Joe Bonamassa 'Different Shades of Blue" new album

[AndyK]

I just get tired of hearing blues! Love JB, and I'm glad he's doing well - BUT, I miss the older rock stuff he used to do (So It's Like That is a great album). Same thing happened with Clapton. He moved into his blues-only mode, and I'm not interested.

 

[Wagster]

I don't see any reason why this cut wouldn't get country radio play... not really my thing but I do dig JB.

Needs more bro to be country

 

[rocknblues81]

Free "Oh Beautiful!" stream:

http://parade.condenast.com/339660/vian ... st-listen/

 

[gilmourjunkie]

I'll preface this by saying that I'm a fan. I agree with the above post that his strongest material is covering songs I didn't even know existed. Songwriting is never going to be why I listen to JB. He's not going to win any awards for his lyrics. He makes Adam Levine sound like a poet. But in all honesty, that's not why I listen to JB. I listen to hear his guitar tone, some cool riffs, and of course, his solos.

I pre-ordered his latest effort and it's.... well, Joe. Some of it definitely sounds familiar... almost like he borrowed from each album. Its not great and its not bad. I've bought worse, so I can't really complain. But it's certainly lacking something... but its the same thing that's been lacking from most of his CD's, live and studio. I'm not sure what exactly it is however. As mentioned above it may be Shirley's fault, but for whatever reason JB's recordings usually lack feeling. There is no fire in his playing.... or maybe its washed out during production or it isn't captured on CD

To be honest, I prefer his demo's or instructional clips over his records... or even when he's in a small club sitting in with a band. I keep waiting to hear THAT captured on CD. Just him and a guitar plugged directly into a tweed amp playing some blues. Man, that stuff sounds great to me. . That being said, I really love the stuff he did with Beth Hart and Jimmy Barnes.

JB has in essences captured a market who seems to be ok with his formula for rock/blues. He's like when you watch a movie and the actor gets hit in the groin. We've seen and heard it all before. It's sometimes an OK way to spend an evening but some of us just hope... that maybe THIS time they've really captured what a brilliant player he is. And that's why I keep buying his CD's... hoping one day they get it right.

 

[Badronald]

I'll preface this by saying that I'm a fan. I agree with the above post that his strongest material is covering songs I didn't even know existed. Songwriting is never going to be why I listen to JB. He's not going to win any awards for his lyrics. He makes Adam Levine sound like a poet. But in all honesty, that's not why I listen to JB. I listen to hear his guitar tone, some cool riffs, and of course, his solos.

I pre-ordered his latest effort and it's.... well, Joe. Some of it definitely sounds familiar... almost like he borrowed from each album. Its not great and its not bad. I've bought worse, so I can't really complain. But it's certainly lacking something... but its the same thing that's been lacking from most of his CD's, live and studio. I'm not sure what exactly it is however. As mentioned above it may be Shirley's fault, but for whatever reason JB's recordings usually lack feeling. There is no fire in his playing.... or maybe its washed out during production or it isn't captured on CD

To be honest, I prefer his demo's or instructional clips over his records... or even when he's in a small club sitting in with a band. I keep waiting to hear THAT captured on CD. Just him and a guitar plugged directly into a tweed amp playing some blues. Man, that stuff sounds great to me. . That being said, I really love the stuff he did with Beth Hart and Jimmy Barnes.

JB has in essences captured a market who seems to be ok with his formula for rock/blues. He's like when you watch a movie and the actor gets hit in the groin. We've seen and heard it all before. It's sometimes an OK way to spend an evening but some of us just hope... that maybe THIS time they've really captured what a brilliant player he is. And that's why I keep buying his CD's... hoping one day they get it right.

There were tracks on the early albums that hinted at greatness. The Rockpalast DVD is killer. Eric Czar was a big part of the sound. Losing Czar was my greatest disappointment. I don't like the big bands either. The Trio format was great.
Since Shirley and his, what do they call it, "tan pant blues" direction, it's all bland to me.

