With this album we wanted to explore a ‘world’ feeling, and this was the inspiration behind going to record in Greece and using some of the best Greek musicians to add a little flavor to a couple of tracks. But it’s by no means a ‘world’ album. We wanted Joe’s usual youthful and energetic tones to play alongside the worldly vibes of the Greek bouzouki and clarion… ~ Kevin Shirley (producer)

The First Weekend of Spring 2010

It’s Sunday afternoon and as usual I have the house to myself. After the long winter season I can finally open the windows and let the temperate breeze flow throughout my home. Don’t you just love spring? So this weekend I decided to work on some projects around the house… well… uhh… perhaps attempt to anyway. I also wanted to spend a little time writing and put together this week’s blog post. Furthermore it keeps me in touch with my many friends and readers of The Blues Blogger.

Just as I took a deep breath to savor the splendor of the day, my obnoxious next door neighbors from hell stormed out their front door to raise havoc. Their shrill oblivious presence and resulting backlash of aggravated barking dogs from all over the area, began turning my calm mood into a stressful state of affairs.

Now normally when this situation happens, I’ll put my earphones on my MP3 player and listen to some music to block out the noise. But the level of distraction was too much this time. And I really didn’t want to close my windows, so I decided to fight back for a change…

Instead of silently listening to my MP3 version of Bonamassa’s upcoming release Black Rock, I grabbed my promotional copy of the CD and made sure every window was open in the house. Cranking the volume on my audio system to levels I’ve never explored before, my mood eventually shifted from tension to joy; generating a vibe that would rock my entire neighborhood.

The sound levels sent perplexed head cocked glares from my annoying neighbors; dragging their knuckles as they eventually made their way back inside. Yes, the music was loud, and I mean LOUD. I haven’t played tunes at that volume for a long time, but it was absolutely awesome. I could not have chosen a better album to unleash my frustration.

And now the day would once again be mine!

Black Rock

This is the third post I’ve written on blues rocker Joe Bonamassa. My previous articles covered his DVD Live From The Royal Albert Hall and his last studio recording The Ballad of John Henry.

The release of Black Rock in a few days sees Bonamassa once again team up with producer Kevin Shirley. (Black Crowes, Aerosmith) The album was produced in Santorini, Greece and named after Black Rock Studios where it was recorded. Like several of his previous releases, Bonamassa combines original tunes and covers. This time he does renditions of songs previously recorded by Bobby Parker, John Hiatt, Jeff Beck, Leonard Cohen, Otis Rush, Willie Nelson, James Clark and Blind Boy Fuller.

Black Rock begins by knocking the roof off with two heavy blues numbers, “Steal Your Heart Away” and then “I Know a Place.” These songs set a thunderous tone and just the right vibe for the present circumstances I mentioned above. Joe adds some classy slide playing on the edgy third track “When The Fire Hits The Sea,” and “Quarryman’s Lament,” has some exceptional acoustic playing with a nice Mediterranean touch.

I really enjoyed the updated take on “Spanish Boots,” Beck’s tune from 1969’s Beck-Ola with Rod Stewart. I found myself replaying this track several times. “Bird on a Wire” is going to surprise a few people who are familiar with Leonard Cohen’s song. With all that Greek flavoring it makes for a distinctive sound indeed.

Otis Rush’s “Three Times a Fool” takes things back to a more traditional vibe as well as “Night Life”, the song that re-unites Bonamassa with blues legend B.B. King. (It was B.B. who let Joe open for him over 20 years ago when he was only 12 years old.)
(Photo by: Christy Goodwin)

Bonamassa continues to gain a reputation as the new master of blues rock guitar. However with each new release, people are starting to take notice of his voice. It just keeps getting better. This is very apparent on his Zeppelin-esque “Wandering Earth.” And “Blue And Evil,” two out of the five Bonamassa penned tunes featured on Black Rock. Exploring new avenues another original “Athens to Athens” helps lead us down his road to discovery.

With the closer “Baby You Gotta Change Your Mind,” Joe cools things off in a short playful manner with an acoustic version of Blind Boy Fuller’s classic; a really nice way to cap off a thoroughly enjoyable listen… With the news of Black Country, Joe’s latest collaboration with Jason Bonham, Glen Hughes, Derek Sherinian, the future just keeps looking brighter for this hard working rising star.

After Several Listens to Black Rock

All was silent once again. Off in the distance I heard someone shout, “You Rock!” Hmm interesting, perhaps there was some hope after all… I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself thinking how during the course of my little scene, I was not only able to write this post, but also accomplish a few of the chores around the house and enjoy myself along the way. Once again proving the motivating force music can play on a person’s mood. If you’re a Joe Bonamassa fan then Black Rock, his 10th solo album, should be right up your alley, and perhaps make your afternoon that much brighter too.

How familiar are you with Bonamassa’s impressive 20 year career? Are there any highlights you’d like to comment on? I’d love to hear your feedback! If you enjoyed this post, then spread the word. If you looking for more information and updated touring schedule, then you can visit Joes’ site by clicking here.

