FWIW, i still really really hope to put some thoughts together in a cohesive clear manner, so i have not elborated much on details
I know though that if i keep not doing it, it might not get done so i will throw things in here and there now and then and i guess if i ever put it together i post it as a whole thing.
It is very hard to say. Some of thoughts tie into a response i will put in another thread i want to reply to but anyway the reason i said i think it is Joe's best did have more than the massive quantities of wine and bonamassatherapy from repeat plays of BOD while depressed the other night behind it.
while it is almost impossible to say really and like i said, i still have others as favorites, i think this one really pulls alot together.
I didn't even care much for it on the first listen. I mean i did but did i think i would call it the best? no.... it was not even clear for me or another great bonabuddy i was discussing it with - how we would rank it even among the most recent three or so releases (Joe solo studio). you would not have gotten me to say it was even close to best
it has grown on me, i have grown from experiencing it. at first i had thoughts of, well this sounds familiar, that sounds familiar, that sounds almost popish (lyric repeat stuff) but as i spun it more times i had more of a feeling like, yes its familiar in places but that is just the best parts of Joe if that makes sense.
the songs are no where near the same to each other or to previous releases - except the familiar blues stuff - pardon that ridiculous phrase, can't find different words right now - and i think the lyrics are outstanding in places
i can connect to most all of the songs, not unlike other albums but I also can connect them of my Joe as i have come to know him - this different i am sure than how others have come to know him.
i think all of the songs are great but there are definitely MANY songs on previous albums that are better than some of these.
as an album though i just think it has it all and overall is Joe's best. he may play better / have better solos on some songs from other albums etc. not saying everything in every detail is the best but as an overall thing. some of the solos on this one are there but did not stand out like in the past so i overlooked them at first. thats also the non-musician in me too - i have to intently listen for those things
as a fan i have a come long way to accept that this is where Joe is etc.
i dunno if that makes sense and i will try to say this all in another better way in the near future but i wanted to reply that i was not being lazy or using flattery when i said its Joe's best to date.
i have been known to change my mind though and have not spun his other albums much lately so here is a promise that one of these days i will do so while consciously paying attention to this concept.
it helps this cd has a lot of heavy.
I'd like to take a moment to shout out for How Deep This River Runs - WOW what a song. i think the first few listens i had thoughts in my head of - please don't sing the chorus yet one more time and must have blanked out somewhat on what the song does after that.....then to really dive into those lyrics, it is outstanding. it was far down on the list of potential best songs on this album but the more i listen, i dunno, some factors are pushing that one skyward for me. not the most fun listening/jamming out to or what not but wow what a great song and is Pain and Sorrow like in its solo stuff etc. Thanks to Lizzee for pointing that out. well she had mentioned something after she only partly listebned to the cd one time - hey jane one of them reminded me of P+S. i thought oh goodness she's gone off her rocker - but it was only cause i had not paid enugh attention. i quickly realized this must be the track she referred to. mind you its no Pain and Sorrow but its got better lyrics 
