Photo by Adam Kennedy
In a thrilling celebration of his 20-year milestone since the release of his best-selling album Blues Deluxe, renowned blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa is set to release Blues Deluxe, Vol. 2 on Oct. 6. The album–which is being released via J&R Adventures–features two new original tracks and eight captivating covers of blues classics by legendary artists such as Bobby “Blue” Bland, Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, and Albert King. Additionally, a remastered version of the original Blues Deluxe album will be released on the same day, allowing fans to relive the magic of the iconic record.
Reflecting on the significance of this anniversary, Bonamassa shared, “If you had told me 20 years ago that my career would last long enough to see the 20th anniversary of this little record called Blues Deluxe, I’m sure I would have laughed.” Blues Deluxe marked a turning point in Bonamassa’s career after facing setbacks with major record labels and his booking agent. It was his manager, Roy Weisman, who believed in him and pushed for the creation of a record that would define the direction of his future career.
For Blues Deluxe, Vol. 2, Bonamassa enlisted the expertise of his friend and talented musician, Josh Smith, to produce the album. The goal was to showcase Bonamassa’s growth and development as an artist over the past two decades. Bonamassa added, “The contrast between a cocky 26-year-old and an established 46-year-old is considerable. Does the fire still burn like it did? Am I still playing hungry? Am I even good enough to pay tribute to my heroes all over again? The answer lies somewhere in this album.”
Smith adds, “When Joe asked me to produce Blues Deluxe, Vol. 2, I knew immediately what I wanted to accomplish. I wanted the fans to hear the completely natural, relaxed Joe that I hear when we are just goofing around playing guitars. He really was in the moment and feeling completely supported, and I know that he really ‘went for it’ on everything.”
To commemorate the announcement, Bonamassa has released the latest single from the album “Twenty-Four Hour Blues,” a blistering reinterpretation of Bobby “Blue” Bland’s timeless track from the beloved album, Dreamer. The new rendition showcases Bonamassa’s exceptional vocals and guitar solos and was shared with an accompanying music video.
Part of the objective of these new recordings, according to Bonamassa, was to assess his musical growth and improvement as a player over the years. He expresses, “I’m happy to say that I am a much better singer than I was 20 years ago – though I still don’t really consider myself to be a legit ‘singer,’ I can now carry a tune a little better than I could back then.”
Blues Deluxe, Vol. 2 follows the successful release of the album’s lead single, “I Want To Shout About It,” which pays homage to Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters. Bonamassa’s exhilarating version features electrifying solos from Reese Wynans on organ and Paulie Cerra on saxophone, accompanied by the soulful vocal performances of Dannielle DeAndrea and Charles Jones. The track serves as an energetic and festive anthem that has resonated deeply with audiences during Bonamassa’s live performances.
The album’s stellar lineup of featured musicians includes Reese Wynans on keys, Calvin Turner on bass, Lamar Carter on drums, Kirk Fletcher on guitar, and Josh Smith on guitar. Other standout tracks from Blues Deluxe, Vol. 2 include reimagined versions of Guitar Slim’s “Well, I Done Got Over It,” Bobby Parker’s “It’s Hard But It’s Fair,” and the new original track “Is It Safe To Go Home,” written for Bonamassa by Josh Smith. Smith’s intention was to push Bonamassa vocally, resulting in powerful performances that showcase his versatility and growth as an artist.
Later in the summer, Bonamassa will embark on a string of dates in the United States, including a highly anticipated debut at the Hollywood Bowl on Aug. 9, where he will perform alongside an orchestra in an exclusive, one-night-only concert experience that will be recorded for his next live concert film. The US Fall Tour, beginning on Oct. 23 at The Cannon Center in Memphis, Tenn., will see Bonamassa travel from coast to coast, culminating in a grand finale at the guitar-shaped Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fla.
For more information on Blues Deluxe, Vol. 2, and to pre-order the remastered version of the original Blues Deluxe album, visit here.
Listen to “Twenty-Four Hour Blues” below.
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Blues Deluxe Vol. 2 by Joe Bonamassa
1) Twenty-Four Hour Blues (originally performed by Bobby “Blue” Bland)
2) It’s Hard But It’s Fair (originally performed by Bobby Parker)
3) Well, I Done Got Over It (originally performed by Guitar Slim)
4) I Want to Shout About It (originally performed by Ronnie Earle & The Broadcasters)
5) Win-O (originally performed by Pee Wee Crayton)
6) Hope You Realize It (Goodbye Again) *original song written by Joe Bonamassa & Tom Hambridge
7) Lazy Poker Blues (originally performed by Fleetwood Mac)
8) You Sure Drive a Hard Bargain (originally performed by Albert King)
9) The Truth Hurts Feat Kirk Fletcher and Josh Smith (originally performed by Kenny Neal)
10) Is It Safe To Go Home *original song written by Josh Smith
Summer U.S. Tour
August 2 – Vina Robles Amphitheatre – Paso Robles, CA
August 4 – The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas – Las Vegas, NV
August 5 – Eccles Theater – Salt Lake City, UT
August 6 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
August 9 – Hollywood Bowl – Los Angeles, CA^
August 12 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY**
August 13 – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts – Bethel, NY**
September 23 – Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival – Los Angeles, CA
**Keeping the Blues Alive presents: Joe Bonamassa & Friends: Styx and Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles
^Joe Bonamassa with Orchestra
Fall U.S. Tour
October 23 – Memphis, TN – The Cannon Center
October 25 – Shreveport, LA – Shreveport Municipal Auditorium
October 27 – San Antonio, TX – Majestic Theatre
October 28 – Sugar Land, TX – Smart Financial Centre At Sugar Land
October 29 – Austin, TX – ACL Live
November 1 – Fayetteville, AR – Walton Arts Center
November 3 – Little Rock, AR – Robinson Performance Hall
November 4 – Grand Prairie, TX – Texas Trust CU Theatre
November 5 – Oklahoma City, OK – Civic Center Music Hall
November 8 – Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Theater
November 10 – Kansas City, MO – The Midland Theatre
November 11 – St. Louis, MO – The Fabulous Fox
November 12 – Cedar Rapids, IA – Paramount Theatre
November 14 – Rochester, MN – Mayo Civic Center
November 15 – Rockford, IL – Coronado Performing Arts Center
November 17 – Fort Wayne, IN – Embassy Theatre
November 18 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre
November 19 – Columbus, OH – Palace Theatre
November 21 – Reading, PA – The Santander Performing Arts Center
November 22 – Providence, RI – Providence Performance Arts Center
November 24 – Springfield, MA – Symphony Hall
November 25 – Baltimore, MD – The Lyric
November 28 – Savannah, GA – Johnny Mercer Theatre
November 30 – Sarasota, FL – Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
December 1 – Estero, FL – Hertz Arena
December 2 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live