Bman's Blues Report: Joe Bonamassa

Showing posts with label Joe Bonamassa. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Joe Bonamassa launches radio show and adds Derek Sherinian as new band member

Download the free song "Athens To Athens"

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 15th MARCH
24 Hour Box Office: 0844 478 0898
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com

Following the March 25th release of Joe Bonamassa’s live album and DVD, An Acoustic Evening At The Vienna Opera House, the internationally renowned guitarist will embark on 7-date UK arena tour during September 2013.
Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday 15th March from the 24 Hour Box office: 0844 478 0898. Book online: www.thegigcartel.com.
Dates include Cardiff Motorpoint Arena (Sept 18), Bournemouth BIC (Sept 20), Manchester Arena (Sept 21), Aberdeen AECC (Sept 23), Edinburgh Playhouse (Sept 24), Birmingham NIA (Sept 27), and Brighton Centre (Sept 28).

JOE BONAMASSA LAUNCHES NEW RADIO SHOW "THE PICKUP"

Blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa has launched a brand new weekly radio show called The Pickup, a unique and entertaining show blending music history, carefully curated songs, an encyclopedic knowledge of guitar facts, and illuminating insights into the mind of one of the world’s greatest musicians.
New weekly shows will be premiered online every Friday at www.thepickupradio.com with previous episodes available to listen to on-demand at all times.
Whether it’s unusual knowledge of a vintage Les Paul, played on an obscure record from the 70s, or a friendly debate on how to name your guitar, each episode weaves together witty banter, fun facts, and amazing tour stories from the guitarist who’s “always on the road”.
Music will fall predominantly into the blues and classic rock genres, including Eric Clapton, BB King, Freddie King, Johnny Winter and Jeff Beck, alongside new and little-known artists, up-and-comers and much, much more.

Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | MySpace

DEREK SHERINIAN JOINS BONAMASSA'S UK SEPTEMBER TOUR

In other news, Derek Sherinian, former Black Country Communion keyboardist, has joined Joe Bonamassa’s solo band as a full-time member. Nicknamed by Alice Cooper as “The Caligula of the Keyboards,” Sherinian toured South America with Bonamassa in August 2013, and will continue to feature as part of Joe’s UK tour in September. Says Bonamassa - “Derek is a great player and we’re ecstatic to welcome him as the latest member of the band.”

No stranger to the music world, Sherinian has toured and recorded with Alice Cooper, Billy Idol, Yngwie Malmsteen, Kiss, and Black Label Society. A former member of Dream Theater, Sherinian founded Planet X and co-founded Black Country Communion. In January 2012, Sherinian toured Europe and Asia with the instrumental supergroup “PSMS” featuring Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan, and Tony MacAlpine.

Bonamassa will perform songs from his classic albums including Sloe Gin, Dust Bowl, Black Rock, The Ballad of John Henry, and Driving Towards The Daylight (the latter reached #2 in the UK’s Official Album Chart in 2012).
The highly anticipated tour will showcase a mix of acoustic and electronic selections performed by Carmine Rojas (bass), Derek Sherinian (keyboards), Tal Bergman (drums) and Joe Bonamassa (guitar, vocals).

Joe Bonamassa - "Athens to Athens" LIVE at Vienna Opera House

“Bonamassa’s Vienna live album joins Eric Clapton’s Unplugged in the winners’ circle as a rare acoustic blues album that twists the template, broadens its author’s horizons and improves on the originals.”
– Classic Rock Presents ‘The Blues Magazine’

“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

Photo Credit: Christie Goodwin

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 15th MARCH
24 Hour Box Office: 0844 478 0898
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com

CARDIFF MOTORPOINT ARENA
Wednesday 18 September
Ticket Prices: £40, £50, £60, £75
Box Office: 029 20 22 44 88 / Doors: 7pm
Mary Ann St, Cardiff, CF10 2EQ
www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

BOURNEMOUTH BIC
Friday 20 September
Ticket Prices: £35, £45, £55, £75
Box Office: 0844 576 4500 / Doors: 7pm
Exeter Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5BH
www.bic.co.uk

MANCHESTER ARENA
Saturday 21 September
Ticket Prices: £40, £50, £60, £75
Box Office: 0844 847 8000 / Doors: 7pm
21 Hunts Bank Victoria Station, Manchester M31AR
www.mcr-arena.com

