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"Joe Bonamassa once again pushes the boundaries of the covers album exercise, thanks to a unique sense of balance between respect and appropriation that makes this "Blues Deluxe Volume 2" once again unmissable."
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4/5
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In 2003, a hyper-talented young guitarist-singer splashed his talent all over the blues-rock world. Although it was already his third album, featuring covers of blues classics, "Blues Deluxe" confirmed all the hopes placed in its creator, Joe Bonamassa. At the age of eleven, the young prodigy was already opening for a certain BB King, who was full of praise for him. To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of this opus, a remastered version is offered to fans, with a second volume recorded this year by the man who has become the contemporary boss of this musical style.
Produced by his partner and friend Josh Smith, "Volume 2" was recorded as straightforwardly as possible to capture all the energy and spontaneity, and the fact is that the pleasure taken in by the participants is immediately apparent. Made up of eight covers and two new tracks, this album exudes delicacy and good humor, led by a master of the art who, as usual in this exercise, manages to personalize each version while respecting them. Joe Bonamassa is clearly having fun, and he doesn't hesitate to leave long stretches to Reese Wynans, who doesn't hesitate to delight us with delicious organ solos or piano bastringue ('Lazy Poker Blues'). As for the cover of Kenny Neal's 'The Truth Hurts', it's an opportunity to share vocals and guitar lines with Kirk Fletcher and Josh Smith in a clearly festive atmosphere.
But if there's one thing that stands out when listening to the two volumes separated by twenty years, it's the progress made on vocals over this period. Admittedly, Joe Bonamassa wasn't a bad singer, and he hasn't become an essential performer, but the evolution is obvious and deserves respect. His interpretation of the power-ballad 'Is It Safe To Go Home', composed by Smith for the occasion, is one of the best examples, so full of feeling. And there's plenty of feeling on many of the solos, starting with the one on 'Twenty-Four Hour Blues', on which a tribute to Gary Moore seems to stand out. The solo on 'Win-O' will also raise the hairline of even the most resistant. Meanwhile, 'Hope You Realize It (Goodbye Again)', the only composition signed by Joe himself, is so catchy that it easily stands comparison with its glorious predecessors.
If the exercise of the covers album often suffers from certain limitations, these are once again pushed back thanks to the unique sense of balance between respect and appropriation that characterizes its interpreter. Reinforced by contagious energy and good humor, as well as a talent for execution that needs no introduction, "Blues Deluxe Volume 2" proves to be a new must-have opus of the genre that will be squatting on your turntables for weeks to come. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Twenty-four Hour Blues - 4:30
02. It's Hard But It's Fair - 3:16
03. Well, I Done Got Over It - 2:53
04. I Want To Shout About It - 4:10
05. Win-o - 5:28
 06. Hope You Realize It (goodbye Again) - 3:57
07. Lazy Poker Blues - 3:14
08. You Sure Drive A Hard Bargain - 3:57
09. The Truth Hurts (feat. Kirk Fletcher & Josh Smith) - 4:33
10. Is It Safe To Go Home - 6:23
LINEUP:
Calvin Turner: Basse / Orchestrations
Joe Bonamassa: Chant / Guitares
Lamar Carter: Batterie
Reese Wynans: Claviers
Josh Smith: Chant / Guitares / Invité
Kirk Fletcher: Chant / Guitares / Invité
Paulie Cerra: Invité / Saxophone
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READERS
4/5 (1 view(s))
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STAFF:
4/5 (1 view(s))
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