Joe Bonamassa

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BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION Is Officially ‘Over,’ Says GLENN HUGHES

Posted by aliblackdiamond on March 24, 2013
Posted in: Int. News. Tagged: , , . Leave a Comment

Source: Blabbermouth.net

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION — the Anglo-American rock group comprising vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, TRAPEZE), drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN, FOREIGNER), Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, ALICE COOPER, BILLY IDOL) and blues-rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa — is officially “over” following Bonamassa‘s decision to exit the project. Hughes writes on his Facebook page: “Joe left and will not allow us to keep the name… Nice, huh? Jason, Derek and I will continue with a different name when the time is right.”

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION released its third album, “Afterglow”, last October amid a public feud between Hughes and Bonamassa.

The war of words goes back to early September, when Hughes began telling journalists that Bonamassa‘s solo touring schedule was preventing BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION from touring and fulfilling its potential. He stated that if the situation didn’t change, “Afterglow” could be the group’s last recording project.

Asked about the current status of BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, Bonamassa told PremierGuitar.com earlier this month: “As far as I’m concerned, my involvement is pretty much done, and I’ll tell you why: Originally, I did it for the same reasons I did the stuff with Beth Hart and ROCK CANDY FUNK PARTY— it was an excuse to play a different kind of music that I don’t get to play normally.

“The first two records were a blast — the band is fantastic when the Ritalin kicks in, the ADD goes away, and everyone’s focused. It’s a devastatingly good rock band of the early-1970s type, and Glenn is a fantastic singer — just one of the best ever. So I did it and did a nine-week tour in 2011 that really, by the end of it, wasn’t fun for me. It wasn’t because I didn’t like the cats in the band, but it was just too much — too much involved in getting people from place to place and getting the band onstage. Everybody seemed to be very tense, and it made my crew very tense, and it’s not the way I like to tour. I run a family — I have 21 people who go on the road with me all the time, and if you asked them who was the cause of the least of their problems, they would say me. Unless there was no Diet Coke — then it’s a huge [expletive] problem, and either I’m going to the supermarket or somebody else is. [laughs]

“But it just wasn’t fun for me anymore. All the stuff that Glenn says in the media, essentially pinning it on me — that I was the reason for the band’s lack of touring and the band’s lack of future. It became rapidly not fun at all. It would be dishonest of me to get onstage and pretend like I’m having fun to please the band. I’m just not the guitar player for that band, but, unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any out-of-work guitar players in L.A. that they can get. There are so many guys that can fill that role and I would be the first guy to queue up and buy a ticket. So that’s my story with it. I’m happily not involved anymore, but I’m happy with the legacy that I left with that band and happy with the records we made. It was a great three years for me.”

“Afterglow” sold 8,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 48 on The Billboard 200 chart.

2011′s “2″ CD from BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION opened with 8,000 units to land at No. 71.

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION‘s self-titled debut album registered a first-week tally of 7,100 copies to enter the chart at No. 54.

Just like its two predecessors, “Afterglow” was overseen by Kevin Shirley, whose catalog of hit records for LED ZEPPELIN, IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH, JOURNEY, THE BLACK CROWES and many more has made him one of the hottest producers that rock music has to offer. Shirley — who had the idea of putting Hughes and Bonamassa together in a band together after seeing them jamming onstage in Los Angeles back in November 2009 — was previously described as the group’s unofficial “fifth member.”

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Photo credit: Christie Goodwin

Review: BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, “Afterglow” (2012)

Posted by aliblackdiamond on October 28, 2012
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Reviewed by Ali Blackdiamond

Artist: Black Country Communion
Album: Afterglow
Label: Mascot Music
Year: 2012
Country: UK/USA

Tracklist:
1. Big Train
2. This Is Your Time
3. Midnight Sun
4. Confessor
5. Cry Freedom
6. Afterglow
7. Dandelion
8. The Circle
9. Common Man
10. The Giver
11. Crawl

 

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION are back with their third album “Afterglow” which will be released tomorrow, Monday 29th October, via Mascot Records.

The band comprises of vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, TRAPEZE), drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN, FOREIGNER), keyboard player Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, ALICE COOPER,YNGWIE MALMSTEEN,BILLY IDOL) and blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa.

The album was written within 6 months and recorded in Westlake Village, outside Hollywood, USA during 5 productive days. As Glenn explains: “I wanted this album to have more acoustic moments than the previous two. I wanted to hear more of Derek and I wanted the more angelic voice of Glenn as well as the more aggressive one which there is on songs like “Crawl” and “Midnight Sun”. Above all I wanted more drama.”

As with the two previous albums, “Afterglow” was overseen by producer Kevin Shirley who has a catalogue of hit records by bands such as IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH, LED ZEPPELIN and EUROPE. It was his idea to put Hughes and Bonamassa together after seeing them jamming onstage together in 2009 and is the groups “unofficial” fifth member.

