B.O.D. First listen

I got  Joe Bonamassa's new release, Blues of Desperation, today in the pre-release mail. I've seen so much about it, it inspired me to try my hand at a first listen review. Joe does his recordings in one take so I'll try and do the same so here it goes. I took notes and gave it some thought as I processed the result. I'm feeling it, and maybe I see a bit into his plan.

I'll just say right off, after the one run through first impression,  that the band is killer. Tight pros who have done it all and it shows. I'll give individual mention off and on. The shiznitz!

Joe and his Nashville pals did the writing and arranging on all tracks. 100% original which is a rare treat. Always great production by the Caveman, Kevin Shirley. Joe's voice is in top form. Nuff said.

We are welcomed aboard THIS TRAIN for a ride. We leave the station and soon realize this is a high ball special. 10 excursions are booked until we get to our destination, Memphis. His releases all have a theme and we're off on a ride of ups and downs.
JoeB's at the throttle and we better hang on. Hard running ahead with nice slide work, screaming rhythm and leads taking us down the track with drums, bass and keys keeping the steam at full throttle. The ladies backing vocals peek through here and there.

Now we're going to do some MOUNTAIN CLIMBING. Up a gritty track with some nasty hills on the way. Sweet Lester tone with great leads. Rhodes' bottom and the  back line is superb. A heck of a trip up that hill. Smoking Joe's going to make you sweat as he won't let up until we get to the summit of Blues Rock Heaven. Grind it out baby, we'll get there because Joe has our hand and won't let go.

Whew! Time to catch your breath as the next stop is LA. We take a DRIVE  through the Malibu Hills above his home on a beautiful sunny day with the tunes pouring out, the fragrant smell of the chaparral in the air, and a handsome man or gorgeous girl at our side. There's a  view of the surf below and the influence is there, as are some cowboy hints since Hollywood is next door. The road is smooth as the groove winds through the esses. Life in Southern California is good and Joe is happily flowing along in the sweet spot. He's settled and it shows. Confident to head in new directions . He's old and new at the same time. Just tasty!

Uh oh, not too much of the good stuff, 'cause we sacrificed a lot to get to the happy place.  We are stopping at NO GOOD PLACE FOR THE LONELY. Some nameless town in the endless string of them in his career. Big emotion ahead as he powers through some Blues wasteland. Love lost and the abyss found where lasting love is rare, and maybe not as good as what was left behind. Strong riffs galore depicting the hard life on the road. A wistful intro leads to a springboard themed riff where the longing for things gone by are explored and the road keeps coming back. Just a reminder that there are dues to be paid in the quest and it isn't all glory.  Heavy.

A short run and we are still in that place where lost love has left us in Blues Rock melancholia. There is no easy way out and we now hit bottom and experience the BLUES OF DESPERATION. The call of reconciliation is not to be and we come up at the end of our rope. Resigned to the facts now, we wonder what led to this place. Muted and melancholy slide work , even dirge like with the howling of a theremin adding spooky wails, there is no escape from this hell of the heart, then it fades to black. A reminder that the blues comes from a place deep in the soul where hurt left us high and dry.

Whew! There is a light at the end of the tunnel and we come out to a gentle glen where the soul can live in sad  resignation. We go with a  Gospel group  where THE VALLEY RUNS LOW. Joe's clear vocals shine with a gentle touch and the ladies backing fills that theme as we move along to an easy hopeful beat. We're stuck in the mess of the heart we made and all we can do is wait and hope for spiritual easing of the pain. The waters run high and deep at the bottom of the valley, but there is a way out.

Ok, we are back on the main line and it is Rock n Roll time. Can't stay down in the dumps any more. We gave it all and she took it so we sing YOU LEFT ME NOTHING BUT THE BILL AND THE BLUES. Upbeat and joyous acceptance to go ahead on the path we made. Short and sweet, we're rolling again. Boogie time, our tail feathers are shaking to the beat.

Wailing down the main line, we hear a DISTANT LONESOME TRAIN as we pass through indian country and tom toms move us as the beat carries us into some heavy organ riffs and Joe's counter play while he moans and sings about the lost love that might be on that train. He breaks into a solo tearing it up. Tone full of grit and valve saturation goodness. Wailing wah sections with the toms keeping it going as he weaves in and out with characteristic brilliance.

Next stop is an Anthemic Rock Ballad as Joe asks HOW DEEP THIS RIVER RUNS. Reminiscent of Black Country Communion, his answer screams out. Soaring solos and riffs. This is Rock from the good old days.
It runs deep baby. Deep and heavy. Standout song!

Now we come along to some smooth Blues time. Joe stops at all the good stations. LIVING EASY has us finding the answer. Clear vocals,  that beloved Big Blues Band sound with the horns easing us along, piano tinkling and some nice acoustic guitar riffs. More horn and sax leads while Joe sings between. Very nice.

Last stop, Bluesville. Slow Blues we all love. Smooth Big Band sounds back Joe's play and singing. B3 filling the gaps as horns and sax punctuate with perfection. Joe tells us WHAT I'VE KNOWN FOR A VERY LONG TIME. We do too. The Blues is safe in his hands. He lets us down easy and the trip is over.

How good? A contender? Best ever? Hard to say until I dig a bit but this is a whole work. I don't think I can break it down. It's a gem without a doubt and I love it.
Thanks for the train ride Joe. Any time!

The wife calls from the kitchen where she's been listening along and asks, "Is that it?" "Yes, that was 11 tracks," I say. "Well, play it again!"
Yeah! I think we'll be doing a lot of that.

Rick