Joe Bonamassa - 'Black Rock

Joe Bonamassa returns with yet another amazing blues/rock offering with “Black Rock,” his latest, out March 23. Traditionally, Bonamassa has been more of a blues guy, but this disc seems to lean a little more to the straight-up rock realm. But, blues lovers, don’t fret – there are plenty of blues licks here.

Perhaps it’s a product of recording the disc in Greece (at Black Rock studios), or maybe it’s just his inner-Zeppelin speaking, but it’s clear that he is not content making the same record over and over. Songs “When the Fire Hits the Sea” and “Wandering the Earth” are trademark Bonamassa, with tremendous, fat, searing guitar work, while the acoustic “Athens to Athens” drifts the listener to a calm place. Bonamassa pays tribute to Jeff Beck with his cover of “Spanish Boots” and even gives a tip of the hat to composer Leonard Cohen with a version of “Bird on a Wire.” But, it’s the single “Blue and Evil” that seems to define this record, as it encompasses his traditional playing as well as the undeniable Led Zeppelin influence.

Speaking of Zeppelin, Bonamassa will release another CD later this year with band mates Jason Bonham, Glenn Hughes and Derek Sherinian, under the name Black Country. 

– Mike Doyle

Tracks to download “Blue and Evil,” “When the Fire Hits the Sea”

Pre-order "Black Rock" (Link goes to Amazon.com)

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