If you’ve never heard of Joe Bonamassa, then odds are you are not current with what’s happening with blues music. You owe it to yourself to check out this amazing guitar player. He has chops like Stevie and Jimi, but can also play 3 notes that with the feeling of an old bluesman.
Joe Bonamassa has been playing and touring for years, and now he has finally reached a point that most would call pretty successful, which is pretty hard in the music industry these days.
BB King has played a major role in helping Joe keep his eye on what’s important to be become successful. Joe first played with BB when he was around 13 and made a huge impression on the King of the Blues. He would later record an album with Tom Dowd, the Legendary producer of “Live at the Fillmore East”.
Now Joe has reached another milestone. He will be headlining the Royal Albert Hall in London on May 4, 2009. This is quite an achievement to say the least. This is the same place Cream played their last 2 shows in 1968. Now Joe will take a stab becoming one of the premier guitar players in the modern blues scene along side of Derek Trucks, and John Mayer.
If you have never heard Joe Bonamassa, then watch the video below and tell me your opinion of Joe.
It’s pretty amazing what Joe can do with the guitar. I think he’s a total original, but then what do I know. Let me know what you think of Joe right below this post.
If you’re interested in learning Blues guitar in this style, I’ve put together a set of Blues DVDs, that will help you learn this style.
For more information on slide guitar and blues guitar please visit Learning Guitar Now.
Never heard before. Verdict : EX-CE-LENT .
Bad to the Bone….and quick to!
Yeah, he seems to know what he’s doing, but after giving some listening to his music, it starts to all sound the same. He needs to have more variety in his playing. But that’s just my personal opinion.
Some have great technique, but lack soul. Some gotta soul, but lack in technique. Joe B’s got the package, and a wonderful husky-bluesy voice to complement as well. Will look for more on Joe in the wide wide world of the internet. Nice use of effects to boot!
I first Saw Joe when he was about 12-13 at a club in Rochester NY. He was very good then. I also saw him again when the band Bloodline opened for ZZ Top when he was in his late teens. Have seen him a few more times the past couple of years, absolutely great live performer, one of the best guitarist playing today.
Thanks for all the comments. He really is an outstanding guitar player!
Incidentally he lives in Athens, Ga where I’m located. I doubt he is there very much, but it sure would be cool to get an interview with him. You never know.
Very impressive! I’ve been listening to his music for a little over a year now. I’m glad I stumbled onto his CD on Itunes.
Truly a remarkable player, vocalist and performer. He’s the whole package. I love his Les Paul tone… it just rips. Some people just “have it.”
I’ve seen him on youtube, He is an oustanding guitar player, but If he’s going to
be compared with Eric he will have to limit his use of effects to create his sound.
Joe is the real deal. I’ve stumbled across Joe in 2004 and have been watching him ever since. You Tube is loaded with clips of Joe, and there’s a bunch of stuff on his website as well (jbonamassa.com), for anyone interested.
Smokin Joe is awesome Especially Live !! He has so many styles, Classical , Jazz, R&R and his roots in Blues. That clip is from a DVD “Joe Bonamassa Live at Rockplast”. He is one of these people you have to see live. All his CD’s are a little different. This is his second DVD. If you get this DVD you will know what he is all about. Also take notice of his insane Bass player Cesar Cruz. One other thing Joe plays mainly finger style and switches to a pick for speed. Go see him you’ll never forget it….God Bless…Jim
I saw Joe perform in 2000 at a small club called ‘Stevie Ray’s’ in Louisville, Ky. He was quite impressive then and had not built up a big folowing. I remember the club owners saying ‘I don’t know who this guy is but he does play the blues’. If you ever get to Lousiville and want to hear some cool music go to Stevie Ray’s in the old part of Downtown. Music most every night, lot’s of good talent there.
John
I’ve been a fan of Joe’s for quite a few years. I’m glad to see you give him the acknowledgment he deserves on your site. He is one of my favorite players. Last time I saw him live was at The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake Iowa. That’s the place Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper played there last concert. There was a big 50th anniversary party there this year. Joe is great and I have all his albums and DVD’s. Please check out joe bonamassa.com
Thanks
Wayne
Definitely an outstanding an versitle musician.
