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From a recent set of jams at the Bitter End.
Will Lee on bass and Steve Ferrone on drums
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12-25-2025 10:23 PM
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How do you guys like Bonamassa? I tried listening to some of his stuff and while I think he's got the technique, I keep feeling something's missing from his playing... for lack of a better word, i feel his playing is lacking soul? In contrast, someone like Gary Moore always takes me there and I can feel the dude in the music he's playing.
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I love hearing Joe talk shop…love his Sirius Xm show too.seems like a great guy and certainly has the chops and knowledge but his music doesn’t hit me. Warren Haynes same deal. Neither seem to have their own take on the blues Probably should give them more of a chance but there is so much great stuff out there. The Muddy Mississippi Waters Live album set a high bar for me when it comes to blues. Not to say there aren’t any good contemporary blues players out there. Gerry Hundt from the Chicago area is laying down some cool blues. Guy Clark Jr…..Burnside’s son the GA20, North Mississippi Allstars etc.
Last edited by alltunes; 12-26-2025 at 10:31 AM.
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I think all us old guys have heard it all before. We hear JB play so many direct unique quotes from the likes of early Jeff Beck etc. Whether younger guitarists are aware of this IDK. I suppose he's keeping it alive.
Originally Posted by jazzloverfat
Edit: and ofcourse his total ripoff of Eric Johnson!! Very clever but..
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I look at him as a rock guy. Big blues influence but a rock player.
Certainly carrying the flag for guitar.
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I've heard Bonamassa play Django licks with ease,so if he wanted to dip his toe into jazz he most likely could.He's an extension of the Clapton tree of guitar playing but with more chops and i'm fine with it.Seems like a lot of players are jealous of him for what reason i can't fathom.If you can fill up Albert Hall in this day and age playing blues oriented material ,i think that's quite an accomplishment.
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Do you think being critical of him is a sign of jealousy? Originally Posted by nyc chaz
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I can't seem to explain it any other way.He's not some poser.The guy is a monster player and a nice guy to boot who will talk to you about guitar and gear all day if given a chance,so why all the hate for his success. Originally Posted by garybaldy
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OZ teaches Joe how to Coltrane..
Bonamassa--Hey Joe!!
Ok he is not a "jazz" player..
Can he play the blues..yes..
Then the question is .."do you like how he plays it?"
and of course the comparisons to other "Blues" greats and opinions go on forever.
And it gets to the point of ridiculous--
Hendrix was not that good..
The Beatles were sub par..
Mike Bloomfield .. Who??
Albert King..SRV rip off..( told ya..ridiculous)
and some really think the "blues" came from the 60's English guitarists
lord have mercy..Last edited by wolflen; 12-26-2025 at 01:42 PM.
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Joe Bonamassa sounds like 60's 'British Rock Blues', that's Clapton etc and Joe Bonamassa plays it very well.
Known here as 'Dad Blues Rock' or 'Dad Rock' it's very, very, very popular in the UK.
'Dad Blues Rock' or 'Dad Rock' is played live at most Pubs every week.
The older audiences love it.
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Not necessarily, no, but in Joe's case, there is a lot of it. Guys love to slam him for having too many guitars, being a collector, making money playing blues (or blues-oriented rock), for not being as distinctive as his heroes. (Hell, who among us is? Who among us thinks if you're not a legend you shouldn't play at all, or that no one should listen to you?) Originally Posted by garybaldy
If he doesn't move you, fine. Plenty other people to listen to.
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He's also not afraid to spread out and try different things like with the bands Rock Candy Funk Party and Black Country Communion which i have to say i liked a lot. Originally Posted by MarkRhodes
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It is if the criticism is sour grapes. Not saying all the Bonamassa critics suffer from the syndrome. Originally Posted by garybaldy
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Somehow Bonamassa has always rubbed slightly the wrong way. I have no idea why, I don't think it's him. I think it's me. He's open about his influences, his limitations, acknowledges the masters. He's got good blues chops and great sound. Maybe because the first several times I heard of him was as a PBS fundraiser in a suit and sunglasses? But that'd be my issue, not his. And he really digs Rory Gallagher, my first and longest lasting guitar hero. I should like the guy. Like I say, I don't think it's him.
