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Review: Joe Bonamassa – A New Day Now

Provogue Records (August 7th 2020)

Reviewer: Peter Scallan

While I can’t claim to be a lifetime Bonamassa fan, I have been a big fan since ‘Black Rock‘ came out in 2010. The blues rock groove and his soulful voice had me hooked as soon I heard him on this album. While I have delved into the back catalogue, my least favourite album has always been ‘A New Day Yesterday‘. Therefore, while the Bonamassa purists who have been around since the first album may think this redone version is blasphemy, I was quite looking forward to it. Equally I am sure those purists of the early albums probably don’t like the latter day more refined blues rock Joe trades in now.

First up is ‘Cradle Rock‘ and from the get-go of the instrumental opening, you can tell the difference. Remixed and remastered by Kevin Shirley, the guitar sound is powerful and crisp and the drums cut through compared to the muddy mix of the original with a snappy snare and crisp cymbals. And once JB starts singing, the difference is humungous compared with that of the original. The first time I heard this album, I had to check the liner notes to make sure it was Bonamassa singing. The difference and feel continues into the more traditional blues number of Free’s ‘Walk in my Shadow‘.

Next is title track ‘A New Day Yesterday‘, which is another cover version from Jethro Tull. This is a fine example of just how much JB’s vocals have changed over the years. This is a slow burning number but the original vocal does the song absolutely no justice at all. ‘I Know Where I Belong‘ opens with a funky guitar riff reminiscent of Keith Richards and bounces along nicely. This is followed by the more radio-friendly number called ‘Miss You, Hate You‘ and the redone version makes it even more radio-friendly with the more refined mixed and vocal. If I recall correctly, on the original there was what even sounded like some guitar feedback. And so the improvement continues through ‘Nuthin’ I Wouldn’t Do (For A Woman Like You)‘ which is an Al Kooper number and features Rick Derringer on vocals and guitar.

‘Colour and Shape‘ is next up and is a more laid back number which is followed by the funky bass opening of ‘Headaches and Heartaches‘ which is a powerful bluesy funked up song. There then follows a slice classic blues in ‘Trouble Waiting‘ which is JB original. Another slow burning blueser is up next in the form of ‘If Heartaches Were Nickels‘ which is a Kenny Neal cover. This song originally featured the mighty Leslie West on vocals and lead guitar and Greg Allman on vocals and organ. However, JB sings the lead vocal in its entirety and the song loses a little of its original charm.

The penultimate track on the original album is next, called ‘Current Situation‘ and is a JB original. The last track on the original album was ‘Don’t Burn Down That Bridge‘. The opening of the song has a strange Deep Purplesque feel to it, even though it is a BB King cover. This re-released version has three extra tracks on it. These songs produced and written with Steven Van Zandt, the first of which is ‘Hey Moma‘ and is very similar to the material on the Din of Ecstasy album from fellow blueser Chris Whitley. Judging by the vocal on it, there has been no re-vocal of this song or maybe the song just demanded a different vocal from JB. The next additional track is ‘I Want You‘ and has a strange almost new wave rock feel and the vocal is…, well, it is bloody awful! The final song of the re-release is ‘Line of Denial‘. This is based on a staccato guitar riff and is a pretty good song but again the vocals let it down.

So, is it another JB let’s fill the gap album or a worthwhile addition to your JB collection? For me, it is as I prefer it to the original and you get the three bonus tracks, even though only one of them is worth the investment. However, if you are a recent Bonamassa fan and haven’t got the original, I think this album will be more in keeping with your expectations. Having said that, I am sure it has appeal for Bonamassa fans old, new and even former!

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The wait is over, Joe Bonamassa’s new solo studio album ‘Royal Tea‘, inspired by his British guitar heroes JeffBeck, JohnMayall &TheBluesbreakers, Eric Clapton and Cream, was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios and will be released on October 23rd via Provogue/J&R Adventures. Bonamassa also surprised his fans this past Friday with his latest single,’Why Does It Take So Long To Say Goodbye‘.

Bonamassa is known for taking risks and venturing into uncharted territory throughout his wide-ranging career but now he has found a new way to surprise his fans and music lovers. ‘Royal Tea‘ brings Bonamassa full-circle.

“This whole adventure,”admits Joe, “was a bucket-list thing for me.” This album reconnects the 43-year-old with the guitar-slinging kid from upstate New York,who stumbled across the best of British blues music in his dad’s vinyl collection – whose influences have shaped him to be the player he is today. “I would have been about twelve years old, and it was the sound I heard in my head. Like,‘OK, I’m in.That’s what I want to be’.”

These ten original tracks were co-written by Joe and a cast of homegrown notables including former Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden, ex-Cream lyricist Pete Brown and national-treasure pianoman JoolsHolland.

