It seems as though Joe Bonamassa has single handedly been keeping the blues alive in the mainstream for a very long time. I’m aware that there is a thriving blues scene that bubbles just below the surface, away from the glare of the spotlight, and only Gary Clark has broken through to join him as of late. Joe constantly tours and records new material, whether it be by himself or with collaborators, he basically has worked his ass off to get where he is today.
Royal Tea is his latest release of all new songs. Opening track, When One Door Opens, is a blues rock tour de force – a classic Bonamassa blues rocker. The line between blues and rock is a fine one, and with the title track, Royal Tea, the line is blurred constantly. Why Does It Take So Long To Say Goodbye complete with a big solo centrepiece, is a blues ballad in the style of Gary Moore. Lookout Man is quite a heavy track, and sees Bonamassa changing things up a little. High Class Girl gives more than a nod to Green Onions, as it has the same groove and a very close riff. A Conversation With Alice seems to steal a bit of the opening riff from Paperback Writer, well he is in Abbey Road so I guess the vibes are rubbing off? I Didn’t Think She Would Do It has a huge Hendrix vibe about it, but done Bonamassa style. A great tune. A slow almost Wild West vibe is the intro to Beyond The Silence, which is a blues/country crossover. The almost swing boogie woogie of Lonely Boy follows, and takes us to the final track, Savannah, which has that southern country feel.
Joe consistently makes good records and this one is no different.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
