Joe Bonamassa at Hammersmith Eventim Apollo in 2015

Post

Subscribe

Tue 17 Mar 2015

Always expect the unexpected from blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa. Across five nights in March 2013 Joe performed in London at the 200-capacity Borderline (the first venue he ever played in Europe), the Shepherds Bush Empire and the Hammersmith Apollo, before finishing the week at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. The run of shows took in each of the venues Joe had played in London to date, perfectly documenting his career's incredible rise.



In 2015, to celebrate the success of his most recent album, Different Shades of Blue, the 37-year-old New Yorker will take up a four night residency at London's Hammersmith Eventim Apollo.

Performing on March 17, 19, 20 and 21, Joe will play tracks from the record for the first time in the UK, as well as classics from his extensive back catalogue, including Sloe Gin, Dust Bowl and The Ballad of John Henry. He also plans to introduce a horn section to make the gigs even more special.



Different Shades Of Blue is Joe's first studio album since 2012's Driving Towards The Daylight and is his first to feature all-original material, co-penned by the man himself.

"It's been a while since I've been involved in the writing on an entire album so I decided I wanted to make a completely original blues album," Joe says. "I've really had to push myself to make everything I do better than the last project. I know the fans expect it. And I feel like I owe it to the fans to give them an original record after all these years."

Joe spent time in Nashville writing with Jonathan Cain (Journey), James House (Diamond Rio, Dwight Yoakam, Martina McBride), and Jerry Flowers (Keith Urban).

"The writers really inspired me, and having access to really great lyricists and songwriters made it such a great experience," admits Joe.



Recorded at Studio At The Palms in Las Vegas, the album was produced by Kevin Shirley (Black Crowes, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin), who has helmed Bonamassa's last 15 projects, including his collaborations with Black Country Communion and Beth Hart.

To complement Joe's guitar and vocal style, Kevin assembled a group of musicians including Reese Wynans (organ, piano), Carmine Rojas (bass), Michael Rhodes (bass), Anton Fig (drums, percussion), Lenny Castro (percussion), Lee Thornburg (trumpet, trombone), Ron Dziubla (saxophone), the Bovaland Orchestra (strings), and Doug Henthorn and Melanie Williams (background vocals).

The result is a record that is rooted in the blues but draws on a range of rock influences, from Led Zeppelin and Cream to Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac and Chuck Berry. And when Joe sings 'I Gave Up Everything For You 'Cept The Blues' you just have to believe it.


#bands
#concerts
#folk_blues_music
#hammersmith
#music
#music -venues
#pop_culture
#shows
#march
!date 17/03/2015 -- 21/12/2014
%wnlondon