Joe Bonamassa/Beth Hart - Don`t Explain

Artist:

Bonamassa, Joe

UPC:

804879313915

Description:

Personnel: Joe Bonamassa (vocals, guitar); Beth Hart (vocals, piano); Blondie Chaplin (guitar); Arlan Scheirbaum (keyboards); Carmine Rojas (bass guitar); Anton Fig (drums, percussion).
Audio Mixer: Kevin Shirley.
Liner Note Authors: Laura Grover; Beth Hart.
Recording information: Village Recorders, West L.A.
Photographer: Mike Prior.
Fans of guitar master Joe Bonamassa will be delighted that 2011 was such a prolific year in his career. First came the fine, rootsy Dust Bowl, then 2, the second chapter in his Black Country Communion project`s catalog. Don`t Explain, a collection of soul, blues, and jazz-oriented covers in collaboration with vocal firebrand Beth Hart marks his third entry this year. The ten-song set of blues and soul is a logical extension of her vocal contribution to "No Love on the Street" from Dust Bowl. Opening is a thoroughly raucous contemporary blues reading of Ray Charles` "Sinner`s Prayer," followed by a quirky version of Tom Waits` "Chocolate Jesus," and an unusual cover of contemporary jazz-pop singer/songwriter Melody Gardot`s "You Heart Is as Black as Night." On this cut, a string orchestra adds a touch of perversity; it offers the impression of a femme fatale singing a Brecht-Weill number in a smoky cabaret in front of a moody string orchestra, buoyed by a brooding electric blues quintet. "For My Friends," a Bill Withers` tune, is a big, nasty, jagged blues number that keeps the funky groove intact. The title track, a number closely associated with Billie Holiday, falls flat. Hart tries too hard to employ Holiday`s phrasing, the string orchestrations are overblown, and Bonamassa`s crew is too reverent. This formula also mars the remake of Aretha Franklin`s "Ain`t No Way" that closes the set. Far better are readings of Etta James` signatories "I`d Rather Go Blind," and "Something`s Got a Hold on Me." Hart`s emotive, throaty delivery is perfectly suited to both songs, and she resists trying to ape James` phrasing. Since they follow one another directly, the musical difference between them also showcase`s Hart`s diverse abilities. The former is a soul burner, the latter a gospel blues. Bonamassa and band accent her every phrase with requisite rowdiness, sting, and grit. The pair`s only vocal collaboration is a burning read of Delaney & Bonnie`s "Well, Well." With Anton Fig`s breaks and rim shots underscoring Arlan Scheirbaum`s electric piano fills, Bonamassa`s burning leads, the chunky, rhythmic foundation from guitarist Blondie Chaplin, and Carmine Rojas` bassline, Hart and the lead guitarist trade whip-smart call and response vocals with enough raw country-soul to bring the song to a new audience. While not a perfect recording, Don`t Explain is a good one, whose strengths are numerous enough to warrant a second go round. ~Thom Jurek

Track Listing:

DISC 1

1. Sinner`s Prayer
2. Chocolate Jesus
3. Your Heart Is as Black as Night
4. For My Friends
5. Don`t Explain
6. I`d Rather Go Blind
7. Something`s Got a Hold on Me
8. I`ll Take Care of You
9. Well, Well
10. Ain`t No Way

Album Information

Release Date:

09/27/2011

Type:

Performer

Genre:

Blues

Subgenre:

Contemporary Blues

Label:

J&R Adventures

Producer:

Kevin Shirley

Catalog Number:

PRAR931391

Original Release Year:

2011

# of Discs:

1

Studio/Live:

Studio

Runtime:

50 : 44

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