Joe Bonamassa is back with his new album ‘Royal Tea’, his latest solo studio offering due for release on October 23rd through Provogue/Mascot Label Group. Ten tracks make up the collection of varying styles & tempos to make this another incredibly enjoyable listen from start to finish. It’s no secret that Bonamassa was hugely influenced by his British guitar heroes like Eric Clapton and Cream, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers and Jeff Beck and he has added a bit more of a British twist by writing & recording the tracks in the legendary Abbey Road Studios in St John’s Wood, London. How could he possibly take it even further? By enlisting the likes of former Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden, pianist & Squeeze founder member Jools Holland and ex-Cream lyricist Peter Brown to co-write with him, of course.
Opening with a growing crescendo of orchestral instruments, we are instantly treated to a typically catchy Bonamassa guitar riff with the seven & a half minute long ‘When One Door Opens’, which takes us on a journey from power blues to a rocky interlude more reminiscent of his work with Black Country Communion. Title track ‘Royal Tea’ is an instant foot tapper and allows us to enjoy Reece Wynans’ Hammond organ playing expertise with Bonamassa trading riffs & chords with the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer and all nicely blended with exquisite backing vocals.
For me, Joe Bonamassa always knows how to deliver an outstanding & heart-warming ballad and ‘Why Does It Take So Long To Say Goodbye’ is no exception – Powerful & emotive it tells the tale of break-ups & the loneliness that can follow. Michael Rhodes’ warm, distorted bassline kicks us off for ‘Lookout Man’ and is soon joined by harmonicas & harmonies. ‘High Class Girl’ is a swinging shuffle of warmness which has you singing along after only a few listens.
The first single released was ‘A Conversation with Alice’ earlier this year and there would have been a few avid fans just wondering what this next album was going to consist of and as a track amongst this fine collection it sits ever so sweetly. ‘I Didn’t Think She Would Do It’ once again borders on the faster paced elements of Bonamassa’s styles & playing and it’s another track that highlights the strengths & togetherness that Joe’s long-time band has with Anton Fig (drums) powering through while Rhodes & Wynans combine to deliver a full & complete sound.
‘Beyond The Silence’ has an almost Wild West feel, and you can picture deserted streets & tumbleweed from the off, that is until the chorus opens it up to be another of the standout tracks on this release. Big band jive & swing is where we go for ‘Lonely Boy’, with Wynans showcasing his boogie-woogie piano skills and Bonamassa with that classic guitar tone reminiscent of the era around Bill Haley’s ‘Rock Around the Clock’. We close with a track that winds this energetic album down – ‘Savannah’ is simply brilliant and brilliantly simple.
The British undertones throughout this album are just that – subtle & glorious and once more Joe Bonamassa’s long-time producer Kevin Shirley was behind the desk recording the wonderful ‘Royal Tea’. Fans old & new will just love this album and once again one of the busiest singer/songwriter/guitarists has delivered a record of outstanding quality. Styles, sounds & differing vibes aplenty Bonamassa once again shows he can do very little wrong.
Joe Bonamassa’s new album “Royal Tea” is released by Provogue/Mascot Label Group on Friday October 23rd.
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
9.5/10
JOE BONAMASSA – “ROYAL TEA” – TRACK LISTING
1. When One Door Opens
2. Royal Tea
3. Why Does It Take So Long To Say Goodbye
4. Lookout Man
5. High Class Girl
6. A Conversation With Alice
7. I Didn’t Think She Would Do it
8. Beyond The Silence
9. Lonely Boy
10. Savannah
