Joe Bonamassa's "Driving Towards The Daylight" released May 21st!

Internationally renowned guitar superstar Joe Bonamassa is pleased to announce that his lucky 13th studio album Driving Towards The Daylight will be released in the UK on Monday 21st May by Provogue Records.

Recorded at The Village Recorder in Los Angeles, CA and Studio at the Palms in Las Vegas, NV, Driving Towards The Daylight is a balanced and back-to-basics album that highlights Bonamassa’s signature style of blues, roots, and rock & roll.

Official promo video for Joe Bonamassa’s new single ‘Driving Towards The Daylight’

Driving Towards The Daylight was produced by Kevin “Caveman” Shirley (Black Crowes, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin), making this Bonamassa and Shirley’s seventh album collaboration in six years.

“We’ve taken some really traditional old blues songs – the Howlin’ Wolf song ‘Who’s Been Talkin’ and Robert Johnson’s ‘Stones In My Passway,’” says Shirley, “and we’ve tried to imagine how they would do them in a rock context. It’s a very exciting return to the blues in a very visceral way. It’s vibrant and it’s gutsy and it’s really, really rugged.”

To move Joe out of his comfort zone, a unique group of musicians was assembled, including Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford (guitar), Blondie Chaplin (guitar), Anton Fig (drums and percussion), Arlan Schierbaum (keyboard), Michael Rhodes (bass), Carmine Rojas (bass), Jeff Bova and The Bovaland Brass, Pat Thrall (guitar), and Whitford’s son Harrison Whitford (guitar).

Brad Whitford, speaking from the studio in Vegas, said, “This is definitely more influenced by the stuff that the guys and musicians in this room love, early ‘60s English and American rock and blues. I guess we’ll never get that out of our system and its fun to come in here and find our own path down that highway.”

The album features four Bonamassa-penned originals including the bruising opener Dislocated Boy, the road warrior’s title track Driving Towards The Daylight, Heavenly Soul, and Somewhere Trouble Don’t Go.

Other tracks include Bonamassa’s versions of Tom Waits’ New Coat Of Paint, Bill Withers’ Lonely Town Lonely Street, Bernie Marsden’s A Place In My Heart, and Willie Dixon’s All I Need. On the album closer, Australian rock singer Jimmy Barnes sings lead vocals on his 1987 hit Too Much Ain't Enough Love.

Premiering today, and continuing each week for ten episodes is "Countdown To Daylight", the new reality series of 3-4 minute webisodes, featuring interviews with Joe and his band as well as behind-the-scenes footage of the band recording Driving Towards The Daylight in the studio. Tune in every Friday for a new episode on Joe’s official YouTube channel.

Currently available on DVD and Blu-ray is Joe Bonamassa: Beacon Theatre – Live From New York, which showcases a stunning sold-out two-night performance at New York City’s legendary Beacon Theatre, recorded in November 2011.

If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

J & R Adventures artist: Joe Bonamassa - Driving Towards The Daylight - New Release Review and Free Download