The Blues Blogger

Latest Tour Dates

March 2010

23 – Fort Worth, TX – Bass Performance Hall
24 – Austin, TX – Paramount Theatre
25 – Stafford, TX – Stafford Center
26 – Oklahoma City, OK – Civic Center Music Hall
27 – Fayetteville, AR – Walton Arts Center
31 Sydney, Australia – The Factory Theatre

April 2010

01 – Melbourne, Australia – The Corner Hotel
02 – Australia – Byron Bay Blues Fest
03 – Australia – Byron Bay Blues Fest
07 – Tokyo, Japan – Liquid Room
08 – Osaka, Japan – Big Cat
15 – New York, NY – Town Hall
16 – Boston, MA – Wilbur Theatre
17 – Peekskill, NY – Paramount Center for the Arts
18 – Wilmington, DE – Grand Opera House
20 – Albany, NY – Hart Theatre at The Egg
21 – Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Theatre
23 – Washington, DC – Lisner Auditorium
24 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre
25 – Harrisburg, PA – Sunoco Performance Theater
29 – Cleveland, OH – Ohio Theatre
30 – Lexington, KY – Lexington Opera House

May 2010

01 Huntington, WV – Keith Albee Theatre
02 Dayton, OH - Victoria Theatre
04 Merrillville, IN - Star Plaza Theatre
05 Carbondale, IL - Shryock Auditorium
07 Iowa City, IA - Englert Civic Theatre
08 Omaha, NE - Orpheum Theatre
19 Stockholm, Sweden – Cirkus
25 Oslo, Norway – Rockefeller Music Hall
28 United Kingdom - HMV London Hammersmith Apollo
29 United Kingdom - Rotherham Magna Centre
30 United Kingdom - Bournemouth International Centre
31 United Kingdom - Birmingham National Indoor Arena

The persona of The Blues Blogger has allowed me to do a lot of soul searching and ponder aspects of my life in a way that was never possible before. It’s given me a canvas in which to express myself, and at the same time feature artists that have inspired and motivated me along the way…

Throughout the course of this blog, I always wanted to do an article on guitar legend Terry Kath… This weekend it will be 32 years (on Jan 23rd) since Kath tragically lost his life. And Sunday January 31st marks what would’ve been his 64th birthday, so the timing seemed right.

I could spend days thinking of the right words to express how talented and versatile an artist Kath was, but I’m going to let the music speak mostly for itself… I’m hoping this brief post gives those who remember, and perhaps others not so familiar, a taste of this man’s extraordinary work.

The First Ten Years of My Life

I grew up listening to my brother play guitar to a wide range of blues, jazz and rock tunes. He would practice endlessly into the night the grooves from albums he listened to earlier that day… On Saturday afternoons my brother’s band rehearsed in the basement of our house. I remember on several of those daze way back when they added 2 sax players and worked on some songs from Chicago Transit Authority‘s 1969 debut album.

For many people Terry Kath was one of the main focal points on that record and his finesse at one time even had Jimi Hendrix shaking his head in disbelief… Terry Kath’s incredible guitar work coupled with his distinctive style, tone and phrasing was simply remarkable.

Terry Kath

was born in Chicago on January 31, 1946. He began playing drums and at 10 years old switched to guitar; teaching himself by using his mother’s banjo. He gained inspiration playing along to records by The Ventures, and put together an instrumental group of his own, called The Mystics. After graduating high school, Kath met Walt Parazaider and Danny Seraphine while attending DePaul University and together formed The Missing Links. It was this band and The Big Thing that would later be known as The Chicago Transit Authority. Known for his scorching guitar solos and his astounding ability playing both rhythm and lead guitar, Kath was held in very high regard by many of his peers and inspired many guitarists along the way.

Terry Kath’s guitar playing and vocals continued to be heard on such signature Chicago hits as “25 or 6 to 4,” “Make Me Smile.” and “Wishing You Were Here.” Kath would appear on a total of 11 Chicago recordings from 1969 through 1977; all achieving at minimum a gold certification. Original band members Walter Parazaider, Danny Seraphine, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, Robert Lamm, Peter Cetera and Kath formed a group with a unique vision and the result was a diverse powerhouse that created, “a new rock sound with horns.”

As most people already know, the band shortened its name to Chicago for their second album and eventually became a pop ballad juggernaut. While they gained massive appeal, many of their fans went in a different direction after the loss of Kath. However for older music lovers and rock historians that first album has gone into the history books as a hugely creative, experimental and very musical piece of work on the same level as some of the best music ever produced in a debut effort.

Chicago Transit Authority or CTA was actually the first double LP I could call my own and a gift from my brother when he moved out of the room we had shared all our life… Over 40 years later this LP stands out as a major influence and also brings cool memories of growing up in changing times…

Terry Kath has played a huge significance in remembering moments from my past. Does Kath’s music play any significance in time for you? Do you have any favorite songs that strike a chord? If so I’d love to hear from you.

Please share this post with others you think may enjoy it. Let’s not forget this very important artist in music history. Your comments are always welcome…

Remembering the Times,

The Blues Blogger