ABERDEEN AECC
Monday 23 September
Ticket Prices: £35, £45, £55, £75
Box Office: 08444 77 9000/ Doors: 7pm
Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, AB23 8BL
www.aecc.co.uk

EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
Tuesday 24 September
Ticket Prices: £35, £45, £55, £75
Box Office: 0844 871 3014 / Doors: 7pm
18-22 Greenside Place, Leith Walk, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA
www.edinburghplayhouse.org.uk

BIRMINGHAM NIA
Friday 27 September
Ticket Prices: £40, £50, £60, £75
Box Office: 0844 338 0338 / Doors: 7pm
King Edwards Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, B1 2AA
www.thenia.co.uk

BRIGHTON CENTRE
Saturday 28 September
Ticket Prices: £35, £45, £55, £75
Box Office: 0844 847 1515 / Doors: 7pm
Kings Road, Brighton. East Sussex BN1 2GR
www.brightoncentre.co.uk

JOE BONAMASSA: OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY

As Joe Bonamassa approaches his 25th year as a professional musician, he continues to blaze a remarkably versatile artistic trail, and amass an authentic, innovative and soulful body of work. Bonamassa’s career began onstage opening for B.B. King in 1989, when he was only 12 years old. Today, he is hailed worldwide as one of the greatest guitar players of his generation, and is an ever-evolving singer-songwriter who has released 15 solo albums in the last 13 years, all on his own label, J&R Adventures.
Bonamassa’s tour schedule consistently hovers at around 200 shows worldwide each year, and a heaping handful of markedly diverse side projects keep him thinking outside the box and flexing every musical muscle he’s got. He founded and oversees the non-profit Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation to promote the heritage of the blues to the next generation, fund music scholarships, and supplement the loss of music education in public schools.
In addition to live performances, 2013 will mark four major projects on the J&R release schedule: Bonamassa’s first-ever acoustic concert, recorded at the venerable Vienna Opera House with a global ensemble put together by Kevin Shirley; the neo-funk/jazz combo Rock Candy Funk Party; a second album—and first tour—with singer Beth Hart; and a career retrospective recorded and filmed at concerts at four iconic London venues, with show being chronicled for a separate release.
After that, another blues-rock solo album—aka Joe’s “day job”—will no doubt follow, and perhaps a fourth set with hard rock outfit Black Country Communion at some point. “Sometimes journalists just shake their heads, and ask me ‘Isn’t it risky?,’” says Joe. “But I say why not do it? Why play it safe? I want to diversify, not just always have it be business as usual.”
It all builds on Bonamassa’s ascendant prominence of the past few years. Recent kudos include five consecutive “Best Blues Guitarist” wins and a top “Best Overall Guitarist” honour in Guitar Player’s Annual Readers’ Choice Awards, and recognition as Billboard’s #1 Blues Artist, 2010— the year Joe Bonamassa: Live At The Royal Albert Hall was released, featuring Eric Clapton joining him onstage. Reviewing 2011’s Dust Bowl, Premier Guitar wrote, “Over time, Bonamassa has created his own universe that no longer has much to do with what we think of as traditional blues. It’s movie music for your mind with astonishingly great guitar playing.” Regarding Bonamassa’s 2012 album Driving Towards The Daylight (with guests including Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford), Guitar World called him the “roots-based six-string’s new king of pyromania.” Rolling Stone wrote, “His exacting singing blends with fiery symphonic playing.” In a review for the 2012 CD/DVD Joe Bonamassa: Beacon Theatre—Live From New York, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer said, “He makes every note matter and resonate emotionally.”
The first in the queue of Bonamassa’s 2013 releases is We Want Groove, the debut from Rock Candy Funk Party, a quartet of world renowned players who convened for the sheer joy of making music and mutual love for genre-blurring grooves. Featuring nine original tracks, the album—produced by drummer Tal Bergman—is a super-tight reboot of classic ’70s/ ’80s jazz-funk from musicians whose collective credits include, among many others, Joe Zawinul, Hugh Masekela, Prince, Ruth Brown, Chaka Khan, Simples Minds, Billy Idol, Tito Puente, Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, Levon Helm, Conan O’Brien, and Sheila E. In addition to Bonamassa and Bergman, the Rock Candy Funk Party line-up features Ron DeJesus (guitar), Mike Merritt (bass) and Renato Neto (keys).