Well, Joe's done it again! Joe Bonamassa has a new release, Driving Toward The Daylight, coming out on May 22 and it is really consistently good. Although I have enjoyed Bonamassa's work since I first heard it, many of the releases has really strong tracks mixed with a few lesser tracks which were carried by the strength of his mastery of the guitar. This release,with only 4 original tracks is very consistent with the addition of Aerosmith's Brad Whitford on guitar, Blondie Chapman on guitar, Anton Fig on drums and percussion, Arlan Schierbaum on keys, Michael Rhodes on bass Carmine Rojas on bass, Jeff Bova and the Bova Brass, Pat Thrall on guitar and Whitford's son Harrison on guitar. This album has a more 60/70's rock/blues/r&b sound due to each players influence... but it's still Joe. The cd opens with Dislocated Boy, a blues rocker with a cool back beat. This song is constructed more along the lines of classic rock design (Lez Zep) where it's a great tune but you never lose track that's it's really about the guitar with a few blistering guitar solos. Next up is Robert Johnson's Stones In My Passway which is given given an update which sound quite modern but follows the footsteps laid by the British blues rockers of the earlier days. I really like it. The composition shows it's definite roots in the early blues and only tipping of the hat to the sons who brought the fathers of the blues to light... with a fresh approach. The title track, Driving Toward Daylight, is a ballad crafted to fit into airplay formatting again with a strong guitar interlude. Howlin' Wolf's Who's Been Talking? is well done with shimmery Peter Green like chords. It's delivered in a Wolf no messing around style and has a solo that compliments the track very well. Destined to be a crowd pleaser, Willie Dixon's I Got All You Need takes the format of a number of Bonamassa tracks from the past with the contemporary swing. A Place In My Heart written by Bernie Marsden, is a soul style blues track with a "singing guitar" solo like you might expect from Steve Hunter, Ronnie Montrose or David Gilmore but it's Joe behind the wheel and he has his own sound ....very nice. Bonamassa interprets Bill Withers' Lonely Town Lonely Street in a very cool fashion with alternating shredding and ripping guitar solos trading with the drums over a strong driving rhythm. Bonamassa's Heavenly Soul has clues to an old country western song by Stan Jones but done by over 50 artists through the years. Tom Wait's New Coat Of Paint is transformed into one of Bonamassa's great guitar showcase songs with some really cool guitar riffs played under the music as well as the strong lead guitar component. Certainly one of the strongest tunes on the recording. Bonamassa's Somewhere Trouble Don't Go turns on a straight up blues rock style track. There are some really nice guitar riffs on this track that may get past you if you're only looking for the extended solos. Slide work is nice and clean with some chicken pickin added in. Australian rock singer Jimmy Barnes sings lead vocals on this last track, Too Much Ain't Enough, a 1987 hit by Barnes. This gets back to the R&B sound. Barnes has a great voice and gives Bonamassa a solid vehicle to play his guitar at will. Overall this may be Bonamassa's best complete release to date. I can't say that there is any one song that carry's the load like in previous releases as much as the cd is well balanced and enjoyable.
Get your FREE Download of Joe Bonamassa's single
"Slow Train"
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Joe Bonamassa releases new album "Driving Towards The Daylight"

Joe Bonamassa: "Driving Towards The Daylight"
Robert Cray: Album Release & June 2012 UK Tour
Joe Bonamassa: 2012 UK Arena Tour | Joe Bonamassa: "Beacon Theatre" DVD
Walter Trout: "Blues For The Modern Daze" | Flying Colors: Debut Album
Tracer: "April 2012 UK Tour" | Tracer: "Spaces In Between"

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Internationally renowned guitar superstar Joe Bonamassa is pleased to announce that his lucky 13th studio album Driving Towards The Daylight will be released in the UK on Monday 21st May by Provogue Records.

Recorded at The Village Recorder in Los Angeles, CA and Studio at the Palms in Las Vegas, NV, Driving Towards The Daylight is a balanced and back-to-basics album that highlights Bonamassa’s signature style of blues, roots, and rock & roll.

Driving Towards The Daylight was produced by Kevin “Caveman” Shirley (Black Crowes, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin), making this Bonamassa and Shirley’s seventh album collaboration in six years.

“We’ve taken some really traditional old blues songs – the Howlin’ Wolf song ‘Who’s Been Talkin’ and Robert Johnson’s ‘Stones In My Passway,’” says Shirley, “and we’ve tried to imagine how they would do them in a rock context. It’s a very exciting return to the blues in a very visceral way. It’s vibrant and it’s gutsy and it’s really, really rugged.”

To move Joe out of his comfort zone, a unique group of musicians was assembled, including Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford (guitar), Blondie Chaplin (guitar), Anton Fig (drums and percussion), Arlan Schierbaum (keyboard), Michael Rhodes (bass), Carmine Rojas (bass), Jeff Bova and The Bovaland Brass, Pat Thrall (guitar), and Whitford’s son Harrison Whitford (guitar).

Brad Whitford, speaking from the studio in Vegas, said, “This is definitely more influenced by the stuff that the guys and musicians in this room love, early ‘60s English and American rock and blues. I guess we’ll never get that out of our system and its fun to come in here and find our own path down that highway.”

The album features five Bonamassa-penned originals including the bruising opener Dislocated Boy, the road warrior’s title track Driving Towards The Daylight, I Got All You Need, Heavenly Soul, and Somewhere Trouble Don’t Go.

