Notches Review
You have to wonder if Joe Bonamassa ever sleeps, such is the regularity of his output. It feels like a matter of moments since the magnificent Royal Tea but then Joe, like so many others, has been restricted in his ability to escape the confines of his home and this, while undeniably frustrating, has allowed a certain amount of time that would otherwise have been taken up with globe-straddling tours. Thus, we find ourselves with a new single in hand entitled Notches and a new album already eliciting considerable excitement from Joe’s ever-expanding fanbase.
Emphasising the rock ‘n’ roll heart that has always blazed at the core of Joe’s material, Notches sees Joe collaborating with Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke) and, although the redoubtable Anton Fig has remained on drums, there have been a number of personnel changes in his band, including Steve Mackey on bass, Lachy Doley on keys Bunna Lawrie on digeridoo and Bobby Summerfield on percussion. Meanwhile, while Kevin Shirley remains as producer, the track was mixed by the legendary Bob Clearmountain (The Rolling Stones), who brings his deft touch to a track that positively leaps from the speakers.
Perhaps galvanised by the trip down memory lane of his recent documentary, Notches sees Joe addressing the vagaries of the music industry – a fickle mistress at whose hands Joe has certainly had his share of ups and downs – and the result is a heavy, groovy song with a strong southern vibe and plenty of bite. Ably backed by Mahalia Barnes, Juanita Tippins and Prinnie Stevens, Joe approaches the topic with class, and it takes a special kind of discipline not to sing along with an epic chorus that, like so many of Joe’s tracks, soon gets under the skin. If the rest of the album hits such a high, it’s going to be something special indeed.
Official Press Release:
Blues rock artist Joe Bonamassa is back with a brand-new single from his highly anticipated upcoming album, due out later this year. “Notches“ exemplifies the unwavering journey Joe has experienced while taking the road less travelled leading him to ultimately find success. A bit older in years, but wiser in knowledge earned, his new sound has a raw and vital flavour, combined with a resolute skill that can only be gained through years of perseverance and unyielding dedication. The first single arrives today as a foot-stomping, fist-pounding dose of rock mastermind that pays homage to the artist’s resilient history, with an eye on the future as he continues to bend genres, break down walls and defy the odds of the music industry.
Joe belts out the Blues-tinged lyrics in “Notches” with a vocal range that gets even better with each release, diving deeper into his rock capabilities as he croons the resounding chorus, “I got miles under my wheels. Notches in my walkin’ cane.” He takes no prisoners with his hard-hitting anthem and holds nothing back, delivering a fresh unchartered sound that is not like anything he’s done before. The cinematically excellent official music video was directed by Paul van Kan.
For recording “Notches,” Bonamassa hit the studio with long-time collaborators Kevin Shirley as producer and manager/business partner Roy Weisman as executive producer. The track was mixed by Bob Clearmountain (Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Toto, Bon Jovi) and was co-written with Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke). Recorded in New York City at Germano Studios/The Hit Factory the band includes Steve Mackey (bass), Lachy Doley (piano), Bunna Lawrie (didgeridoo), Bobby Summerfield (percussion), and Late Night with David Letterman’s Anton Fig (drums and percussion), along with Mahalia Barnes, Juanita Tippins, and Prinnie Stevens on backing vocals. The fantastic artwork on this single was created by famous graphic artist Hugh Syme (Rush, Aerosmith, Whitesnake).
The lyrics allude to Joe’s tenured uphill battle with the music industry. Looking back, he reflects, “Twenty years ago, I recorded a record of covers that eventually was called ‘Blues Deluxe.’ It was recorded at Bobby Nathan’s studio in Manhattan. It captured an energy and purpose that always stuck with me as an artist…The music business is tough, very tough. Especially back in those days when major labels pulled all the strings and, in my case, all the punches.”
Now, maybe more than ever, Bonamassa holds the power of controlling both his artistry and his business in both hands. With 24 #1 albums, yearly sold-out tours worldwide and custom annual cruises, he’s a hard act to beat. Joe knows his worth, and albeit humble, he has no plans to back down now. “Notches” is a testament to his credentials. It’s Joe Bonamassa at his finest, ready to rock.
“Notches” is a song that begs to be heard live in an audience, banging loud from the speakers. Luckily for fans, this month Joe heads back out on tour for 42 shows, starting on the West Coast in the US at the end of this month, then traveling around the rest of the country throughout the fall season before taking the stage at sea for his sold out Keeping The Blues Alive At Sea VII cruise, sailing from Miami, FL to Ocho Rios, Jamaica on February 21-25, 2022, by way of the
Norwegian Pearl. For tickets and full tour dates, visit https://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/.
For everything Joe Bonamassa, visit his website at jbonamassa.com.
ABOUT JOE BONAMASSA:
As a professional musician for over 30 years, Joe Bonamassa continues to blaze a remarkably versatile artistic trail, and amass an authentic, innovative, and soulful body of work. Bonamassa’s career began onstage opening for B.B. King in 1989 when he was only 12 years old. Today, he is hailed worldwide as one of the greatest guitar players of his generation and is an ever-evolving singer-songwriter with over 40 albums to date all under his own label, J&R Adventures.
Joe’s most recent album, “Now Serving: Royal Tea Live From The Ryman” is available now for streaming, CD, DVD and Blu-Ray. The DVD includes a film introduction narrated by actor Jeff Daniels. To order, visit shop.jbonamassa.com. The stellar performance from one of the world’s most legendary venues includes 12 incredible live tracks, featuring the best from his latest studio release Royal Tea, Joe’s 24th #1 record on the Billboard Blues chart, which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. It also includes 3 electrifying tracks from his 20th anniversary album A New Day Now. Joe is set to return to Ryman this October for two special nights kicking off his Fall US tour.
In addition to his music and shows, Joe continues to crank out weekly programming for his radio show “Different Shades Of Blue” for Sirius XM’s Bluesville channel. Last year, he kicked off a new at-home weekly video interview series “Live From Nerdville” which currently has over 50 episodes aired on his Facebook, YouTube, and podcast outlets. With a new episode each week, Joe has featured conversations with Neal Schon of Journey, John Oates of Hall & Oates, Glenn Hughes, Paul Stanley of Kiss, Warren Haynes, Keb’ Mo’, Walter Trout, Steve Lukather of Toto, Todd Rundgren, comedian Jeff Garlin, esteemed singer-songwriter Dion, Peter Frampton, Fantastic Negrito, and is currently booking new guests for his 3rd season.
Last summer, Bonamassa and his manager Roy Weisman debuted their new record label Keeping The Blues Alive Records by releasing music icon Dion’s critically acclaimed latest album Blues With Friends. In February 2021, KTBA Records released Chicago’s reigning Queen of Blues Guitar, Joanna Connor’s new album “4801 South Indiana Avenue“, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues chart. Earlier this month KTBA Records released the new single “If That Ain’t A Reason” from Joanne Shaw Taylor’s upcoming new studio album. Stay tuned for future releases at ktbarecords.com
