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Blues of Desperation
by
Blues of Desperation Image
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

  • Summary: The 12th solo release from the blues-rock guitarist was recorded in five days.
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Top Track

Mountain Climbing
I'm just a poor man working day by day Lost in the struggle, there's a mountain in my way So strap your boots on get ready for that first step The... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Q Magazine
    Mar 21, 2016
    80
    Blues of Desperation rarely deviates from the burnished hard-rock-meets-raw-blues template last explored on 2014's Different Shades Of Blue. But everything comes spiced with clever melodic tics. [May 2016, p.106]
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  2. American Songwriter
    Mar 21, 2016
    80
    The tunes here aren’t necessarily in a class with some of the material Bonamassa has recorded in past years, songs by blues giants like Willie Dixon or writers like John Hiatt and Tom Waits. But they suit the artist perfectly.
  3. Uncut
    Mar 21, 2016
    70
    Blues reveals itself to be a barnstorming triumph that channels Led Zep, Free, early Fleetwood Mac, Jeff Beck and even Dire Straits into something fresh and invigorating. [Apr 2016, p.70]
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  4. AllMusic
    Mar 25, 2016
    70
    Often, he returns to this revved-up blues--something that's more appealing when it boogies ("You Left Me Nothin' But the Bill and the Blues") than when it slams ("Distant Lonesome Train")--and while that anchors the bulk of the record, the moments that linger are the departures.
  5. Classic Rock Magazine
    Mar 21, 2016
    70
    There are slower, less effectual burners as well, but there’s a raw authority not seen in his last couple of records; something that reinstates him as a gutsy rocker of flesh and bone, not just a virtuoso show pony.
  6. Mojo
    Mar 24, 2016
    60
    Blues Of Depression picks up from where that album [2014's Different Shades Of Blue] left off, allowing the fretboard wizard to demonstrate that he can write good tunes as well as produce a seemingly endless supply of molten solos. [May 2016, p.92]
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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. BroncoDog
    Jul 25, 2016
    9
    Another edit of Blues of Desperation was released for download in July, 2016. 12 tracks are unique to this version in that Mountain ClimbingAnother edit of Blues of Desperation was released for download in July, 2016. 12 tracks are unique to this version in that Mountain Climbing is replaced by the feel-good energy of Mountain Time. The track doen't fit the typical Blues definition but really works as evidenced by JB's fan reaction. Other differences include Drive becoming track 12, and the addition of The River, Bridge to Better Days, One of These Days, Driving Towards the Daylight, Slow Train and Different Shades of Blue. Missing in this version are No Good Place for the Lonely, The Valley Runs Low, You Left Me With Nothin' But the Bill and the Blues, distant Lonesome Train, How Deep This River Runs, Livin' Easy and What I've Known For a Very Long Time. The July release features 12 songs instead of 11. Great music. Not pure Blues. But just fine with me.… Expand
  2. Platendraaier
    Mar 28, 2016
    8
    Blues or Desperation brings both Joe's distinctive interpretation of the blues as the addition of modern influences on this kind of music. InBlues or Desperation brings both Joe's distinctive interpretation of the blues as the addition of modern influences on this kind of music. In his gentle and compelling guitar work as in his powerful and passionate bluesrock he shows to be among the best guitarists of his time. Technically he's getting better to live in the raw emotion of the blues in his singing and he manages with the female vocal trio to bring his music in the lyrics to life. His collaboration with several important names in the music industry pushes the album to pretty rhythmic sounds and melodic keys. With the album he maintains the high quality of Different Shades of Blue and understands with his sincerity and desperation to raise the blues to great heights. 8.2/10

    Full Review in Dutch: https://www.platendraaier.nl/albumrecensies/joe-bonamassa-blues-of-desperation/    … Expand

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