Joe Bonamassa releases albums with such regularity that you would think that fatigue would set in. However, rather than allow this to become the case, Joe shifts through the gears with such dexterity that each new record becomes an event in its own right. A million miles away from the roots manoeuvring of The Sleep Eazys (whose debut emerged earlier in the year), Royal Tea sees Joe Bonamassa return to the British Blues Explosion that inspired his live album of the same name, taking influence from Jeff Beck, John Mayall and Eric Clapton. Tracked at Abbey Road for authenticity and featuring song-writing help from Bernie Marsden (ex-Whitesnake), Jools Holland and ex-Cream lyricist Pete Brown, Royal Tea is an exceptional record that sees Joe and his band exploring a whole different aspect of the blues.
The album feels different from the off, as an orchestral introduction combines with a glorious guitar tone for a sweeping John Barry feel that is as cinematic as it is unlike anything Bonamassa has attempted before. With closely harmonised vocals and some particularly sensitive guitar playing, When One Door Opens is aptly named, and it sees Joe and his band exploring whole new avenues of the blues with a gusto that reaches fruition when Joe unveils a monster guitar riff that kicks the song into overdrive. With the opening piece drifting gently into the aether, the stinging riff of the title track is like a dash of cold water, slinky backing vocals and Anton Fig’s driving rhythms making for a dynamic track that keeps the album moving forward. Slowing the pace, Why Does It take So Long To Say Goodbye is a familiar Bonamassa ballad with a more typically British feel, especially in the bridge and it offers some truly exquisite guitar work.
For those lulled into a sense of security, the monstrous Michael Rhodes bassline of Lookout Man dispels any notion of an easy ride as he leads the band into an epic workout that features dusty harmonica, dirty guitar and the sort of pummelling percussion that recalls Anton’s work in Kiss. A hulking, hard rock beast that sounds like a blast to play, Lookout Man reminds us that Joe spent his youth marvelling at the raw power of Cream and the band don’t let up for a second. In contrast, Savannah serves as a palette cleanser, washing away the darkness of Lookout Man with rippling Americana that gives plenty of space to Reese Wynans’ gospel-infused keys.
High Class Girl opens the second act on a larger-than-life note, the gritty guitar tone and shuffling rhythm leading to a richly textured chorus that you’ll be singing for weeks. Then there’s A Conversation With Alice, dropped as a surprise single early into lockdown and now satisfyingly familiar. A bright, breezy song with a snappy riff, it is nonetheless upstaged by the rapid fire I Didn’t Think She Would Do It, which arrives in a blaze of fire and fury, Joe tearing out a wah-inflected solo like a man possessed.
The album concludes with two stunning tracks. First up is the epic Beyond The Silence, a sweeping, progressive piece that requires multiple listens to fully appreciate the myriad layers on offer. A track that stands tall alongside the likes of Self-Inflicted Wounds, Beyond The Silence brings great depth and emotional weight to the album’s second half. However, Joe knows to leave the audience on an explosive high, and Lonely Boy proves to be a frantic finale of gleaming brass and twinkling ivories. It’s easy to imagine The Blues Breakers jamming to this one, the sweat flying as the beat takes hold, and it brings the album to a satisfyingly tumultuous close.
If you’ve ever seen a Joe Bonamassa show, you’ll know that he’s an artist in awe of his own success and grateful to have been given the opportunity to do what he does. Never one to rest on his laurels, every Bonamassa record is played as if it’s his last and the dream will be over. The sound of a young boy, sat in his bedroom and dreaming of the sound of the crowd, Royal Tea has a freshness and innocence to it that feels utterly untainted by the machinations of the music industry and is an album to be treasured. 9.5
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
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