JOE BONAMASSA, the tireless and unrivaled exponent of high-end guitar-based blues-rock, will release a new album this October 29th, titled “Time Clocks” and due out via Provogue/Mascot Label Group in the UK and Europe, and J&R Adventures throughout North America.
We thought last year’s “Royal Tea” was “hot as crucible steel,” with tracks filled with “brilliant antiphonal guitar,” and with vocals that were “steamy [though] admirably reflective…”
‘Time Clocks’ promises to be a reaffirmation of the musician’s inestimable competencies and a salute to long-time fans. His developing new sound has a rougher character, less perfectly varnished, it seems… as if Smokin’ Joe has gone through the chopper (like all of us) and emerged the other side harder, tougher, and edgier.
The guitar-maestro leverages a newly found punchy-moodiness that adds significant vibrancy to a slew of songs that could only have been created by a musician who embodies fearless skill & tenacious experience. And, as a bluesman, has been through the mill himself!
An album that is truly transitional…
Producer Kevin Shirley
“What started out with the intentions of being a trio record turned into probably my most adventurous and involved record to date,” explains Bonamassa.
His long-time producer Kevin Shirley adds, “I think Joe Bonamassa has made an album that is truly transitional. From a blues musician to a superstar artist, [and] I’m so thrilled to be along for the ride.”
Joe and Kevin brought on the legendary Bob Clearmountain (Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Toto) to mix the monumental tracks of the album. Bob said: “This is one of the best albums I’ve mixed in years. Joe is not only one of the finest blues & rock guitarists of our time, he’s also a brilliant songwriter, [which is] impressively apparent on this record.”
Band members for the project included Steve Mackey (bass), Lachy Doley (piano), Bunna Lawrie (didgeridoo), Bobby Summerfield (percussion), and Late Night with David Letterman’s Anton Fig (drums and percussion), along with Mahalia Barnes, Juanita Tippins, and Prinnie Stevens on backing vocals.
The fantastic artwork on the album was created by famous graphic artist Hugh Syme (Rush, Aerosmith, Whitesnake.)
‘Time Clocks’ will also be Bonamassa’s first album mixed to utilize spatial audio with Dolby Atmos and available for fans on Apple Music. Bob Clearmountain adds, “the Atmos version is simply breathtaking.”
A new single “The Heart That Never Waits” (video shared below) has been released to celebrate this album-news and offers blues-rock fans a foretaste of what’s to come…
Main photos of Joe by Eleanor Jane
PRE-ORDER “TIME CLOCKS” IN THE UK AND EUROPE HERE
PRE-ORDER “TIME CLOCKS” IN NORTH AMERICA HERE