JOE BONAMASSA, YOU AND ME CD REVIEW ON ROCK N ROLL UNIVERSE

There comes a time in every great artist's career when they push the envelope, taking their music to the next level. Guitarist Joe Bonamassa, with his new album, 'You & Me' has done just that, taking the blues based rock he's known for and raised the bar for other such artists, coming up with one of the albums of the year, and the decade so far in the process. Joined on this trek by drummer Jason Bonham(son of yes, THAT Bonham) and ex David Bowie bassist Carmine Rojas, who add their own unique flair to the proceedings, he has made an album which although rooted heavily in the blues, transcends such boundaries, becoming a must own in every serious music fan's collection.

Striking a balance between technical wizardry and soulfulness has been a tricky feat, for even some of rock's foremost players. A feat which Bonamassa has managed to achieve on this album, in the process raising the bar for this long travelled, and sometimes played out genre. Moving well past the Stevie Ray Vaughan-isms that permeate the blues rock guitar scene, the guitarist stands currently head and shoulders above the vast majority of players, and at the still young age of 28, the sky appears to be the limit.

Starting off with tasty Cream styled harmony vocals, an inspired cover of Charlie Patton's "High Water Everywhere" a Delta blues styled tribute to the flood decimated New Orleans, starts the album on a high note, showing off not only Bonamassa's expert guitar work, which is also reminiscent on this track of Clapton at his most blues worthy, but also a showcase for his strong, soulful vocals. One thing that has always made him stand apart from the myriad of axeslingers populating blues rock has been the fact that, not only is he an exemplary guitarist, but his vocals are on the same par. This is the total package-no one trick pony here! Continuing the album's hot streak we're treated to the first of four original compositions on display here in the form of "Bridge To Better Days". Starting off as a mid tempo riff rocker, this heavy blues erupts in the middle for over two minutes of searing guitar work over the driving rhythms of Bonham and Rojas, making this one of the many highlights on display here. Delving into Ray Charles territory next with the soulful "Asking Around For You," this is a showcase for his powerful vocals, the synthesized strings adding another dimension as well. A slow burning version of the Otis Rush classic "So Many Roads" brings things back around in a decidedly Chicago blues direction before increasing the tempo with the Texas styled "I Don't Believe." The closest that Bonamassa gets here to the sound that made SRV famous, featuring a great walking bass line from Rojas, he still manages to take it in a different direction. "Tamp Em Up Solid" boasts some fine acoustic slide before the instrumental "Django" explores Jeff Beck turf. Reminiscent of Beck's "Where Were You" in its tone and harmonics, this is a fine illustration that the guitarist can be reflective when he so desires, and is a nice change of pace. So far, this would be a great blues rock album, but it's the next track, a majestic cover version of Led Zeppelin's "Tea For One" that simply takes the album over the top. With Jason Bonham onboard here, it's natural that something Zep related would be assayed, and it's refreshing that the choice wasn't an obvious one. One of the relatively more obscure in the Jimmy Page canon, originally from 'Presence', this nearly ten minute version simply has to be heard to be believed. Featuring a magnificent vocal performance by Doug Henthorn of The Healing Sixes, who comes across sounding like the late James Dewar, this is also a tour de force for Bonamassa's stellar guitar work, as he weaves a tapestry of tones that recall Robin Trower by way of Page, before taking things into the stratosphere with an amazing solo, recalling the fluidity of Eric Johnson at his finest. The first time I got this far into the album I must've listened to this track 10 times in a row. Simply awesome, and one of the greatest covers anyone's ever done of a song by the legendary British rockers. Following this with the short acoustic piece "Palm Trees Helicopters and Gasoline" which serves as a brief interlude before ripping into Sonny Boy Williamson's "Your Funeral And My Trial" which, not only features more great guitar work but some fine blues harp playing from 12 year old phenom L.D. Miller, whose talent belies his youth. Finishing off with another strong original in the form of the driving "Torn Down" it all concludes on a high note assuredly.

Production is handled expertly by Kevin Shirley(Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, The Black Crowes, Aerosmith) who provides these songs with the kind of rock power needed to jump start the blues out of the museum and into the 21st century.This is vital music, full of energy, passion and grace. If you've think you've heard all that the blues has to offer, think again. Bonamassa, by drawing on the best of the past, is the present and future of the blues. A heavy weight to be placed on one's shoulders to be sure, but one that obviously he's more than up for both talent and vision wise and then some. Prepare to be amazed. You will hear no better blues album this year. 10/10 http://www.jbonamassa.com/