 

[Zap]

Free "Oh Beautiful!" stream:

http://parade.condenast.com/339660/vian ... st-listen/

Thanks, but I've already heard "Black Dog."

 

[gilmourjunkie]

There were tracks on the early albums that hinted at greatness. The Rockpalast DVD is killer. Eric Czar was a big part of the sound. Losing Czar was my greatest disappointment. I don't like the big bands either. The Trio format was great.
Since Shirley and his, what do they call it, "tan pant blues" direction, it's all bland to me.

I'll have to check that out, I'm not sure I've heard much of that. Thx

 

[Kidkramer71]

I first saw Joe open for Dokken at the H O B on the strip it was 2002.
I had not heard him before and knew he was gonna be a star .
I am a fan some stuff gets boring at times but I think personally he has matured as a player , a song writer and as a singer !!!
It is funny to me how many people on here are chalked full of nothing but negative !!
Reminds me of the guys in the back at a concert with their arms folded the hole time .

 

[C1-ocaster]

Good song.
Not fantastic or wow like, but still a solid tune with good vocals and solid playing.
I don't hear the country in there, and it's barely blues.
He's done more bluesy stuff with traditional blues artists, but he's really more of a blues based hard rock player.
This is a mid temp slightly heavier ballad to my ears.

 

[jwnc]

He lost me when he is charging 100 a ticket for back section balcony on his latest tour. I saw his twice for 28 bucks. Seems like he could be more reasoniable on prices. I liked his work with BCC the best.

Jason

 

[rocknblues81]

I first saw Joe open for Dokken at the H O B on the strip it was 2002.
I had not heard him before and knew he was gonna be a star .
I am a fan some stuff gets boring at times but I think personally he has matured as a player , a song writer and as a singer !!!
It is funny to me how many people on here are chalked full of nothing but negative !!
Reminds me of the guys in the back at a concert with their arms folded the hole time .

People have become really jaded. I've heard people complain that he has lost weight. I'm not bullshitting you either.

I get it, Joe is far from the most original guy... But hey, it is 2014. Being original now is a hellva lot harder than it was in the 60's, 70's and 80's. I love rock from that time period... But at the same time, I can only listen to old albums so many times.

It seems that he is not heavy enough for the metal heads and not blusey enough for blues purists.

 

[rocknblues81]

He lost me when he is charging 100 a ticket for back section balcony on his latest tour. I saw his twice for 28 bucks. Seems like he could be more reasoniable on prices. I liked his work with BCC the best.

Jason

Here is how they justify the high ticket prices:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqTyp4d-QSA

Just watch the first 10 minutes or so.

I like the BCC stuff... But I think it's overrated by a lot of people.

 

[brianiac5150]

I was a late-comer (almost decidedly) to Joe Bonamassa, however, I am now a huge fan of his work - the entire body. Ebbs and flows? Yes and accepted. I've had a few listens to the new album and it's grown on me every time. I, too, love his stuff with Beth Hart and Jimmy Barnes. They're simply smoking awesome singers. Glenn Hughes renewed with BCC, as well. That man is a monster musician and I'm certain I would not have become the fan of him I am today if not for Joe Bonamassa. I went completely backwards with Glenn upon hearing BCC, digging into the treasure trove of music and music life he's had.

I mostly wanted to pop into this thread to commend Joe's always obvious and invigorating love for the guitar as an instrument, amps and their accessories. As previously mentioned his non-album related tutorials, videos and the like are really a pleasure to watch. I've not, yet, spent time with his podcast, however, am certain its a joy, as well. Everything I've seen of him in this regard has been positive, insightful and inspiring. Thanks, Joe!

In closing: if Kevin Shirley has any openings to make me sound as "bad" as anything Joe Bonamassa's been involved in with him, I'm his whipping post. My phone's right beside me Kevin. I love what you do...call me...please...

