Topic: Different Shades of Blue Review
Thought I would give all those who aren't lucky enough to be born in NZ or AUS that must wait another week for the album.
The album starts with the scratch of a Jazz 3 over the strings of a strat, in the crunchy walk of Hey Baby (New Rising Sun). We get a short treat of the Joe we've come to know with his many covers, but this is the last time you will hear something familiar on this album, possibly a symbol for Joe's change of direction. We continue to Oh Beautiful! a thick, creamy mix of soaring highs and textured lows, a unique song for Joe's repertoire sure to become a strong starter in his live shows. Love Ain't a Love Song follows; an upbeat bee-bop style song with a rich mix of distorted tones and crisp cleans. It may sound out of place directly after the rocky Oh Beautiful!, but once that chorus comes in, it's clear there's something about this song that just makes sure it works.
Next, be transported to another time with Living on the Moon. An upbeat, jazzy mix that both ballsy and sweet; backed up by the solid blues-rock track Heartache Follows Wherever I Go. A track containing strong vocals with lyrics you're bound to be singing along with and a solo that'll leave you in the dust. We continue the momentum into Never Give All Your Heart; when that lead guitar comes in over the first few scorching chords, you know you're in for a treat with this track. With it's punchy rhythm, awesome lyrics and tonal changes throughout it's bound to be a favourite of all you Joe fans; but that lead tone is sure to leave guitar enthusiasts tinkering with their amps and searching for that tone for decades to come.
We dive deeper into the sea of blues with I Gave Up Everything for You, 'Cept the Blues, a 12 bar bluesy ballad of tongue-in-cheek lyrics and a rhythm that will have you grooving for hours. Next is the title track of Different Shades of Blue, the piece simply sums the album up so well there's no point to explain it any further.
Get Back My Tomorrow, is one of the most unique songs on the album by far. With vocals that sounds eerily Black Keys over the casual crunch of the backing guitar with pinching accents and turn straight out of 1980's surf rock, this track will surely become a favourite of those who love Joe's eccentric side. Trouble Town cements this albums big band sound with a full bodied tone and chant riddled chorus will leave you humming for days.
Lastly, we slow down for a soulful stroll in the song So, What Would I Do. Inspired by Cornell Dupree, this deliciously soft number features a lot of piano and vocals, the cleanest guitar tones of a hollow body Gibson and a similar styling to Joe's Asking Around for You. It acts as the perfect ending to a great blues album right from the first tink of the ivory to the fading hum of the amp at the end.
A great mix of blues, that's very well engineered. With this album, not only do we see Joe open a new chapter in his life and career but we must also open up a new entry in the encyclopedia of blues for Joe has surely left us with something we have not yet heard before.
P.S. Sorry Joe, I'm usually more of a critic but I liked this album too much.
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