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Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. The Ballad Of John Henry |
| 2. Stop! |
| 3. Last Kiss |
| 4. Jockey Full Of Bourbon |
| 5. Story Of A Quarryman |
| 6. Lonesome Road Blues |
| 7. Happier Times |
| 8. Feelin' Good |
| 9. Funkier Than A Mosquito's Tweeter |
| 10. The Great Flood |
| 11. From The Valley |
| 12. As The Crow Flies) |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
In the last nine years, bluesman Joe Bonamassa has released no less than six studio and two live albums. The Ballad of John Henry is his seventh proper album, and the follow-up to 2007’s acclaimed Sloe Gin. As on previous outings, The Ballad of John Henry sees the singer deliver a dynamite blast of blues-influenced rock, buoying the genre's acoustic tendencies with searing electric guitar riffs and gritty vocals. Seven of the 12 tracks here are written by Bonamassa, ranging from the blistering title track--a story of the eternal American folk legend--to the swaying, loping, tough-nosed “Last Kiss”. The songs are all suitably impressive, as are most of the covers, which include a Stevie Ray-esque take on Sam Brown’s ballad "Stop!" and great renditions of Tom Waits' "Jockey Full Of Bourbon" and Ike & Tina Turner's "Funkier Than A Mosquito's Tweeter". The Ballad of John Henry further underlines Bonamassa's talents as both firebrand musician and compelling songwriter.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Many Bands produce their best work in the early days - U2/Bon Jovi/Clapton etc but we think that they'll then progress further which is often not the case. However to play the blues with such maturity of tone and texture must come through time yet with JBM he seems have torn the rule book up here. This is whats makes it so refreshing that we have a young head who still has the bite for creativity and daring to not conform but with the class of an elder blues statesmen.
His own tracks and covers are well put together and the album has very deep gritty feel to it with JBM throwing himself 100% into tracks you thought no one would dabble with. His voice and music complement each other very well.
The feel of the album feels so natural and is not overworked. Jockey Full of Bourbon and the soulful happier times to me are the stand out tracks but generally there all up there.
The blues just flaws effortlessly and the guitar work sways from moody deep chords throught to blistering licks.Never overworked or overstated.
We've been blessed with 2 greats this year with albums and tours JBM and Gary Moore however....Been Honest - This will give the technically brilliant Gary Moore (but becoming predictable)more than a good run for his money and will hopefully drag him out of his comfort zone and get him to become creative (again)as this is the type album I have craved from him for some time.
A very good album and... if this guy can perform live... this album/tour will put JBM in the arenas next time around...Watch this space.
His own tracks and covers are well put together and the album has very deep gritty feel to it with JBM throwing himself 100% into tracks you thought no one would dabble with. His voice and music complement each other very well.
The feel of the album feels so natural and is not overworked. Jockey Full of Bourbon and the soulful happier times to me are the stand out tracks but generally there all up there.
The blues just flaws effortlessly and the guitar work sways from moody deep chords throught to blistering licks.Never overworked or overstated.
We've been blessed with 2 greats this year with albums and tours JBM and Gary Moore however....Been Honest - This will give the technically brilliant Gary Moore (but becoming predictable)more than a good run for his money and will hopefully drag him out of his comfort zone and get him to become creative (again)as this is the type album I have craved from him for some time.
A very good album and... if this guy can perform live... this album/tour will put JBM in the arenas next time around...Watch this space.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Appearing as if from nowhere, Slow Gin brought this brilliant artist to my attention, and I have thoroughly enjoyed building up my collection with his back catalogue. I've only had the chance to listen to this the whole way through once and it hits you immediately in the solar plexus, just how good a guitarist this guy is, how well produced this album is and most strikingly for me, what a good singer he is. Often underrated that, and I am looking forward to the Royal Albert Hall gig all the more now.
One further point in Joe's favour is that my 11 year old lad has declared him his favourite "band" (I know!) and anyone who can turn a boy of that age away from all that hip hop rubbish has to be a good thing. The RAH gig will be his first ever gig as well and I can't help thinking that it will be hard act to follow.
Anyway, enough of this self-serving stuff, the bottom line is that this is blues rock of the highest calibre and deserves a wider audience.
One further point in Joe's favour is that my 11 year old lad has declared him his favourite "band" (I know!) and anyone who can turn a boy of that age away from all that hip hop rubbish has to be a good thing. The RAH gig will be his first ever gig as well and I can't help thinking that it will be hard act to follow.
Anyway, enough of this self-serving stuff, the bottom line is that this is blues rock of the highest calibre and deserves a wider audience.
57 of 63 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
OK, I'll 'fess up. In the past I have found a lot of Joe Bonamassa's output on the lumpen side. There, I said it. I feel a whole lot better now. So I wasn't overly excited about this, the follow up to 2007's Sloe Gin. But I'm delighted to say that this is an absolute belter, and the best album Mr Bonamassa has ever produced. I can now consider myself converted to the cause.
Featuring twelve tracks, it consists of seven originals alongside five cover versions, including a Tom Waits tune, "Feelin' Good" as covered by just about everybody (including John Coltrane, Muse and George Michael), the fabulously titled "Funkier Than A Mosquito's Tweeter" (previously recorded by Nina Simone and Ike & Tina Turner, amongst others), a Tony Joe White tune, and most peculiarly a turn at "Stop!," originally a hit for Joe Brown's daughter Sam, and later covered by UK soul/pop singer Jamelia.
His last album went straight in at Number One on the US Billboard Blues chart and even got into the Top 50 in the UK, so the pressure is definitely on, especially with Bonamassa hailing The Ballad Of John Henry as "my strongest work to date." And, for once, that isn't mere hyperbole as the working class hero title track kicks things off in tremendous style before the Sam Brown tune is transformed into a slow blues, brass punctuated gem.
