Joe Bonamassa - Different Shades Of Blue (Album Review)
Thursday, 25 September 2014
Written by Simon Ramsay
Photo: Christie Goodwin
After releasing a studio record a year for what seems like an eternity, Joe Bonamassa took his sweet time sculpting this follow up to 2012’s hugely successful 'Driving Towards The Daylight'. Billed as his first album of all-original material, this is a confident, polished offering that looks set complete his hard earned transformation from blues-rock underdog to bona fide superstar.
That's not to say this is the sell-out sound of mid-‘80s Eric Clapton. Far from it. Although slick, streamlined and superbly produced by Kevin Shirley, 'Different Shades Of Blue' is a multi-faceted, thoroughly modern, but suitably reverential, blues-rock record that siphons the most appealing elements of Bonamassa's past work into a very accessible effort with widespread appeal.
You can prepare to go gaga for the stunning dynamism of live-favourite-in-the-making Oh Beautiful. Its ghostly a capella vocals counterpoint an earth-shaking Zeppelin groove, with a mid song psychedelic break taking the listener on a cosmic journey before the solo detonates into the bestial riff.
Those who love Bonamassa’s dusky, Appalachian numbers will adore Get Back My Tomorrow's windswept western licks and soaring chorus, while blues devotees can drool over the fresh, funky shuffle of Living On The Moon and guitar geeks can get their rocks off to the grinding Heartache Follows Wherever I Go and dramatic piano-led ballad Never Give All Your Heart.
His recent collaborations with Beth Hart inform much of this album, as nearly half its tracks are fleshed out by an orchestra of infectious horns, with the sparky swing of Love Ain't A Love Song being one of many brassy highlights.
Despite the claim that this is the first Bonamassa record to feature all-original material, it opens, bizarrely, with a needless Jimi Hendrix piece, Hey Baby (New Rising Sun). Also, all songs bar the final track are co-written with outside songwriters including Nashville stalwarts James House and Jeffrey Steele.
These talented songsmiths bring a mastery of structure that lends much to the album's crossover appeal, as highlighted by the Eagles-style title track’s melodically rich chorus, which demands radio airplay. They also sharpen the storytelling, with lyrics that either transcend generic blues staples or spin them in a different manner. I Gave Up Everything For You, 'Cept The Blues, in particular, packs enough wit to make every husband and boyfriend flash a knowing smile.
It would have been nice to hear more solo Bonamassa compositions and really get inside the man's head, especially as his lyrics to the string-soaked final track, So, What Would I Do, reveal his touching, heartfelt struggle when on tour away from that special someone.
For the sake of playing devil's advocate, some will find this record a little too glossy. There is a dearth of his earlier grit and loose-limbed jamming, the direction of the songs is purposefully familiar and safe, while the dominance of horns could be interpreted as an unsubtle attempt to garner some of the critical acclaim afforded to the Hart collaborations.
But, these accusations are irrelevant as, song for song, this is his most consistent collection to date. Bonamassa and Shirley always make the right album at the right time, and with his popularity skyrocketing, this is the perfect one to continue that upward trajectory. At this rate, arenas will soon be too small for him to headline. Blues-rock in stadiums, anyone? Don't bet against it.
Joe Bonamassa Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Tue March 17 2015 - LONDON Eventim Apollo
Thu March 19 2015 - LONDON Eventim Apollo
Fri March 20 2015 - LONDON Eventim Apollo
Sat March 21 2015 - LONDON Eventim Apollo
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