CD REVIEW: JOE BONAMASSA – Live At The Greek Theatre

Shane | 17 December 2016 | Reply

CD REVIEW: JOE BONAMASSA – Live At The Greek Theatre
J&R Adventures
September 2016
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
7 /10

Joe Bonamassa is without doubt one of the pre-eminent blues guitarists in the modern world, and he’s forged a singular career based on a punishing work ethic and a forward thinking management ethos.

That said, this reviewer has always struggled to find an emotional connection to Bonamassa’s work – and Live At The Greek has finally helped me understand why…

Joe Bonamassa plays all the right notes perfectly, but doesn’t seem to convey much emotional connection to the material. He’s got the technical mastery down pat – he has few peers on that front – but does he convey the FEELING of the blues through his singing and playing?

Live At The Greek was recorded 29 August, 2015 from his Three Kings show paying homage to greats Freddie, Albert and B B King, with a seven-piece band and three wonderful backing singers including the divine Mahalia Barnes and Jade McRea, and producer Kevin Shirley ensures it sounds brilliant.

Aloof at times, but not egomaniacal, Bonamassa delivers an R&B revuew-style show, sharing the spotlight with his band generously through a selection of classics and deeper cuts such as the great Sittin’ On The Porch, Love Me With A Feeling, I Get Evil, Let The Good Times Roll, Hide Away, Born Under A Bad Sign and The Thrill Has Gone.

Live At The Greek features great performances, sounds fantastic, and has just about everything going for it… except I can’t shake the feeling that Bonamassa is playing it off the page, rather than interpreting the songs with real feeling.