Joe Bonamassa - Redemption (2018) [2LP, Vinyl Rip 16/44 & mp3-320 + DVD] Re-up

The title Redemption carries a bit of weight, suggesting Joe Bonamassa is seeking salvation in something – either he's grappling with an inner torment or finding refuge in his music, but these two things aren't mutually exclusive. Certainly, Redemption teems with images of loss and regret, with Bonamassa admitting he suffered "Self-Inflicted Wounds" that left him to "Pick Up the Pieces" before he finally realizes "I've Got Some Mind Over What Matters" and discovers he's "Stronger Now in Broken Places." All those songs arrive in that chronological order, suggesting Redemption is something of a song cycle, but Bonamassa's thematic control isn't what's impressive about the album. Instead, Redemption resonates because it's simultaneously Bonamassa's most ambitious album and his most impassioned record. Working again with longtime producer Kevin Shirley, Bonamassa touches upon a variety of blues-rooted sounds – there's a strong shot of Zeppelin's heavy mysticism, Southern soul horns vie with Delta Dobro, and there's even a nod to junkyard blues, along with cameos by Dion DiMucci and Jamey Johnson – while remaining anchored upon the electrified Chicago wail that is his signature. He uses the familiar sounds to pivot to uncomfortable territory, both musical and lyrical, and this gives Redemption a kinetic tension that easily makes it Bonamassa's most original album as well as his best.

by Stephen Thomas Erlewine, allmusic

Tracklist:

Side 1

A1 - Evil Mama 5:28
Backing Vocals - Jade MacRae, Juanita Tippins, Mahalia Barnes / Bass - Michael Rhodes
Drums, Percussion - Anton Fig / Guitar - Doug Lancio, Kenny Greenberg / Organ, Piano - Reese Wynans
Percussion [Additional Percussion] - Kevin Shirley / Vocals, Guitar - Joe Bonamassa
A2 - King Bee Shakedown 4:21
Backing Vocals - Jade MacRae, Juanita Tippins, Mahalia Barnes / Bass, Fretless Bass - Michael Rhodes
Drums, Percussion - Anton Fig / Guitar - Doug Lancio, Kenny Greenberg / Piano - Reese Wynans
Saxophone - Paulie Cerra / Trumpet, Trombone, Arranged By [Horn Arrangement] - Lee Thornburg
Vocals, Guitar - Joe Bonamassa
A3 - Molly O' 6:05
Bass - Michael Rhodes / Drums, Percussion - Anton Fig / Guitar - Doug Lancio, Kenny Greenberg
Harmony Vocals - Gary Pinto / Keyboards - Reese Wynans / Vocals, Guitar - Joe Bonamassa

Side 2

B1 - Deep In The Blues Again 4:44
Backing Vocals - Jade MacRae, Juanita Tippins, Mahalia Barnes / Bass - Michael Rhodes
Drums, Percussion - Anton Fig / Organ [Hammond Organ] - Reese Wynans / Vocals, Guitar - Joe Bonamassa
B2 - Self-Inflicted Wounds 6:36
Backing Vocals - Jade MacRae, Juanita Tippins, Mahalia Barnes / Bass, Fretless Bass - Michael Rhodes
Drums, Percussion - Anton Fig / Guitar [12 String Guitar] - Doug Lancio / Harmony Vocals - Gary Pinto
Organ [Hammond Organ] - Reese Wynans / Vocals, Guitar - Joe Bonamassa
B3 - Pick Up The Pieces 3:53
Bass, Backing Vocals - Michael Rhodes / Drums, Backing Vocals - Anton Fig
Saxophone, Backing Vocals - Paulie Cerra / Upright Piano, Backing Vocals - Reese Wynans
Vocals, Guitar - Joe Bonamassa

Side 3

C1 - The Ghost Of Macon Jones 5:23
Bass - Michael Rhodes / Drums, Percussion - Anton Fig / Guitar - Doug Lancio, Rob McNelley
Keyboards - Reese Wynans / Vocals - Jamey Johnson / Vocals, Guitar - Joe Bonamassa
C2 - Just 'Cos You Can Don't Mean You Should 6:37
Bass, Fretless Bass - Michael Rhodes / Drums, Percussion - Anton Fig
Organ [Hammond Organ] - Reese Wynans / Saxophone - Paulie Cerra
Trumpet, Trombone, Arranged By [Horn Arrangement] - Lee Thornburg / Vocals, Guitar - Joe Bonamassa
C3 - Redemption 5:54
Backing Vocals - Jade MacRae, Juanita Tippins, Mahalia Barnes / Bass, Fretless Bass - Michael Rhodes
Drums, Percussion - Anton Fig / Organ [Hammond Organ] - Reese Wynans / Vocals, Guitar - Joe Bonamassa

Side 4

D1 - I've Got Some Mind Over What Matters 5:47
Bass - Michael Rhodes / Drums, Percussion - Anton Fig / Guitar - Doug Lancio, Kenny Greenberg
Piano, Organ - Reese Wynans / Vocals, Guitar - Joe Bonamassa
D2 - Stronger Now In Broken Places 4:31
Guitar [Nylon Guitar], Vocals - Joe Bonamassa / Hang Drum [Opsilon Handpan] - Kate Stone
Sounds [Soundscapes] - Jim Moginie
D3 - Love Is A Gamble 5:13
Bass, Fretless Bass - Michael Rhodes / Drums, Percussion - Anton Fig
Organ [Hammond Organ] - Reese Wynans / Saxophone - Paulie Cerra
Trumpet, Trombone, Arranged By [Horn Arrangement] - Lee Thornburg / Vocals, Guitar - Joe Bonamassa