Royal Tea’s track listing:
When One Door Opens
Royal Tea
Why Does It Take So Long To Say Goodbye
Lookout Man
High Class Girl
A Conversation With Alice
I Didn’t Think She Would Do it
Beyond The Silence
Lonely Boy
Savannah
Blues-rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Joe Bonamassa is back with his 14th studio album Royal Tea.
Royal Tea was recorded at Abbey Road Studios and is a Bonamassa’s salute to the British Blues explosion. Joe Bonamassa co-wrote the albums ten original tracks with former Cream lyricist Pete Brown, Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden, Eurythmics Dave Stewart, and pianist Jools Holland. Long-time producer Kevin Shirley (Journey, John Hiatt, Iron Maiden) is back at the helm.
In my opinion, Joe Bonamassa is the best blues-rock artists on the planet. He continues to push and expand his musical palette and Royal Tea is no exception. The record showcases an exhilarating and dynamic new take on the blues . Bonamassa and his collaborators have managed to create a set of songs that capture the vibe of the 60s and 70s British blues/rock explosion without sounding like a heavy-handed “near-covers" tribute record. The British undertones throughout the album are subtle and sublime with Bonamassa offering listeners with hints of Jeff Becks distorted solo and Eric Clapton airy tone that never feel forced or contrived.
Highlights on Royal Tea include the epic over seven-minute album opener; When One Door Opens, the mid-tempo title track, the heartfelt ballad; Why Does it Take So Long to Say Goodbye, the rocking; Lookout Man!, the progressive Beyond The Silence, and the 70’s sounding pop-rocker ; A Conversation With Alice.
Royal Tea is another great record in an already impressive repertoire. All the tracks are outstanding and will no doubt offer music lovers with another great slice of Blues-rock that only Joe Bonamaasa can provide.
Joe Bonamassa once again proves indubitably that he is the current king of the Blues. He set an industry standard that may just be too high for many to achieve but it is one hell of a goal to reach for. Highly Recommended.
