I am a big fan of Hart's, but not so much of Bonamassa's. I was hoping this would be great but had doubts. Well, this is not great, not even good.... this is magical! It's been many moons since I heard something so deep and meaningful. Beth Hart's vocals are out of this world. Yes, there are some Janis influences, but she put her spin on all songs, and make them hers. Her version of Billie Holiday's "Don't Explain" is unbelievable. Bonamassa's playing is very different than on his solo albums. He plays with restrain and a LOT of emotion. He is inventive, and for once takes the approach that less is more. There are moments of pure genius on this record. The band is also superb, with special mention to Anton Fig's inspiring and tasteful drumming. What a great choice they made to hire him. This is one of his finest recorded moments, if not the finest. I wish there will be a follow-up soon. This is a gem. Definitively a desert island album.http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,919166,919166#msg-919166Sat, 25 May 2013 04:30:26 +1000 Phorum 5.2.16 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,919166,919380#msg-919380 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,919166,919380#msg-919380 Laurent NoticeboardTue, 13 Nov 2012 17:01:35 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,919166,919282#msg-919282 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,919166,919282#msg-919282 totobob NoticeboardMon, 12 Nov 2012 18:33:55 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,919166,919281#msg-919281 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,919166,919281#msg-919281 Laurent NoticeboardMon, 12 Nov 2012 17:47:55 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,919166,919210#msg-919210 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,919166,919210#msg-919210 Someone-else NoticeboardMon, 12 Nov 2012 03:39:13 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,919166,919178#msg-919178 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,919166,919178#msg-919178
Chris]]> robaich NoticeboardSun, 11 Nov 2012 20:40:06 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,919166,919175#msg-919175 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,919166,919175#msg-919175
I personally would never have thought that these two (Beth/Joe) would mix well. They were made for each other. Brilliant. That will not make me fall in love with Bonamassa's playing otherwise though. I have a few of his CDs and they are good, but I can think of many players with a better balance between great vocals / guitar playing. His voice doesn't do it for me on a full album. I also do not think that Glenn Hughes was the right fit. Judging from his collaboration with Jimmy Barnes and Beth Hart, bluesier vocalists, with "raspy" / rough voices seem to gel well with his playing.]]> Laurent NoticeboardSun, 11 Nov 2012 20:37:20 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,919166,919169#msg-919169 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,919166,919169#msg-919169
Before I get slated for the whole vocal comment, please note that i've been a fan of Bonamassa's for many a year and used to see him playing to roonms of 100 or less and i've always said his voice was his weakness...granted hasn't don him any harm has it...haha!!

Chris]]> robaich NoticeboardSun, 11 Nov 2012 18:18:00 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,919166,919166#msg-919166 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,919166,919166#msg-919166
Bonamassa's playing is very different than on his solo albums. He plays with restrain and a LOT of emotion. He is inventive, and for once takes the approach that less is more. There are moments of pure genius on this record.

The band is also superb, with special mention to Anton Fig's inspiring and tasteful drumming. What a great choice they made to hire him. This is one of his finest recorded moments, if not the finest.

I wish there will be a follow-up soon. This is a gem. Definitively a desert island album.]]> Laurent NoticeboardSun, 11 Nov 2012 17:43:58 +1100