So, It's Like That

Joe Bonamassa

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 13, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Premier Artists
• ASIN: B00006CY40
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,730 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #11 in

  Music > Indie Music > Rock > Blues Rock

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
New York guitar prodigy Joe Bonamassa opened for B.B. King before he was a teen, but blues is just the springboard for the sound on this second solo outing. Bonamassa spotlights his songwriting this time, using his fluid and fiery guitar work to punctuate muscular melodies more akin to anthemic arena rock than basic blues. While Bonamassa's debut disc, A New Day Yesterday, featured a supporting cast of Gregg Allman, Rick Derringer, and Leslie West, the follow-up keeps the focus on his power trio, with drummer Kenny Kramme and bassist Eric Czar providing most of the accompaniment (although keyboardist Cliff Magness creatively colors around the edges). Bonamassa is indeed a certifiable fretboard phenom, consistently capable of startlingly effective solos, but he's also a strong singer, and that's what makes the collection of songs, a dozen of the 13 cowritten by Bonamassa, successful. The title track, complete with a sizzling solo, sustains a Southern blues-rock feel, but most of the other songs, such as the power pop "Unbroken," the hard-rocking "Sick in Love," and the retro "Never Said Goodbye," which features Bonamassa on mandolin, showcase his abilities in different stylistic settings. --Michael Point

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bonus DVD Makes a Great Album Even Better, January 15, 2005

By	Philip Snyder (Amherst, New York United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Joe Bonamassa's sophmore effort holds a few surprises. The first is a slight shift in musical direction. Much like Jeff Healey, Joe opted for a less overt blues approach to his second album. The result is 62 minutes of powerful rock with a focus on original songwriting, strong hooks, and a broader musical landscape. Both Bonamassa's guitar playing and vocals are undeniably sensational, and his band is as tight and unrelenting as ever. Their spectacular performances run the gamot from hard edged grooves ("Lie #1", "No Slack"), to lighter acoustic shades ("Waiting For Me", "Never Say Goodbye", "Mountain Time"), to searing guitar ("Pain and Sorrow"), to hard rock ("Takin' The Hit", "The Hard Way"), and a few points in between. For those fans looking for more straight forward blues tunes, I'm afraid only the title track offers this in the form of a mid-tempo shuffle. But that aside, this is a fantastic album that, on its own would be worthy of four stars. But that's where the second surprise comes in.

Originally, when I bought this a year ago, Amazon listed the second disk as a DVD of "A New Day Yesterday - Live". Since that was all the information offered I assumed it was a promo clip showing Joe and the band performing the title track from his debut album. What this actually is is a phenominal full length live performance taped back on December 21, 2001 while touring behind "A New Day Yesterday". This blinding show displays Bonamassa's blazing chops and mind-numbing tone to a tee. I've played this thing more times than I can count, it's that good. In fact, I was SO impressed I actually bought the same wine red Les Paul Classic Joe starts the show with (yes I know...insane. But you guitar players out there know exactly what I'm talking about). Here're the details:

Cradle Rock - Steppin' Out/Rice Pudding - A New Day Yesterday - Miss You Hate You - Walk In My Shadows - I Know where I Belong - Color & Shape - Trouble Waiting - If Heartaches Were Nickels - Don't Burn Down That Bridge - guitar solo - Are You Experienced? - Had to Cry Today. The total performance runs around 1 hour 52 minutes. Extras include a music video for Miss You, Hate You and a 5-6 minute VH1-style bio. There's also a photo gallery. The DVD by itself is easily worth five stars.

I know there are a lot of fans out there who have very strict views on blues/rock guitarists and what they should and shouldn't do. If you feel you fit into this category you might not like the CD so much but I think you'll love the DVD. It certainly delivers everything you're looking for (assuming you enjoy live concert DVD's of course!). If your tastes are a bit broader, I think this 2 disk set is a grand slam at twice the price. Absolutely.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Deal, December 5, 2002

By	Steve Munro (Sacramento, CA United States) - See all my reviews

It's been a while since I bought a CD of this quality. I came across Joe Bonamassa in a search for Blues artists, read the reviews of his current release and his bio and bought this CD. I was immediately impressed and after listening closely for a week, even more so.
Several songs quickly became favorites - "So It's Like That" (a masterpiece), "Never Say Goodbye", and "Pain and Sorrow". "Waiting For Me" has to be one of the most beautiful and hopeful rock ballads I've heard in years - I've been playing it over and over. This is the real deal: words that tell a real story and make sense, excellent vocals, music that is both gritty and melodic (it's got that Blues edge), great instrumental tracks, and the CD is well produced (sharp, clear, quality tracks). It's the "Total Package" all strive for but few achieve.
While not all the songs are my favorites, they are all good tracks, not filler, (even some of his "lesser" tracks seem better than a lot of what you hear today) and I'd say I like most of the tracks, not just 2 or 3. That makes it a good buy.
You'll hear a wide variety of instruments used, tastefully mixed, and Joe lays down some powerful guitar licks. At times his music will be quiet, melodic, and thoughtful, morphing into edgy, loud and rowdy. You can't listen to "Unbroken" and not be moved and impressed.
Joe has paid his dues (his bio is pretty amazing), done his homework, and produced a CD any musician would be proud of, at a very young age. He's talented in many ways (he proves it, too) and this CD is/will be in the future a classic, showcasing a truly amazing young musician.
I would recommend this CD to virtually anyone who likes Blues or Rock. Personally, I will buy anything Joe Bonamassa puts out.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joe Bonamassa - Guitar Prodigy that Makes My Blood Rush!, October 8, 2002

By	Doug Park (Hurricane, WV) - See all my reviews

I bought Joe's new CD, "So It's Like That" with the BONUS DVD (2 hours of great, live music) and his guitar mastery, versatility, and vocals were freakish...like a cat up on his hind legs! I haven't seen or heard anything like him since the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughan and I do not exaggerate. My neck is still stiff from shaking my head in disbelief. Joe Bonamassa is blues, blues-rock, rock, and pop all rolled into one...the album is fresh, exciting, and exhilirating. And the BONUS DVD is awesome, if you can find it in a package deal as I did. Buy this album and his first album, "A New Day Yesterday". They are both worth their weight in gold. And if you can get to see Joe LIVE as I did in Huntington, WV this past June (opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd), then you'll know that you are seeing a once-in-a-lifetime artist. The future is even brighter for Joe Bonamassa and all that get to know him.