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RATINGS: A = must own B = buy it C= average
D = yawn F = puke |
Rating: B
Joe
Bonamassa has taken total control of his career and the
results, thus far, are outstanding. Smoking Joe has
released another gem of blues/rock, produced by metal
head Kevin Shirley, proving that he is poster boy for
the genre. Mixing originals with classics writing by
guys named Otis Rush, Leonard Cohen and Willie Nelson
show this young man not only knows his stuff, he knows
how to take it to the next level. Bonamassa even jams
on “Night Life” with the Master of the Blues, BB King.
The
CD opens with a Zeppelin-style riff that turns into
“Steal Your Heart Away” written by Bobby Parker. Joe
follows that up with a rocked up version of John Hiatt’s
“I Know A Place.” The Faces “Spanish Boots” is one of
the best on the disc as Bonamassa pays tribute to Jeff
Beck and proves he has the chops to pull it off.
Bonamassa is quickly rising up the ranks and getting
noticed by music lovers and the music industry alike.
The young man, now in his thirties, has been a pro for
nearly twenty years. The road to unlimited devotion may
have been a long one but the masses are finally
worshiping at the alter of Bonamassa and if Black
Rock is any indication, they will be there for a
long time to come.
-
Jeb Wright |
