{"id":1835,"date":"2011-11-17T17:59:18","date_gmt":"2011-11-17T22:59:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bluesguitarunleashed.com\/?p=1835"},"modified":"2011-11-17T17:59:18","modified_gmt":"2011-11-17T22:59:18","slug":"keeping-the-blues-alive-with-joe-bonamassa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluesguitarunleashed.com\/blog\/keeping-the-blues-alive-with-joe-bonamassa\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping The Blues Alive with Joe Bonamassa"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Joe Bonamassa from Wikipedia.org<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The list of blues artists on today’s music charts is unfortunately getting shorter and shorter.\u00a0 Joe Bonamassa is an artist doing everything he can to use his blues roots and stay in the music game.\u00a0 This isn’t the first time that I have mentioned that name, but I thought I would give you a little more history behind this great guitarist.\u00a0 I found a couple of interviews with him, a riff lesson from the guys and gals over at StevieSnacks.com, and a great trio performance that makes him shine.<\/p>\n

Gibson Lifestyle did an interview with Bonamassa about his roots and gear choices here at http:\/\/www.gibson.com\/en-us\/Lifestyle\/Features\/joe-bonamassa-0525-2011\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Joe Bonamassa was born to play the guitar. His parents owned and ran a guitar shop in Utica, New York, so he was literally surrounded by the instrument from birth. A fourth-generation musician, Bonamassa took to the guitar early on, receiving his first axe at the tender age of four. By 11, he was cutting his teeth with Danny Gatton and, a year later, he opened for B.B. King. From there, his rise to the top of the guitar world has been a steady one, from his teen prodigy band, Bloodline, to his award-winning solo career and, more recently, his tenure in the supergroup Black Country Communion.<\/em><\/p>\n

Along the way, Bonamassa has been a constant lover (and abuser) of the Gibson Les Paul. With Gibson USA proudly announcing, this week, the new Gibson USA Joe Bonamassa Les Paul, we sat down with the mild-mannered gunslinger to talk axes.<\/em><\/p>\n

Tell me about the new Gibson USA Joe Bonamassa Les Paul.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, I\u2019m excited, man. It\u2019s a cool guitar. I mean, essentially, a guitar that\u2019s like the Bonamassa Custom Shop one and the Epiphone one like we did last year, but it kinda has the appointments of a Les Paul Studio. It\u2019s not bound, but it\u2019s a Gibson. I think it\u2019s really cool. I\u2019ve been playing it. I\u2019ve had the prototype for about two or three months, maybe more. I think more. And I\u2019ve been playing it, and it\u2019s got an inviting neck. It\u2019s one of those guitars that makes you want to play it.<\/p>\n

But I think it will be good for the kids out there who don\u2019t have $4,000 to spend on the Custom Shop one and the ones who didn\u2019t get the thousand Epiphones that were sold extremely quickly, actually. So I think it\u2019s a good opportunity. And I think it\u2019s also a good opportunity to get a guitar into the hands of some kids, which is kind of the whole point anyway.<\/p>\n

How much input did you have on this guitar? Was it a true collaboration between you and Gibson USA?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I spoke to my ER rep and all the guys in Nashville at Gibson USA and we came up with a concept. They used a lot of the specs from the Custom Shop one \u2013 you know, the neck size and the dish and everything else. And so, a lot of the work was already done, because we\u2019ve had really good luck with the Custom Shop ones. And you know, we\u2019ve done them in sunburst and blue and all the different colors. And [laughs] I think that\u2019s it. And gold, of course. But yeah, it was one of those things where a lot of the work was already done, so they just took the specs off the Custom Shop one and kind of amalgamated it into their factory \u2013 which a lot of people don\u2019t know their factories are separate.<\/p>\n

So it was a real blast and, you know, when the first prototype came out I was really shocked. They did a really good job. I didn\u2019t really have a whole lot of comments for it.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve always been associated with Les Pauls. What is it about those axes that\u2019s always spoken to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

You know, everybody has this sound in their head. You know what I mean? The ideal guitar sound that kinda fits in your head. And for me, it\u2019s a really thick, kind of mid-range-y, warm sound. You know, not a lot of top end, but it still has enough drive and saturation to where it\u2019s not too clean, but it\u2019s not too overdriven, but it\u2019s very articulate. You can dial it in on any guitar, but it takes a lot more work. But when you plug a Les Paul even just straight into an amp \u2013 you know, Marshall amp or whatever, Fender, whatever \u2013 it just does that thing, you know? It\u2019s very, very easy for me to achieve the sound that I hear in my head with a Les Paul. So I\u2019ve been using those kinds of guitars forever.<\/p>\n

