Joe Bonamassa – Live From The Royal Albert Hall

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As Joe Bonamassa continues to become, not undeservedly, the trendiest thing in blues, the appetite for new releases from him continues to grow, and with his first ever appearance at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London probably ranking amongst the biggest achievements in his career, it’s not surprise the show was recorded. But just two years after his last double live album, and with a lot of repeated tracks between the two releases, the necessity for its release, setting aside the notoriety of the occasion which included a guest appearance from English guitar legend Eric Clapton, is called into question. Perhaps only issuing the DVD of this performance (since the previous live album, Live From Nowhere In Particular, had no DVD counterpart) would have been a touch more sensible and in the better interests of the consumers, especially as the CD version comes more than a year after the DVD was released; a tactic which often feels like a cash-in on the part of the label. The recording quality is of course excellent and the setlist suitably representative of Bonamassa’s catalogue. Fans who haven’t bought either of the previous two live albums – the first one is now eight years old – will certainly enjoy this (although given the choice between all three, A New Day Yesterday Live is the best and most genuine), as will the legions who fans who have “discovered” Joe over the last couple of years. Older ones may feel they are being taken advantage of, just a little.

Written by Andy Lye
More: Blues, Live Albums, Quick.Play Reviews, Joe Bonamassa