1 Topic by Kenny (edited by Kenny 2013-05-30 08:55:32)

  • Kenny
  • Kenny
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  • From: Aberdeen, Scotland
  • Registered: 2009-09-04
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Topic: Classic Rock Magazine Review of Sloe Gin - September 2007

It's been fun but time consuming looking back at the old mags. Issue 1 came out in November 1998!! Anyway here's the review :

Having topped the US Billboard blues charts with 2006's You and Me and won this year's Guitar Player Magazine's best Blues Guitarist award, Joe Bonamassa has decided to strike while his plectrum is hot. Sloe Gin is a thunderous album that could break Bonamassa's blues into the hard rock and metal charts and awards.

This was always on the cards once he'd decided to stick with producer Jerry (??? time to eat Humble Pie ha ha) Shirley, whose credentials include Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin. On the opening track, a potent reworking of Chris Whitley's "Ball Peen Hammer", the sonorous acoustic guitar is gradually eclipsed by a deep drone bursting into a fierce riff that could come straight from Physical Graffiti. As could Bonamassa's own "Dirt in my pocket", where the contrast between the melodic verses and the churning force of the chorus is lethally effective.

Bonamassa has always had a yen for British rock classics, Blind Faith, Jethro Tull and even Yes have all felt the rough edge of his tough blues. This time he revives Bad Company's gorgeous ballad "Seagull", adding a tensile atmosphere to the sweet melody of the original with some echo-laden acoustic guitar and deft slide phrases. He gets frisky with John Martyn's "Jelly Roll" and also pulls out Ten Years After's "One of these days", giving it the full Hendrix bump and grind treatment along with a pomp blues climax.

The title track comes from the Rocky Horror Show star Tim Curry's obscure 1978 album, and is turned into an eight minute epic that lets his own fluid style out to play, pausing only to allow a convoy of police cars to pass by, sirens wailing, before returning in a majestic manner.

His covers raise the bar for his own songs but he doesn't disappoint. "Another kind of love" is a cacophony of layered riffs and lead guitar lines, the gentle ballad "Around the Bend" has shades of Bob Seger.

There are no gimmicks about Sloe Gin, just a combination of blues punches designed to stun and leave you on the ropes. That's if you're in the ring, mother****er.

8 out of 10

The last line is reference to a Guns n Roses spat, if I remember rightly.

  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 3,019

Re: Classic Rock Magazine Review of Sloe Gin - September 2007

These are great to read in retrospect so thanks Kenny. big_smile

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)
  • From: Newark, DE
  • Registered: 2013-01-13
  • Posts: 1,675

Re: Classic Rock Magazine Review of Sloe Gin - September 2007

PSmith1946 wrote:

These are great to read in retrospect so thanks Kenny. big_smile

And what's amazing is despite the reviews how he's not as popular as he could be. Which is fine; I know fans complain about the rising ticket prices so his somewhat fame has translated into larger venues and prices.  I'll take his playing three nights at The Beacon over a show at MSG any day.

Alan
  • Registered: 2011-05-21
  • Posts: 73

Re: Classic Rock Magazine Review of Sloe Gin - September 2007

I don't often make an appearance here... I'm mostly a lurker.

I am not here to knock Joe. I'm not here to knock Sloe Gin, I like the album (a lot). I do however disagree (totally) with the comparisons the reviewer makes (for example regarding riffs that could have come straight off of Physical Graffiti... whatever! They're good riffs but they're a totally different kind of riff!)

Maybe this is a kind of indirect/massive compliment (however you wish to read it) but seriously Joe doesn't really sound like anyone else. The closest comparisons I'd ever make, are to Rory Gallagher, little bit of SRV and some Gary Moore. But certainly not Led Zep/Hendrix, even if some of his songs have a little styling of theirs/similar format, I'd still say he doesn't really echo their sounds really unless you spent a lot of time sat on your butt thinking about it pretty darn deeply. The closest he's got to Zep at any time, ever, is probably on the You & Me record. But definitely not Sloe Gin!

Joe + Led Zep = no. I don't see it. Sorry. smile Nice try though Mr Reviewer!!

And slotting GnR references in there too, what even!?