“Writing this record in London has done it’s job,” reflects Bonamassa.“ It really does sound inherently British. Bernie and I, we finish each other’s sentences.We’re cut from the same cloth.” Bonamassa’s long-standing producer Kevin Shirley and regular touring band flew in for the recording sessions,which included Anton Fig (drums),Michael Rhodes (bass) and Reese Wynans (keys).

Alongside the announcement of the ‘Royal Tea‘ album, Bonamassa revealed today that he will perform a special Livestream Concert from the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee on September 20th. This concert will feature songs from his new album before the official release. Joe has never performed a full,unreleased album foraudiences like this before, giving fans from around the world the opportunity to come together for an unforgettable night of blues-rock music.Along with ‘Royal Tea‘ he’ll perform classic remixes from his 20th anniversary album ‘A New Day Now‘.The evening will continue with a one hour “AfterParty” featuring several live performances from an array of some of the hottest rising stars in blues-rock music.

The livestream tickets and packages for “Joe Bonamassa Live in Concert Worldwide” presented by KeepingThe BluesAlive are available for purchase HERE

There are a variety of pricing levels available for fans worldwide to be a part of this special “audience.” Access to the livestream event starts at $20. Fans may also purchase a $35 ALL-ACCESSPASS which includes access to thelivestream event on September20th, the ‘Royal Tea‘ digital album available on October 23rd,and a1-year all access pass for Bonamassa’s on-demand service which includes 17+ concert releases from Joe Bonamassa, Black Country Communion, and Rock Candy Funk Party–available at anytime on most devices.

As part of this unique concert event, fans also have the option to purchase a Commemorative VIP ticket giving them an experience they will never forget.V IP ticket holders will have their photo printed out and placed in a seat at the legendary Ryman Auditorium as part of Joe’s audience for that special night. VIPs will also get a picture of Joe with his“audience” which will be sent to them via email to keep.The VIP ticket holder’s name will also be

included in the credits at the end of the livestream event, as well as being included in the credits of the upcoming DVD for this performance!

This one-of-a-kind concert is presented by Bonamassa’s non-profit, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation (KTBA).

Each ticket purchase will include a $1 donation to Joe’s Fueling Musicians Program, which to date has raised over $295,000 and has supported more than 163 musicians in need due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While much of the applause Bonamassa receives should be credited to his sheer talent ,some part of his success needs to be attributed to Joe and his business partner for having the foresight and ability to become some of music’s savviest entrepreneurs. Bonamassa now 43,and his partner RoyWeisman have togetherdevised a 360-degree independent business model that has survived and thrived during one of the music industry’s most uncertain eras, particularly considering the challenges created by the current pandemic.

Track Listing:

1. When One Door Opens

2. Royal Tea

3 .Why Does It Take So Long To Say Goodbye

4. Lookout Man

5. High Class Girl

6. A Conversation With Alice

7. I Didn’t ThinkShe Would Do it

8. Beyond The Silence

9. Lonely Boy

10. Savannah

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Twenty years ago, Joe Bonamassa took the music world by storm when he released his debut solo album ‘A New Day Yesterday‘. Though he’d already been on the scene for years as a child prodigy and even opened for B.B. King at the age of 12. The album launched a career that, two decades later, has seen Bonamassa rise to the top of his field with most recently being named Guitar World‘s #1 top blues guitarist in the world. Today, the blues-rock titan announces a revamped version to be released on August 7th via J&R Adventures, that has been completely re-sung by Bonamassa and remixed and remastered by long-time producer Kevin Shirley.

In custom Bonamassa fashion, Joe has shared a personal message to fans, straight from his “Nerdville” home. “The reason we went back and remixed it, and re-sang it, and pulled from the original masters was because I never felt like I deserved a guy like Tom Dowd to produce my first album,” he confesses. “I was an infant as far as being an artist. Tom saw a little pebble in a stream, that could travel down and eventually become this nugget of gold, if you want to call it that, and he had a vision for me that I didn’t see. I appreciate that and I wanted to pay tribute to him as a man who mentored me through that time. I hope you guys enjoy it.”

He continues, “Tom Dowd was a master of everything he endeavored on. There was no second rate, there was no compromise on quality of absolutions and results. I wasn’t developed enough as a musician myself to rise to his level. I certainly gave it my all and rose to the occasion grading on the curve of the musician I am today, the musician Tom always knew was inside my soul. I decided to enlist the help of another producer and mentor that has significantly impacted my life both on a personal basis and professionally, Mr. Kevin Shirley to help re-mix, re-sing and finally pay tribute to Tom as I tried to so hard to when he was alive. I have been extremely fortunate in my life to have been surrounded by two of the best most brilliant record producers anyone could have dreamed to be associated with. We included some crude demos and recordings I did at 75 Campbell Ave when I was just a teenager, and alternate versions of songs you are familiar with partly because some of the master tapes have been lost. Yes, I did say tapes. It is never lost on me how lucky I have been and continue to be by your support over these past 20 years. Enjoy the trip down memory lane… I know I did.”

