Here's my review I wrote for amazon.
"This record, wonderfully produced by Kevin Shirley, marks a step that I have always wanted to take in my musical quest. With the help from a modern day supergroup - Jason Bonham, Carmine Rojas, Doug Henthorn, Rick Melick and Pat Thrall - we concentrated on heavy music played in a blues style. I wanted to make a blues album, not a rock album with some blues on it. There is much discussion these days on what is or what is not blues; so much so, many albums suffer from an apologetic sound. In an era where it is best to play it safe, I chose to take a risk as a reminder to all that the boundaries are still wide open and there are no rules. I hope this album inspires you as much as I felt making it. It was a truly liberating experience.
With that ladies and gentlemen I present You & Me.
Sincerely,
Joe Bonamassa"
These are the liner notes Joe wrote for You & Me. This album shows an artist at the peak of his creative musical powers. Easily the best cd I've heard this year. His vocals are powerful, powerful, powerful. Carmine Rojas and Jason Bonham provide a huge backbeat for Joe to go off of. It starts with Charley Patton's High Water Everywhere, an old school song played with a new school attitude. Then there's Bridge To Better Days, a great blues/rocker with great guest guitar from Pat Thrall. Asking Around For You is a beautiful little ballad with orchestral backing that would fit very well on BB King's setlist a la There Must Be A Better World Somewhere. So Many Roads a mighty slow blues that outdoes Joe's exquisite performance of Reconsider Baby on Had To Cry Today and is right there with Blues Deluxe off the album of the same name. I Don't Believe is a solid blues tune that kicks you in the teeth with its swinging groove. Tamp Em Solid is a low key acoustic number from Ry Cooder that is beautifully played and sang on a resonator. Django is a tribute to Django Reinhardt, and was inspired by his Vous Et Moi, French for You & Me. Then, there's the epic: a cover of Led Zeppelin's Tea For One. Joe owns this song, with Doug Henthorn doing a bang-up job on the vocals. This track is just so intense, from the orchestral backing to the start and stops, it's just HUGE. Fans of Faux Martini off of Had To Cry Today will be pleased with Palm Trees Helicopters And Gasoline, although my only complaint is that it's too short. Your Funeral And My Trial (a great Sonny Boy Williamson II number) gets some help from twelve year old harp sensation L.D. Miller. This kid is terrific, and is the harmonica equivalent to Joe. And the finale is Torn Down, another great heavy blues tune and a great way to close. Overall, I'm thinking this is Joe's best cd to date. Kevin Shirley did such a good job producing this album, it's so clear yet so raw. Do yourself a favor: if you aint' been Bonabaptized yet, get this cd and crank it loud. Be prepared to be run over by the musical force of nature that is Joe Bonamassa.
"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"
My ReverbNation page for Dees & Friends - check us out!www.reverbnation.com/deesfriends