Review Summary: Bonamassa has given desperation a voice
After the triumphant success and positive reviews from
Different Shades of Blue, the neo-classic blues virtuoso seems to like the idea of recording original material instead of refurbishing old classics. It has taken him some 15 years but as he accurately put it: "... [I'd] rather make less records that are all original and wait for the good songs to come out". By his side, he has once again Kevin "The Caveman" Shirley, a producer and friend who plays a huge role in the recording of the album. His experiment of using two drummers in tracks was an unusual yet a brilliantly executed idea. There were no exaggerations with drum fillings, no overlapping in the beats. This simplicity gave the right depth and the adequate prowess to tracks; the Zeppelin-esque "Mountain Climbing" is the best proof of that.
Entering with an eruptive rock'n'roller such as "This Train", there is no doubt that Bonamassa will grab the listener's attention. It's not about a riff or a solo here, its all about the mojo. He has the confidence to begin his album with not a trademark song. As the album unfolds and Jo Bo gets into more familiar territory, his finesse is evident not only in soft moments but also in aggressive ones.
Bonamassa's fetish with title tracks (see "Different Shades of Blues" and "Driving Towards The Daylight") works magnificently once again as the essence of this album is nowhere else than "Blues Of Desperation". A powerful and thunderous rhythm blended with an eerie, eastern-like melody and backed by some mysterious echoing vocals all of them acting as a catalyst to the climax created by the instrumental solo. Speaking of climaxes, pay attention to the agonising "How Deep This River Runs" as well: a medley of Bonamassa-fronting-Rival Sons borrowing some magic of "When the Levee Breaks". A thrilling two-minute solo of roller-coaster guitar escapade.
However,
Blues Of Desperation is not all about irresistible riffs and culminating moments. It is a diverse but at the same time such a coherent album that its not an exaggeration to state that this is Bo's finest moment to date. It contains some of his most simplistic melodies and lyrics such as the expressive ballad "Drive", the elegant jazz-inspired "Livin' Easy" as well as the country-style tune of "The Valley Runs Low". For the lovers of slower tempos, there is the gentle "What I've Known For a Very Long Time" while at a slightly increased pace and duration "No Good Place For the Lonely" represents another stylish delivery in a bluesy context.
With his second all-original solo LP, the New Yorker shows once again his remarkable credentials. An excellent guitarist who belongs to the elite of artists who can take a hand rolled cigarette and turn it into a fine Cuban cigar. Having said that, we can argue with a degree of certainty that if desperation sounded like this, it would be the greatest feeling of them all.
