The Week in Joe by Deb Hebert

Preview: An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House

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Published on Tuesday, March 26 2013 17:44

Written by Deb Hebert

I've just finished watching the latest musical offering from Mr. Joe Bonamassa. "An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House" was released today and is available on two disc DVD, BluRay and CD format. Purchases can be made at most large retail music stores, at on-line music sites or via the artists official website.

My first impression: Mr. Bonamassa is elegant and deserving of headlining this historic venue. His classically trained guitar skills are prominent on each of the newly arranged songs, as four, handpicked and culturally diverse, musicians from Ireland, Sweden and the USA add their own unique spice to the audible brew. An Irish bango, mandolin, baby piano, accordian, glockenspeil, Nickelharpa and various ethnic percussion, create a colorful and worldly sound.

As you will see, the official trailer is designed to be a teaser and is no replacement for actual viewing of the full-length feature. I highly recommend purchasing this DVD as soon as possible.

Look for my full review in the days to come.

Yours in music,

DebFromMaine Hebert

Get a free song download of Athens to Athens until April 20, 2013.

The Week in Joe Reviews ROCK CANDY FUNK PARTY !

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Published on Monday, February 04 2013 12:11

Written by Deb Hebert

It's official. Joe has joined the Los Angeles-based group, Rock Candy Funk Party (RCFP). 

Those guest appearances permitted Bonamassa to escape the demands of a busy solo career, a chance to be "one of the guys."  Moreover, it seemed the ultimate excuse to step outside his comfort zone and explore his "home-stuff" more in-depth.  The end result: We Want Groove.

In summer 2012, five supremely talented musicians entered Tal Bergman's (producer, drummer) studio for the "sheer joy of making music."  Prepared with basic song ideas, Bergman says, "The concept of this record had everything do with interplay...Where everybody feeds off each other, reacts, and captures the moment." Similarly, Bonamassa says of the project, "Making this record was a great opportunity for me to do something I really enjoyed...I'm hoping to show people another side to me."

Note for note, We Want Groove is a nine track (eight originals and one cover) instrumental music time machine, which revisits the jazz-funk sound made popular in the 1970s and 1980s, when Jazz morphed into a new genre, one with a danceable rhythm, with its addition of a strong back beat (or groove), electrified sounds and use of synthesizers. I recall Herbie Hancock, Kool & The Gang and George Benson tunes featuring that upbeat, "feel good" dance swing.

From beginning to end, We Want Groove is delightfully rhythmic--a kaleidoscope of funk/jazz and rock melodies, wherein decades of stylistic influence are seamlessly fused in one setting. Music connoisseurs and newcomers alike will want to hear more from this supergroup.

Read the Track by Track review of We Want Groove here!

Visit Deb Hebert's Joe Bonamassa update blog here!

Joe Bonamassa Goes FUNK!

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Published on Monday, January 07 2013 11:48

Written by Deb Hebert

By Deb Hebert

2013: New Musical Adventure

It's only the first week of January and 2013 is already shaping up to be another dynamic year for Joe Bonamassa. The blues rock titan recently announced a new musical adventure with Rock Candy Funk Party (RCFP), a group of Los Angeles-based session musicians who formed a band to make music for "the fun of it."

Their sound: classic 70s and 80s funk and jazz. And for those familiar with Bonamassa know this is a huge divergence in guitar style. He said, "I get to play my home stuff."

Read more: Joe Bonamassa Goes FUNK!

Deb Hebert has a new blog!

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Published on Monday, November 19 2012 10:42

Written by Bluebird

Editor's Note: We are grateful for the continuous updates to Deb Hebert's week in Joe blog. Now you can get direct information about Joe Bonamassa from Deb's personal JB site here. She will continue to post for BBR. We support our friends on the web, and can't say enough about Deb's thorough coverage of Joe Bonamassa and Joe deserves the very best!