Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
In the meeting of majesty, one must always surely pay homage and reflect the dignity with honour, when that majestic is two-fold, when it is the sublime and stately holding the imposing and grand, then that forbearance of respect is duty bound, it is the principal of having witnessed a privileged performance and acting upon it accordingly.
When that privilege encompasses not only the elegant setting of London’s Old Naval College on one of the most beautiful days of 2016, a day in which the Thames shone like it had been washed and scrubbed clean, centuries of decay rolled back and the dusk giving it that marvellous sheen of mystery. When the dignified presence of arguably the musician who gave Blues new life and purpose after years of it languishing in the doldrums and becoming a background noise that was ignored by a whole generation, gave the playground of a woman who was to become Queen, then to have it captured on D.V.D. and C.D. is to understand why music is imperial, the greatest of gifts and talents bestowed and one in which Joe Bonamassa’s British Blues Explosion Live is the comforting sound of beauty.
This salute in the old naval heartlands of officers, gentlemen, and of timekeeping which keeps the pulse of the world turning is more than a recommended experience, whether you were fortunate to be there on the day or not, it is arguably the culmination of events that has seen this modern and undisputed Blues legend rise to the point where no possible venue is too grand to perform in, that his stature and humility can see him play with his band anywhere, from an Opera House steeped in finery, through the humble but historic surroundings of Liverpool’s Cavern Club.
It is a salute he returns with pride as he pays tribute to the British Blues, the music of Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, the hard edged sentiment of 60s Britain, the gold standard and age in which the North American heroes who had been untouched and unsurpassed in their domination, suddenly found they had rivals, more than that they had peers.
Alongside Michael Rhodes, Reese Wynans, Anton Fig and Russ Irwin, Joe Bonamassa takes iconic songs such as Mainline Florida, Spanish Boots, Motherless Children, Little Girl, Pretending, Black Winter/Django and a very special bonus feature of Mr. Bonamassa performing Taxman at the world famous Cavern Club, and makes the evening fly past in a colourful procession that makes the Blues such a heartfelt and positive genre to immerse yourself in.
It may have been the culmination of a journey that has been there since Joe first became interested in music, but it is by no means the end of the story, as the film and C.D show, there is still so much more beauty to come.
Joe Bonamassa’s British Blues Explosion Live is released via Mascot Label Group on May 18th.
Ian D. Hall