Joe Bonamassa - Had To Cry Today review by Don Sikorski

JOE BONAMASSA


“Had To Cry Today”


Premier Artists


If you’re a music fan and don’t know the name Joe Bonamassa by now, you will soon. Although the term “prodigy” is often overused in the music business, that’s exactly what Joe Bonamassa is, now having developed his skills from that of a young guitar slinger into a more mature and much diversified musician. Consider that a young Bonamassa first touched a guitar at the early age of 4, was playing complete Stevie Ray Vaughan songs by the age of 8, and by 12, Bonamassa was opening for the legendary B.B. King. Having played with the likes of Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Buddy Guy, it’s fair to say that Joe Bonamassa, now a mature 27, has always had the chops to impress some of the best in the business.


After a brief stint as guitarist in the band Bloodline, Bonamassa ventured out on his own and hasn’t looked back since. His 2000 debut release, “A New Day Yesterday”, was filled with well-constructed blues-based rock songs and a ton of guitar playing, featuring special guest appearances from Leslie West, Gregg Allman, and Rick Derringer. “So It’s Like That” followed, this time further developing Bonamassa’s vocals and song writing talents. His third effort, 2003’s “Blues Deluxe”, was a return to Bonamassa’s blues roots and musical inspirations. In contrast, the focus on “Had To Cry Today” is that of a musical resume which highlights all of Bonamassa’s diverse talents, yet staying true to his blues roots.


From the fast paced opening track, “Never Make Your Move Too Soon” to the very finish of the instrumental “Faux Mantini, Bonamassa and the boys deliver in every aspect. Bandmates Eric Czar (bass) and Kenny Kramme (drums) do a terrific job creating the feel of each track’s intent, moving from hard rock to slow blues to rockabilly country and back again without missing a note. Highlights include Lowell Fulson’s “Reconsider Baby”, masterfully re-created will a ton of feel, and “The River”, a Zeppelin-esque take on the Mississippi blues (along the lines of a “When The Levee Breaks” type of groove). Bonamassa also pays tribute to his late friend and guitar mentor Danny Gatton on “Revenge of the 10 Gallon Hat”, displaying his talents in multiple music aspects.


Joe Bonamassa’s guitar playing easily stands up to any of the other youthful blues guitar slingers out there on the circuit today. Incorporating a diverse mix of Chicago, Delta, and English Blues, “Had To Cry Today” is an enjoyable listen from start to finish. With a guitar in hand, Joe Bonamassa can do it all, and with his latest effort, he certainly proves that to be true.


- Don Sikorski

****1/2

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Power Guitar Hero, (03/09/05) on BluesWax by Senior Editor Beardo

www.blueswax.com

Bonamassa, Joe
Had To Cry Today
Hear It! Rate It! Buy It!

Power Guitar Hero, (03/09/05)
Once again Joe Bonamassa and the boys prove they are prime Blues/Rock artists that can interpret Country Boogie, Blues, R&B, plus long form album Rock, and do it through a '60s British Invasion filter, better than anyone. You don't even need to read the liner notes to realize this fact; he's been doing it his whole career. Remember his Jethro Tull period with his cover of "A New Day Yesterday"?

If guitar heroes are your thing, here is your new favorite power trio (with occasional added musicians). Joe isn't afraid to experiment either. "Around The Bend" and "When She Dances" show his Rock-ballad sensitive songwriting skills. Looks like that four letter word has invaded Joe's psyche, L-O-V-E! Man, that will take years to overcome.

One of his favorite influences, for me, is the late great Danny Gatton. Danny befriended the young Joe and imparted his love of redneck Telecaster pickin.' Danny would have loved Joe's tribute, "Return of the 10 Gallon Hat," a high speed Gatton-esque twang fest. But the real meat and potatoes are his covers of Blind Faith's "Had To Cry Today," Lowell Fulsom's re-vamped classic, "Reconsider Baby," and Albert Collins' "Travelin' South."

Whether you think its Blues or not, the man is following his art and certainly knows his way around a fret board. This CD is not for the faint of heart and should be played loud! Bellbottoms are optional!

Note: I mistakenly thought I'd submitted this review months ago. Now, after winning BluesWax Album of the Year, I can only assume there are significantly more readers of BluesWax under 40 than I had thought. If this is what it takes to capture a younger audience, thereby prompting people to look deeper into where these songs originated, so be it! The British Invasion did it for my generation; perhaps Joe can help do it for theirs. Cream hasn't re-formed because people dislike this stuff! Can I get an Amen?

Beardo is a senior contributing editor at BluesWax
www.blueswax.com

A BluesWax Reprint

A BluesWax Reprint

www.blueswax.com
This review originally ran in
BluesWax #227 on March 10, 2005

Joe Bonamassa
Had To Cry Today

BluesWax Rating: 7 out of 10

Power Guitar Hero

Once again Joe Bonamassa and the boys prove they are prime Blues/Rock artists that can interpret Country Boogie, Blues, R&B, plus long form album Rock, and do it through a '60s British Invasion filter, better than anyone. You don't even need to read the liner notes to realize this fact; he's been doing it his whole career. Remember his Jethro Tull period with his cover of "A New Day Yesterday"?

If guitar heroes are your thing, here is your new favorite power trio (with occasional added musicians). Joe isn't afraid to experiment either. "Around The Bend" and "When She Dances" show his Rock-ballad sensitive songwriting skills. Looks like that four letter word has invaded Joe's psyche, L-O-V-E! Man, that will take years to overcome.

One of his favorite influences, for me, is the late great Danny Gatton. Danny befriended the young Joe and imparted his love of redneck Telecaster pickin.' Danny would have loved Joe's tribute, "Return of the 10 Gallon Hat," a high speed Gatton-esque twang fest. But the real meat and potatoes are his covers of Blind Faith's "Had To Cry Today," Lowell Fulsom's re-vamped classic, "Reconsider Baby," and Albert Collins' "Travelin' South."

Whether you think its Blues or not, the man is following his art and certainly knows his way around a fret board. This CD is not for the faint of heart and should be played loud! Bellbottoms are optional!

Note: I mistakenly thought I'd submitted this review months ago. Now, after winning BluesWax Album of the Year, I can only assume there are significantly more readers of BluesWax under 40 than I had thought. If this is what it takes to capture a younger audience, thereby prompting people to look deeper into where these songs originated, so be it! The British Invasion did it for my generation; perhaps Joe can help do it for theirs. Cream hasn't re-formed because people dislike this stuff! Can I get an Amen?

Beardo is a senior contributing editor at BluesWax

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