Joe Bonamassa - Had To Cry Today

180 Gram Vinyl! Blues-Rock Guitar Wizard! Country-Flavored Picking! Blistering Rock-Edged Blues! Turbulent, Inspired Jamming!

As Joe Bonamassa grows his reputation as one of the world's greatest guitar players, he is also evolving into a charismatic blues-rock star and singer-songwriter of stylistic depth and emotional resonance. His ability to connect with live concert audiences is transformational.

In May '09, he played to a sold out crowd at London's Royal Albert Hall, arguably the most prestigious concert venue in the world. During the show, Bonamassa's hero, Eric Clapton, joined him on stage for a joint-performance of Clapton's hit "Further On Up The Road." London's The Independent said about the show, "The man has arrived, and there's no turning back."

In 2009, Joe was awarded the Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award at the U.K.'s prestigious Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards and Classic Rock magazine has said, "They're calling him the future of blues, but they're wrong – Joe Bonamassa is the present; so fresh and of his time that he almost defines it." He was also named Best Blues Guitarist in Guitar Player Magazine's 2009 Readers' Choice Awards for the third consecutive year. Guitar Player writer Matt Blackett has said, "He's an old soul, and that comes through in his bends, vibrato, singing voice, and note choices, which – with each passing year – get more restrained and refined."

2009 also marked Bonamassa's twentieth year as a professional musician, an extraordinary timeline for a young artist just into his '30s. A child prodigy, Bonamassa was finessing Stevie Ray Vaughan licks when he was seven and by the time he was ten, had caught B.B. King's ear. After first hearing him play, King said, "This kid's potential is unbelievable. He hasn't even begun to scratch the surface. He's one of a kind." By age 12, Bonamassa was opening shows for the blues icon and went on to tour with venerable acts including Buddy Guy, Foreigner, Robert Cray, Stephen Stills, Joe Cocker and Gregg Allman.

Had to Cry Today is his fourth studio album. Produced by Bob Held, it was released on August 24, 2004 by J&R Adventures and reached number five on the US Billboard Top Blues Albums chart. The title of the album is a reference to the song of the same name by English blues rock band Blind Faith from their 1969 self-titled album.

"Blues-rock guitar wizard Joe Bonamassa can make a set of electric six-strings burn and wail, but like many such guitarists, he still requires focus for it to be truly special. Such intense focus is a hallmark of Had To Cry Today. While some guitarists squander notes, Bonamassa makes each one count whether he's engaging in country-flavored picking (the late, great Danny Gatton was clearly an influence), blistering rock-edged blues, or turbulent, inspired jamming. Today delivers on Bonamassa's previous promise in a big way." - Rovi, allmusic.com

Features:
• 180 Gram Vinyl
• Import LP

Selections:
Side A:
1. Never Make Your Move Too Soon
2. Travellin' South
3. Junction 61
4. Reconsider Baby
5. Around The Bend
6. Revenge Of The 10 Gallon Hat
Side B:
1. When She Dances
2. Had To Cry Today
3. The River
4. When The Sun Goes Down
5. Faux Martini