Friday, April 17, 2020

Sights and Sounds: Joe Bonamassa, Shelby Lynne, Hootie & The Blowfish

Going into the weekend, there is plenty of new music to share...Robert Kinsler



Singer/guitar great Joe Bonamassa returns with brand new surprise single from Abbey Road Studio Recordings

"A CONVERSATION WITH ALICE" AVAILABLE TODAY



STREAM / DOWNLOAD "A CONVERSATION WITH ALICE":

PURCHASE AT: 
WATCH THE VIDEO:
(Chat with Joe live as he premieres the video on YouTube and Facebook Live today @ 3pm EDT/ 12pm PDT)
Joe Bonamassa / Photo credit: Robert Sutton
April 17, 2020 - One of the most iconic names in modern blues music, Joe Bonamassa, is back with highly anticipated new music from his studio recordings at the legendary Abbey Road Studio in London. The surprise single "A Conversation With Alice" arrives today via J&R Adventures, along with a special music video showing him in the studio recording the track. The video will premiere at 3pm EST on YouTube and Facebook where Bonamassa will be hosting an exclusive live chat. "Alice," as it turns out, is the alias of a therapist that Bonamassa spoke with about some reoccurring problems he'd been facing in life but found that these 'problems' ultimately lead to his success.
In an intimate video from self-quarantine, Bonamassa shares, "the song is derived by an experience I had a couple years ago when some friends of mine intervened and said 'You know what Joe? You should go ahead and talk to someone about these problems you have that come up time and time again.' So, I agreed. I went to see this lovely woman in Los Angeles, CA and began talking about my problems. After the second session I came to the conclusion that I was unrepairable and that the crazy in me makes me good at my job. I like being good at my job."
He quips, "I think I'm good at my job, unless you ask the internet. Which then there's some debate, which bolsters the crazy. See how it's all interrelated? So, I wrote a song about it." Bonamassa ends the video with a comforting smile and a sincere wish to fans, "I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for listening, be safe and be happy."
Bonamassa also divulges that the song is part of a brand-new album coming sometime later this year, though details of the title and release date are still under wraps. Fans and critics alike will be on the lookout for what's next from America's favorite blues-rock artist. In the meantime, while in quarantine Bonamassa has taken to social media to give a special behind-the-scenes look at his "Nerdville" home in California. In prior months, Bonamassa was touring relentlessly, up until coronavirus took its hold on the music industry, stopping him just short of a few final dates on his spring tour in the U.S.
"A Conversation With Alice" also follows Bonamassa's recent instrumental side project called The Sleep Eazys, who released their critically-acclaimed debut album, Easy To Buy, Hard To Sell, just last week. The album, which the Associated Press touted as making "instrumental dreams," was produced by Bonamassa and features some of his frequent collaborators, along with his all-star touring band. The Sleep Eazys project is Joe's second time in the studio as a producer, after Reese Wynans' long-awaited debut solo album Sweet Release. The producer role is one that Joe takes very seriously and thoroughly enjoys. More projects are currently in the works!
"Alice" and The Sleep Eazys follow a string of other successful collaborative ventures, including the adventurous side projects Black Country Communion, Rock Candy Funk Party and Beth Hart. Collectively, Bonamassa has over 40 albums to date and the announcement of "A Conversation With Alice" marks the first of new music from his solo studio record at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. His latest solo album, LIVE AT SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE marked his 22nd #1 album on the Billboard Blues Chart, an incredible feat unparalleled within the music industry.
For more information on "A Conversation With Alice" and other Bonamassa news, visit jbonamassa.com, and be sure to stay connected on social media. 
CONNECT:
Website: jbonamassa.com
YouTube: /JoeBonamassaTV
Facebook: @JoeBonamassa
Twitter: @JBONAMASSA
Instagram: @joebonamassa
Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation: keepingthebluesalive.org



Out Today: Shelby Lynne's self-titled release

Grammy winning singer-songwriter to appear live on Paste Magazine's 'The Happiest Hour' today, Friday, April 17, 2020, at 5 p.m. (EST)
 
