| Track by Track Review
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Steal Your Heart Away
Power guitar and drums open this wild thumping madness. As Bonamassa warns in the digital cover book, “please play it loud.” This is one of those songs to play loud if you want the full effect. The riveting guitar licks are cool. The drummer doesn’t miss a beat. When the organ kicks in, you get a full-on real party. The power riffs and solos are blistering. This guy knows how to kick off an album!
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I Know a Place
We get heavy blasting, bass sounding guitar with drums along for the climb. Again, play this one loud for best results. The windows of the room should be shaking and your foot tapping. This is power driving guitar with those cool keys and drums smashing the wind sideways. Bonamassa’s vocals, like they were on the last song are full-on loud. The guitar licks are all signature and original. |
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When the Fire Hits the Sea
Thumping king snake, boogie woogie opens this one. “I ain’t no candle that can be blown out in the wind / I know suffering, that’s the game I’m in.” This is a no holds barred introduction to Bonamassa through his lyrics. “I’m gonna lay it on you child / bring it home to me.” Then the earth shakes with the power of the drums and that blistering blues guitar, still set to that boogie woogie beat. This is the best song on the album. |
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Quarryman’s Lament
Clarinet, organ, and keys open this one along with the drums, and bouzouki. It’s a nice change of pace after the first three songs. It’s also a perfect integration of local talent and instruments from the locale of the recording at Black Rock Studios in Greece. Bonamassa’s piercing guitar just rocks the air with the support of the drums and keys. All of the various instruments and artists make this the most interesting song on the album. |
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Spanish Boots
More high power rock and roll, this has full-on keys, drums and Bonamassa belting out the lyrics. This will bring back all sorts of memories from the 70s. Especially memorable is that downbeat riff which reminds me of Led Zeppelin’s “Heartbreaker.” |
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Bird on a Wire
There is cool guitar plucking and then the bouzouki kicks in, giving that special sound and feeling to this often recorded song. Bonamassa does an excellent job of singing this classic. The drums never miss a beat and help set the dirge–like tone well. The instrumentation on this song also separates it from the rest of the album, giving it that unique signature. Leonard Cohen would be proud. |
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Three Times a Fool
A rocking blues number, this opens with guitar and drums. It’s based on that Otis Rush, 50s style of blues guitar. |
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Night Life
This is a duet with one of Bonamassa’s blues heroes, B.B. King. It’s a Willie Nelson song that both artists enjoy singing. Bonamassa does a great job matching licks and vocals with King. A lot of fun was obviously had by all. Play it loud. |
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Wandering Earth
A Joe Bonamassa original song, roaring guitar opens this as Bonamassa slides that blues guitar like Jimmy Page did in Led Zeppelin. This is a cool slow blues song full of experimental guitar licks and power drums. The keys electrify the background soundscape so well. Bonamassa just rips what’s left with those signature riffs. |
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Look Over Yonder Wall
Steve Miller covers this song as an extra track on his new album, and I have to admit I like his version better than Bonamassa’s. But Bonamassa does a great job hanging onto the original feel of this classic from James Clark. |
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Athens to Athens
We get guitar and soft drums for this Joe Bonamassa original. The picking is simply excellent. Strings and brass blend well with Bonamassa’s blues guitar picking. |
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Blue and Evil
This is made up of more cool blues acoustic combined with cool keys and those jam – packed drums. It’s another Bonamassa original with memories of the past intertwined with Bonamassa’s signature guitar licks. |
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Baby You Gotta Change Your Mind
This brings back memories of Van Halen’s “Ice Cream Man” (originally written by John Brim). It has that early 20th century sound to it. The whistling in the background only adds to the effect. Bonamassa sings and picks his way through this one. You can tell Bonamassa and the crew are having a good time with this one as he gets plenty of help. Everyone seems to join in on the fun. It’s a great way to close another chapter of Joe Bonamassa’s career. |
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