Album
Joe Bonamassa
Joe Bonamassa: Live At The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra
J&R Adventures (label)
21 June 2024 (released)
26 June 2024
I guess the first time I heard a proper Rock Band +Orchestra was back in 1970 when I was introduced to the snappily titled ‘Concerto For Group & Orchestra – Deep Purple & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted By Malcolm Arnold’. I had heard some weak attempts before that to get an orchestra to play rock music but never actually heard a band and an orchestra in harmony. Then Synthesisers became de-rigueur and we heard weak ass strings by the sheet, plastered all over rock music.
Over time, there have been some well worthwhile combinations – I think of Sigur Ros, Metallica, Deep Purple of course – and a good few that suck bad – Scorpions, Kiss …
Now ‘Concerto …’ was written for the band and orchestra collusion and Metallica have always had an orchestral fullness to their music but Joe Bonamassa?
Well, actually, it really works.
The size of the Hollywood Bowl is daunting for many, and matching a band with a full orchestra is as well. But with Bonamassa’s voice dropping from low tenor into baritone territory, and much of his music making full use of synth strings and horns, this was really a natural development.
And the Hollywood Bowl – as his regular shows at the Albert Hall – is something he has always aspired to.
“Very few gigs represent my journey in music more than the Hollywood Bowl. I moved to Los Angeles in 2003 in search of opportunity, and cheaper rent than New York City. My first gig at The Mint was attended by 5 of my friends and that's all. We have played The Greek Theatre many times since, but the Bowl has always been a dream. The orchestra and the sheer scale of the event and venue is something I will never forget. I am so grateful that we filmed this special event in my life,” reminisces Bonamassa.
He makes the orchestra bend itself to his music – the man in a suit is always forefront – but the orchestration and the songs work well together.
Whether it is Bobby Blue Bland’s ’24 Hours Blues’
Or his own ‘The Matador Of Bayonne’
Joe Bonamassa keeps rolling, adding new ways to express his music every time.
This is a wonderful representation.
Over time, there have been some well worthwhile combinations – I think of Sigur Ros, Metallica, Deep Purple of course – and a good few that suck bad – Scorpions, Kiss …
Now ‘Concerto …’ was written for the band and orchestra collusion and Metallica have always had an orchestral fullness to their music but Joe Bonamassa?
Well, actually, it really works.
The size of the Hollywood Bowl is daunting for many, and matching a band with a full orchestra is as well. But with Bonamassa’s voice dropping from low tenor into baritone territory, and much of his music making full use of synth strings and horns, this was really a natural development.
And the Hollywood Bowl – as his regular shows at the Albert Hall – is something he has always aspired to.
“Very few gigs represent my journey in music more than the Hollywood Bowl. I moved to Los Angeles in 2003 in search of opportunity, and cheaper rent than New York City. My first gig at The Mint was attended by 5 of my friends and that's all. We have played The Greek Theatre many times since, but the Bowl has always been a dream. The orchestra and the sheer scale of the event and venue is something I will never forget. I am so grateful that we filmed this special event in my life,” reminisces Bonamassa.
He makes the orchestra bend itself to his music – the man in a suit is always forefront – but the orchestration and the songs work well together.
Whether it is Bobby Blue Bland’s ’24 Hours Blues’
Or his own ‘The Matador Of Bayonne’
Joe Bonamassa keeps rolling, adding new ways to express his music every time.
This is a wonderful representation.
