Classic Rock Interview

If recent soundbites are to be believed, & Joe really does intend to retire when he's 69, then the blues-rock colossus needs to crack on. Perhaps that explains why the 38 year old tracked his 12th album in a breakneck 5 days, with longstanding producer Kevin Shirley pushing his man to spare the polish. "Kevin wanted me to be hungry for something more & angry at making the music sound right. Really passionate. He wanted less conservative tracks where I sometimes play it safe. That means I fought with the solos to really go out there & have that rough edge. The album sounds energetic & what rock music needs to be: less precise & thought-out. Of course the blues roots are there, but this record will need to be played loud. I travelled to Nashville to write these songs with some of the best guys in the business: James House, Tom Hambridge, Jeffrey Steele, Jerry Flowers, & Gary Nicholson." With the tracklisting settled, an extended band including 2 drummers, a brass section & backing singers assembled at Nashville's Grand Victor Sound studio. "The atmosphere was dynamic, all tracked live. Since we recorded all the tracks live, you can tell it was all about the performance. Not many artists in the world still do live recording with all the muscians playing off of each other. I think it will invigorate & excite the fans because they'll be able to hear the passion & edgy sound that Kevin & I were going for. The record embodies the energy of all the top-notch musicians in the room." Such a seat-of-the-pants approach was not without its tests, the guitarist admits. "Really all of the songs were challenging, because all of us musicians had to navigate the songs with each other without over-planning our parts. All the musicians are the best at their game, but everyone was pushed to their limits, face-to-face with each other & forced to deal with the songs head-on. I completely trust in Kevin. He pushes my musical ability by challenging me to not just rest on my laurels or settle for good." Joe says the album should be measured not by sales, but by artistic merit. "We want people to see the evolution of a blues-rock musician, someone who isn't resting on his accomplishment, but pushing forward & thinking how music can evolve & stay relevant. The album was created with total regard to the fans & music lovers, so they can enjoy a new side - instead of the same Ballad Of John Henry riff over & over." Following its release, Joe will tour with his usual masochistic zeal, pursuing an itinerary that would make lesser road warriors weep. "2016 will be another long & busy year starting with another groundbreaking DVD shoot at Carnegie Hall, which be all-acoustic with new eclectic players. Then our 2nd annual Keeping The Blues Alive At Sea festival will launch our spring tour, which will reach Germany, the UK, Australia, & the US. I hope to get a few weeks off before the summer tribute tour that we're planning - it's going to be legendary. Then, during the summer, we hope to get back in the studio with Beth Hart for another collaboration album. Then more touring around the world."