Other tracks include Bonamassa’s versions of Tom Waits’ New Coat Of Paint, Bill Withers’ Lonely Town Lonely Street, and Bernie Marsden’s A Place In My Heart. On the album closer, Australian rock singer Jimmy Barnes sings lead vocals on his 1987 hit "Too Much Ain't Enough Love."

Premiering today, and continuing each week for ten episodes is "Countdown To Daylight", the new reality series of 3-4 minute webisodes, featuring interviews with Joe and his band as well as behind-the-scenes footage of the band recording Driving Towards The Daylight in the studio. Tune in every Friday for a new episode on Joe’s official YouTube channel.

Currently available on DVD and Blu-ray is Joe Bonamassa: Beacon Theatre – Live From New York, which showcases a stunning sold-out two-night performance at New York City’s legendary Beacon Theatre, recorded in November 2011.

If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

Joe Bonamassa - Live From New York - Beacon Theatre

Joe's newest release (DVD), Live From New York - Beacon Theatre opens with him standing in a subway playing what appears to be a Martin D41 and a very nice little intro tune called 72nd Street Subway Blues. The show begins immediately with Slow Train and Joe playing at the beautiful Beacon Theatre. Again Bonamassa playing a mystery guitar, an amber burst "Bona - Byrd" which looks like a Les Paul with only a bridge pickup (humbucker) and a Les Paul Neck but with a 6 on a side Firebird headstock with Banjo Tuners. Sounds great! There is a mystery to guitars with only one pickup...don't know what it is...but I am a fan (Esquire, Firebird I, etc). Joe no longer wears his frumpy Tee shirt and jeans but continues in his wall street attire. His playing is masterful.

Rory Gallagher's Cradle Rock is up next and he don's a custom shop 59 Les Paul. It has the beautiful flamed faded butter scotch/tobacco finish that we all love so much of the older instruments...not too ostentatious... very clean. It sounds great and he also whips out the slide and gives it a whirl. Not meaning to take at all away from the sonic or video quality of the DVD which is impeccable! Bonamassa is playing through multiple amps but primarily appears to be Marshalls with Vanweeklen Twinkleland, a signature Carol Ann and a signature Catagory 5 (no Dumble this trip). When The Fire Hits The Sea is played pretty straight and using the same gear. Gary Moore's Midnight Blues is up next and Bonamassa rips out some tasty riffs paying nice tribute to Moore. Gotta give the video guy credit for making sure to give guitar heads some pretty good shots of the gear. Bonamassa's vocals have continued to improve with each release and although I liked his vocals in early tracks it certainly should help his commercial appeal. Bonamassa of course has a masterful control of his instrument and the band plays well underneath him and he just turns out clear screaming riffs for the listeners pleasure! Joe has always had great chops but they shine brightly on this track. On Dust Bowl Bonamassa pulls out his Gibson Custom Shop signature model Goldtop Les Paul with mis matched knobs, black guard and humbuckers (like the one he had as a kid) and Bigsby trem arm. I've heard these are great but I haven't played one (also not a big Bigsby fan) but whatever rocks your boat. I like that the camera work catches every detail such as the squared corners on the humbuckers which look really great. Bonamassa plays a great guitar solo to keep the fans hot and the guitar sounds great. The mix is really strong! The River is up next with Bonamassa continuing on his Goldtop but this time with slide. I doubt that it's the first time it's been thought but the rhythm track sound quite a bit like a popular British band who may have had the best drummer in rock history and certain melody lines having nods to a famous dead Strat player who revolutionized rock music (can you say Voodoo Chile).

Great drumming by Tal Bergman on Vater drums and Sabian cymbals. Every song erupts from something else and Bonamassa does a great job on this. Next Bonamassa brings on Beth Hart to sing with the band. I'll Take Care Of You, an old Brook Benton soul classic with Rick Melick who holds down the "string" section on keys. Melick plays a Hammond B3 though much of the set but subs off on electric piano. Hart's vocals and the general tone of the song bring out some beautiful soloing from Bonamassa playing a different 59 custom shop Les Paul with a more classic look and less flame. Great tones again! Next up is a Lowell Fulsom song, Sinner's Prayer which is given a totally different take by Hart and her powerful vocal style. Bonamassa grabs back to the woodpile for yet another guitar, this time a Gibson '60 ES 360T for a little slide action. Bonamassa gets great fatness from this another tobacco burst instrument (guy has good taste)!