A longtime producer and collaborator, Kevin Shirley adds, “as time has gone by, Joe’s vocal style, particularly, has changed enormously. He’s grown from an adolescent shouter to a very mature and soulful singer. From early on in our working relationship, Joe has mentioned that he would really like to have another shot at those vocals, and asked that if he did redo them, would I remix his first solo album.”

When ‘A New Day Yesterday‘ was initially released, Chuck Taylor of Billboard was an early supporter, praising Bonamassa as “a bold talent, who rises above narrow radio formatics.” The album includes six original tracks written by Bonamassa, along with six cover songs from historically renowned blues and rock artists. In addition, Shirley notes, “added to this album are three bonus songs which Stevie Van Zandt produced for Joe. They’re a terrific look at where Joe was coming from, what he was looking for and how he has developed over the years.” The bonus tracks are unreleased demos from a 1997 studio session before Joe had any record deals. They have never been heard before and come from a time when Zandt was Bonamassa’s biggest cheerleader in the industry.

Now, even as Bonamassa continues to release new music from his recordings at Abbey Road Studios, including last month’s intricate ballad titled ‘When One Door Opens‘, he takes a moment to shine light on the album that started it all. ‘A New Day Now‘ is a chance for the icon to revisit his past and revitalize the indelible anthology with his years of experience and artistry.

The Abbey Road studio recordings and A New Day Now follow Bonamassa’s recent instrumental side project called The Sleep Eazys, who released their critically-acclaimed debut album, Easy To Buy, Hard To Sell, this spring. The album, which the Associated Press touted as making “instrumental dreams,” was produced by Bonamassa and features some of his frequent collaborators, along with his all-star touring band. The Sleep Eazys project is Joe’s second time in the studio as a producer, after Reese Wynans’ long-awaited debut solo album Sweet Release.

Never a dull moment, Joe is still cranking out weekly programming for Sirius XM’s Bluesville channel for his radio show “Different Shades Of Blue.” In the early weeks of quarantine, Bonamassa took to social media to give a special behind-the-scenes look at his “Nerdville” home in California. More recently, he kicked off a new at-home series “Live From Nerdville” on his Facebook and YouTube page, featuring episodes with Neal Schon of Journey, John Oates of Hall & Oates, Walter Trout, and esteemed singer-songwriter Dion. On June 5, Bonamassa released music icon Dion’s new album Blues With Friends on he and his Manager Roy Weisman’s new record label Keeping The Blues Alive Records and Dion’s first single “Blues Comin’ On” also features Bonamassa on slide guitar.

In prior months, Bonamassa was touring relentlessly, up until coronavirus took its hold on the music industry, stopping him just short of a few final dates on his spring tour in the U.S.  To battle the tough times brought on by COVID-19, Bonamassa’s non-profit Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation (KTBA) is providing financial support to qualifying touring musicians who are suffering financial hardship and whose careers have been put on hold. The program, called Fueling Musicians, is an emergency relief program designed to support musicians by providing immediate cash payments for essential living expenses of $1,000, as well as pre-paid gas cards of $500 to help them stay afloat and get back on the road again when it is safe. With $270,000 raised to date, Bonamassa surpassed his personal goal of $250,000. “The more money raised means more musicians will receive funding to help them get through these challenging times and ultimately back onto the road when the time is right,” Bonamassa says. On May 31, he launched an online stream-a-thon benefit for the program, featuring over FIVE hours of music performances from over 50 musicians including some legendary friends and talented rising stars. The full concert event can be streamed in full here. Individuals or organizations interested in helping Joe support this program should go the Keeping the Blues Alive website, ktba.org or ktba.org/fueling-musicians.

To keep up with everything Bonamassa, visit jbonamassa.com, and be sure to stay connected on social media.

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Twenty years ago, Joe Bonamassa took the music world by storm when he released his debut solo album ‘A New Day Yesterday‘. Though he’d already been on the scene for years as a child prodigy and even opened for B.B. King at the age of 12. The album launched a career that, two decades later, has seen Bonamassa rise to the top of his field with most recently being named Guitar World’s #1 top blues guitarist in the world. Today, the blues-rock titan announces a revamped version to be released on August 7th via J&R Adventures, that has been completely re-sung by Bonamassa and remixed and remastered by long-time producer Kevin Shirley.

