Joe Bonamassa - You & Me

A powerful fusion of the "big rock sound" and swampy blues, You & Me gets much of its inspiration from such masters as Peter Green, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and John Lee Hooker. Bonamassa delivers all the excitement and power of his electrifying live performances while mixing it up with dynamic music choices; from hard to soft, electric to acoustic, a music roller coaster seldom achieved by recording artists today.

You & Me also marks the debut collaboration of Bonamassa and producer Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, The Black Crowes, Aerosmith, Joe Satriani). Says South African-born Shirley: "When I was approached to work with Joe, I already knew he was an awesome talent, but I also knew I’d want to do something a little different from a straight blues album. There are a lot of very good blues players performing copycat versions of classics. I wanted more of a rock sound, and I wanted Joe to showcase his depth and versatility; his vocals as well as his incredible guitar playing."

Highlights include: "Asking Around For You," a classy, poignant bluesy ballad a la Ray Charles; "Django," a Jeff Beck-flavored tribute to Django Reinhardt; "High Water Everywhere," a grungy, Delta blues tribute to the recently devastated city of New Orleans; "So Many Roads," a blues classic made famous by legend Otis Rush; and "Tea For One," a lesser known Led Zeppelin song which has been embellished with full orchestra – featuring Jason Bonham on drums. Album Description

great music!!!

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Great Service

Thanks August 26, 2008

I know, I know

...there is a lot of folks here who might be dissapointed Joe didn't stay with a more straight on Blues style like Blues Deluxe rather than mixing in more rock influences, but I would disagree. I actually like You and Me way more.I typically just listen to You Upset Me, Blues Deluxe and Long Distance Blues.The way Joe opens the solo of Long Distance Blues with the quote from John Mayall's Beano cd version of Double Crossing Time featuring Eric Clapton slays me every time, but I find myself hitting the "next" button more often than I'd like to admit(51 year old attention deficiency? hmmm...).In any case that does not happen with You and Me.I just press play and go along for the ride(I do skip Torn Down though ).One of my favorite tracks is the first one I heard,the beautiful "Asking Around For You" thanks to the 501 Blues feature on KFOG radio.Joe actually thanks the station in the liner notes.What can I say, I'm a sucker for wailing melodic solos,kind of like Around the Bend from Had to Cry Today.Other faves would be "So Many Roads" with Joe nailing the V to IV transition here with those Hendrix inspired up down bends in the second solo,bringing the laughing and crying at the same time response from me almost every time,and the awesome "Tea for One".Extra credit for having Jason Bonham laying down the stomp like his dad John.I love the leads Joe unleashes here,reminding me a bit of Since I've Been Loving You(Aeolian mode?).Just flat out smokin'."I Don't Believe" is another jam along fave.Anyway,to me Joe B is almost a national treasure and while "Sloe Gin" also gets the "next" treatment, I'm confident I'll be buying every CD this cat releases.Smokin' Joe indeed(apologies to sjk)! July 8, 2008

good but a bit misleading

I had read reviews that this was a more "rock" blues cd, but for the most part it is somewhat plodding. The guy clearly has skills, and it's worth the price of the cd just to hear his cover of Zeppelin's Tea For One...just awesome. I also liked Bridge to Better Days, which I would have sworn was a cover of someone else's song but was actually written by Bonamassa...I've heard it somewhere before this cd, maybe a movie soundtrack or something. Hopefully someone can convince him to let it rip on subsequent releases, because the guy can play. June 13, 2008

blues on steroids!

Just like my title says, thats just what this is. From the slower first track of 'High Water Everywhere' which is a beautiful blend of carefully placed notes that seem to really stand out more than a they should. 'Bridge to Better Days' would have been a huge rock hit had this label promoted it better than they did. Has a solo that will leave your ears bleeding and your fingers saying 'dont even try it'. I found this CD after buying the guitar one magazine with a lesson from Joe that was just crazy good so when I saw this in the store, I figured why not. I quickly figured out why this was the #1 blues cd on Billboard for several weeks. Jaw dropping solos, tasteful lyics and tight rhythms make one hell of a cd. Genre bending from old school influenced blues to rock and roll with a blues steroid chaser injected make this a perfect cd for those who like this kinda music. December 7, 2007

wow

What a fantastic CD. Can't get enough of it. I saw him play at a Blues Festival and now I'm hooked!!!! October 20, 2007

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