For KPCC, Steve Hochman writes, “The result is music that at times echoes both [Jeff] Beck’s ‘70s albums and, oh, the soul-funk of Average White Band or Tower of Power, while Neto’s keyboards in particular add elements of fellow Brazilian Deodato and, in the more subdued passages, the atmospheric side of Weather Report.” Bonamassa himself says, “It really was the definition of collaboration, one of those records where you want to bottle the vibe and save it for all albums. It is still one of my most fun musical experiences to date, world-class players all around.”
Next up is An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House (CD/DVD/Blu-ray), filmed in HD and recorded in Dolby 5.1 as part of Bonamassa’s unprecedented series of “unplugged” dates in Europe in 2012. Producer Kevin Shirley—a long-time creative partner of Bonamassa’s who has produced nine of his albums, and many more for artists including Led Zeppelin and John Hiatt—assembled a multi-cultural/world group especially for the project, which is the artist’s first-ever acoustic release. The Opera House in Vienna, regarded as the “City of Music,” was chosen for the main event because of its history and splendour, and association with many legendary composers. Accompanying Bonamassa on the same stage once graced by Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Mahler, and Haydn are: traditional Irish fiddler Gerry O’Connor, who also plays mandolin and banjo; Swedish multi-instrumentalist Mats Wester on the nyckelharpa, a keyed fiddle; Los Angeles-based keyboardist Arlan Schierbaum texturing the mix with celeste, accordions, toy pianos, and assorted “organic” instruments; and renowned Puerto Rican percussionist Lenny Castro.
Joe recalls, “Originally, when I had the idea of doing an all-acoustic concert, I imagined doing it solo. I’d surround myself with a bunch of guitars, tell the background story of each song, and then play it. Kevin believed the show would be more exciting with a band and he got to work. All of a sudden, we had a five-piece group, and 72 hours to rehearse 20 or so songs. It was amazing, different than anything I’d ever done before.” An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House features gorgeously textured music made with a wealth of rare, vintage, organic, and “oddball” instruments. Highlights among the 22 songs include “Woke Up Dreaming”—the one acoustic song, and fan favourite, that Bonamassa regularly plays during his electric shows— as well as “Around The Bend,” “Driving Towards The Daylight,” “Ball Peen Hammer,” and “Sloe Gin.”
Bonamassa’s second album with blues-rock vocal diva Beth Hart reprises the powerful dual chemistry they generated on 2011’s Don’t Explain, a collection of ten soul and blues covers that both honours and rethinks the original recordings—classics made famous by artists including Billie Holiday, Etta James, Tom Waits, Ray Charles, Delaney & Bonnie, Bill Withers, and Aretha Franklin. Of the sessions for Don’t Explain, producer Kevin Shirley says, “Beth’s got a pretty heady voice, very reminiscent of Janis Joplin, and she’s also got a lot of Etta James in her, but hadn’t really accessed it yet. With this material, there is gentleness to the way she delivers the most heartfelt tunes that she hasn’t shown before.” Shirley will also produce the as-yet-untitled volume two, and Bonamassa and Hart (who recently brought down the house tributing Buddy Guy at the Kennedy Center honours) are once again backed by the band featured on Bonamassa’s 2009 Blues chart-topper The Ballad of John Henry: Anton Fig (drums, percussion), Blondie Chaplin (guitar), and Carmine Rojas (bass), as well as Arlan Schierbaum (keyboards). They will also perform several concert dates in Europe.
While Bonamassa is always stretching creatively and looking forward, he will also celebrate his story so far in a major way this year. He and his band will visit London in the spring, and perform concerts—that will be recorded and filmed—at each of the four venues in which he’s has previously played, from smallest on up: The Borderline, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, HMV Hammersmith Apollo, and The Royal Albert Hall. Each show will feature a different configuration of the band, and a different selection of songs from Bonamassa’s extensive catalogue—nothing will be repeated. By year’s end, J&R Adventures will release a 2-disc DVD set from each of the four concerts; CDs of each show will come out in 2014.
Live-on-stage is exactly the right format for a career retrospective spotlighting an artist known for transformational live performances. “No one on the scene today plays with as much passion, has as much finesse and raw talent, has reverence for those who came before him, and has as much passion for his craft as Joe Bonamassa,” writes Classic Rock Revisited. But Bonamassa’s still got a long way to go, and will certainly in turn inspire many who come after him as he continues to reinvent himself with a varied palette of side projects—and logs endless miles “dressing up in sunglasses and a suit,” touring the world and growing his legacy as one of the greatest guitar slingers of all time.

