Joe Bonamassa Albums Ranked

Joe Bonamassa (born May 8, 1977) is an American blues-rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He started his career at age 12 when he opened for B.B. King. In the last 13 years, Bonamassa has put out 15 solo albums through his independent record label J&R Adventures, of which 11 have reached number 1 on the Billboard Blues charts. Bonamassa has played alongside many notable blues and rock artists and earned a Grammy Award nomination in 2013. Among guitarists, he is known for his extensive collection of vintage guitars and amplifiers.
Bonamassa’s album Different Shades of Blue is his first solo studio album since So, It’s Like That to showcase only original songs (with the exception of a brief instrumental Jimi Hendrix cover.) Bonamassa wrote the album in Nashville with three songwriters: Jonathan Cain of Journey; James House, known for his work with Diamond Rio, Dwight Yoakam, and Martina McBride; and Jerry Flowers, who has written for Keith Urban. Bonamassa sought to create serious blues rock in the project instead of three-minute radio hits. The album was recorded at a music studio in the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas. The album charted at number 8 on the Billboard 200, number 1 on the Blues Chart, and number 1 on the Indie Chart. Here are all of Joe Bonamassa albums ranked.

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10. Blues Of Desperation (2016)

“I will let the professionals I enjoy give you the particulars on this album. I have all of Joe’s albums and I have to say this is the pinnacle of his career. It is a very well recorded and produced album with some very good lyrics and riffs. A+ Joe a true american muscian genius. Also this is for the 180 gram vinyl version. The center hole sucks on both records. Too small have to fight to get records on and off platter. Other than that records are flat and play nicely. But very irritating to have to deal with crap like that for the price! Get yer chit together factories.”

9. Live At Carnegie Hall – An Acoustic Evening (2017)

“I fall into the camp of folks who know Joe smokes on guitar but lacks soul. I’ll take Stevie Ray over Joe any day, but you gotta give JB his props. This album opened my eyes to his abilities as a producer and bandleader. More evidence to be found on the Reese Wynn’s album he produced. The arrangements here are so good. Top notch song craft and musicians. Couple these skills with his undeniable musical talents, and this acoustic set is a joy to listen to and must own for all music lovers. I’m not sure I need to own many more JB albums, but this album will be played repeatedly for as long as I have ears. Highly recommended for fans of blues, rock, Americana, and world music.”

8. You And Me (2006)

“The new album of Joe Bonamassa is very good however, just to point it out from the very beginning, it is not as good as his previous two. In my opinion it remains a couple of steps behind the absolutely marvellous Blues Deluxe and the following Had To Cry Today. Joe, as he explains in the linear notes, wanted to do a blues album this time, and he takes inspiration once again mainly from the sound of the 1970 British blues school. The sound of the album waves from the opening delta blues style of a solid cover of an old Charlie Patton’s song, to a couple of Chicago blues, from an acoustic country blues to a jazz tune. Best song of the album is the cover of the classic So Many Roads however as in Tea For One, taken from the Zeppelin repertoire, and in Asking Around For You the use of electronic strings instead of maybe a nice carpet of B3 doesn’t do for me.”

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7. Blues Deluxe (2003)

‘This album covers some standards as well as originals and shows off his excellent guitar work. The other members of his group are of the same caliber as he is. His voice has just the right amount of “untrainedness” to it to make the listener feel like he really does “have the blues”. Not just mouthing it. He seems to have borrowed from the old and put his own spin on it. I would recommend this album highly to anyone who is a beginning rocking blues lover, an old hand, or someone finding the blues again. I’ve listened to it a number of times and have only had it a few days. Great! “

6. Had To Cry Today (2004)

“Joe’s 4th album is another killer blues rock disc. There is more rock than blues to be found on this one, which puts some of Joe’s fans off a bit, but this is more really great stuff. Joe seems to incorporate more acoustic and slide elements on this one, and there is even a rockabilly almost country influence to be found as well. Some of these tracks remind me of Swedish guitar phenom Mads Erikson in style. I don’t really have a lot more to say about this one other than it is another rock solid album from an incredibly talented guy.”

5. The Ballad Of John Henry (2009)

“I enjoy all of Joe’s albums but this one remains my favourite. A lengthy album that crosses the full spectrum of modern blues, it never gets dull. Guitar playing as expected is exceptional and the band in support are on fine form. From the opening title track, a medium to fast paced song which takes off in full flight when the eastern flavoured strings come in to the slower tempo songs such as “Stop” and “The Great Flood” the level of enjoyment never ceases. Great covers of Tom Waits and Tony Joe White amongst others and a superb version of “Feelin ’Good” all play their part to make this a great five star release.”

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4. Sloe Gin (2007)

“Having been a blues guitar fan for most of my life, surprisingly it was my son who introduced me to Joe Bonamassa’s music, and I’m so glad he did. A fantastic artist with a unique style, somewhere in-between Page and Clapton, with obvious Hendrix influences, but grounded in good ole Delta Blues tradition. This album is a wonderful mix of lyrical laments and great rhythm and blues. His cover of the John Myall classic “Another Kind of Love” is a particular highlight, especially as it is redolent of Free’s “Walk In My Shadow”, which uses the same riff, and has long been a favourite of mine.”

3. Driving Towards The Daylight (2012)

“In the liner notes Joe describes this release “as going back to my roots “. It is so much more than that. Seven of the tracks are covers of people Joe obviously has great respect for. They are all preformed by Joe that befits the great song writing of the song writers. I can describe this release as full on hardcore blues/rock, so hold onto to your hats when you play this release. When I used the term “blues/rock “, that is only part of the story. There is a touch of delta blues, which for me personally is one of the most underrated blues that deserves more. You also have a touch of soulful blues and a touch of funk.”

2. Black Rock (2010)

“‘This guy is a terrific guitar player; but his rock stuff teases me for more – it’s that good. This album comes up short in the rock-n-roll department.. .I want more rock and less of the blues stuff – it’s redundant. He’s too good to play so many blues tunes. There are some really good songs on here: “Quarryman’s Lament” – (a really well written song with an Asian twist). Dear Joe: put out a rock n roll album man!”

1. Dust Bowl (2011)

“I suppose it is to be expected that an artist will always describe her/his most recent work as “the best yet” (as Joe does in the liner notes here), but in this case I would agree. This is a collection of finely-crafted, affecting performances in a variety of styles. Joe’s vocals have never seemed more relaxed and confident, and the guitar work is exemplary (duh!). Joe says he was worn out from touring and needed a break when this album was recorded. I’m sure that was true, but this album sure doesn’t show it. Highly recommended.”