Joe Bonamassa - British Blues Explosion: Live

Joe Bonamassa's 'British Blues Explosion: Live' is a stunning film tribute to the British blues rock exponents who've been the singer and guitarist's greatest heroes and the reason behind his musical journey. These include iconic rock gods like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. The concert film was primarily shot during a special show at Greenwich Music Time at The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London on July 7, 2016.

Joe Bonamassa, a blues-rock singer, songwriter, and sensational guitarist, is no stranger to the music scene. Honored by the Blues Foundation with a 'Keeping The Blues Alive' award and cited as an evolving force in the blues music industry, Bonamassa takes fans on a memorable journey through the annals of British Blues.

'British Blues Explosion: Live' opens up with a powerful starting performance that immediately underscores the magnitude of the evening. A sample of what's to come: Clapton's 'Mainline Florida,' Beck's 'Let Me Love You,' Page's 'Tea For One,' all these and more presented with that classic Bonamassa flair that grips and entrances his audience from start to finish.

The film perfectly demonstrates how Bonamassa has creatively reinterpreted British Blues, from his careful selection of songs belonging to the greats to generating a gargantuan sound hinging on a seven-man band, including former Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble keyboard player Reese Wynans.

The band presents high-octane performances, from slow tempo to eruptive solos, demonstrating their range and versatility, underpinning Bonamassa's signature virtuosity. A particularly riveting moment is Michael Rhodes' bass lines, Anton Fig's drumming, and Wynans' keyboard artistry create a musical landscape beautifully intertwined with Bonamassa’s lead guitar and vocals. Simultaneously, a three-piece horn section adds extra weight to the performances, creating depth and excitement to their sound.

'British Blues Explosion: Live', directed by filmmaker Philippe Klose, is more than just a concert film. It's vibrantly captured, gorgeously lit, and edited, bringing viewers closer to feeling like they are in the middle of the high-octane concert. The camera work, switching between realistic wide shots of the band, intimate close-ups of Joe's guitar work, and vivid audience reactions, portrays the concert's overall ambience, delivering the live audience's sheer excitement to home viewers.

Apart from the electrifying performances, we see Bonamassa off-stage in interviews, sharing his history and what British blues mean to him. These narrative storytelling techniques offer an engaging and personal perspective on how these British legends impacted and inspired Bonamassa as an artist.

Another special feature of this film is the location where it was shot. The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and provides an incredibly atmospheric background, magnifying the concert's grandeur. The fantastic acoustics of this open-air venue add to the appeal, creating a vast soundscape that resonates with the blues' soulful echo.

Storywise, the mix of classic tunes, personal narratives, and Bonamassa's phenomenal interpretations blend together to create a journey chock full of nostalgia and discovery, at the same time awakening viewers to the enduring relevance of British Blues.

'British Blues Explosion: Live' does not just delve into the past's music; it reminds us of the enormous influence Britain's forefathers had on rocking blues. Joe Bonamassa takes up the challenge of keeping the British Blues alive, with his sharp sense of musicianship, his soulful voice, and his exhilarating guitar skills.

This film is not just for blues aficionados; it’s also for those seeking a greater appreciation of the music genre or simply a thrilling performance. Whether you are an avid fan of Bonamassa or relatively unfamiliar with his music, this concert film allows a peek into the artist's journey, taking viewers along for an unforgettable ride through the history of British Blues. Joe Bonamassa - British Blues Explosion: Live is an excellent homage to the torchbearers of Blues and an encapsulation of Bonamassa's mission to forward the enduring genre.