What was your first Les Paul?<\/strong><\/p>\n

My first Les Paul was a 1980. It was a 1980 that my father traded a mustard-color Fender Stratocaster for back in like, this is 1981-1982. He didn\u2019t like [the Strat], because the Fender didn\u2019t have good enough frets \u2013 which it didn\u2019t. Actually, somebody tried to hack them out at one point. And this opportunity came up to get a Les Paul Standard. And it was a sunburst, you know, 1980 Les Paul Standard. And it was really\u2026 for me it was a real treat. And again, it was louder and it was thicker, and it had a lot of really good qualities to it. But I was also like six years old, so…<\/p>\n

Do you still have it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

No, I don\u2019t. I traded up. I\u2019ve kind of like been collecting guitars for, god, it has to be over 20 years, 22 years maybe. I finally just got my first real \u201959 this year and, you know, that\u2019s a real treat. I worked my way up through the Les Pauls of yesterday to get the Holy Grail, so to speak.<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t take that on the road, do you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I do! I absolutely do.<\/p>\n

Really?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I insure the hell out of it and I take it on the road. The way I look at it is: what am I going to do with it? Leave it at home? You know? I tour nine months a year and, what I going to do, come home, noodle on it on the couch\u2026 you know? Go, \u201cWow look at this, I\u2019ve got a \u201959 Les Paul that never gets used, maybe on a recording here and there.\u201d I\u2019d rather get a nice case for it \u2013 which I did \u2013 hire an ex-secret service agent as my security guard \u2013 which I did [laughs] \u2013 and take it on the road.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s nice to hear. I get a little depressed when I see vintage guitars in glass cases in restaurants. They\u2019re like little tombs, you know?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, yeah. And they\u2019re very functional. You know, my guitar is 52 years old and, honestly, it plays and sounds great. But the important thing to realize \u2013 and yes, it is a fantastic Les Paul and when people play it, even when you don\u2019t tell them it\u2019s a \u201959. They say, \u201cWow, this is a really great guitar. I mean, we don\u2019t care if it\u2019s a 1979.\u201d But the truth of the matter is, it\u2019s still just a really good guitar and, if I look at it in those terms, I really have no problem taking it on the road.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Gibson hollowbody guitar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now an interview with Gibson Lifestyle about Gibson guitar may be a little biased.\u00a0 So I searched a little more to find an interview that features Bonamassa’s tone and his influences.\u00a0 I came across a feature from GuitarWorld.com here at http:\/\/www.guitarworld.com\/dear-guitar-hero-joe-bonamassa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s a former virtuoso whiz kid who grew up to become one of the most influential blues guitarists of the day. But what Guitar World<\/em> readers really want to know is \u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

As a guitar fiend and noted Les Paul lover, do you think reissue Les Pauls truly are comparable with original Sunbursts [1958\u20131960 Les Pauls<\/em>]? This is an ongoing argument on the Les Paul forums. \u2014 James Oliphant<\/strong><\/p>\n

A guitar is a guitar. Whether it was made yesterday or 51 years ago, if it\u2019s good, it will stand the test of time. I have played about 20 real \u2019Bursts in my day, ranging from brilliant to so-so. I think the stuff coming out of Gibson Custom is as good as my original vintage Gibsons, and sometimes better. It\u2019s subjective, but that\u2019s my honest opinion.<\/p>\n

A lot of people chase after your tone. How do you feel about that, and do you have any advice for \u201ctone chasers\u201d in general? \u2014 Kaji<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m honored people think enough of my playing to chase my sound. Hell, I chase other players\u2019 tones all the time. I just bought an entire collection of early Mesa\/Boogie Mark I and IIB amps, as I was going for that Steve Lukather, early Eighties tone. I have his signature model Music Man, too. I think Steve is one of the great guitarists of all time. He has tone, feel\u2026the whole nine yards. Anyhow, you want to know what I sounded like when I plugged it all up? Me. At the end of the day, you as the player create the tone coming out of the amp. The gear is part of it but by no means all of it.<\/p>\n

I hear talk that you have formed some kind of supergroup with former Black Sabbath singer and Deep Purple bassist Glenn Hughes. Please fill us in on who\u2019s involved, what you guys are up to and how it will impact your own group. \u2014 Andy Bradford<\/strong><\/p>\n

I did form a group with Glenn, [ex-Dream Theater keyboardist<\/em>] Derek Sherinian and [Led Zeppelin\/Foreigner drummer<\/em>] Jason Bonham. It\u2019s ace. They are all so good. We just finished cutting tracks for an album that should be released later this year or early next year. We are still working on a name. We were called Black Country\u2014named after the industrial area in England from which Jason and Glenn both hail\u2014but it turns out someone else already had that. Touring will depend on demand; we\u2019ll have to see as it gets closer.<\/p>\n

However it works out, it won\u2019t affect my solo group. I will always tour with that. It does mean a bit more work and travel on my part. I\u2019m totally having a blast, so it\u2019s no problem.<\/p>\n

