Don't Explain
Provogue Records
Release date: 26th September
Joe
Bonamassa has been very busy lately and this in itself is nothing new
for the man who has three jobs. What with Black Country Communion,
solo projects, festivals and tours and a regular DJ spot for Planet
Rock radio too, I'm not sure how he's found the time to record this
album; a very strong and juicy collaboration with Beth Hart. Beth Hart,
who you may not have heard of, has a raw and powerful singing voice and
the first comparison I could make with her voice and another artist
would be the late Amy Winehouse. Beth however has far more rasping power
and depth on show. There are ten songs on this release and all of the
songs are cover versions. This does not detract from the release at all
though. The writers are such dare I say, legendary names, as Ray
Charles, B.B.King, Tom Waits, Billy Holiday, Etta James, Gil Scott-Heron
and Aretha Franklin.
I found the pace rather slow to begin with and it wasn't until the fourth track For My Friends
that I felt the release really hotted up. This is a rather powerful
strutting song where Joe's guitar playing comes to the fore. The three
preceding tracks Sinners Prayer, Chocolate Jesus and Your Heart Is As Black As Night were however rather moody and atmospheric particularly Your Heart Is As Black As Night which has a lovely chorus.
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| Beth & Joe |
On Don't Explain
which was written by Billie Holiday there is a full orchestral opening
and the song really got me my mind drifting and I found myself imagining
that I was staring out of a New York window on a rainy night. Really
cool. I'd Rather Go Blind is a song I've heard millions of times
before. You've probably heard it too perhaps sung by Rod Stewart or
Beyonce Knowles. Written by Etta James, this version really brought out
the best in Beth Hart's voice and another superb section of playing from
Joe.
I've always been someone who loves faster, up tempo songs and Something's Got A Hold On Me
for me, was a real show stealer on this album. Starting slowly, the
song suddenly bursts into life and will make you want to get up, grab
your partner and twist. It's a real great dance number with Joe getting a
nice little solo section in the middle too.
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| Don't Explain is out on 26th September |
Joe also gets a great workout on the next song I'll Take Care Of You which contains a punchy solo. On Well, Well the
following number, Beth allows Joe to share vocals on a Delaney &
Bonnie penned number which grooves along and got my foot tapping
urgently.
You can obtain a free download of Well, Well here to see what I mean.
This
was a really enjoyable listen and I would love to hear more of Beth
Hart's voice on some faster, rockier songs. If you like atmospheric,
soulful tunes with the best guitar and vocals in the business, look no
further than this album.
Beth Hart / Joe Bonamassa website
Rob Pope
Guitaristtv.com
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