If your father owned a garage when you were little, there is a chance that you became a mechanic. If your mother owned a series of condominiums, there’s a chance you’ve become a residential developer. If both parents owned and operated a guitar shop, there’s a good chance you’ll develop an interest and desire to learn and play the guitar. And that’s exactly what happened to Joe Bonamassa of New Hartford, New York.
Joe was initially exposed to what permeated the Bonamassa house: traditional artists like Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. But it was the British/Irish style of Rory Gallagher, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton that directed his approach. They made him understand the need to express feelings in a newer way than what he was already hearing. He applied the techniques to quickly develop into playing songs by Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn at the age of 7. At the age of 12, Joe opened up to BB King, who recognized and bragged about the young man’s potential.
Joe became a fan of Jimmy Page, Gary Moore, Peter Green and bands like Humble Pie. Rick Derringer told me about Joe’s phenomenal talent and limitless potential in 1999. “You have to see this guy!” In 2000, Joe released his debut album “A New Day Yesterday” to rave reviews. And he hasn’t stopped since. He has released a total of 11 albums to date (my favorite is “Blues Deluxe) as well as 2 DVD performances “Live at Rockpalast” and “Live from the Royal Albert Hall” He also appeared at the “Crossroads Guitar Festival” organized by Eric Clapton in 2010. His 2010 release “Black Rock” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Blues chart, and his latest “Dust Bowl” is following suit.
But as most music fans know, this kind of grassroots talent can be found in areas all over the world. What makes Joe Bonamassa stand out above the masses? I make a parallel comparison with Gary Moore. I don’t want to sound redundant, but the blues is a representation of emotion. It begins to form from direct life experiences. It rots in your mind and goes down to your stomach, where it begins to turn into a very raw open wound. Letters begin to form, usually showing the top layer or two of the core emotions in question. It’s hard to adequately reflect what’s embedded in your gut through lyrics alone, so you need the vocal ability to scream out the confusion, anger, or disappointment you’re trying to release. Inflection is a necessary asset to help be able to properly display those emotions and Joe, like Gary Moore, has that ability. You build a melody and you end up with a song, but then comes the really weird showcase of playing guitar.
To take what’s on your mind, your gut, your spine, your legs, your crotch and bundle it all into one nerve that connects at your shoulders and prepares you to deliver. Then you need to flow all that raw energy and let it out through your hands. The solos. The defining moment where you really try to connect with the audience to correctly capture the full intent of your artistic integrity. I am amazed by the display of such intensity from a man who is only 34 years old.
Over the years, he has amassed a guitar collection of almost 200 instruments. A longtime Les Paul advocate, Gibson, honored him with a “Joe Bonamassa Goldtop” signature. He has now joined forces with ex-Deep Purple vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes, keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Alice Cooper, Yngvie Malmsteen, Alice in Chains) and drummer Jason Bonham and formed “Black Mountain Communion” to see what else he can bring to the table. to the masses.
This man is the real deal. Familiarize yourself with as much of their music as you can. If he’s ever on tour in your area, buy tickets for all your friends.