BluesWax Review of Sloe Gin (Page 1 of 2)

I'm OK with him (the reviewer) having his own opinion...but when making a statement of fact regarding lyrical content...well, I was just wondering if I had missed it. I did not want to drop the reviewer a note via email if there was an F-Bomb I missed?

Well let's not fill up their inbox with angry emails in light of the BluesWax nominations in progress. Here's the email I sent this morning. I'll post any reply that I get back...

Hi Mark

I just read your review of Joe Bonamassa's Sloe Gin.

Admittedly, I am a fan of Joes - but I have absolutely no problem with you having
an opinion (pro or con) about the recording, or whether or not it should be
considered a blues recording.

I was wondering if you tell me where the "Very blunt use of the F Bomb" is?
I know that was present in the original version by Tim Curry, but I have listened
to Joe' version countless times, and have been unable to locate it.

I believe there was an unreleased promo version with guest vocals by Doug Henthorn
on the title track (that featured lyrics true to the original version) but the official Sloe Gin
CD that was released to the public featured vocals by Joe Bonamassa - and Joe
opted to replace the lyrics "I'm so F***ing lonely" with "I'm so damn lonely."

Kindly reply?

Regards,
Stu

I just read the same review and was thinking"WHAAAT?" I don't rememebr hearing any "F" bombs myself but ... who knows how he interpretted the lyrics. He did give Sloe Gin a 7 over all, which is not too shabby, but his review is.. thankfully... only "his f-in opinion" and we are all entitled to one.  I'm casting my vote, despite this Blues Wax reviewers opinion and wouldn't be here complaining if you didn't know who that vote was for! HA!  My favorite is still Blues Deluxe but, I really like the diversity of Sloe Gin.

Don't yell at me, but I will defend Blues Wax and Blues Review as Joe's friends. In the strictest sense this  CD is a tough one when it comes to Blues ears. It is more Pop than earlier works and all the bells and whistles make it very "produced". I'm glad everyone is pointing out their error, but I bet they got the wrong copy? Just want to keep things in perspective and not alienate friends. I remain a Humble, Devoted Bonamaniac! Cathy

Hello Stu,

Thanks for taking the time to email. The "F" bomb in question was on the CD that we received for review from Bonamassa. It seems that it was removed for the "released" version of the CD. A note has been added to reflect that in the review on BluesWax.

Thanks for reading and email anytime.

Steve Sloan
Editor, BluesWax
www.blueswax.com
ssloan@visnat.com
515.440.0610

I would guess that they felt they should finally get a review of Sloe Gin published on the site since it was nominated. The reviewer who I'm sure felt it wasn't blues so he wasn't going to review it had to be urged to go ahead and write it. Unfortunatley the Doug Henthorn version was sent out very early. It obviously affected the writers opinion of the album.

I have the most problem with the reviewer feeling he has the power to determine what is and isn't blues. That is what is wrong with the blues community in general not just Blueswax.

Granted Seagull, Richmond, Around the Bend and India are not stereotypical blues songs. But then again what allows cajun influenced Zydeko to be OK. Marcia Ball has been nominated multiple times as a blues artist with nothing but Boogie Woogie and Cajun style songs on the entire album. Go figure. Tab Benoit routinley includes cajun music on his albums because that is what influenced his style. How come it is wrong to include some of Joe B. influences on his record. Double standard as always.

Until the Blues World realizes they are strangleing the genre' to death. The Blues is destined to be only seen in the Smithsonian.

As for the timing of the review, it appears that it was ran to influence voting. That may or may not be true but I can't help feeling that it was more of an editorial than a review.

Stu,
Thanks for showing everyone how it's done. A polite, to the point question that received an answer in the same fashion.
It's amazing how often the tone of the question dictates the tone of the response (both positive and negative).

Side note:  Am I the only one that wants a copy with the naught naughty word in it?