Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
It was Canada’s own Rock royalty of Rush who reminded listeners that “The more things change, the more they stay the same“, and whilst they maybe true on many counts, it perhaps does not take into account the evolution of the soul, nor of the spirit to seek out new worlds to witness being born.
The political landscape has become such that we have to acknowledge that every action has an edge to it, whether we see it or not, whether we understand the dilemma or the action taken; as a species we now must choose a side and watch as the world continues to revolve upon its access, lumbering from one crisis to another. It takes beauty and sincerity of mind to stand above this merry-go-round and offer another vision, an alternative view of change, one that in the hands of an artist such as Joe Bonamassa, a taste of Royal Tea is just as effective as a shot of whisky followed by a beer in the back alley bars of every city and town the world over.
The more that we acknowledge that artists and the everyday people have a right to change and alter their own perspective, and that is exactly what the father of 21st Century Blues has provided in his latest album, a set of songs that you know full well have come from the maestro, but ones with an edge of difference attached fully and brilliantly to them. It certainly is Rock/Blues but one with a gregarious and dominating twist that makes the spectrum of sound delivered as if it had come from another realm.
Recorded at London’s Abbey Road, and just before the world changed and altered its own perception of how we must live, Joe Bonamassa’s enchanting and out-front album sees him tackle songs co-written by himself and legends such as Bernie Marsden, Pete Brown and Jools Holland, and this new vibe, whilst retaining all that has ever been glorious and passionate about Mr. Bonamassa’s work, is the embrace of change we all require, subtle, time worthy, expressive.
Across tracks such as the superb opener of When One Door Opens, through moments of absolute glory in Why Does It Take So Long To Say Goodbye, High Class Girl, A Conversation With Alice and I Didn’t Think She Would Do It, Joe Bonamassa and the eternally gifted band and production who have been by his side, have realised a moment of absolute clarity for the listener; an album that embraces the possibility available to all, that we can drink from either porcelain cup from a decorative glass, at the end of the day it is about keeping the thirst at bay.
A dramatic and buoyant album, one of greatness and faithfulness combined; a Royal Tea that knows exactly how to stir the emotions to the perfect brew.
Joe Bonamassa’s new album Royal Tea is released by Provogue/Mascot Label Group on Friday October 23rd.
Ian D. Hall
Pre-order the album from:
www.mascotlabelgroup.com/Joe-Bonamassa-announces-new-studio-album-Royal-Tea-Pre-order-now and https://shop.jbonamassa.com/collections/royal-tea.