BETH HART & JOE BONAMASSA
DON'T EXPLAIN
SEPTEMBER 27, 2011
The cover screams "listen to me" quickly setting the mood for a marvelous musical experience. Having been a fan of Beth Hart since first witnessing her perform on a late night Canadian show in 1999 and knowing very little about Joe Bonamassa but wanting to learn. Hart has vocal stamina to since dark moody songs that are necessary for the songs on this cd. The is much more to this cd with songs like: "Sinners Prayer", "Chocolate Jesus", "For my Friends", "Somethings got a hold on Me" and "Well Well" which Rock with drum foundations that allow fiercely layered guitar to up the ante on these recordings.
Artists that limit themselves to one genre, are unwilling to experience other musicians often make it big quickly but are not able to sustain a long career. Hart has always opened herself up to the sounds around her which has permitted growth in every release. Always knowing her strength and writing to them but letting the fabulous scents around her trickle through her work. Sitting at the piano or standing in front with guitar in hand even accapella she is and has been the real deal often without the best production behind her. At least she can really say she did it her way with six studio and one live release under her belt she is not afraid to spread her wings even further.
Collaborating with Joe Bonamassa has given her a great guitarist who has nine studio and eight live cd's to his credit. His touch on some of the moodiest tracks is haunting but its like the cherry on the coolest tropical drink during blistering heat. Schooled in the blues with rock driven foundations Bonamassa seems to be at the top of his game and pairing with Hart on this incredible disc rockets them both to higher ground.
This was a natural progression for both artists with Hart showing her maturity without compromising her vocal style. The original artists would be awe struck by the incredible nuance that feeds from song to song. There is scorching versions of Billie Holiday, Etta James, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles putting an added vibe to the past. Tom Waits "Chocolate Jesus" is rocking soul at its best with Bonamassa and Hart pushing the song to new heights.
Delany & Bonnie's "Well, Well" is a goose bump chiller that shows off Joe Bonamassa's guitar playing as he strums and picks as Hart sings over his work. The shakers set the mood for what is a great tune that just soars as these two artists play. These two do not allow this opportunity to pass without a bit of Jazz.
"Ill take Care of You" by Gil Scott-Heron is the epitome of Jazz combing past, present and possibly future versions. The song it built on Jazz but delivers the best soulful sounds that will take the listener on an out of body experience like no song of 2011. If not emotionally or physically drained after the first run through put it on repeat because this is not a one-off cd. The enjoyment gets better with every spin.
I don't want the backing band members to go without getting credit from RUSTYSCAGE.COM. Blondie Chaplin (guitar), Carmine Rosas (bass), Arlan Scheirbaum (keyboards) and Anton Fig (drums, percussion) fill out this band that contributed to this amazing release of songs often covered in dust. Dont Explain is the most unexplainable release as it is layered in Blues, Rock and touches of Jazz with something for everyone and rich with emotion.
RUSTY
9/27/11