Joe Bonamassa pairs with Robert Randolph for a little “Goin Down” power blues guitar:
The King of the Blues with Robert Cray, Jimmie Vaughan – BB still commands the stage like no other:
I didn’t make it to the Crossroads 2010 Festival this year, but by watching Eric Clapton – Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010 (2 DVD – Super Jewel Case)
If you were lucky enough to be there, let us know how it was.
Filed under Crossroads Guitar Festival, Joe Bonamassa by on Nov 10th, 2010. Comment.
I was first “infected” with Joe Bonamassa about a year ago when I was wandering through a music store and instantly recognized a blues guitar “real deal”
You know the feeling you get when you hear something that is so real – the hair stands up on your neck and suddenly all of your senses are tuned in for that 5-10 minutes.
Now 32, having started at just 12 years old, there is no doubt Joe Bonamassa is experienced – beyond his years, knows how to put it all together channeling energy reminiscent of the greats, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan and of course BB King, Buddy, Albert and Freddy before them.
The marriage of Fender Strat, Marshall amps, technical prowess and that kick you in the gut power when he is tuned in makes him one of the leading blues guitar greats today.
Take a listen to this phenomenal version of “If Heartaches Were Nickels” – over 7-minutes you hear it all, finesse, power, feeling, tone and technical mastery:
Haven’t seen Joe yet – well he has just released a new packaged DVD from his recent concert at Royal Albert Hall – Joe Bonamassa Live from the Royal Albert Hall
Here is the trailer – take a look:
Right from the point he was a young boy Joe had a dream to be a blue guitar player and someday, play Royal Albert Hall. Watching this DVD inspires us all to dream big and we too can eventually reach our dreams.
This Bonamassa Joe Bonamassa Live from the Royal Albert Hall
DVD is chalk-full of inspiration and incredible blues guitar – shades of Stevie Ray as he made his way to the top. Folks, we finally have the next major blues guitar hero in our midst.
Filed under blues guitar, Joe Bonamassa, New Blues by on Nov 12th, 2009. Comment.