In custom Bonamassa fashion, Joe has shared a personal message to fans, straight from his “Nerdville” home. “The reason we went back and remixed it, and re-sang it, and pulled from the original masters was because I never felt like I deserved a guy like Tom Dowd to produce my first album,” he confesses. “I was an infant as far as being an artist. Tom saw a little pebble in a stream, that could travel down and eventually become this nugget of gold, if you want to call it that, and he had a vision for me that I didn’t see. I appreciate that and I wanted to pay tribute to him as a man who mentored me through that time. I hope you guys enjoy it.”

He continues, “Tom Dowd was a master of everything he endeavored on. There was no second rate, there was no compromise on quality of absolutions and results. I wasn’t developed enough as a musician myself to rise to his level. I certainly gave it my all and rose to the occasion grading on the curve of the musician I am today, the musician Tom always knew was inside my soul. I decided to enlist the help of another producer and mentor that has significantly impacted my life both on a personal basis and professionally, Mr. Kevin Shirley to help re-mix, re-sing and finally pay tribute to Tom as I tried to so hard to when he was alive. I have been extremely fortunate in my life to have been surrounded by two of the best most brilliant record producers anyone could have dreamed to be associated with. We included some crude demos and recordings I did at 75 Campbell Ave when I was just a teenager, and alternate versions of songs you are familiar with partly because some of the master tapes have been lost. Yes, I did say tapes. It is never lost on me how lucky I have been and continue to be by your support over these past 20 years. Enjoy the trip down memory lane… I know I did.”

A longtime producer and collaborator, Kevin Shirley adds, “as time has gone by, Joe’s vocal style, particularly, has changed enormously. He’s grown from an adolescent shouter to a very mature and soulful singer. From early on in our working relationship, Joe has mentioned that he would really like to have another shot at those vocals, and asked that if he did redo them, would I remix his first solo album.”

When ‘A New Day Yesterday‘ was initially released, Chuck Taylor of Billboard was an early supporter, praising Bonamassa as “a bold talent, who rises above narrow radio formatics.” The album includes six original tracks written by Bonamassa, along with six cover songs from historically renowned blues and rock artists. In addition, Shirley notes, “added to this album are three bonus songs which Stevie Van Zandt produced for Joe. They’re a terrific look at where Joe was coming from, what he was looking for and how he has developed over the years.” The bonus tracks are unreleased demos from a 1997 studio session before Joe had any record deals. They have never been heard before and come from a time when Zandt was Bonamassa’s biggest cheerleader in the industry.

Track listing:

1. Cradle Rock
2. Walk In My Shadows
3. A New Day Yesterday
4. I Know Where I Belong
5. Miss You, Hate You
6. Nuthin’ I Wouldn’t Do (For A Woman Like You)
7. Colour And Shape
8. Headaches And Heartbreaks (remixing)
9. Troubled Waiting
10. If Heartaches Were Nickels (remixing)
11. Current Situation
12. Don’t Burn Down That Bridge
BONUS TRACKS
13. Hey Mona
14. I Want You
15. Line Of Denial

Remixed, Remastered and Re-sung Special New Edition titled ‘A New Day Now‘ TO BE Released on August 7th via J&R Adventures: Pre-order now

Now, even as Bonamassa continues to release new music from his recordings at Abbey Road Studios, including last month’s intricate ballad titled ‘When One Door Opens,’ he takes a moment to shine light on the album that started it all. A New Day Now is a chance for the icon to revisit his past and revitalize the indelible anthology with his years of experience and artistry.

The Abbey Road studio recordings and A New Day Now follow Bonamassa’s recent instrumental side project called The Sleep Eazys, who released their critically-acclaimed debut album, ‘Easy To Buy, Hard To Sell‘, this spring. The album, which the Associated Press touted as making “instrumental dreams,” was produced by Bonamassa and features some of his frequent collaborators, along with his all-star touring band. The Sleep Eazys project is Joe’s second time in the studio as a producer, after Reese Wynans‘ long-awaited debut solo album ‘Sweet Release‘.

Never a dull moment, Joe is still cranking out weekly programming for Sirius XM’s Bluesville channel for his radio show ‘Different Shades Of Blue‘. In the early weeks of quarantine, Bonamassa took to social media to give a special behind-the-scenes look at his “Nerdville” home in California. More recently, he kicked off a new at-home series “Live From Nerdville” on his Facebook and YouTube page, featuring episodes with Neal Schon of Journey, John Oates of Hall & Oates, Walter Trout, and esteemed singer-songwriter Dion. On June 5, Bonamassa released music icon Dion‘s new album Blues With Friends on he and his Manager Roy Weisman’s new record label Keeping The Blues Alive Records and Dion’s first single ‘Blues Comin’ On‘ also features Bonamassa on slide guitar.