CLASSIC ROCK PRESENTS THE BLUES

Issue #5 of "Classic Rock Presents The Blues" featuring Joe Bonamassa on the front cover.

Order your copy HERE

Download the free song "Athens To Athens"

JOE BONMASSA ONLINE

Official Website | Official Facebook | Official Twitter

Official YouTube Channel | KeepingThe Blues Alive

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Alligator Records artist: JAMES COTTON - COTTON MOUTH MAN - New release Review - Ellis James guest contributer

Blues harmonica legend, James Cotton releases his new CD “Cotton Mouth Man” which will be available at local and online record stores beginning May 07, 2013. May is also a time in which Cotton’s 77 year old face fills the cover of the current issue of Living Blues magazine. Writer and walking Blues almanac, David White provides a 10-page look at a career spanning nearly 60 years. This CD was premiered at a live performance, Saturday, May 25, 2013 at the Tupelo Music Hall in Londonerry, New Hampshire.

Cotton Mouth Man follows the trend of collaboration and featuring key players to round out the disk filled with 13 no-nonsense blues tunes. This by no means is a compromise but in this case is a certain gift to the listener. Guests as they appear in order are Joe Bonamassa, Gregg Allman, Keb’ Mo, Warren Haynes, Ruthie Foster, Delbert McClinton and vocalist Darrell Nulisch, long time veteran of Cotton's road band. The backbone of Cotton's band on this CD are the great Tom Hambridge on drums, Rob McNelley on guitar, Chuck Leavell on keys, and Glenn Worf on bass.The title track, Cotton Mouth Man, features Joe Bonamassa on guitar played with the fervor and sound of Ten Years After at Woodstock. Next up is Midnight Train featuring Gregg Allman. Subtle harmonica intro that kicks into a full band punch. A healthy and strong sounding Gregg Allman delivers the vocals and organ amongst great doses of Cotton’s distinctive harmonica and tasty guitar licks from beginning to end. Mississippi Mud featuring Keb Mo is next as acoustic juke joint piano lays down the solid foundation for Cotton’s harp, tasty electric guitar with Mo’s distinctive and cool vocals covering the top. This is one cut wherein there is an extra nice harmonica bridge solo that is quite cool. A none too subtle homage is given to Muddy Waters in both name dropping tip of the hat and song title inference. Something For Me wakes things up with the Warren Haynes' slip and slide which seems to fit hand and glove to the harmonica work. Touches of the ZZ Top like ‘buzzin’ and processed vocals add to an over all effect. Heartfelt female vocals from Rutie Foster gives a great change up in style in the Wrapped Around My Heart torch song. A more complex harmonica arrangement meshes perfectly with the blistering guitar riffs and passionate lyrics.
Saint on Sunday gives a two-for-one “Devil on Saturday and Saint on Sunday” view of two women rolled into one. This is a straight ahead driving song with prominent harp and bass line with the organ taking a more subtle back seat. Delbert McClinton lends his distinctive vocal delivery and guitar to a definite dance tune. Hard Sometimes reminds us the of difficulties of getting someone out of your mind with a funky double entendre to boot. Drums and Bass are featured more than other cuts in the respect lent to Young Bold Women. Three words that work well together in describing what makes everything alright. Beginning with an almost a Calypso skip beat morphs into a straight up basic 4/4 blues beat only to bounce back and forth between the timing changes resulting in a song that would be easy to believe as a fun romp for the players to perform. Story telling is key to the lucky find of a Bird Nest On the Ground. Once again a good Cotton bridge solo which stands out as my favorite example of James’ notable talent on this recording. I have to admit that Keb’ Mo is one of my favorites for vocal style and his ability to tell a story. Wasn’t My Time To Go draws in the listener with more round house piano and subtle harp with what sounds like a tasty arch-top.
Blues is Good For You is a pleasant bass-driven walking blues with a simple story filled with references to Southern style and a strong platform for Cotton to blow his blues away. This is sure to bring a tap of the toe and a smile to your face. Bonnie Blue features Cotton on vocals and harmonica laid over a basic resonator guitar. It’s great to hear Cottons voice both because of the texture that he gives to the song and as a testament to his right to call himself a bluesman.

