Joe Bonamassa – Live From The Royal Albert Hall 2CD

Joe Bonamassa – Live From The Royal Albert Hall

When Joe Bonamassa took to the stage of the Royal Albert Hall in May 2009, he fulfilled a dream he'd had since he first picked up a guitar as a child in upstate New York. The sold-out concert - fresh off the release of his album The Ballad Of John Henry - marked Bonamassa's debut as a headliner at arguably the world's most prestigious concert hall. "May 4, 2009 was a day I'd been working towards for 20 years," says Bonamassa. "I've never been so honored in my life. It was truly greater than the sum of its parts."

The two decades he refers to began when, at the age of 12, he first opened for blues icon B.B. King, who said, "This kid's potential is unbelievable." King's words are as apt today as they were then. Bonamassa plays an average of 200 shows a year, and with each performance he grows as a virtuoso and singer. At the Hall, Bonamassa had the added honor of sharing the stage with the legendary Eric Clapton. The Times of London cited Joe's "blistering excellence and showmanship", and Planet Rock said: "The sight of two of the world's greatest guitarists trading solos was more than a little thrilling."

"Joe Bonamassa is a huge star among his peers," says Shirley, "he's won awards and magazine covers around the globe. He has a loyal audience that is growing worldwide, but because he hasn't wanted to sign with major labels to follow his own musical path, his extensive repertoire and skills have remained largely unknown to the mainstream. We hope this incredible performance, in which Joe is accompanied by an incredible band and Eric Clapton makes a guest appearance, will put an end to that. Directed by groundbreaking filmmakers Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen, this concert experience is set to become the benchmark for the genre. But those who pigeonhole Bonamassa do so at their own peril. Sure, the blues is the anchor, but this virtuoso refuses to play in a box. In any box. Enjoy!"

When Joe Bonamassa took the stage at Royal Albert Hall in May 2009, he fulfilled a dream he'd held since first picking up a guitar as a kid in upstate New York. The sold-out concert-fresh off the release of his album The Ballad Of John Henry-marked Bonamassa's headlining debut at arguably the most prestigious concert venue in the world. "May 4, 2009 was a day 20 years in the making," says Bonamassa. "I have never been so honored in my life. It was truly larger than the sum of its parts."

The two decades he's referring to began when-at age 12-he first opened for blues icon B. B. King, who said, "this kid's potential is unbelievable." King's words are as fitting today as they were then. Bonamassa averages 200 shows every year, and with each gig, he comes more into his own as a virtuoso and a vocalist. At the Hall, Bonamassa had the added honor of being joined onstage by the legendary Eric Clapton. The Times of London cited Joe's "searing excellence and showmanship," and Planet Rock said, "The sight of two of the world's best guitarists trading solos was more than a little thrilling."

Tracklist:
1 Django
2 The Ballad Of John Henry
3 So It’s Like That
4 Last Kiss
5 So Many Roads
6 Stop!
7 Woke Up Dreaming
8 Further On Up The Road
9 High Water Everywhere
10 Sloe Gin
11 Lonesome Road Blues
12 Happier Times
13 Your Funeral My Trial
14 Blues Deluxe
15 Story Of A Quarryman
16 The Great Flood
17 Just Got Paid
18 Mountain Time
19 Asking Around For You

Label: Provogue
Released: 2010