ALBUM REVIEW: Joe Bonamassa - Tales of Time (Live)
I must confess I knew nothing about Joe Bonamassa prior to writing this review. I'd not heard a single song, nor did I know what genre his music fell into. I toyed with the idea of listening to the album version of the tracks prior to listening to "Tales of Time (Live)" but decided against it. I thought it would be nice to go with totally virgin ears as though I was actually there, likely convinced to go by someone proclaiming it'll be "really good".
Featuring stunning live renditions from his 2021 album "Time Clocks" album as well as a spattering of fan favourites Joe is rock royalty and his live performance is sure to take your breath away.
My first flirtation with Joe's sound is certainly a positive one. An insatiable guitarist with skills others could only imagine. Accomplished and intriguing to the point that someone like me who doesn't consume music in a technical sense found themselves deeply immersed in the complexities, often overlooking the vocals entirely.
Each song comes in at an average of 7 minutes long I must confess at times my attention did dwindle around the halfway mark, being used to a lot of modern indie or bubblegrunge where a song is kind of blink and you miss it I found the epicness of the longer tracks a little overwhelming.
Mixing blues with rock and a funky edge, Joe's sound is timeless and classic with enchanting indicate riffs and seductive raspy vocals supported by the stunning vocal harmonies of the female backing singers. There's mesmerising keys and moments of swing. There's a feeling of cabaret, a true showman at work.
Grand and epic, the bluesy guitars can only be compared to the colossal man himself, Eric Clapton. Mixing laidback vibes that would be at home on a smoky downtown New York bar with massive arena filling tunes. My firm favourites were 'Curtain Call' which is a modern anthem infused with retro energy and 'Mind's Eye' which brings the pace down for a pensive moment of beauty, heartwarming guitars and captivating, emotional chorus.
Joe is more than a singer, more than a guitarist, he's a performer, the whole deal with an authentic sound, a true professional in every aspect of the word delivering his live show with integrity and grace. This performance is flawless like a spiritual force preaching to his followers. It captures everything Joe is about, crossing genres and indulging the audience in a full journey through his skills and talents.
The only thing I would have liked to have seen included, as often is on live recordings, is the crowd's reaction before and after each song as well as Joe's interaction with them. I think this would have truly brought the album to life and given an added sense of realness.
My first encounter with Joe Bonamassa is certain not to be my last. Off the back of this record I would most certainly go and see him live so I could fully immerse myself in the grandeur of his performance.
