Joe Bonamassa – Blues Deluxe Vol. 2

J&R Adventures/Provogue (October 6^th 2023)

Reviewer: Chris O’Connor

 Joe Bonamassa is surely one of the most prolific musicians of recent times, having released or appeared on something like fifty studio and live albums since 2000 – which must be close to a record I would imagine? I am going to be absolutely honest, I have been somewhat ‘late to the party’, as I have not been his biggest fan. Why? To me he seems to be trying to be all things to all men musically, and there are occasions where I have felt his quality control was questionable as a result.

All that being said, in recent years, I have found myself warming to his outings, and I now have at least half his albums in my collection. I do still wonder if we have ever really heard who Joe Bonamassa truly is? He is without doubt a brilliant guitarist. A very fine vocalist too, however – I still feel we have not heard an album by him where he sounds totally authentic to himself both as a guitarist and an artist. In ‘Blues Deluxe Vol. 2’ I think we are getting closer, despite featuring only two original compositions, and eight reworkings of blues standards – this feels as if Joe is finally searching for his inner ‘him’ musically.

This album is designed as the other ‘bookend’ to his ‘Blues Deluxe’ album originally released twenty years ago, and features Reese Wynans (keys), Calvin Turner (bass), Lamar Carter (drums), Kirk Fletcher (guitar), Josh Smith (guitar), and guest artists such as Reese Wynans (organ) and Paulie Cerra (saxophone).

The two original songs are immediately worthy of note. The first, ‘Hope You Realize it (Goodbye Again)’ is a funky little number that grooves along effortlessly, it kind of has a James brown vibe to it, with a pumping brass section, and Joe smokes through the solos, it’s glorious stuff! I could listen to this all day long.

The second is even better – ‘Is It Safe To Go Home?’ is very simply the best thing Gary Moore never played. I intend that as a huge compliment, Joe pours his heart and soul into this song both vocally and in his playing. However – this sort of ‘leans into’ what I mentioned before – I want to hear Joe being himself – and not channelling Gary Moore, it is a perplexing conundrum.

Of the covers, my two picks are both slow-burners. Pee Wee Crayton’s ‘Win-o’ is brooding and lazily luxuriant, drifting along seemingly amidst a haze of alcohol and cigar smoke, Joe’s sparing playing working brilliantly against the organ and brass section – it’s perfect stuff in my opinion. ‘You Sure Drive A Hard Bargain’ is another wonderfully meandering blues standard, originally performed by Albert King, here again, Joe allows his guitar to wail and sing in the finest tradition of the blues – please Sir, can I have some more?

If you love the blues (and you should) and you love Joe Bonamassa (and despite my reservations I do, and so should you), then ‘Blues Deluxe Vol. 2’ should be an obligatory and indeed mandatory purchase. Even if you’re not a huge fan, there are few people who play music with the luxuriant authenticity of the man, so you should be checking this fine album out anyway. I think it goes … ‘I love the blues, they tell my story’. Nuff said.

Tracklist:

1. Twenty-Four Hour Blues (originally performed by Bobby “Blue” Bland)
2. It’s Hard But It’s Fair (originally performed by Bobby Parker)
3. Well, I Done Got Over It (originally performed by Guitar Slim)
4. I Want to Shout About It (originally performed by Ronnie Earle & The Broadcasters)
5. Win-O (originally performed by Pee Wee Crayton)
6. Hope You Realize It (Goodbye Again) (original song written by Joe Bonamassa & Tom Hambridge)
7. Lazy Poker Blues (originally performed by Fleetwood Mac)
8. You Sure Drive A Hard Bargain (originally performed by Albert King)
9. The Truth Hurts (feat. Kirk Fletcher and Josh Smith) (originally performed by Kenny Neal)
10. Is It Safe To Go Home (original song written by Josh Smith)