In prior months, Bonamassa was touring relentlessly, up until coronavirus took its hold on the music industry, stopping him just short of a few final dates on his spring tour in the U.S.  To battle the tough times brought on by COVID-19, Bonamassa’s non-profit Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation (KTBA) is providing financial support to qualifying touring musicians who are suffering financial hardship and whose careers have been put on hold. The program, called Fueling Musicians, is an emergency relief program designed to support musicians by providing immediate cash payments for essential living expenses of $1,000, as well as pre-paid gas cards of $500 to help them stay afloat and get back on the road again when it is safe. With $270,000 raised to date, Bonamassa surpassed his personal goal of $250,000. “The more money raised means more musicians will receive funding to help them get through these challenging times and ultimately back onto the road when the time is right,” Bonamassa says. On May 31, he launched an online stream-a-thon benefit for the program, featuring over FIVE hours of music performances from over 50 musicians including some legendary friends and talented rising stars. The full concert event can be streamed in full here. Individuals or organizations interested in helping Joe support this program should go the Keeping the Blues Alive website, ktba.org or ktba.org/fueling-musicians.
 
To keep up with everything Bonamassa, visit jbonamassa.com, and be sure to stay connected on social media.

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Today, blues icon Joe Bonamassa shares perhaps his most monumental rock soundscape to date, with the intricate ballad titled ‘When One Door Opens‘ on J&R Adventures. The track was co-written with long-time producer Kevin Shirley and songwriter Pete Brown, known for his many collaborations with Cream and Jack Bruce. Bonamassa has long been influenced by the rock n’ roll royalty that came out of the 60s and 70s, and when fans hear ‘When One Door Opens‘ they’ll feel it more than ever. Recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studio in London, the impact of the history and culture of those studio walls is captured entirely in this song.

Along with the release, a brand new music video gives audiences a special look inside Bonamassa’s recording sessions.

Joe Bonamassa’s new single ‘When One Door Opens’ is available to stream from all platforms via https://joeb.me/StreamWODO.  Purchase the single from https://joeb.me/WODOS.

In a personal video message, Bonamassa shared his excitement for working with Shirley and Brown, then told fans “this is the first track off my new album and I’m very excited for everyone to hear it.” Though Bonamassa has divulged that this is the first track on the album, the actual release date and track listing have yet to be revealed. In addition to ‘When One Door Opens‘. so far Bonamassa only shared one other track from the Abbey Road Studio recordings, the surprise single ‘A Conversation With Alice‘, which debuted last month. “Alice,” as it turns out, is the alias of a therapist that Bonamassa spoke with about some reoccurring problems he’d been facing in life but found that these ‘problems’ ultimately lead to his success.

‘A Conversation With Alice‘ follows Bonamassa’s recent instrumental side project called The Sleep Eazys, who released their critically-acclaimed debut album, ‘Easy To Buy, Hard To Sell‘, early last month. The album, which the Associated Press touted as making “instrumental dreams,” was produced by Bonamassa and features some of his frequent collaborators, along with his all-star touring band. The Sleep Eazys project is Joe’s second time in the studio as a producer, after Reese Wynans’ long-awaited debut solo album Sweet Release.

Fans and critics alike will have to keep their eyes peeled for more music and surprises from America’s favorite blues-rock artist. In the meantime, Joe is still cranking out weekly programming for Sirius XM’s Bluesville channel for his radio show ‘Different Shades Of Blue‘. Also, while in quarantine Bonamassa has taken to social media to give a special behind-the-scenes look at his “Nerdville” home in California. This week, Bonamassa kicked off a new at-home series ‘Live From Nerdville‘ on his Facebook page, with the first episode featuring esteemed singer-songwriter Dion. Bonamassa is releasing Dion’s new album ‘Blues With Friends‘ on the new label Keeping The Blues Alive Records and Dion’s first single ‘Blues Comin’ On‘ features Bonamassa.

In prior months, Bonamassa was touring relentlessly, up until coronavirus took its hold on the music industry, stopping him just short of a few final dates on his spring tour in the U.S.  To battle the tough times brought on by COVID-19, Bonamassa’s non-profit Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation (KTBA) is providing financial support to qualifying touring musicians who are suffering financial hardship and whose careers have been put on hold. The program, called Fueling Musicians, is an emergency relief program designed to support musicians by providing immediate cash payments for essential living expenses of $1,000, as well as pre-paid gas cards of $500 to help them stay afloat and get back on the road again when it is safe. With $178,000 raised to date, Bonamassa quickly surpassed the original goal of $100,00 and has since increased his goal to $250,000. “The more money raised, the more musicians that will receive funding to help them get through these challenging times and ultimately back onto the road when the time is right,” Bonamassa says.

