Blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa's own independent J & R Adventures label has announced a February 24th, 2009 release date for Bonamassa's new album, The Ballad of John Henry. Working once again with noted producer Kevin Shirley (Black Crowes, Aerosmith), Bonamassa is celebrating his 20th year as a professional musician with a set that the guitarist believes is his strongest effort to date.
Your humble Blues Guide has heard Bonamassa's The Ballad of John Henry…several times now, in fact…and I'd have to agree with the guitarist's conclusion. The title track, which opens the album, is a blistering blues-rock barn-burner that pays its respects to the working class ethic, with a few musical changes thrown in to keep things interesting. The grief of relationships past are addressed with mournful blues tunes like "Last Kiss" and "Happier Times," while Bonamassa's covers of songs written by Tom Waits and Tony Joe White, among others, offer listeners a pleasant surprise or two.
Bonamassa is backed on The Ballad of John Henry by long time band members Blondie Chaplin on guitar, bassist Carmine Rojas, and keyboardist Rick Melick, as well as dual drummers in Anton Fig and Bogie Bowles. The follow-up to Bonamassa's acclaimed 2007 album Sloe Gin, and last year's scorching two-CD live set From Nowhere In Particular, watch for The Ballad of John Henry in your local record store on February 24th and keep your eyes right here for the Reverend's upcoming review of the album.
Related Content: Joe Bonamassa - The Ballad of John Henry CD review
Photo courtesy J & R Adventures
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