If you are a fan of harmonica blues then this is certainly a release that demands your spin time and attention. Less is more in this case. Production values are superior and a definite recommended collection!

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, - ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band! Here's James live in concert. Not a cut from his current release.

Alligator Records artist: JAMES COTTON - COTTON MOUTH MAN - New release Review - Ellis James guest contributer

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa release new album "Seesaw"

The 2nd album from Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa
Released on Deluxe CD+DVD and Double Vinyl

UK Release: Monday 20th May
US Release: Tuesday 21st May

Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Beth Hart, known for her raw and powerful blues-rock sound, wraps her expressive vocals around classic soul covers on Seesaw, the second album that grew out of her musical ties with the acclaimed blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa. The album will be released on Deluxe CD+DVD and Double Vinyl in the UK and Europe on Monday 20th May by Provogue Records.

BETH HART AND JOE BONAMASSA RETURN WITH THEIR FOLLOW UP OF CLASSIC BLUES AND SOUL COVERS, HOT ON THE HEELS OF 2011's SUCCESSFUL "DON’T EXPLAIN" ALBUM

After their first successful collaboration on Don’t Explain this highly talented duo is back with Seesaw. As with Don’t Explain, Seesaw is tastefully produced by Kevin Shirley (Black Crowes, John Hiatt, Joe Bonamassa, Led Zeppelin).
"Beth’s got a pretty heady voice, very reminiscent of Janis Joplin," says Shirley. "She’s also got a lot of Etta James in her. With this material, there’s gentleness to the way she delivers the most heartfelt tunes. She’s done a fantastic job."

Bonamassa and Hart first crossed paths on the road numerous times, and played many of the same festivals in Europe. In early 2010, Bonamassa attended one of her concerts in London. "It was killer," says Bonamassa. He suggested they do a project together sometime.

Don’t Explain took shape that summer. Now two years later, the follow-up album, Seesaw, captures 11 new blistering tracks. The album features covers from Billie Holiday (Them There Eyes), Melody Gardot (If I Tell You I Love You), Etta James (A Sunday Kind Of Love) and the title track Seesaw made popular by Aretha Franklin.
Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa’s debut album Don’t Explain sold over 150.000 copies in Europe, and charted in 10 countries including the UK, Germany, Benelux, Denmark, and Sweden.

The Album – Track By Track

1. "Them There Eyes"
Seesaw, Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa’s second album collaboration, opens with "Them There Eyes," made famous in 1939 by Billie Holiday—one of Hart’s biggest inspirations. "My mother turned me on to this song when I was a kid," says Beth. "I love the bubbliness. It’s sexy, it’s fun, and it has a great swing to it."
2. "Close To My Fire"
Next up, Hart offers a super sultry take on a much more contemporary cover, 2012’s "Close To My Fire" from Slackwax. "I didn’t immediately jump on this song, but my husband did and my manager loved it," she says. "I was intimidated because the woman who sang it with Slackwax just nailed it, and I had to find my own way of getting it right. It didn’t click with me until the day we did it. I felt like I ended up having nice timing on the song, and the band played amazing."

3. "Nutbush City Limits"
On "Nutbush City Limits," Hart wails with an intensity that would make Tina Turner proud. "Kevin sprung that song on me the last day of recording. He said, ‘We’re going to do this in half an hour.’ I remembered that in the Tina Turner movie What’s Love Got To Do With It, Ike is being abusive to her, telling her to sing the song like a man, to sing it hard. I adore Tina, and doing "Nutbush City Limits" was a big challenge. I went outside, listened to her version, and then came back in the studio and did it. It ended up feeling incredible to sing, and the band killed it."

4. "I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know"
Hart’s slow and soulful burn on "I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know" pairs dramatically with Bonamassa’s smoking guitar. "It’s a Donnie Hathaway song that I really got turned on to when I saw a live version of it that Amy Winehouse did in France. I found it online. To prepare, I learned Donnie’s version, but Amy did an amazing job with it as well."

