Black Rock

Just awarded the Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award at the UK's prestigious Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards, blues-rock guitar hero and singer-songwriter Joe Bonamassa is set to release his tenth full-length solo album, BLACK ROCK, on March 23, 2010. This album was recorded at, and named for, Black Rock Studios in Santorini, Greece. With this album, we wanted to explore a world feeling, and this was the inspiration behind going to record in Greece and using some of the best Greek musicians to add a little flavor to a couple of the tracks. But it s by no means a world album. We wanted Joe s usual youthful and energetic tones to play alongside the worldly vibes of the Greek bouzouki and clarino, said producer Kevin Shirley. Bonamassa says, It was the kind of record Kevin and I wanted to make. We needed to rock again a bit like on my first album. I wrote the whole thing there. Also Joe signed up Blues legend B.B. King for a duet on his new album. The song they perform together is a rendition of the Willie Nelson-penned song, Night Life, which appeared on King s 1967 album BLUES IS KING. Shirley says about the experience, This is a rollicking Stonesy-vibe version of the Willie Nelson song on which B.B. King duets with Joe, both vocally and on his famous Lucille guitar. What a joy and an honor to work with the legend who is possibly the pivot point and unifying musician between Blues and Rock. Other tracks appearing on BLACK ROCK include Jeff Beck s Spanish Boots, Leonard Cohen s poetic Bird On A Wire, Otis Rush's Three Times A Fool, Bobby Parker's Steal Your Heart Away, Blind Boy Fuller's Baby, You Gotta Change Your Mind, John Hiatt's I Know A Place, and James Clark's Look Over Yonders Wall, as well as the originals When The Fire Hits The Sea, Quarryman's Lament, Wandering Earth, Athens To Athens and Blue and Evil.

Price: $12.99

User Reviews about Black Rock

Always a prolific writer, Joe has done it again with yet another broad set of ripping guitar work and traditional blues. He can't be contained! -- Strong work, Dr. Bonamossa

Joe B does it again with his latest blues/rock cd. This one contimues in the long line of great musical recordings by one of the best guitarists in the business. Period! -- Smoking hot

Great CD! Incredible guitarist! The downside - disappointing sound mixing. Most of the highs are missing and the recording's generally muted. Clarity of the percussion and backup instruments in the background is sacrificed in the mix; unless it's booming, it's gone. Personally, I like to hear the subtle "tings" of a cymbal along with the guitar, not "thuds".

"Athens to Athens" is one of the few tracks where the other instruments aren't toned back and are allowed to be heard. Most cuts, Joe's guitar remains front and center - which he could certainly do with just his talent and a good mix without the unfortunate sacrifice of tonal quality of the background instruments.

Don't get me wrong - Joe Bonamassa has unbelievable talent and style. His music is worth owning and appreciating. I highly recommend what I've heard thus far, but have to agree with "GTS"; it sounds one-dimensional, and it's painful to listen to on a quality sound system.

Too often these days "record" producers don't go beyond making the music sound good on an iPod if it's turned up loud, because that's all their intended audience cares about (and also too often, the artist uses sheer volume to cover for a lack of talent... but that's another rant). That's a real shame in this case; a great quality recording and mix would be justified for Joe!

-- Great talent, good music - crap sound quality