On Sunday, May 31st at 3PM ET he will premiere an online stream-a-thon benefit for the program, featuring four hours of music performances from over 45 musicians including some legendary friends and talented rising stars. Learn more at https://joeb.me/StreamAThon. Individuals or organizations interested in helping Joe support this program should go the Keeping the Blues Alive website, ktba.org or ktba.org/fueling-musicians.

For more information on ‘When One Door Opens‘, and other Bonamassa news, visit jbonamassa.com, and be sure to stay connected on social media.

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Dion has just released ‘I Got Nothin’ with Van Morrison & Joe Louis Walker – the fourth track from his upcoming album ‘Blues With Friends’ released by KTBA Records on Friday June 5th.

10% of all profits from Joe Bonamassa’s new label KTBA Records (aka “Keeping the Blues Alive Records”) will be donated back to the Non-Profit for promoting music education to students and schools in need.

Says Dion about the song: “You know when you sit down and you want to write a song, but nothing comes to mind? I was having one of those days. So, I went with the feeling and this is what I got. I got nothin’, and nothing is enough! It’s more than enough, actually, when you’re singing it with Van Morrison and Joe Louis Walker complemented us perfectly.”

‘Blues With Friends‘ features 13 tracks with special guests including Billy Gibbons, Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Beck, Paul Simon, Joe Bonamassa, Van Morrison, Brian Setzer, Sonny Landreth, Joe Louis Walker, Samantha Fish, Stevie Van Zandt and many more.

For this outing, Dion worked with producer Wayne Hood in whose Florida studio the basic tracks were recorded. “From the first day, I was at home. We hit it off like brothers on a mission. We caught the same vision and sound and off we went.”

Over the course of the last part of 2019 and the first part of 2020, the album began to take shape. Dion had the songs and the collaborators began to reveal themselves. As Dion tells it, he ran the album’s first track, ‘Blues Comin’ On,’ past Joe Bonamassa. He noted, “It’s funny how a song evolves. For me it usually starts with a few words. In this case it was “If I didn’t know better” I wanted to sing those words, so I wrote a song around them. Joe Bonamassa is a monster and took the song to a whole new level.” Joe would be the first of many of Dion’s Blues With Friends co-conspirators.

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Rock & Roll legend DION has releases his new album ‘Blues With Friends‘ on Joe Bonamassa’s new label “KTBA Records” (Keeping the Blues Alive Records) on June 5th.

The rock legend has just premiered a brand new track and a music video for the song ‘Bam Bang Boom‘ featuring lead guitar from ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons.

‘Blues With Friends‘ features 13 tracks with special guests including Billy Gibbons, Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Beck, Paul Simon, Joe Bonamassa, Van Morrison, Brian Setzer, Sonny Landreth, Joe Louis Walker, Samantha Fish, Stevie Van Zandt and many more.

Stream and download ‘Bam Bang Boom‘ from http://diondimucci.com/streaming/bambangboom.html

‘Blues And Friends‘ is released on Joe Bonamassa’s new label KTBA Records on June 5th and can be pre-ordered from www.ktbarecords.com

 

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One of the most iconic names in modern blues music, Joe Bonamassa, is back with highly anticipated new music from his studio recordings at the legendary Abbey Road Studio in London. The surprise single ‘A Conversation With Alice‘ arrives today via J&R Adventures, along with a special music video showing him in the studio recording the track. “Alice,” as it turns out, is the alias of a therapist that Bonamassa spoke with about some reoccurring problems he’d been facing in life but found that these ‘problems’ ultimately lead to his success.

Chat with Joe LIVE as he PREMIERES his NEW SINGLE & Official Music video ‘A Conversation With Alice‘ – 8 pm UK / 9 pm CET Friday on FACEBOOK LIVE

WATCH THE VIDEO:

(Premiering on YouTube and FB LIVE @ 8pm UK Time / 3pm EDT/ 12pm PDT)

Joe Bonamassa’s new single ‘A Conversation With Alice‘ is available to stream from all platforms via https://joeb.me/StreamAlice

In an intimate video from self-quarantine, Bonamassa shares, “the song is derived by an experience I had a couple years ago when some friends of mine intervened and said ‘You know what Joe? You should go ahead and talk to someone about these problems you have that come up time and time again.’ So, I agreed. I went to see this lovely woman in Los Angeles, CA and began talking about my problems. After the second session I came to the conclusion that I was unrepairable and that the crazy in me makes me good at my job. I like being good at my job.”