5. "Can’t Let Go"
The tempo kicks up several notches with Hart’s tight, rocking vocals on "Can’t Let Go," from Lucinda Williams’ Grammy-winning 1998 album Car Wheels On A Gravel Road. "I love the southern appeal of this one—playing out of a little sugar shack, and singing that song about your man walking away from you. It’s a classic," says Hart.
6. "Miss Lady"
Up next is a fierce cover of "Miss Lady," the Buddy Miles song that was originally produced by Jimi Hendrix. "Kevin played this for me when we recorded Don’t Explain, and I didn’t want to do it," says Hart. "He suggested it again this time, and I still didn’t want to do it. It wasn’t that I didn’t think it was a great song, it was just so vocally demanding. I felt I would screw it up. At the end of one long day, he said, ‘Let’s just do a quick pass on it.’ My throat was so tired, I just screamed it out, and he kept it. It was a nice surprise."

7. "If I Tell You I Love You"
Hart revisits Melody Gardot’s songbook to deliver a sultry, jazzy rendition of "If I Tell You I Love You." "Her voice and her songwriting are incredible. It feels so good to sing this song, it just rolls off the tongue. The lyrics, the melody, the vibe are great," says Hart.
8. "Rhymes"
It pairs beautifully with "Rhymes," which Hart found on an album by her idol Etta James. "I have a huge collection of recordings by Etta," she says. "I decided to go through every single one, and I came across ‘Rhymes.’ I loved the low end singing, the bottom end stuff. It has attitude, but there’s an innocence to the attitude, and a wonderful groove."
9. "Sunday Kind Of Love"
Another Etta James song follows, a gorgeous take on the classic "Sunday Kind Of Love." "I have loved this song forever," says Hart. "It was one that Kevin and I both agreed on, but he was the first to suggest it, he beat me to the punch. I worked hard on it and tried to have faith in myself. This song was a big one for my mother. So I was thinking about Etta, and also about my mom, knowing that she would love it, and that it would mean something special to her."

10. "Seesaw"
"Seesaw," is a Don Covay/Steve Cropper composition from Aretha Franklin’s 1968 album Aretha Now. "This is another one I’ve always adored," says Hart. "It’s really high up in the range, and I asked Kevin to take it down a whole step. He said, ‘No, you can do it.’ It’s a really fun song, high energy, with a lot of attitude. Kevin liked it for the title track because he felt it was a good way of describing the ups and downs of the record."

11. "Strange Fruit"
The album closes with Hart’s haunting and atmospheric version of "Strange Fruit," a song that began as a poem about American racism—and lynching—by Abel Meeropol. "This is one of the most amazing songs ever written. The lyrical concept is one of the most important things in American history. Billie Holiday and Nina Simone both did great recordings, but Nina’s is the one that Kevin really had me listen to. I don’t have any personal relationship to slavery in my family, but I can at least sing it from a place of compassion."

BETH HART & JOE BONAMASSA
JUNE 2013 EUROPEAN TOUR DATES

Bergen Fest
Bergen, Norway
Saturday June 22, 2013
Buy Tickets: www.billettservice.no

Hampton Court Festival
Surrey, UK
Monday June 24, 2013
Buy Tickets: www.hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com

Lotto Arena
Antwerp, Belgium
Wednesday June 26, 2013
Buy Tickets: www.sportpaleis.be

Carre Theatre

Amsterdam, Netherlands
Saturday June 29, 2013

Carre Theatre

Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sunday June 30, 2013

BETH HART

Singer-songwriter Beth Hart is known for the passionate conviction of her soul-baring performances, on record and onstage.

The strength of her vocals is matched by what she conveys in her lyrics, making her take on confessional song-writing authentic and heartfelt.
On 2010's My California - Hart's most recent album prior to collaborating with Joe Bonamassa for the blues-soul covers collection Don't Explain she is as raw and emotionally immediate as ever, singing of life's travails, lessons learned, and contentment gained.

She also adds a new tenderness to her powerful blues-rock sound that intimately draws listeners in.
The British music website Rocktopia wrote, "each track impresses on both a spiritual and musical level, and the fact that everyone should be able to identify with elements of Beth's narratives simply adds to the attraction."
It follows up 2007's 37 Days, which was recorded, produced, and mixed like a live album (in only 37 days), with a 12-camera shoot capturing all the action for the DVD The Making of 37 Days.