The album begins with Big Train which I wasn’t too sure of at first, but after several listens it really grew on me with its catchy melodies and the great vocal range demonstrated by Glenn, backed up by the brilliant drumming of Jason. The next track This Is Your Time grabs me immediately with the deep grooves of Joe’s guitar intro, which keep up the pace throughout the song, a perfect combination with Glenn’s vocals and the great music written by Jason. Midnight Sun comes crashing into my ears next, the pace really picks up and Glenn’s vocals are top notch, he’s not called “The Voice Of Rock” for nothing! For me, the song evokes sounds of Deep Purple and there is a brilliant guitar solo by Joe, he can make it sing! Confessor is another fast paced track with excellent turbo charged drumming. I love the melodic sounds of the chorus and the Hammond organ sounding solo by Derek.

Cry Freedom has shared vocals between Glenn and Joe. Glenn feels that he and Joe sing well together and I agree: Joe’s more laid back style perfectly compliments Glenn’s raw edged sound. The title track Afterglow is long at 6:06 (but not the longest track) and has a quiet intro, but full of atmosphere. The song then builds into that familiar Black Country Communion sound and Glenn’s powerful voice kicks in. Plenty more melodic guitars here to keep fans happy. Dandelion is another slow paced song to start with and picks up soon enough, as with all these songs the whole sound is polished but also with a rawness that keeps it rocking. The Circle slows the pace and has a dream like quality to it, a very relaxing vibe, more great vocals. This track really demonstrates the power and depth to Glenn’s voice and is one of his favourite tracks. Common Man has that classic ’70′s sound, ‘groovy’ is the main way to describe the guitar and bass line and again that Hammond organ sound adding more texture and feeling. This song really sounds to me like the band are having an awesome jamming session together in the studio and is one of my favourites. Again more classic sounds on The Giver then to the last song Crawl: I love the sound here, Glenn’s rasping edgy vocals and a huge sound. There is yet another great guitar solo and awesome powerhouse drumming, another favourite for me. I’m very happy the band saved this track from “BCC2” to use on Afterglow, a great aggressive song to finish on.

9/10

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JOE BONAMASSA To Make Recording History At 4 London Venues

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 22, 2012
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Noble PR has issued the following:

JOE BONAMASSA, the world’s premiere guitarist, will perform four exclusive London concerts during March 2013.  Each concert will be specially filmed for DVD and will feature never-before performed live tracks. The four London concerts will chronicle Joe’s atmospheric rise from the intimate club atmosphere of The Borderline, to the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. The live in-concert DVDs will be released during fall 2013.

Hailed as The Guitar Event of the Year, Bonamassa will pay homage to the historic London venues he’s played by going back to his ten studio albums to perform songs for the very first time.  The four London 2013 concerts will individually showcase a unique band configuration that will highlight diverse elements of Joe’s style. Each performance will be distinctive with different set lists. Collectively, there will be upwards of eighty new and old songs performed over the four nights that even the most die-hard Bonamassa fan will experience for the first time.

The London run will start at the intimate 200-capacity London Borderline on Tuesday March 26.  Bonamassa will then play the 02 Shepherds Bush Empire and HMV Hammersmith Apollo on Wednesday March 27 and Thursday March 28 respectively, before finishing the week at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday March 30.

The Royal Albert Hall and Shepherds Bush concerts are currently sold out. Tickets are still available for the Hammersmith Apollo, as well as VIP tickets for the exclusive Borderline concert that also includes the best seats in the house for the remaining three concerts including the Royal Albert Hall, Shepherds Bush and the Hammersmith Apollo. For further information about the VIP tickets, visit www.thegigcartel.com/joevip/.

“London is like my second home,” says Bonamassa. “I want to give the fans attending the London concerts a real treat – a thank you for their unwavering support.  Over the years I’ve received requests for tracks we’ve never performed live. Now, it feels right that we delve into the back catalogue and dedicate London fans with unique versions of tracks they’ve never experienced live.”

Download your free copy of the song When The Fire Hits The Sea from
http://jbonamassa.com/london
.

Eric Johnson Returns To UK For Nationwide Tour

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 25, 2012
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NOBLE PR has issued as follows:

ERIC JOHNSON, the celebrated American electric guitarist, hailed by Joe Bonamassa as “one of the greatest guitar players of all time,” returns to the UK in 2013 for a tour that kicks off at the London o2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Wednesday 3rd April 2013.

Planet Rock will start at ticket pre-sale on Wednesday 26th September, followed by general on-sale date of Friday 28th September from www.thegigcartel.com.

The 6-date tour will showcase material from his current album Up Close, as well as from his rich back catalogue, including the classic Cliffs of Dover.
London o2 Shepherds Bush Empire (April 3)
Harrogate Theatre (April 4)
Edinburgh Queen’s Hall (April 5)
Manchester Royal Northern College of Music (April 6)
Birmingham Town Hall (April 7)
Salisbury City Hall (April 8)

Guitar Player magazine described Johnson as “one of the most respected guitarists on the planet.” His critically acclaimed, platinum-selling 1990 recording Ah Via Musicom produced the single Cliffs of Dover, for which he won the 1991 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance (the track also appeared on Guitar Hero 3 – Legends of Rock).

In 1996 he joined forces with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai for the original and legendary G3 tour that garnered a worldwide audience with the platinum selling CD/DVD. Johnson’s best known for playing stock Fender Stratocasters and Gibson ES-335 electric guitars through a triple amp setup, consisting of vintage Fender and Marshall amplifiers.