I saw you play with B.B. King when you were around 12 and am happy to see you still out there slugging away and getting better all the time. But do you think there are any disadvantages to having been out in the spotlight so young? \u2014 Wyatt Libby<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are some disadvantages. I was thrust into an adult world very quickly, and that can make anyone somewhat socially maladjusted to dealing with people your own age. But I wouldn\u2019t trade any of it. The 17 years of struggle, the epic early European endurance test tours\u2026none of it. It makes me who I am today. I am happy, fulfilled and grateful for the life I have.<\/p>\n

It seems to me that your music used to be more focused on blazing guitar playing and is now more about songcraft, with a place in it for guitar work. Why the switch? Was it a commercial decision, or are you just following your instincts? And do you ever get the urge to let it rip? \u2014 Phil Dyson<\/strong><\/p>\n

My albums have gotten more song oriented because I didn\u2019t want to be known for a jam; I wanted to be known for a song. [Producer<\/em>] Kevin Shirley taught me that at our first meeting in 2005. It has always stuck with me. Plus, I play all the time in my shows. We just don\u2019t do the 20-minute \u201cPain and Sorrow\u201d jam anymore. So the answer is no, I really don\u2019t get the urge to be the three-verses-and-20-minute-solo guy anymore.<\/p>\n

I was at the Gov\u2019t Mule show in Chicago last fall when you jammed for two songs, and it was fantastic. That helped introduce me to your music. I\u2019ve been watching those YouTube videos over and over and am convinced that you and [Gov\u2019t Mule guitarist<\/em>] Warren Haynes should work together for real, recording or touring. What do you think? \u2014 Art Hoffman<\/strong><\/p>\n

First, thank you for your patronage. Second, Warren and I have been friends for more than 15 years. He wrote one of my most well-known songs, \u201cIf Heartaches Were Nickels,\u201d and is by far one of my greatest influences, both vocally and guitar-wise. I imagine we will do more in the future. Both of us are busy at the moment, but I would really love to record with him again.<\/p>\n

Dude, how did you lose so much weight? \u2014 Fred Weiss<\/strong><\/p>\n

Low carbs and early bird specials\u2014eating dinner at 4:30, then nothing else for the rest of the day. A systematic light-starvation campaign; learning to enjoy the sight and smell of food rather than the taste of it. To be truthful, between 2005 and 2007 I got fat on success. It was a blast gaining weight but a total blag taking it off. (P.S. My girlfriend is Scottish, so I can use the word \u201cblag.\u201d)<\/p>\n

I know you\u2019re a gear whore, but if a vengeful god ordered you to get rid of everything except one guitar, one amp and one pedal, what would be left in your greedy little hands? \u2014Scott Schneider<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019ll take my Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul #001 plugged through my Marshall Silver Jubilee that I have had since 1993. It recently stopped working, so [amplification expert<\/em>] Peter Van Weelden has it in Holland for a million-mile check-up. You can have my pedal. Now who\u2019s the greedy one?<\/p>\n

Will blues continue to influence guitar players in the years to come? \u2014 Rico Jones<\/strong><\/p>\n

Totally! It will always influence guitar playing. Blues will change with time, just like cars. My grandfather drove a Sixties Pontiac back in the day but now drives a Saturn. The concept of the car has stayed the same, but it has been updated for 2010. The same holds true for the blues.<\/p>\n

If you had to choose the quintessential Joe Bonamassa song to go into a time capsule, which one would you pick? \u2014 Patty Patrick<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ballad of John Henry\u201d: blue-collar kid does good, stays sort of humble and never stops striving to make it better. That\u2019s me in a nutshell.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Bonamassa has a lot of great videos on YouTube of performances all around the globe.\u00a0 I found one that offers a cool, small club vibe and features his guitar playing and vocals in a rock\/blues trio.\u00a0 Check it out at http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hytToent3kw<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[youtube_sc url=”http:\/\/youtu.be\/hytToent3kw” width=”420″ rel=”0″]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And to close up this article, the great people over at StevieSnacks.com produced a video that highlights one of Bonamassa’s licks.\u00a0 You can probably hear it in his solo stuff and with Black Country Communion.\u00a0 See it here at http:\/\/www.steviesnacks.com\/free-lessons\/that-joe-bonamassa-lick.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[youtube_sc url=”http:\/\/youtu.be\/z3wQ0Tzaojo” width=”420″ rel=”0″]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There are a lot of other great blues\/rock guitarists out there today, but Joe Bonamassa has being seeing some real success recently.\u00a0 I hope you enjoyed the article.<\/p>\n

Thanks,<\/p>\n

Griff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The list of blues artists on today’s music charts is unfortunately getting shorter and shorter.\u00a0 Joe Bonamassa is an artist doing everything he can to use his blues roots and stay in the music game.\u00a0 This isn’t the first time that I have mentioned that name, but I thought I would give you a little […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluesguitarunleashed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1835"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluesguitarunleashed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluesguitarunleashed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluesguitarunleashed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluesguitarunleashed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1835"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bluesguitarunleashed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1835\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluesguitarunleashed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1835"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluesguitarunleashed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1835"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluesguitarunleashed.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1835"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}