Joe Bonamassa – “Now Serving: Royal Tea – Live From The Ryman”
Blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa has performed all over the world in prestigious venues and 2021 is no different with the release of his new live album “Now Serving: Royal Tea – Live From The Ryman.”
However, with live concerts with audiences being restricted due to the global pandemic, they decided to create a live-streamed ticketed event for everyone around the globe to watch. The result was a whopping 17,000 tickets sold across 44 countries with some people sending in photos of their faces to be taped to seats in the venue so that ‘they could be in the audience’.
Opener ‘When One Door Opens’ features its orchestral James Bond-esque intro as Bonamassa’s lead vocal projects alongside the soft backing vocals courtesy of Jade MacRae and Danielle De Andrea that give the track a lullaby quality. Then we get the military drumbeat from drummer Greg Morrow with tinges of Jeff Beck’s ‘Bolero’ as this slick electric guitar solo pours out. A strong start in Nashville.
Michael Rhodes provides a groovy bassline on ‘Royal Tea’ whilst the saloon bar vibe on ‘High Class Girl’ reminds me of the US bonus track ‘Scarlet Town’ from Joe’s ‘Different Shades of Blue’ as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Reese Wynans lays down some fluid Hammond Organ that complements the electric guitar tone.
The addition of Jimmy Hall on harmonica during ‘Lookout Man!’ rings out to create a real swamp blues feel and will please long-term fans. The classic rock ‘Why Does It Take So Long To Say Goodbye’ is a vocal highlight and sounds like a Whitesnake B-Side to this scribe.
The cosmic ‘I Didn’t Think She Would Do It’ was co-written by Joe, rock music legend Bernie Marsden and lyricist/poet Pete Brown whose work with Cream influenced Bonamassa early on. This was one of my favourite tracks on the ‘Royal Tea’ studio album so I am very pleased that this was included in this live offering.
The tribal rhythm backing on the eerie ‘Beyond The Silence’ puts pictures of a perilous sea voyage as the waves crash against a boat. I am reminded of the Black Country Communion concert at Hammersmith Apollo in London when they performed ‘The Last Song For My Resting Place’ inspired by the Titanic from the ‘BCCIV’ album.
If you like Boogie Woogie music then ‘Lonely Boy’ which was co-written by British Boogie Woogie con Jools Holland will be up your street as band members take turns soloing Wynans and Rob McNelly on guitars.
Rory Gallagher’s ‘Cradle Rock’ is from Joe Bonamassa’s debut album ‘A New Day Yesterday’ which recently received a 20th Anniversary release entitled ‘A New Day Now – 20th Anniversary Edition’ with every vocal re-recorded and tracks remastered.
In conclusion, this live album was executed in extremely difficult and restrictive circumstances and whilst it did feel odd hearing no audience reaction (applause, cheering) for most of the album it still works because you not only have a robust collection of material but also a band of seasoned musicians fronted by a gentleman who understands the importance of the songs. Technically, Bonamassa is in fine voice and his powerful guitar skills are on display. I just hope that he can get to a point where he can perform for live audiences again as the atmosphere is a key component.
Joe Bonamassa “Now Serving: Royal Tea – Live From The Ryman” is out now on Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group. For more information visit: https://jbonamassa.com/
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