• From: Welwyn, England
  • Registered: 2006-04-23
  • Posts: 72

Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

Hey Joe,
            Be true to yourself.  You can't please all of the people all of the time. Your true fans will appreciate you all the more for your ever growing talent if you continue to show your skills in greater diversity. It reinforces your obvious talent and stretches your boundaries. I personally have and like all your previous work. Sloe Gin the album is however your finest work yet. You are such a talent, it is difficult to see how you can improve, yet you have done here. Roll on your next album.

          Looking forward to Shepherds Bush in February.

Awesome, the Power of Joe.........

74 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2007-09-24 11:46:15)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

Blues dlx 2-60 wouldn't be bad, theres already an Around The Bend 2

... but fans are keen and we can tell when someone's not "feeling it." Putting out music to pacify fans would be very cookie-cutter music and also transparent in character. Which is why Joe is not capable of this. (Reminds me of the RockStar movie - ha ha)

Ive said I'd buy whatever you come out with because there will always be spots of brilliance.
The viewpoint of SG is"going soft" is the same fight JB is doing for blues, and/or what is "considered" blues.
Why can't it be what it is?
Is this a blues album?
Blues/rock?
Why does it matter?
Does the heavy blues need to stay heavy on every album?

Round and round we go.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Gidge
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  • Registered: 2006-04-24
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Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

Well, as long as you asked, Joe, I'm one of the ones that feels you've strayed much too far away from the blues that blew my mind the day I saw you on the CBS Saturday Morning show.  Ever since you replaced Eric and Kenny, the heart-throbbing groove has disappeared from just about all of your songs and "the thrill is gone", at least for me.  It's like the bottom fell out.  I've heard Aaron on Stone Blue play a few of your post-November 2005 tracks and I can't even tell you the names of them.  I don't hate them, I don't love them, I just don't care about them.  But, when he plays your "old" songs, I crank up the volume, hit the bass accellerator and enjoy every note.  I consider myself one of the lucky ones who caught on to your music early and was privileged to see you and the boys, multiple times, play your butts off...Pain and Sorrow, If Heartaches Were Nickels, Reconsider Baby and on and on.  The music was so exciting, the performances riveting.  You write that the changes you have made are "growing".  I see the changes as attempts to distance yourself from Eric and Kenny and any resemblance to the style of music you three played SO well.  That makes me sad.  I've seen you 4 times in Vegas while on vacation there since November 2005 and, as much as it pains me to say it, it WAS a new day yesterday, but it's definitely an old day now.  I wish you much success with your new direction, but I'll stay frozen in time, listening to the Bonamassa of old and the bands who are delivering the kind of blistering blues rock and gut-wrenching ballads that were, I thought, what Bonamassa was all about.

76 Reply by gsj

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Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

I'm sure there'll be many more replys to Gidge's posting that wil be far more eloquent than mine but.....I have to say that I think it's always far to easy to hang on to what's gone before. As people grow, in all walks of life, some get left by the wayside and they will feel excluded from what is to follow. That in itself doesn't mean that we should remain as we are, scared to follow our hearts and minds. I suffer with the same symptons myself...for example I thought Free were fantastic, Bad Company were great but I hate seeing Paul Rogers fronting Queen. That doesn't make me right, it just means that Paul Rogers left me behind. So I'll listen to Free and occasionally Bad Co....but not Queen thanks very much, my choice. We all need to grow...and growth is exactly what it is, whether you perceive it as that or not. Joe is growing and changing musically (and probably as a person too, which is far more important).  I guess as someone else said...you can't please all of the people all of the time.....but for me...Sloe Gin ROCKS....and so does Joe.

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young

77 Reply by Jess (edited by Jess 2007-09-25 17:40:02)

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Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

Just listened to Sloe Gin for the first time and although the album doesn't have quite as many solos as the others it truly is an EPIC album. The strings and acoustic guitar give it a real Zeppelinesque feel. The production and arrangements are probably the best of any of Joe's albums imo. When there are some solos you really appreciate it more and it proves that these songs are strong enough to stand up on their own without the solos. Imo the solos on the record are some of Joe's best, they just sound like Joe.  I can't wait to work out some of those licks! The emotion in the songs is overwhelming and there is this eerie minor key atmosphere on the album which stays with you. After I listened to it all I couldn't find another album to listen to for a while cos nothing has the same depth as Sloe Gin.

Edited to add; Listen to the album with headphones....

-Jess
Check out my band Beth and The Black Cat Bones http://www.myspace.com/bethandtheblackcatbones
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  • From: Harrison, Arkansas
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 3,155

Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

Personally, I loved what Eric and Kenny brought to the table. But I love what Bogie and Mark/Carmine and Rick have brought much more. They seem to have more sides to them. But that's just me.

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

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79 Reply by gsj

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Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

I get exactly the same feeling Jess. Jane, thanks, glad you liked it. I'm sure Gidge will find that there'll be another Joe album in the future that he'll enjoy as much as the old stuff.

Geoff

Jess wrote:

Just listened to Sloe Gin for the first time and although the album doesn't have quite as many solos as the others it truly is an EPIC album. The strings and acoustic guitar give it a real Zeppelinesque feel. The production and arrangements are probably the best of any of Joe's albums imo. When there are some solos you really appreciate it more and it proves that these songs are strong enough to stand up on their own without the solos. Imo the solos on the record are some of Joe's best, they just sound like Joe.  I can't wait to work out some of those licks! The emotion in the songs is overwhelming and there is this eerie minor key atmosphere on the album which stays with you. After I listened to it all I couldn't find another album to listen to for a while cos nothing has the same depth as Sloe Gin.

Edited to add; Listen to the album with headphones....