He quips, “I think I’m good at my job, unless you ask the internet. Which then there’s some debate, which bolsters the crazy. See how it’s all interrelated? So, I wrote a song about it.” Bonamassa ends the video with a comforting smile and a sincere wish to fans, “I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for listening, be safe and be happy.”

Bonamassa also divulges that the song is part of a brand-new album coming sometime later this year, though details of the title and release date are still under wraps. Fans and critics alike will be on the lookout for what’s next from America’s favorite blues-rock artist. In the meantime, while in quarantine Bonamassa has taken to social media to give a special behind-the-scenes look at his “Nerdville” home in California. In prior months, Bonamassa was touring relentlessly, up until coronavirus took its hold on the music industry, stopping him just short of a few final dates on his spring tour in the U.S.

‘A Conversation With Alice‘ also follows Bonamassa’s recent instrumental side project called The Sleep Eazys, who released their critically-acclaimed debut album, ‘Easy To Buy, Hard To Sell‘, just last week. The album, which the Associated Press touted as making “instrumental dreams,” was produced by Bonamassa and features some of his frequent collaborators, along with his all-star touring band. The Sleep Eazys project is Joe’s second time in the studio as a producer, after Reese Wynans’ long-awaited debut solo album Sweet Release. The producer role is one that Joe takes very seriously and thoroughly enjoys. More projects are currently in the works!

“Alice” and The Sleep Eazys follow a string of other successful collaborative ventures, including the adventurous side projects Black Country Communion, Rock Candy Funk Party and Beth Hart. Collectively, Bonamassa has over 40 albums to date and the announcement of “A Conversation With Alice” marks the first of new music from his solo studio record at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. His latest solo album, LIVE AT SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE marked his 22nd #1 album on the Billboard Blues Chart, an incredible feat unparalleled within the music industry.

For more information on “A Conversation With Alice” and other Bonamassa news, visit jbonamassa.com, and be sure to stay connected on social media.

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Today, Joe Bonamassa announces full-length instrumental album ‘Easy To Buy, Hard To Sell‘ as he debuts his brand new project, The Sleep Eazys. The first single, ‘Bond (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service),‘ a nod to the 1969 classic action film, is now available on all streaming services. As producer, the blues-rock titan enlisted some of his frequent collaborators, along with his all-star touring band, to play on the album, which is set for release on April 10 via Provogue/J&R Adventures.

The album takes a slight departure from Bonamassa’s revered repertoire, with the intent of honoring Danny Gatton, one of his most influential mentors, as well as covering instrumental versions of some of his favorites from Frank Sinatra, Danny Gatton, Tony Joe White, King Curtis and more. Bonamassa shares his excitement on the project, “To be honest I have always wanted to do a record like this. But, to be even more honest I’m not sure I was ready both professionally and musically, until now. The time finally felt right to finally pay tribute to a mentor, a friend and one of the greatest guitarists of all time: the late great Danny Gatton. My time hanging out and jamming with Danny as a child shaped my playing and musical pathway more than just about anyone.”

Largely comprised of Joe’s touring band, The Sleep Eazys includes Late Night with David Letterman’s Anton Fig (percussion), Musician’s Hall of Famer Michael Rhodes (bass), Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Reese Wynans (keyboards), Lee Thornburg (trumpet), Paulie Cerra (saxophone), along with Jade MacRae and Juanita Tippins on background vocals, and of course, Bonamassa on guitar. Accompanying the stellar and tight-knit cast are Jimmy Hall on harmonica and esteemed multi-instrumentalist John Jorgenson. Fans of Bonamassa will enjoy the larger-than-life sound of the star-studded collective that is The Sleep Eazys, providing an array of sounds in everything from jazz to bluegrass, funk, rockabilly and more! With the caliber and expertise of musicians on this album, it is sure to catch fire and grab the attention of music lovers and critics worldwide.

This album follows Bonamassa’s other successful collaborative albums, including the adventurous side projects Black Country Communion, Rock Candy Funk Party and Beth Hart. Collectively, Bonamassa has over 40 albums to date and recently finished recording his next solo studio album at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. His latest album, ‘Live At Sydney Opera House‘ marked his 22nd #1 album on the Billboard Blues Chart. Sweet Release, Reese Wynans’ debut solo album was also Bonamassa’s first venture as a record producer, a role he thoroughly enjoys and plans to revisit in several upcoming albums.

