Guitarist JOE BONAMASSA's New Album Hits #1

Mar 11, 2009

Guitarist JOE BONAMASSA's New Album Hits #1

MUSIC NEWS - Joe Bonamassa's recently released album, The Ballad of John Henry, (Febr 24) debuted at #1 on Billboard's Blues Albums chart. Joe's last studio album, 2007's Sloe Gin, also debuted at #1 and stayed there for a full year after release. The Ballad of John Henry (buy cd here) is the seventh solo studio album (and ninth solo record) from American blues/rock guitar virtuoso, vocalist and songwriter Joe Bonamassa. Released on his own independent label J&R Adventures, the album features twelve tracks, split between Bonamassa originals and selections by songwriters including Ailene Bullock, Tom Waits and Tony Joe White. It also continues Bonamassa's collaboration with producer Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Black Crowes) and showcases both his famed guitar skills and his versatile vocals.

Already getting rave reviews, Nicky Horne from the UK's Planet Rock Radio is calling it "a quantum leap from his previous albums, and they were damn good - if he keeps this up, he is destined to walk alongside the truly greats."

He also just embarked on the first leg of his 2009 Tour (see full itinerary here) , a tour that has been building more fans each year and which Blues Matters recently likened to "bordering on a religious experience." That tour will land him in London at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall for a sold out show on May 4, 2009. He was also honored with the issuing of the "Inspired By Joe Bonamassa Aged Les Paul Goldtop" from Gibson Custom. Just 300 of the limited edition guitars were made, valued at $6,000 each.