Ye man, this guy is on, thanks for the intro
I’ve been playing the blues for 30 yrs and this joe b. is the real deal. His talent and style rival or beat Eric Clapton and Gary Moore. He is one of those rare talents that only come along once in a blue moon. Joe Bonamassa is a bluesmans bluesman. Just ask Mr. BB King he knew joe had something special at the age of 12. Just watch Joe on youtube playing Woke Up Deaming LIVE . It blew me away!!! . If it does not blow you away ? You have no soul!!! Giv em hell Joe!!
Yes, Joe is not only a great guitar player but a natural entertainer, clearly loves what he does. I saw him in Glasgow earlier in the year and he did a good 2 hours plus and I was in sheer awe at just how good he truly is…..Sloe Gin, Great Flood, Django……to name but a few……superb is not coming anywhere close to describing how good this guy is.
Sounds Awesome! I’ll be picking up that DVD and learning some new licks.
Thanks for the comments.
just finished watching the Royal Albert Hall DVD of Joe Bonamassa and may I say what a great dvd it really is. This dvd was filmed like no other I have ever seen. It truelly shows a man and his band on a mission. This dvd is beautiffully edited and the sound and feel of it made me feel like I was one of the lucky 5000 people to actually be there to see it live. In my 52 years I have seen many concert dvds and many many live shows. These dvds are a must have for sure. Joe is a man that can play it all, extremely well . Spend the twenty bucks you will be satisfied!! If you are not ,then you have no pulse! Rockin the Hall with zz cover Just Got Paid then mellowing you out with his song Mountain Time . Cannot say enough about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If any artist deserves recognition. Joe’s time has come for sure!!
SliderMike,
I am going to see Joe Bonamassa later this month at the Peoria, IL Civic Center. You mentioned that you saw Joe when he was 12-13. There is a local 13 year old from Bloomington, IL named Matthew Curry. Check him out on Youtube. I wonder how he compares to Joe when Joe was that age.
Dave Ozuna
I think that he is one of the best of today’s blues rockers. I don’t love every thing that he plays, but I do like a lot that he does. He plays some slide pretty good these days, too. I like “The River”. I got his DVD from years ago at the Rockplast.
Joe is amazing!
I’ve been a fan of Joe’s for a few years, I have seen him live 5 times including the Albert Hall gig, seeing him live is a must, you look around at the gigs and people are stood open mouthed ! He is that good.
I have the DVD and it is really good! He is just got so much feel and chops. I bet that show was amazing to be at.
god bless the king
SRV reborn….awesome guitarist….
derek trucks is way better
bonamassas amazing, but every note trucks hits is uniquely his.
i guess its the triumph of art over technique
i like your work
but Joe Bon is contrived generic predictable and makes bad F#@k faces
he sings like my grandma
i cringe ever time i see him
Clapton, when he’s on, in my opinion, is the greatest guitarist and modern interpreter of the blues I’ve ever heard. His music is art – it touches your soul. Joe Bonamassa, unfortunately has all the licks, tone, technique down but there’s no music there. Clapton can say more with one note than JB can with a 1,000.
I’m not a fan of Bonamassa. I respect his work ethic, but his whole look (sunglasses, sharkskin suits et al) makes it impossible for me to watch him. Kind of like Clapton in the 80s. He is very technically proficient which is not a negative at all to me, but his style just isn’t Blues. It’s blues based rock that targets an age demographic. It doesn’t transcend generations the way Derek and the Dominos does, or even Cream. He has a huge body of work, but it doesn’t stand up to Clapton to me. Clapton rejected the idea of selling pop music and nevertheless had massive success because of his dedication to quality music. Bonamassa unfortunately feels like someone semi-created to play seated middle aged audiences and PBS pledge drive specials.
Joe is the bomb. While I am a huge Clapton fan the comment about Clapton being better because of the quality of his music obviously never listened to wonderful tonight, Yick. Joe rocks. Without a doubt one of top players on the scene today.
I purchased a guitar in October 2014 after watching a YouTube video of Joe Bonamassa. He inspired me to begin playing guitar and I have never looked back. I practice every day and the work ethic in his story inspire me to do the same to continue to improve. I have seen Joe live 3 times and have even flown to Colorado to watch him live at Red Rocks (on the front row center). He is what is humanly possible with the instrument. Even if you do not appreciate his style of music, you cannot help but be transfixed on his skill and ability when you watch what he does. On top of all that, I think he is a most genuine, honest and humble guy that is clearly a magnificent & graceful ambassador of and for the blues.