So, It’s Like That

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By: Michael D. Vogel

© July 12, 2002. Michael D. Vogel. All Rights Reserved.

Published in:

Totally Adult magazine – July 26, 2002

When it comes to defining the blues, there are several schools of thought, including the slick licks of Chicago, the soulful sounds of the Delta or the salty grooves laid down in Austin. These days, the blues are almost inescapable–it permeates rock (Led Zeppelin), folk (Ani DiFranco), jazz (John Scofield) and jam bands (Widespread Panic), as well as helping to launch all sorts of hyphenated strains. Back in the late ’40s, when Muddy Waters put his first blues band together, he set into motion a sound and style that would soon revolutionize popular music, leading to a tremendous blues movement that forged the way toward the formation of rock & roll. “The blues had a baby,” Waters once sang, “and they called it rock & roll!”

To the casual observer, blues-based rock may seem to ride the ebbs and flows of popularity throughout every decade, as defined by certain musicians or bands that manage to take the music to a whole new level. But interest shouldn’t begin with Robert Johnson and end with Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the occasional side excursion with Muddy Waters and B.B. King. There are always players bubbling up just under the surface, attracting regional and even national acclaim for their mastery of the blues. Into this arena enters Joe Bonamassa.

In a perfect world, where talent, contribution and historical significance are rewarded with fame and fortune, Bonamassa could be the next in line to inherit the riches of the universe. At the ripe age of 25, he already has nearly 15 years of playing experience to his credit, both as a solo artist and as a onetime member of the rock & roll offspring band, Bloodline. He is a true master of guitar in terms of technique, versatility, output and overall musical maturity. “I like to create moments of time with my music. I want each performance to be a stand-alone piece. That particular song can never be played that particular way ever again.”

To see Joe Bonamassa live is to really see him at his best. Onstage, he delivers chorus after chorus of soaring, twisting leads as if there was no bottom to his reservoir of melodic ideas. For his second solo album, So, It’s Like That (August 13, Medalist); Bonamassa rolls out one hot and soulful tune after another. Powered by a band that grooves, combined with his own tasteful playing and singing, Joe covers the blues music waterfront, from Austin to Memphis and all points in between, pulling it all together with a nifty solo tucked underneath that tears it up with the grit of legendary urban blues-man T-Bone Walker. This could be the blues-rock record we have all been waiting for–one where you can hear the heart of the blues soul beat loudly once again. ^m^

Vital Statistics:

Origin: Website:

Utica, NY www.jbonamassa.com

Line-Up:

Joe Bonamassa – Vocals, Guitar & Mandolin Boshra Al Saadi – Backing Vocals

Eric Czar – Bass Curt Schneider – Backing Vocals

Kenny Kramme – Drums Dave Bassett – Backing Vocals

Matt Wilcox – Keys

About The Current CD:

So, It’s Like That is Bonamassa’s third solo release.

Discography:

So, It’s Like That (Medalist, 2002)

A New Dawn Yesterday (Medalist, 2000)

Produced By:

Clif Magness

Label:

Medalist

© July 12, 2002. Michael D. Vogel. All Rights Reserved. This originally appeared on the Vogelism blog at https://www.vogelism.com authored by Michael D. Vogel. This article may be shared or reprinted as long as the entire copyright message, including the source location of this article, accompanies it.