Track listing:

  1. Fun House
  2. Move
  3. Ace Of Spades
  4. Ha So
  5. Hawaiian Eye
  6. Bond (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service)
  7. Polk Salad Annie
  8. Blue Nocturne
  9. It Was A Very Good Year

For more information, visit www.jbonamassa.com. Catch Bonamassa, Fig, Rhodes, and Wynans on tour now! Tickets available at jbonamassa.com/tour-dates.
UK Tour Dates:

Sat 25 Apr – Brighton Centre, Brighton
Mon 27 Apr – Playhouse, Edinburgh
Tues 28 Apr – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Thurs 30 Apr – Sage, Gateshead
Fri 1 Apr – First Direct Arena, Leeds
Sat 2 May – Motor Point Arena, Cardiff

 

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Following six sold-out Caribbean cruises and a sold-out inaugural Mediterranean sailing – Joe Bonamassa, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, and Sixthman announce the second annual Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean II, sailing August 14-19, 2020 on the beautiful Norwegian Jade from Barcelona, Spain to Genoa, Italy and Cannes, France.

Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean II is making waves with a new lineup addition. We are so excited to announce that Ian Anderson presents Jethro Tull will join us in the Mediterranean! Don’t miss your chance to catch them as well as an incredible lineup as we sail through Europe!

As with the previous United States-based sailings and the inaugural Mediterranean voyage, the second European cruise will feature music across multiple stages, Meet and Greets with artists from the lineup, numerous artist collaborations and an exclusive Artist Super Session set led by Jimmy Vivino. In addition to non-stop music, the specially curated schedule of events offers a variety of music-centric activities including an activity with Joe Bonamassa. Beyond the onboard experience, guests will have the chance to explore two of the world’s most beautifully renowned cities. Attendees can spend the day at the waterfront town of Cannes famous for sparkling, sandy beaches and lush attractions, and explore the historic streets of Genoa, a remarkable gem of the Italian Riviera. In 2020, Ian Anderson presents Jethro Tull, Jonny Lang, Walter Trout, Marc Broussard, Samantha Fish, Ana Popovic, King King, Jimmy Vivino, The James Hunter Six, The Suffers, Selwyn Birchwood, The Cold Stares, Daddy Long Legs, Elles Bailey, Ben Levin, and Lakota John  have already been confirmed and more will be announced to join Joe Bonamassa for the second voyage.

Less than 10% of staterooms are remaining and fans are encouraged to reserve now at bluesaliveatseaeurope.com. Double occupancy staterooms on Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean II begin at $1,650 per person, plus taxes and fees, with low deposit amounts and flexible payment plans available. For more information about booking your vacation, visit bluesaliveatseaeurope.com or call Sixthman directly at +44 808 164 1488 between the hours of 10AM EST and 6PM EST.

A destination of her own, Norwegian Jade offers guests Norwegian Cruise Line’s signature freedom and flexibility during their vacation. Norwegian Jade features 11 delicious and visually stunning dining options, 15 bars and relaxing lounges, a dazzling casino, tranquil spa and gym, updated design and décor in public spaces and brand-new state of the art features on board cabins.

ABOUT JOE BONAMASSA:

As Joe Bonamassa enters his 30th 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. Thirty Year later, he is hailed worldwide as one of the greatest guitar players of his generation and is an ever-evolving singer-songwriter who has released over 30 albums, all on his own label, J&R Adventures. He founded and oversees the non-profit Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation to promote the heritage of the blues music to the next generation, fund music scholarships, and supplement the loss of music education in schools. Most recently, Bonamassa received his 2nd GRAMMY® nomination, Guitar World Magazine Best Blues Guitar Player Award in 2019 and his 22nd #1 Billboard Blues Album (more than any other artist) with his latest live album Live At The Sydney Opera House. There are no signs of Joe slowing down, with tours already booked through 2020 and plans to record in the studio next year. jbonamassa.com

ABOUT KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE FOUNDATION:

Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation fuels the passion for music by funding programs and scholarships for students and teachers who possess the desire but lack the resources or access to achieve their potential within music education. Through generous donations from Joe Bonamassa, J&R Adventures, individual donors, and KTBA cruises, the foundation has been able to fund music projects reaching over 64,500 students with over $600,000 donated so far. We accomplish this by making weekly donations to music projects in education and scholarships all over the country. keepingthebluesalive.org

 ABOUT SIXTHMAN:

Since 2001, Sixthman has set the stage for moments that make life rock, serving more than 250,000 guests’ unforgettable vacations at sea with their favorite bands and brands. These curated and intimate events bring non-stop performances, artist collaborations and a truly immersive experience that celebrate community and aim to change expectations of what a vacation could be. Sixthman’s domestic home ports include New Orleans, Miami, and Tampa, travelling to dream destinations in the Virgin Islands, Belize, Honduras, Mexico, and The Bahamas. Beginning in 2019, Sixthman expanded their festivals at sea to Europe, sailing from Barcelona, Spain to exotic Mediterranean ports, and bring their innovative festivals to breathtaking all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic. For more information, visit sixthman.net and connect with us @SXMLiveLoud.  LIVE LOUD.

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