And by the way, it takes some balls to go up on stage with Oz Noy to play a Coltrane tune.
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The subject of Bonamassa always brings out the hecklers from the woodwork... "he has no feeling", "he's too perfect", "-insert various criticism here-"
The guy is nice, has boatloads of talent/technique. Is popular, spearheads many programs to help"keep the blues alive" both in public schools as well as his annual cruises. Someone can totally not enjoy his music of course... but it's not due to lack of talent or good songs on Joe's part. Which means it's something inherent to the listener.
And the "ripped off Eric Johnson" thing is so tired: JB plays the one descending lick EJ kind of made his thing, he admits it. But he doesn't "sound like Eric Johnson" except maybe to a very casual listener. EJ has also said he (himself) took stuff from Clapton & Hendrix... so I guess he's a hack too? LOL (EJ IS one of my favorite players, FWIW. Totally unique and recognizable sound/style.)
These days, I just do what Joe does: ignore the noise. Because that's all it is: noise.
(yes, I get the irony of saying that while posting in this thread, LOL, but I haven't seen Joe's name come up here very often, if at all, so I had to comment.)
FWIW, I am a fan of Joe's, but selectively.... I like his old stuff like "Had To Cry Today" and "Blues Deluxe" albums, have really enjoyed various songs of many various albums (he has ALOT of albums), and LOVE it when he brings in the horn section like when he did the Three Kings tribute shows. He's not one of my favorite players, but he's absolutely got more chops than most guys out there playing, even professionally.
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No offense but the Muddy Mississippi Waters Live album is probably among the top 5 blues albums EVER released so you are setting an incomparably high bar. Nobody out there in the scene active today is going to be able to hold a candle to that. Originally Posted by alltunes
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Grew up with Coltrane. Blues rock versions have little in common with the original. This version is more like an Allman Bros tune. And, oh yea.. get off my lawn.
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Interesting conversation with country singer / songwriter / producer Clint Black. Good humored, free wheeling chat.
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I know it spoilt me. Read that when the Rolling Stones cut Blue and Lonesome Mick went to that album to get his blue harp muse back. Saw Muddy Waters in NYC circa 1980 also on the bill that night was B.B. and Bobby “Blue” Bland. Talk about a minimalist stage set up…just some Fender amps and a drum kit or two on that huge Beacon Theatre stage. Originally Posted by DawgBone
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I’ve seen him twice, in fact at one show we sat literally on the front row, with feet on the stage. At that show he had an electric set and an acoustic set. The acoustic featured some very interesting instrumentation including a guy playing nikkelharpa—extremely well, btw. I really enjoyed the acoustic stuff, but the electric stuff was very good too—reminded me of early Deep Purple.
He’s a great guitarist who definitely has the chops and musical knowledge. Of course whether one likes his playing is subjective.
He is an incredible businessman though. Even in the early ‘00s his ticket prices at some venues were over $100. Sells a ton of merch as well. If nothing else, a lot of aspiring musicians could learn his approach to making a good living as a professional musician.
Last edited by Doctor Jeff; 01-03-2026 at 12:29 PM.
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He sure has great sound! How much is that rig worth, like one mil?
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I saw Oz Noy summer of '24 and let me tell you he puts on a great concert. He is a very precise player, his time is amazing. He had Jimmy Halslip on bass, fantastic. They ripped the living shit out of Donna Lee.
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tremendous ambassador for the relatively modern history of the guitar. Decent educator for blues stuff. Great tone. Originally Posted by jazzloverfat
Don’t care much for the rest. If I’m listening to this style of music I’m listening to Chris Cain.
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I love that video!! It shows off the jazz/rock/blues chops of Oz Noy and Joe Bonamassa.
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I like the fact that Joe isn't afraid to branch out and try new things. There seems to be a certain amount of pressure to keep cranking out the style that has sold well. I don't always love everything he does, but I appreciate his willingness to follow his muse. He certainly is the student who has become the master... yet has not lost his curiosity. I love the Three Kings stuff and the acoustic stuff... not so much the Red Rocks concert.
Joe isn't Chris Cain and Chris isn't Joe. Apples and oranges. I love both. Neither are Pat Martino, whom I also love. Nobody's asking you to choose sides.
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