 

JOE BONAMASSA To Release Beacon Theatre Double Live Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 15, 2012
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NOBLE PR has issued the following:

JOE BONAMASSA: Beacon Theatre – Live From New York is released as a 2 CD and double vinyl album for the very first time. The double live album, released by Provogue Records in the UK on Monday September 24th, features 20 stunning tracks that spans his incredible career.

The festivities kick off with 72nd St. Subway Blues, followed by Slow Train, from 2011′s solo album Dust Bowl, plus fan favourites Midnight Blues, Dust Bowl, Bird On A Wire, Blue & Evil, Mountain Time, and many more. Beth Hart performs with Bonamassa on I’ll Take Care of You and Sinner’s Prayer. John Hiatt joins Bonamassa on Down Around My Place and I Know A Place, while Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company), is featured alongside Bonamassa on Fire And Water and Walk In My Shadows.

Album Track Listing:
CD 1
1:  72nd St. Subway Blues
2:  Slow Train
3:  Cradle Rock
4:  When The Fire Hits The Sea
5:  Midnight Blues
6:  Dust Bowl
7:  The River
8:  I’ll Take Care Of You (with Beth Hart)
9:  Sinner’s Prayer (with Beth Hart)
10:  You Better Watch Yourself
11:  Steal Your Heart Away

CD 2
1:  Bird On A Wire
2:  Down Around My Place (with John Hiatt)
3:  I Know A Place (with John Hiatt)
4:  Blue And Evil
5:  Walk In My Shadows (with Paul Rodgers)
6:  Fire And Water (with Paul Rodgers)
7:  Mountain Time
8:  Young Man Blues
9.  If Heartaches Were Nickels

The live album precedes Bonamassa’s London March 2013 concerts at The Borderline (March 26), o2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (March 27), Hammersmith Apollo (March 28), and Royal Albert Hall (March 30).

JON LORD: Concerto For Group And Orchestra Due September 25th; BRUCE DICKINSON, JOE BONAMASSA, STEVE MORSE Guest

Posted by Mohsen Fayyazi on August 8, 2012
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JON LORD, the long-time DEEP PURPLE keyboardist, always wanted a studio recording of his famed Concerto For Group And Orchestra. Only recently did he publicly make this wish a reality. In what turned out to be his swan song, he recorded Concerto For Group and Orchestra.

Lord assembled guest musicians such as IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson, JOE BONAMASSA (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION) and Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse in the Abbey Road Studios, to work with his trusted partner, director Paul Mann, on the 2012 version of the legendary concert.

“Over these last years since leaving Deep Purple, I’ve played it over 30 times with different orchestras and conductors all over the world, and, of course, in 2000 I did it well over 30 times with Purple on the Concerto tour, so I’ve been honing the piece live on stage, and I’ve had the opportunity to change things in the score that weren’t sounding quite right. It is therefore a marvelous and exciting prospect to have the definitive recording of the definitive version of the score.” (Jon Lord May 2011)

On July 16, 2012, Jon Lord passed away in London at 71 years old. This album is a joyful testament of a great musician and fantastic man.

“His dignity and graciousness touched us all. His music was an inspiration and took us to places beyond our imagination… A truly great man. We humbly express our eternal love and great respect.” – Tribute from Deep Purple upon the passing of Jon Lord.

Jon Lord‘s Concerto For Group And Orchestra will be released by Eagle Rock Entertainment on September 25th and features the following tracklisting:
‘Movement One’
‘Movement Two’
‘Movement Three’

 

Source: Bravewords.com

JOE BONAMASSA announces 4 London concerts in March 2013

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 30, 2012
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NOBLE PR has issued the following:

Following the May 21st release of Joe Bonamassa’s critically acclaimed 13th solo album Driving Towards The Daylight, which is currently #2 in the UK’s Official Album Chart, the renowned guitarist will perform a series of four significant London concerts that chronicles his rise from playing the intimate Borderline to the prestigious Royal Albert Hall.

Blues rock fans will be able to purchase tickets to see Joe perform at four different London venues including The Borderline (March 26), 02 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (March 27), HMV Hammersmith Apollo (March 28) and the Royal Albert Hall (March 30).  All concert tickets, including a very special Borderline ticket entry, go on sale on Friday June 1st from the 24 Hour Ticket Box Office: 0844 478 0898, or can be booked online from www.thegigcartel.com.

A special 48-hour ticket pre-sale on Planet Rock radio will start from Wednesday May 30th, two days before tickets go on sale to the general public.

For those fans that purchase a special VIP ticket, this will enable them to attend all four concerts, including admission to see Bonamassa perform at the Borderline in London on Tuesday 26th March 2013.  The Borderline concert is restricted to a limited run of 200 tickets, and will showcase Joe’s atmospheric rise to the top of the guitar world, in an intimate and a reduced capacity setting of this famous London West End venue where it all began for the critically acclaimed blues rock guitarist.

Now’s your chance to get up close and personal in London with Joe Bonamassa at what is being hailed as “The Guitar Event of the Year.”