You Better Watch Yourself sees Bonamassa back on his '59 Les Paul and the first real up tempo Texas style blues track for the set. I think that it is a great breaker and again shows how effortlessly Bonamassa rips through the fretboard without sounding like he has to play every note he knows. Steal Your Heart Away is up next and Joe puts a slightly different spin on it (still on the 59). Leonard Cohens Bird On A Wire is up next as Bonamassa slows down for a ballad. On this Joe plays a Gigliotti Telecaster (semi hollow) which are made with brass or aluminum tops. Quite a cool sled. On Down Around My Place, John Hiatt joins Joe on stage playing a J200 with what appears to be a bear claw top and figured maple back and sides...really nice. Joe plays a pretty sweet solo on the most used 59 LP and sings high harmony over Hiatt. Nice track. Hiatt sticks around for a second song, I Know A Place but this time Bonamassa takes the lead vocals on the Hiatt composition (again on the 59). Joe rips out some solid power chords and the balance continues to sound intact and creamy. Some of Joe's most creative solos occur on this track and it's nice to see him pushing himself.

I haven't mentioned it yet mostly because he just does his job well, but bassist Carmine Rojas is right on it all through the performance. He is very solid and is responsible for keeping things so tight. Rojas plays a red 5 string Xotic bass through Gallien-Krueger gear for the entire set. Blue and Evil begins the blues rock set again and again the solid drumming take the lead. Joe gets some terrific solid low tones from his alternate 59 LP and off to the races they go. Rojas plays a little more lead lines on this track as Joe backs off of the throttle a little and it makes for a nice jam. Paul Rogers (Free / Bad Company / Firm/ Soloist) joins Joe on stage for Walk In My Shadow. Paul is one of the few great vocalists to survive the 60's and retain his solid vocal capabilities. The band takes it with a more of a modified Chicago Blues style and it's a cool track. Free song Fire and Water finds the band fully fronted by Rogers who looks like he's been playing with the band for years. Of course you keep waiting for Kossof to jump out from the curtains but Bonamassa certainly can foot the bill. Rogers even plays tambourine which you rarely see any more. Mountain Time finds Bonamassa switching camps to a beautifully flamed black maple capped MusicMan baritone guitar with humbuckers for one his terrific epic intros. This of course is another ballad but it gives Rojas a great chance to show his chops and Joe plays some subdued but dramatic guitar riffs which are cool. The encore, Mose Allison's Young Man Blues, finds Bonamassa playing a ES 1275 and tearing it up pretty good. A duel turns up on stage with Joe and Rojas jamming in mid stage. They use the natural breaks in the track to emphasize the power of the band. Joe does take a short jaunt on the 12 string neck and gives the spotlight to Bergman for a few moments and he does a great job. (All of this is on disk one of a great 2 disk set!)

Disk two has all of the supplemental stuff and here it is!
This opens with one of my favorites, a Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule) tune, If Heartaches Were Nickles. Joe begins this song rather quietly and slowly builds the heat. Playing 59 LP number 2 he opens the barn door and lets out a great, wailing, soulful solo which is more feel than flare. The band uses the dynamics of a wall of sound to emphasize the emotion in the song. Next up Bonamassa pulls out an acoustic Alvarez Koa single cut and demonstrates his latin styling before breaking into Woke Up Dreaming. The guitar has a great percussive sound. The third feature on this disk is a meeting with David Crosby where they discuss alternate tunings as used on Guinevere. (Guitar looks like it is stuffed with paper towels). Another excerpt from the show is Joe telling the tail of busking the subway (the opening scene). The final "add on" is a photo slide show of Joe's trip to NYC. The DVD set comes with a 26 page full color booklet with all kinds of photos and descriptive info. This is a really entertaining video and one that will not only please current Bonamassa fans but is sure to win many many more.

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Joe Bonamassa's UK tour starts Friday March 23rd

Robert Cray: Album Release & June 2012 UK Tour
Joe Bonamassa: 2012 UK Arena Tour | Joe Bonamassa: "Beacon Theatre" DVD
Walter Trout: UK Tour - March 2012 | Flying Colors: Debut Album
Tracer: "April 2012 UK Tour" | Tracer: "Spaces In Between"
Black Country Communion: "Live Over Europe" DVD
Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa: "Don't Explain"

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FREE 'Dustbowl' MP3 Download:
www.jbonamassa.com/dustbowl/flip1

2012 UK ARENA TOUR
24 HR BOX OFFICE: 0844 478 0898
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com

Award-winning blues rock star, guitar hero and singer-songwriter Joe Bonamassa and his ace touring band, have just added Wednesday 4th April 2012 at the prestigious Glasgow Royal Concert Hall to his 2012 UK tour. To mark the news of this special Scottish show, Planet Rock will run a special ticket pre-sale from 9am on Wednesday November 30th via their official website www.planetrock.com.

