Sloe Gin

List Price: $18.98 Buy For: $14.99
Usually ships in 24 hours


Add to Cart


Compare New & Used Prices From All Available Merchants:

Type: Music
Studio: Premier Artists
Release Date: 2007-08-21
Voted by Guitar Player readers as 2007's Best Blues Guitarist, blues-rock guitar virtuoso, vocalist, and songwriter JOE BONAMASSA is set to release his seventh solo album, SLOE GIN, on August 21, 2007. Bonamassa's fourth release, the disc re-teams him with producer Kevin Shirley (Joe Satriani, Black Crowes, Aerosmith, Led Leppelin), who produced 2006's YOU & ME, which debuted at #1 on Billboard's Blues Chart in June of last year.

SLOE GIN effortlessly ranges through heavy blues and acoustic numbers alike, a textured flow that Bonamassa says was in part inspired by Rod Stewart's legendary 1969 debut solo LP. In the liner notes, Joe adds, "I sequenced the album as a throwback to the side A/side B set-up of vinyl records...listening to an album as a whole is a lost pastime. i wanted to bring that experience back around.

Renowned for this fluid phrasing and post-modern fusion of traditional roots blues with rock and roll guts, Bonamassa began playing guitar at age four, and toured with blues icon B.B. King when he was twelve. Recently, Joe was named Best Blues Guitarist in Guitar Magazine's 2007 Reader's Choice Awards. He is also the youngest member of the Memphis, TN-based Blues Foundation's Board of Directors, and a spokesperson for their respected Blues in the Schools Program.

Joe Bonamassa - His Best So Far
Bonamassa is one of the most talented young blues artists out there today and "Sloe Gin" may just be his best album yet. The disc is a mix of Bonamassa originals and blues covers that showcase the ever increasing range of Joe's talent. There is a bit more acoustic guitar to be found on this one, but rest assured there is plenty of Joe's electric shredding here as well. Bonamassa continues to mature as a singer as the vocals here are all very well done. The highlight of the album is the title track which was written by producer Bob Ezrin and apparently originally appeared on a Tim Curry album. The song features everything that makes Bonamassa great as he stretches out both instrumentally and vocally taking full advantage of the songs 8 plus minutes. The rest of the album is also very strong covering a myriad of blues styles. Highlights include the two rocking opening numbers "Ball Peen Hammer" and "One Of These Days". A very nice cover of Bad Company's "Seagull", an acoustic cover of one of his own tracks "Around The Bend", "Black Night", "Richmond", and the final cut "India". Really there is not a weak track on the disc as the whole thing is thoroughly enjoyable. This album has received mixed reviews from Joe's fans, but I think it is as good as anything Bonomassa has put out. If you like rocking modern guitar blues you owe it to yourself to check out Bonamassa and this is a good place to start.

Ultimate blues guitar player
Joe Bonamassa continues to lay it all on the line when he records a new album. He evolves with each new disc, looking for that certain something that will make you smile and get into the music with out losing his style and mood when he wrote/recorded the song. Some people may not like the changes, or how he looks for other ways to bring the music out, but its all worth it after listening to this album. The music fills the room but also your mind and soul. Anybody can play a guitar fast, but to do it clean and with imagination is not that easy. He can play both acoustic and electric guitars with the precision of a surgeon, cutting the air with some strong, biting riffs but then come back and play something smooth and calming. The album is diverse but very good. Music you can listen to driving down the highway or just relaxing hanging out with friends at the house. I was not disappointed, more great music from a very unheralded blues player. Give it a try, you won't be sorry.

Nothing Left to Say Joe ?
Joe, I luv ya', but when an artist stoops to orchestration it tells me he has nothing else to say. I'm afraid Joe is taking the same path Johnny Lang took. Say it ain't so JOE !!

Great blues rock
Joe is a great guitarist and refining his good song writing. This is a good album for people who like musicians music.

Not his best
After you see his live dvd's, its hard to give this 5 stars when you
know he is capable of so much more.