Sir Joe of the family Bonamassa, or as we like to say in Ireland, Joe O’Bonamassa, after his glorious three-night stint at The Marquee in Cork playing the legendary music of one Rory Gallagher, is back with his latest studio offering ‘Breakthrough’, released this coming Friday, July 18th, courtesy of his label J&R Adventures.
Joe is one of my favourite artists over recent years, I was introduced to his music around 2010 and mind blown, the world of guitar just hasn’t been the same since for me. I’ve been fortunate to catch him live twice, once with Black Country Communion and once with his own band and both times left an indelible mark that will stay with me as long as I live, the live Bonamassa experince just drives home everythihg you ever thought you knew about Joe courtesy of his recordings but you just got it wrong.
Now, after spinning this latest recording, ‘Breakthrough’ is an absolute beauty, Joe at his very best. Kicking off with the album’s title track, which takes that bull by the horns and takes off across the field at speed, you just can’t let go. It sets up the album perfectly with a blistering start that demands your attention with Joe’s signature, gnarly guitar lines. ‘Trigger Finger’ keeps up that frenetic pace and leaves you gasping for more, with a huge rousing chorus you’ll be singing along in no time. The album, as expected, is dappled with sonic beauties, and one such gem is ‘Broken Record’ with a dark, emotive vibe and rousing climax, and one of my own personal favourites and will no doubt be a grower and a long-time fav is ‘Life After Dark’ with its cutting guitar lines and ethereal vocals. ‘You Don’t Own Me’, the album’s penultimate track, is a little left field with its classic prog flavour, a killer track with stunning musicianship and sets up the album’s closer nicely as ‘Pain’s On Me’ kicks in and wraps up Joe’s newest adventure.
Just like that, all those hours, days, weeks, of blood, sweat and tears have flown by in forty-plus minutes, and you’ll be sitting there like me with a wry smile on your face, reaching out for repeat. This is a classy album, a fresh-sounding Joe Bonamassa for 2025, an easy-on-the-ear collection of songs that will reach well beyond the genre of blues, surrounded by the musicians he knows and trusts, and of course, the fifth member of the band, the one, the only, Kevin Shirley.
The Bonamassa faithful will not be disappointed; everything they have come to love about Joe is here for all to see across ten beautifully crafted and executed tracks. I look forward to hearing some of these live in the flesh with Joe’s own spin on them in the live arena no doubt taking them to another level, but for now we can take advantage of the release this coming Friday. Patience my padowan’s, not long to go now.
Pre-order the album ‘Breakthrough’ NOW
For more information on Breakthrough, tour dates, and VIP packages, visit jbonamassa.com.
CD Track list
1. Breakthrough
2. Trigger Finger
3. I’ll Take The Blame
4. Drive By The Exit Sign
5. Broken Record
6. Shake This Ground
7. Still Walking With Me
8. Life After Dark
9. You Don’t Own Me
10. Pain’s On Me
VINYL Track list
Side A
1. Breakthrough
2. Trigger Finger
3. I’ll Take The Blame
4. Drive By The Exit Sign
5. Broken Record
Side B
1. Shake This Ground
2. Still Walking With Me
3. Life After Dark
4. You Don’t Own Me
5. Pain’s On Me
Breakthrough”
EUROPE SUMMER TOUR 2025
July 1 – Cork, IE – Live at The Marquee*
July 2 – Cork, IE – Live at The Marquee*
July 3 – Cork, IE – Live at The Marquee
July 6 – Klam, AT – Clam Castle
July 8 – Veszprém, HU – Veszprémfest
July 10 – Stuttgart, DE – Jazzopen Stuttgart
July 13 – Weert, NL – Bospop
July 16 – Montreux, CH – Montreux Jazz Festival
July 18 – Pordenone, IT – San Valentino Park
July 19 – Rome, IT – Auditorium Parco della Musica – Cavea
* Sold Out
U.S. SUMMER TOUR 2025
July 31 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre
August 1 – Paso Robles, CA – Vina Robles Amphitheatre
August 3 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater
August 5 – Airway Heights, WA – BECU Live at Northern Quest
August 6 – Pocatello, ID – Portneuf Health Trust Amphitheatre
August 8 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
August 9 – Albuquerque, NM – Sandia Resort & Casino Amphitheater
SEPTEMBER 2025
September 12 – Louisville, KY – Bourbon & Beyond Festival
September 13 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap
September 15-21, 2025 – Seattle, WA – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea ALASKA
DECEMBER 2025
December 6 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
JOE BONAMASSA
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