Tickets for the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall date will go on sale to the general public on Friday December 2nd from the 24 hour ticket hotline - 0844 478 0898, and online at: www.thegigcartel.com.

Fresh off his successful European tour with Black Country Communion, and rave reviews of BCC's "2" album, Joe's forthcoming UK solo tour will see him perform material from his current studio album "Dust Bowl" plus songs from his vast catalogue of albums including A New Day Yesterday, The Ballad of John Henry, Sloe Gin and Black Rock.

To receive a free download of the single 'Dust Bowl' from Joe’s most recent album go to the following link - http://bitly.com/joeukproct

Joe will also preview some new songs from his forthcoming studio album due for release in late May 2012. Joe's band includes Carmine Rojas (bass), Rick Melick (keyboards) and Tal Bergman (drums).

"Joe Bonamassa is the new messiah for guitar music lovers."
– The Sun

"Bonamassa's guitar playing and singing are still on a strong upward curve. Forget derivative – this couldn't be anyone but Joe."
- Guitarist

"Bonamassa's precision guitar playing is
something of a revelation."
– Classic Rock

"In the beginning ‘God' aka Eric Clapton created British blues.
Like some Les Paul-toting Jesus, Joe Bonamassa is continuing
his hero's legacy."
– Total Guitar

2012 UK ARENA TOUR
24 HR BOX OFFICE: 0844 478 0898
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com

Brighton Centre
Friday 23rd March 2012
Ticket Prices: £30, £40, £50
Ticket Hotline: 0844 847 1515
Doors: 6.30pm / Joe Bonamassa: 7.30pm
Kings Road, Brighton. East Sussex BN1 2GR
www.brightoncentre.co.uk

Sheffield Motorpoint Arena
Saturday 24th March 2012
Ticket Prices: £30, £40, £50
Ticket Hotline: 0114 2 56 56 56
Doors: 6.30pm / Joe Bonamassa: 7.30pm
Broughton Lane, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S9 2DF
www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk

Newcastle Metro Arena
Sunday 25th March 2012
Ticket Prices: £30, £40, £50
Ticket Hotline: 0844 493 6666
Doors: 6.30pm / Joe Bonamassa: 7.30pm
Arena Way, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE4 7NA
www.metroradioarena.co.uk

Edinburgh Usher Hall
Tuesday 27th March 2012
Ticket Prices: £30, £35, £40, £50
Ticket Hotline: 0131 228 1155
Doors: 6.30pm / Joe Bonamassa: 7.30pm
Lothian Road, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH1 2EA
www.usherhall.co.uk

Liverpool Echo Arena
Wednesday 28th March 2012
Ticket Prices: £30, £40, £50
Ticket Hotline: 0844 8000 400
Doors: 7.00pm / Joe Bonamassa: 8.00pm
King's Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AD
www.echoarena.com

Bournemouth International Centre
Friday 30th March 2012
Ticket Prices: £30, £40, £50
Ticket Hotline: 0844 576 4500
Doors: 7.00pm / Joe Bonamassa: 7.30pm
Exeter Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5BH
www.bic.co.uk

Birmingham National Indoor Arena
Saturday 31st March 2012
Ticket Prices: £30, £40, £50
Ticket Hotline: 0844 338 0338
Doors: 6.00pm / Joe Bonamassa: 7.30pm
King Edwards Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, B1 2AA
www.thenia.co.uk

Capital FM Arena Nottingham
Monday 2nd April 2012
Ticket Prices: £30, £40, £50
Ticket Hotline: 08444 124 624
Doors: 7.00pm / Joe Bonamassa: 8.00pm
Bolero Square, The Lace Market, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG1 1LA
www.nottingham-arena.com