 

[Badronald]

I first saw Joe open for Dokken at the H O B on the strip it was 2002.
I had not heard him before and knew he was gonna be a star .
I am a fan some stuff gets boring at times but I think personally he has matured as a player , a song writer and as a singer !!!
It is funny to me how many people on here are chalked full of nothing but negative !!
Reminds me of the guys in the back at a concert with their arms folded the hole time .

People have become really jaded. I've heard people complain that he has lost weight. I'm not bullshitting you either.

I get it, Joe is far from the most original guy... But hey, it is 2014. Being original now is a hellva lot harder than it was in the 60's, 70's and 80's. I love rock from that time period... But at the same time, I can only listen to old albums so many times.

It seems that he is not heavy enough for the metal heads and not blusey enough for blues purists.

I think everyone mentioned they like Joe and wish him the best. However, we're allowed to be disappointed with his direction.

 

[Zap]

People have become really jaded. I've heard people complain that he has lost weight. I'm not bullshitting you either.

I get it, Joe is far from the most original guy... But hey, it is 2014. Being original now is a hellva lot harder than it was in the 60's, 70's and 80's. I love rock from that time period... But at the same time, I can only listen to old albums so many times.

It seems that he is not heavy enough for the metal heads and not blusey enough for blues purists.

I don't care about how he lost weight. I care about how he lost the fire. I never listened to him because of his originality. I listened to him to hear a guy play the meanest Blue Rock circa 2006. All I hear from him now is the same dark, slow, cliched Blues sound ad nauseum. He still seems to grow in popularity, so he must be doing something right, but the Joe I knew from 2006 would shred today's Joe's balls off. Just listen to that tone!

 

[rocknblues81]

I first saw Joe open for Dokken at the H O B on the strip it was 2002.
I had not heard him before and knew he was gonna be a star .
I am a fan some stuff gets boring at times but I think personally he has matured as a player , a song writer and as a singer !!!
It is funny to me how many people on here are chalked full of nothing but negative !!
Reminds me of the guys in the back at a concert with their arms folded the hole time .

People have become really jaded. I've heard people complain that he has lost weight. I'm not bullshitting you either.

I get it, Joe is far from the most original guy... But hey, it is 2014. Being original now is a hellva lot harder than it was in the 60's, 70's and 80's. I love rock from that time period... But at the same time, I can only listen to old albums so many times.

It seems that he is not heavy enough for the metal heads and not blusey enough for blues purists.

I think everyone mentioned they like Joe and wish him the best. However, we're allowed to be disappointed with his direction.

I'm mainly venting about people outside of this forum actually. People haven't really been complaining about his looks is originality in this thread for instance. But some of the stuff I read on youtube vid's is kind of funny but sad at the same time. It's almost like how women will hate on each other sometimes.

 

[rocknblues81]

People have become really jaded. I've heard people complain that he has lost weight. I'm not bullshitting you either.

I get it, Joe is far from the most original guy... But hey, it is 2014. Being original now is a hellva lot harder than it was in the 60's, 70's and 80's. I love rock from that time period... But at the same time, I can only listen to old albums so many times.

It seems that he is not heavy enough for the metal heads and not blusey enough for blues purists.

I don't care about how he lost weight. I care about how he lost the fire. I never listened to him because of his originality. I listened to him to hear a guy play the meanest Blue Rock circa 2006. All I hear from him now is the same dark, slow, cliched Blues sound ad nauseum. He still seems to grow in popularity, so he must be doing something right, but the Joe I knew from 2006 would shred today's Joe's balls off. Just listen to that tone!

Ball Peen Hammer was really where Joe started to go darker. I like it myself... I do hope we get another album where he cuts loose, but I didn't become a huge fan until Dust Bowl. I followed him way before that, but he was like Satch, Vai all of those guys in a way. The wankery can get old at times. At least to me. But I love all of the albums that he has done.... I don't feel this latest one is as dark as the previous albums, but it does not have enough guitar work that will please those that are hoping he will return to his earlier days.

 

[hoss33]

Also, I blame most of this on Kevin Shirley. If Joe can get away from that guy, I might be interested.

Amen to that.