"There’s a raw beauty, an exquisite vulnerability, and a defiant passion running through the songs on Shelby Lynne…” – No Depression
Nashville, TN – Today, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Shelby Lynne releases her self-titled album via Thirty Tigers. Critics and fans alike have praised the powerful release which finds the celebrated artist as her most vulnerable self. Billboard called the album a “spare and emotionally weighty, introspective set." American Songwriter raved, “[The songs] …reaffirm the authenticity and integrity that’s marked her trajectory every step of the way.” Rolling Stone named this Shelby Lynne release “…her most intimately honest.” Listen to Shelby Lynne HERE.

You can catch Lynne live today on Paste Magazine’s The Happiest Hour, where she will perform live online and will also answer questions. This takes place at 5pm EST, and you can watch HERE.

Many of the songs on Shelby Lynne were recorded during the filming of the unreleased independent film When We Kill The Creators, Lynne’s collaboration with lyricist/director/screenwriter Cynthia Mort. The film stars Lynne as a deeply conflicted artist struggling at the intersection of art and commerce. Songs “Here I Am,” “Strange Things” and “Weather” were recorded during the filming, while “Revolving Broken Heart” and “Love is Coming” are featured in both the film and on the album. All of these tracks capture the raw intimacy of Lynne’s performances.

While Shelby Lynne boasts several other musicians, including keyboardists Benmont Tench, Mimi Friedman, Ed Roth and Billy Mitchell. for the most part the album’s namesake does it all, playing guitar, keyboards, bass, drums and even sax on the smoky, nourish “My Mind’s Riot.” Shelby Lynne offers a glimpse at an artist fully exposed, at the peak of her powers, with nothing standing in the way, a direct line to the heart. 



Hootie & The Blowfish Release
Amazon Original Cover of R.E.M.’s
"Losing My Religion"

Available Now Only On Amazon Music


April 17, 2020: Today, Hootie & The Blowfish released an Amazon Original cover of R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion,” available to stream and purchase only on Amazon Music.

Listen To “Losing My Religion” only on Amazon Music:


"When we were cutting our teeth as a band, almost every night fans would hear us on stage covering R.E.M.," shares Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker from his home in South Carolina. "'Losing My Religion' is a song that when you first listen to it, you can feel the struggle, the back-and-forth. Plus, Peter Buck wrote the song on mandolin, and being in the south, it's a lot of fun to perform live. We're releasing it as a cover with Amazon Music as I think it's still as thrilling to people today as it was when it was first released." 

With the rich, bluesy vocals of Darius Rucker and gleeful harmonies of guitarist Mark Bryan, bassist Dean Felber and drummer Jim “Soni” Sonefeld, Hootie & the Blowfish sold over 25 million records worldwide after their infectious melodies hit the airwaves in 1994 with hits such as “Hold My Hand”, “Let Her Cry” and “Only Wanna Be With You.” 

The band’s 2019 Group Therapy Tour saw the band play to sold-out crowds across the U.S. and Canada, including two nights at the iconic Madison Square Garden, as well as a run of shows throughout the UK and Ireland. The triumphant return to the road earned Hootie & the Blowfish several prominent profiles recognizing their important musical legacy, including the cover story of the New York Times Arts & Leisure section. On November 1, 2019, they released their first new music in nearly 15 years with Imperfect Circle, named one of the “biggest albums to hear this season” by Entertainment Weekly and featuring radio single “Hold On.”

Amazon Music listeners can find Hootie's cover of "Losing My Religion" on the “Certified Country” playlist, Amazon Music’s stage for country fans looking for a collection of smashes from the best names in country music. Amazon Music customers can also simply ask, "Alexa play the Amazon Original by Hootie & The Blowfish" in the Amazon Music app for iOS and Android and on Alexa-enabled devices. In addition to the new track, Amazon Music listeners can access hundreds of Amazon Originals featuring both emerging and established artists across numerous genres, available to stream and purchase only on Amazon Music.

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