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Wednesday 4th April 2012
Ticket Prices: £35, £50, £60, £75
Venue Box Office: 0141 353 9000
Doors: 6.30pm / Joe Bonamassa: 7.30pm
2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3NY
www.glasgowconcerthalls.com

Blackpool Opera House
Thursday 5th April 2012
Ticket Prices: £30, £40, £50
Ticket Hotline: 0844 856 1111
Doors: 7.00pm / Joe Bonamassa: 8.00pm
Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1HW
www.blackpoollive.co.uk

JOE BONAMASSA - OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY

Dust Bowl is Bonamassa's 9th studio album released by Provogue Records in Europe and his J&R Adventures label (co-founded with manager Roy Weisman) in the US. It's also his 6th collaboration with Dust Bowl producer, Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Black Crowes, Black Country Communion).

Dust Bowl was recorded at Black Rock Studios in Santorini, Greece, Ben's Studio in Nashville, TN, The Cave in Malibu, CA and The Village in Los Angeles, CA. The new album combines the gritty, blues-based tones of Bonamassa's first albums with the fluid, genre-defying sounds he's mastered in the years since, and also features a dose of Nashville in duets with legends John Hiatt and Vince Gill, and a song collaboration with Glenn Hughes.

In 2010, Bonamassa's previous album, Black Rock, debuted at #1 on Billboard's Blues Albums Chart and #38 on Billboard's Top 200 Chart, a huge leap from 2009's The Ballad of John Henry which debuted at #136 on the Top 200. The eleventh full-length solo release and ninth studio album of his career, this new disc will mark Bonamassa's eighth collaboration with Kevin Shirley as producer.

In May 2010 he asked Ian Anderson to guest at his concert at London's Hammersmith Apollo on May 28th in London, and they played "A New Day Yesterday" along with "Locomotive Breath". The concert was the largest audience Joe had played to date (the capacity was 5,200).

Recently, Bonamassa has been splitting duties with his side project, the English-American rock group Black Country Communion with bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Trapeze), drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin) and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Billy Idol, Dream Theater).

BCC released their debut self-titled album, also produced by Shirley, on September 21, 2010. It entered the Billboard Top 200 Chart at #53 and is getting rave reviews. Mojo magazine gave the album four stars and Goldmine said it's "Possibly, the best hard rock album of 2010." Music Radar describes it as "a potent and stomping collection of riff-heavy rockers that will undoubtedly stun listeners."

In addition to the success of Black Rock and Black Country Communion's stellar debut, 2010 kicked off with Guitar World dubbing Bonamassa - "The Blues Rock Titan" and his song, "Lonesome Road Blues," was included in Guitar Hero V's New Blues Masters Track Pack. He was also honoured twice in Guitar Player Magazine's June 2010 Readers' Choice Awards winning "Best Overall Guitarist" for the first time and "Best Blues Guitarist" for the fourth consecutive year. On June 26, he played the main stage at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago.

In May 2009, he played a sold out show at London's Royal Albert Hall, arguably the most prestigious concert venue in the world and had the added honour of being joined on stage by the legendary Eric Clapton. Released Oct. 6, 2009 and debuting at #6 on Billboard's DVD Chart was Joe Bonamassa – Live From The Royal Albert Hall, a 2-disc live DVD capturing the intensity and excitement of that show which Bonamassa calls "a day 20 years in the making." Also, in 2009, Bonamassa was awarded the Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award at the UK's prestigious Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards.

A child prodigy, Bonamassa opened shows at age 12 for blues legend B.B. King, who said after first seeing him play, "This kid's potential is unbelievable … He's one of a kind." Bonamassa's recording career began in the early '90s with Bloodline, a rock-blues group also featuring Robby Krieger's son Waylon and Miles Davis' son Erin. His solo debut was in 2000 with the Tom Dowd-produced A New Day Yesterday.

Bonamassa averages 200 shows every year, almost always playing to sold-out and ever-larger houses, and with each gig, he comes more into his own as a virtuoso and a vocalist. As he heads back to the road in support of his new album, Bonamassa remains infinitely passionate about playing live, connecting with his audiences and making new fans along the way like Slash, who recently said, "Just saw Joe Bonamassa on Jools Holland again. He's definitely my new favourite guitarist."