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • From: Indianola, IA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 4,429

Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

This is what I think:   Joe is on a journey thru life like the rest of us.  I think it's pretty darn cool that he shares his life with us.    He is human like the rest of us (can't believe I just wrote that wink ) and I dare say there is not one of us who takes most criticism to heart.   And I know I usually turn around and ask someone else for their opinion.   And with that statement I'm not saying that everyone has to like the same things and yes, constructive criticism can sometimes be helpful,  but jeez louise,  Joe pours his heart out when he's performing and so does Bogie, Carmine, and Rick.  I don't think changing band members is too "uncommon" of a thing in the music industry.  I never saw Eric & Kenny LIVE, but I can tell from the CD's & DVD's that they are very talented musicians.  I dearly loved Mark Epstein, but I wouldn't think of questioning Joe why Mark isn't in the band now....it's Joe's band.   Who knows, maybe it was Mark's decision...not really any of my business.  Carmine is an outstanding bass player and a really nice guy, so I enjoy him now.  It doesn't lessen Mark or Eric's abilities...it's just change.  The same applies for Bogie replacing Kenny.  And the same applies for the addition of Rick on the keyboards.  They are all fantastic-gifted musicians and whatever Joe Bonamassa brings to the stage, I feel confident that he has made the best decisions for HIS musical journey thru life.  And if you look around at the crowd, I think the majority of those in attendance think he has a d*** fine KILLER band with him now.  I can honestly say that if Joe decided tomorrow he wanted to play polkas, I would say," Bring it on Joe Bonamassa!" because I know he would pour his heart & soul into it and bring the best d*** polka show you ever saw in your life.  So nothing in life ever stays the same, if it does it usually stagnates, withers, or dies.  I'm on this Joe Bonamassa train as long as Joe's the conductor and the good Lord is willin' to let me ride.......pattyluvsjoe

"I'm not nice to any guitar!"      lol
                 Joe Bonamassa 05-03-12

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Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

Deezer wrote:

Personally, I loved what Eric and Kenny brought to the table. But I love what Bogie and Mark/Carmine and Rick have brought much more. They seem to have more sides to them. But that's just me.

And me!

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! wink"
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  • From: Deep in the forest
  • Registered: 2007-02-11
  • Posts: 5,296

Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

See what happens when you ask for opinions Joe! lol.......Folks, look at the body of work we've already gotten and Joe's only 30!!!! I like the way each new piece was compared to getting a X-mas gift...It's always a thrill and NEW....And I am a ANDY live and Blues Deluxe lover...That side hasn't died or been stricken from his repertoire...Just please no polka!! Cathy

83 Reply by SRV

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  • Registered: 2007-09-13
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Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

<<as much as it pains me to say it, it WAS a new day yesterday, but it's definitely an old day now.>>


Ouch....that's gonna leave a mark.....

Personally, I think JB is mapping his way up the ladder, and I wish him nothing but success.

He still got the soul, and can get a whole lot more people to listen if he slips into the mainstream.....I'm pretty sure that's why he plays to kids in school.....

He's a legend waiting to happen.....

Legends make their own rules.....

They're at home still runnin' for bells
Better San Juan
Than that blue collar hell

84 Reply by SRV

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Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

God I hate polkas.....

Try going to a wedding around here and not hearing a polka.....

I refused to let them be played at my wedding.....that's how much I hate them.....

The marriage didn't take, but that's one little victory I can remember.....

They're at home still runnin' for bells
Better San Juan
Than that blue collar hell
  • From: Indianola, IA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 4,429

Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

SRV wrote:

God I hate polkas.....

Try going to a wedding around here and not hearing a polka.....

I refused to let them be played at my wedding.....that's how much I hate them.....

The marriage didn't take, but that's one little victory I can remember.....

SRV...I'm sorry I used polkas lol  in trying to get my point across on my feelings.....I seriously doubt Joe will be doing polka shows any time soon.......  Patty

"I'm not nice to any guitar!"      lol
                 Joe Bonamassa 05-03-12

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86 Reply by SRV

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Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

Patty, I know what you meant.....but I still hate polkas.....

It'll take a while for you to get my sense of humor.....let's just say it's sarcatic.....

There's an Indianola 50 miles from here.....small world, huh?

They're at home still runnin' for bells
Better San Juan
Than that blue collar hell
  • From: Southern New Jersey, USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-23
  • Posts: 2,966

Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

Maybe I look at stuff differently, and...I respect Gidge's opinion...BUT I see this more as a band leader (JOE) leading his band members in a musical direction he's paving.  I don't see it so cut and dry that if Eric and Kenny (loved those guys) were still riding on the bus, that the music would still be like yesterday...it would have moved in a new direction, because JOE wanted it to!!  Just my 2 cents...

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  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 3,742

Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

Looks like I get the 100 post! Hey Joe you said it would peek some interest. Your the one running the show, you already have a substantial fan base and growing daily. When you wake up in the morning, and feel good about the direction your heading towards, thats all you can ask. Theres no way everybody is going to agree on all your body of work, so dont trip on it. Now if you start tipping your baseball cap to the side, draped in gold chains with JB hanging off your neck, you might lose a few of us, then again if it sounds good, we'll buy that record too!

Shred

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

Shredit wrote:

Now if you start tipping your baseball cap to the side, draped in gold chains with JB hanging off your neck, you might lose a few of us, then again if it sounds good, we'll buy that record too!

Shred

lets not go there!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2007-09-26
  • Posts: 3

Re: Surfing the Net about Sloe Gin

Joe - sometimes you've just got to keep on pushing out there.

IMHO Sloe Gin is a really great Blues/rock album - showcasing d**n fine guitar licks and good songs.

You have to keep on movin' onwards and upwards.

Don't be deflected by negative criticism that brings you down.

Blues should continue to evolve but must never be left to stagnate and die.

Regards,  David in UK