The prodigious Mr Bonamassa releases his latest live offering as a CD/DVD set following his 2015 "Three Kings" tour of the States, in which he pays tribute to bluesmen Albert King, B.B King and Freddie King. The tour culminated at LA’s Greek Theater, and the 22 track double CD/DVD/Blu-ray is a masterclass of modern bluesmanship.

Tellingly, the DVD kicks off with a mini feature of an actual local TV news feature about the young Bonamassa, where we learn that he “feels comfortable" with a guitar in his hand, and that he started playing at the age of 5 and was playing in nightclubs at the age of 9. Just think about that for a moment....he was playing in front of an audience before he had reached double figures age.

As for the show itself, as usual, he is with his regular backing band of Anton Fig on drums, Michael Rhodes on Bass and Reese Wynans on Keys, but is also joined by a 3 piece brass section and 3 piece female backing singers including the wonderful Mahalia Barnes.

The Boss suit and the shades are in place, and the playing is sublime. This is a 2 hour set in which, at least to this reviewers ear, there’s not a note out of place, by any of the band on show. The playing is also faithful to the originals, and Bonamassa’s discipline is to his credit. His trademark solos are blistering and one can almost take them for granted, for example on Lonesome Whistle Blues or I’ll Play The Blues For You, but the crowd show their appreciation in stunning surround sound if you are watching the DVD.

Born Under A Bad Sign, and BB Kings’ The Thrill Is Gone, close the set and also serve as a poignant moment as King passed away a couple of months before the tour and Bonamassa has gone on to say how much he regretted him not being alive to see the spectacle.

The second disc of the DVD is reserved for special features, including videos, behind the scenes features, picture galleries and most interestingly a fabulous interview with Bonamassa’s parents. Based in Utica, NY, we learn that Mr Bonamassa Sr is also a guitar player, although he admits Jo “walked right by him at the age of 6” and they realised he had an amazing talent.

This is another wonderful addition to Bonamassa’s live releases, and what clearly comes over is this is a real event that the band are enjoying as much as the audience. What a thrill it must have been to be there, but thankfully the DVD is a document for those of us who weren’t.

Keith

9/11