Joe Bonamassa – FREE 'Dustbowl' MP3 Download
www.jbonamassa.com/dustbowl/flip1

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EUROPE unveil new album "Bag of Bones" with guest appearance from Joe Bonamassa

earMUSIC, rock leg of the Hamburg, Germany, based full entertainment company edel, is thrilled to announce the new album of THE Swedish rock supergroup, EUROPE. The long player, set for UK release on Monday 30th April 2012, is entitled Bag of Bones.

The new record was produced by one of the world's most prestigious producers, Kevin Shirley. No stranger to the crème de la crème of iconic rock, Shirley has produced albums for Iron Maiden, Joe Bonamassa, Black Country Communion, Black Stone Cherry and Journey. Bag of Bones features 11 brand new tracks, including the first single, Not Supposed To Sing The Blues, which will be serviced to radio this Friday, March 2nd and will be released digitally March 9th.

The band recently unveiled the album artwork and now is ready to confirm the track listing of the new album, which is said to be a milestone in Sweden's biggest hard rock band’s long lasting career. Prior to the recordings, when EUROPE front man Joey Tempest confessed, "We're ready to do some serious damage,” - he could not have been anymore correct. Bag of Bones was already titled "one hell of a record" and is the successor of EUROPE's 2009 album Last Look at Eden, which proved to be the band's most important record since The Final Countdown.

Says singer Joey Tempest: "Finally we express ourselves completely without restraint. Straight from heart and soul. It took some time but WE HAVE ARRIVED!"

Contributing slide guitar to the title track Bag of Bones is no one less but currently hottest blues rock name, Joe Bonamassa. "We're honored that Joe Bonamassa wanted to play some slide guitar on our record. We're all big fans of his music", Tempest points out.

The album, which features a more straightforward rock approach including the track Doghouse, already performed during the band's most recent European tour, is going to be available in a standard CD version as well as on classy vinyl.

Album Track Listing:

1. Riches To Rags
2. Not Supposed To Sing The Blues
3. Firebox
4. Bag Of Bones
5. Requiem
6. My Woman My Friend
7. Demon Head
8. Drink And A Smile
9. Doghouse
10. Mercy You Mercy Me
11. Bring It All Home

EUROPE drummer Ian Haugland sums up the taste of the new album - "If Bag of Bones was a dinner menu at a restaurant, it would get 5 stars in the Michelin guide. We are ready to take your orders!”

EUROPE are also embedded into the European Handball Federation's (EHF) Champions League finals in 2012. Part of the EHF & EUROPE Campaign will be a band performance during the "Final4 tournament" award ceremonies on May 27th in Cologne, Germany.

Having confirmed some first festival appearances across Europe over the summer, the Scandinavians are also set to hit worldwide stages with extended touring fall and onwards.

01.05. Thanks Jimi Festival – Wroclaw (PL)
17.05. Bikers Festival – Wetzikon (CH)
25.05. Metallasvenskan – Orebro (S)
24.06. Graspop Festival – Dessel (B)
30.06. Kirunafestivalen – Kiruna (S)
21.07. Olsa Live – Porvoo (FIN)
27.07. Rock Of Ages – Seebronn (GER)

Provogue Records are pleased to announce the UK Blu-ray & DVD release of “Joe Bonamassa: Beacon Theatre – Live From New York “on Monday 26th March 20

Available on Double DVD & Blu-ray
UK/European Release: 26th March 2012
US Release: 27th March 2012

‘Joe Bonamassa: Beacon Theatre – Live From New York’ documents 19 song performances that spans Bonamassa's career with smoky vocals complementing the guitar wizardry and rapid-fingered ease with which his fans know and love.

Alongside the great chemistry he shares with his formidable band-mates Carmine Rojas (bass), Tal Bergman (drums) and Rick Melick (keyboards), the Beacon Theatre concert DVD is mesmerizing to watch from start to finish.

Bonamassa kicks the festivities off with Slow Train, from 2011's solo album Dust Bowl, followed by fan-favourites including Cradle Song, Dust Bowl, When The Fire Hits The Sea, Bird On A Wire, Blue & Evil, Mountain Time, and many more.

Beth Hart joins Bonamassa on stage for soulful duets on I'll Take Care of You and Sinner's Prayer, which is featured on the recently released Don't Explain – an album of soul covers Hart recorded with Bonamassa.

John Hiatt, a Nashville Music Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and American Music Award (AMA) winner, joins Bonamassa for a rendition of Down Around My Place and I Know A Place.