A Los Angeles native, Hart began playing the piano at age 4, and has made music all her life. She attended L.A. High School for the performing arts, and released her first album, Immortal, in 1996.

JOE BONAMASSA

As Joe Bonamassa grows his reputation as one of the world's most masterful guitar players, he is also emerging as a charismatic blues-rock star and singer-songwriter of stylistic depth and emotional resonance.

Bonamassa's latest solo album, 2011's Dust Bowl - his tenth, is his highest charting (#1 Blues, #37 on the Billboard 200) and best-selling to date. Recorded in Santorini, Greece, Nashville, Malibu, and Los Angeles, with Kevin "Caveman" Shirley producing, the album is a genre-bending mix of '60s-era British blues-rock (à la Beck and Clapton), roots-country, and blistering Delta blues.

Just one of his other projects, Black Country Communion, the British-American rock band he formed with Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, Foreigner) and Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Billy Idol); their second album was released in June 2011.
Bonamassa tours the world regularly, and his ability to connect with live audiences is epic, with a career highlight being a sold-out show at London's Royal Albert Hall-where Eric Clapton joined him onstage (the concert is captured on the 2-DVD set Joe Bonamassa: Live From The Royal Albert Hall).

He has been chosen Best Blues Guitarist in Guitar Player Magazine's Readers Choice Awards for four consecutive years, and in 2009 was named Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the U.K.'s prestigious Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards. A child prodigy, Bonamassa began his career at age 12 opening shows for the legendary B.B. King.

For More Information & Free Song Download
www.hartandbonamassa.com

Beth & Joe's Official YouTube Channel
www.youtube.com/user/hartandbonamassa

Beth's Official Facebook
www.facebook.com/officialbethhart

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Joe Bonamassa to release "An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House"

“Joe Bonamassa - An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House” will be released on 2-CD, 2-LP, 2-DVD, Blu-ray by Provogue Records (a division of the Mascot Label Group) in the UK on Monday 25th March 2013.
The concert was recorded at the historic Vienna Opera House July 2012 during a very special two-week long unplugged tour, played to a limited audience over seven exclusive European shows. Varying from Bonamassa’s predominantly electric blues shows, this presentation was an all-acoustic concert performance, making it a unique and very special show fans had been waiting years to experience.

Joe Bonamassa ‘An Acoustic Evening At The Vienna Opera House’ Trailer

The Opera House in Vienna, regarded as the “City of Music,” was chosen for the main event because of its history and splendour, and association with many legendary composers. Accompanying Bonamassa on the same stage once graced by Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Mahler, and Haydn are traditional Irish fiddler Gerry O’Connor, who also plays mandolin and banjo; Swedish multi-instrumentalist Mats Wester on the nyckelharpa, a keyed fiddle; Los Angeles-based keyboardist Arlan Schierbaum texturing the mix with celeste, accordions, toy pianos, and assorted “organic” instruments; and renowned Puerto Rican percussionist Lenny Castro.
Joe recalls, “Originally, when I had the idea of doing an all-acoustic concert, I imagined doing it solo. I’d surround myself with a bunch of guitars, tell the background story of each song, and then play it. Kevin believed the show would be more exciting with a band and he got to work. All of a sudden, we had a five-piece group, and 72 hours to rehearse 20 or so songs. It was amazing, different than anything I’d ever done before.”

An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House features gorgeously textured music made with a wealth of rare, vintage, organic, and “oddball” instruments. Highlights among the 22 songs include “Woke Up Dreaming”—the one acoustic song, and fan favourite, that Bonamassa regularly plays during his electric shows— as well as “Around The Bend,” “Driving Towards The Daylight,” “Ball Peen Hammer,” and “Sloe Gin.”
The show is produced by Kevin Shirley, whose productions have been at the top of the charts for decades, including works from Led Zeppelin and Iron Maiden to Beth Hart and John Hiatt.
“To say this was a challenge is an understatement,” said Bonamassa. “To say this was a departure from anything I had ever done before is an even bigger understatement. I can say with full certainty that it was the most enjoyable tour I have ever done. On this tour I really learned the virtues of my singing lessons over the years. Take away those long guitar solos, all that sustain and that big Gibson sound and what is left leaves you no option but to dig deep and sing until you can't sing anymore.”