On into "Last Kiss," and Bonamassa finally cranks up his guitar for all the fretheads out there. I'm still not wholly convinced that Aerosmith, Journey and Iron Maiden producer, Kevin Shirley, is the right man for the production chair, as there is still the occasional stumble into generic rock, but there's considerably less of it than on earlier releases.
There really isn't a weak track on offer here, with even Tom Waits' "Jockey Full Of Bourbon" transformed into a grubby musical delight. If you're looking for some hard rock, then try "Story Of A Quarryman;" if it's the blues you crave, then head for "Lonesome Road Blues." The aforementioned horns also add some nice touches to Ailene Bullock's "Funkier than a Mosquito's Tweeter" and, best of all, "The Great Flood," which has a remarkably inventive arrangement. It helps that he's got an all star backing band including ex David Bowie/Rod Stewart bassist Carmine Rojas, former Joe Cocker and KISS drummer Anton Fig and one-time Beach Boy Blondie Chaplin on rhythm guitar.
He seems to have made a wilful, if graduated, move away from the mainstream Seventies blues-rock vibe he'd been mining for a while prior to the more acoustic based Sloe Gin; and it's the increasingly adventurous musical statements that has lifted this album head and shoulders above anything he's done before. Whether it's the slide drenched "Feelin' Good" or the funky swamp blues of "As The Crow Flies" (as previously covered by Rory Gallagher), this is an album Mr Bonamassa can be justly proud of.
Featuring twelve tracks, it consists of seven originals alongside five cover versions, including a Tom Waits tune, "Feelin' Good" as covered by just about everybody (including John Coltrane, Muse and George Michael), the fabulously titled "Funkier Than A Mosquito's Tweeter" (previously recorded by Nina Simone and Ike & Tina Turner, amongst others), a Tony Joe White tune, and most peculiarly a turn at "Stop!," originally a hit for Joe Brown's daughter Sam, and later covered by UK soul/pop singer Jamelia.
His last album went straight in at Number One on the US Billboard Blues chart and even got into the Top 50 in the UK, so the pressure is definitely on, especially with Bonamassa hailing The Ballad Of John Henry as "my strongest work to date." And, for once, that isn't mere hyperbole as the working class hero title track kicks things off in tremendous style before the Sam Brown tune is transformed into a slow blues, brass punctuated gem.
On into "Last Kiss," and Bonamassa finally cranks up his guitar for all the fretheads out there. I'm still not wholly convinced that Aerosmith, Journey and Iron Maiden producer, Kevin Shirley, is the right man for the production chair, as there is still the occasional stumble into generic rock, but there's considerably less of it than on earlier releases.
There really isn't a weak track on offer here, with even Tom Waits' "Jockey Full Of Bourbon" transformed into a grubby musical delight. If you're looking for some hard rock, then try "Story Of A Quarryman;" if it's the blues you crave, then head for "Lonesome Road Blues." The aforementioned horns also add some nice touches to Ailene Bullock's "Funkier than a Mosquito's Tweeter" and, best of all, "The Great Flood," which has a remarkably inventive arrangement. It helps that he's got an all star backing band including ex David Bowie/Rod Stewart bassist Carmine Rojas, former Joe Cocker and KISS drummer Anton Fig and one-time Beach Boy Blondie Chaplin on rhythm guitar.
He seems to have made a wilful, if graduated, move away from the mainstream Seventies blues-rock vibe he'd been mining for a while prior to the more acoustic based Sloe Gin; and it's the increasingly adventurous musical statements that has lifted this album head and shoulders above anything he's done before. Whether it's the slide drenched "Feelin' Good" or the funky swamp blues of "As The Crow Flies" (as previously covered by Rory Gallagher), this is an album Mr Bonamassa can be justly proud of.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Prehaps his Classic Album
JB has really out done himself on this record. The baritone guitar oh "The Ballad of John Henry" is in my opinion of of his great all time riffs. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Bob Loo
It is imperative that you purchase this Blues-rock gem
If you appreciate an eclectic mix of soulful and raw Blues-rock, purchase this CD and amp it up to '15'.
Published 4 months ago by I. H. Roblin
Fantastic Blues Rock Album!!!
This is must buy for any blues rock enthusiast, The opening title track is a fantastic heavy riff,and from there on it just gets better and better, other standout tracks include... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. Joel S. Greenhalgh
Simply Superb Blues
I had heard a little about Joe Bonamassa and that he was a very good blues guitarist, I read the reviews on Amazon and heard a couple of taster tracks and was simply blown away by... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mr. S. Palmer
CD Review
Spot on Joe at his rocky and bluesy best great to listen to in the car or anywhere using my mobile.
Published 8 months ago by I. Palmer
Joe B's Ballad of John Henry
Item was delivered quickly and in good condition. I had not heard of Joe Bonamassa but as he came up as of possible interest to me, I thought I would try it. Really Brilliant. Read more
Published 13 months ago by splinter
Its a very pleasing album
Someone in the record company has finally recognised the talent of Joe Bonamassa and decided to put some money into this album because there is no denying it has a much better... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Lucioperca
Some may say he,s just too Damn Good!!!!!!!
First time of hearing Mr. Bonamassa and all that has been said about his over the top playing is just sour grapes as the guy knows his way around the frets like a consumate master. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Spikey
Pinnacle of his powers
Joe is absolutely awesome on this release. You can really here that Kevin Shirley and Joe have been working up to this point on the last 2 releases. Read more
Published 20 months ago by PW Jackson
Review the Ballard of John Henry
I went to see this guy recently and I was totally blown away by his talent. If you like bluesy rock you will love this album some does sound a bit samey but generally he is very... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Adz_1
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