As legendary classic rock singer Paul Rodgers (Bad Company, Free) hit the stage, the audience jumped to its feet as Bonamassa performed Fire And Water and Walk In My Shadows.

"This show is a testament to an artist at the top of his game, and still growing," says Bonamassa’s producer Kevin Shirley. "Soulful songstress Beth Hart digs deep on a couple of songs with Joe from their duet album, and music legends John Hiatt and Paul Rodgers get up alongside Joe. The interactions are a joy to behold."

The release of the Beacon Theatre DVD coincides with Bonamassa's March UK Arena tour. Dates include - Brighton Centre (March 23), Sheffield Motorpoint Arena (March 24), Newcastle Metro Arena (March 25), Edinburgh Usher Hall (March 27), Liverpool Echo Arena (March 28), Bournemouth International Centre (March 30), Birmingham National Indoor Arena (March 31), Capital FM Arena Nottingham (April 2), Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (April 4), and Blackpool Opera House (April 5). View Joe's March UK Arena Tour press release here.

The Beacon Theatre concert capped a year of achievements for Bonamassa the blues rock titan. His 12th solo album Dust Bowl debuted at #1 on Billboard's Blues Chart and #37 on Billboard's Top 200, making it his highest-selling and chart-ranking U.S. debut to date. Likewise in the UK it charted at # 12, achieving his highest chart position here. The album has just been nominated for a 2012 Blues Music Award (Best Blues Rock Album), while Bonamassa was honoured as 2011's Guitarist of the Year by Guitar International. This January Joe was on the cover of Classic Rock magazine for the first time, creating a big impact outside of the blues genre.

Bonamassa's hard rock band Black Country Communion – with band mates Glenn Hughes, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian – was named "Best New Band of the Last 10 Years" by VH1 Classic's That Metal Show, and Best Breaktrhough Act at 2011's Classic Rock Magazine Awards. The band's 2-disc live album Live Over Europe is released on CD in the UK on Monday February 27th.

Bonamassa is driving sales for the guitar industry and keeping the guitar alive, helping great companies like Guitar Center, Gibson, Epiphone, Ernie Ball, Dunlop, Seymour Duncan, Clear Sonic and Klotz Cables, all of whom have signature products with the Guitar phenomenon. Bonamassa's style of guitar playing has breathed new life and excitement back into the instrument as legions of new fans are becoming familiar again with the great sound of guitar-based rock music.

One of my favorite fusion songs - Stratus (Billy Cobham) Joe Bonamassa, Tommy Bolin, Frank Gamble, Jeff Beck, Chris Duarte

I remember the first time I heard this song. Before I played guitar I played drums and was really blown away by guys like Ginger Baker and john Bonham... but then there was Tony Williams .. and Billy Cobham! I was still living with mom and dad...well, I think I was home from college and I had like the best full blown stereo system that a kid could imagine... i won't go into all of my obsessions... but anyway I had all of my gear in the 2nd story of a two story house and the pool table of course was in the basement. I rigged wire to the basement and would put LP's on and then go down and play pool for 20 minutes to play pool with my pal Blues Ace. I would buy lp's by the armloads and play them all day while we played pool (I had a reel deck for parties). Anyway I would buy stuff I never heard (who'd a thunk it) and put it on and then go down to play pool. Spectrum comes on and and I about drop my pool cue. I had to find out who was playing guitar...I mean I bought a drum album.

It was Tommy Bolin. If you've never had the pleasure... woah.
Sorry no real video...but you can get the feel. If you like this at all, you should check out some of the Miles Davis (Amandela), Mahavishnu (Birds of Fire), Billy Cobham (Spectrum)...well, If you like it, and you want to know more,,,please comment. I have a lot of worthless knowledge up in my head and I am willing to share it.... conversly if you know someone that I should hear... stop holding out on me!! Enjoy!!


Of course I was blown away to find that my favorite contemporary player does it a few years ago...listen here:


Chris Duarte does a version of it... and a nice job!

Even Joe Bonamassa does it!


I love all of these guitar players... and Jeff beck almost always has the best guitar players on the planet.... but for all my drummer friends... here's Billy Cobham!! (He's one of the most articulate drummers to walk the universe!)

You name it ...they're here!
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Hope you enjoyed this as much as i did!!