Photo: Eleanor Jane
Album Review: ‘Time Clocks’ by Joe Bonamassa
By Martine Ehrenclou
Blues/rock legend Joe Bonamassa is known the world over as one of the greatest guitar players and also one of the most prolific. Time after time, he puts out great albums, not just because of his wizardry on guitar and soulful, often striking vocals and songwriting, but because he challenges himself and his fans with each new venture.
Joe Bonamassa’s new studio album, Time Clocks is no different, a thrilling, expansive and moody record that’s big on production, out October 29 via Provogue. Produced by Kevin Shirley and mixed by the legendary Bob Clearmountain (Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones), the album smacks of reflection, anguish and insight. Infused with big sound, effects and cinematic nuances, Time Clocks reflects Bonamassa’s undeniable brilliance and mastery of craft.
With top-tier musicians, the band includes Steve Mackey (bass), Lachy Doley (piano), Bunna Lawrie (didgeridoo), Bobby Summerfield (percussion), Anton Fig (drums and percussion), along with backing vocalists Mahalia Barnes, Juanita Tippins, and Prinnie Stevenson, Bonamassa breaks new ground with Time Clocks, blending genres and varied musical timbres and textures. It is a bold and remarkable addition to his catalogue of 40 albums and 30 years as a professional musician.
Following Bonamassa’s Royal Tea (2020), Time Clocks opens with “Pilgrimage,” a 54 second-long theatrical intro, a snippet of a movie score, a preview of what’s to come.
“Notches,” co-written with Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr, is a rocking beast and dazzles on every level. The band blasts off with Bonamassa singing about having travelled the world, his guitar licks spare against the pulsing rhythm section, only to draw back to didgeridoo and dissonant chords. With lines like “Try to get one over, I’ve got news for you, When you poke the bear, you’re bound to lose,” it makes one wonder what the man behind the suit has been going through.
The bluesy “The Heart That Never Waits” is a sure-fire winner, co-written by James House. Killer piano plays the foil for Joe’s trademark sinewy guitar riffs, the rhythm section glorious. Whether you listen to any Bonamassa album or see him live, the musicians he surrounds himself with are jaw-dropping good. A song of heartbreak about a broken relationship, the groove will move you. Joe is present in every note, his soulful vocals better than ever. As you’d expect, his guitar solo is inventive and downright extraordinary.
Watch “The Heart That Never Waits”
Strings come in to play on “Questions and Answers,” a dramatic rock song about betrayal and bitterness. Joe is strident, forthright in his accusations toward a woman embroiled in deceit. His guitar riffs are riveting, intense, fueled by anger and hurt. You won’t be able to turn away. He sings, “Did you like being his woman, His woman on the side, If that’s the case Baby, Excuse my foolish pride.” This track might be the most original on the album, with the bridge winding into tango, violins and syncopated rhythms. You haven’t heard anything like this by Joe Bonamassa.
Time Clocks moves into melancholy, desperation perhaps, with songs like “Mind’s Eye,” co-written with Bernie Marsden. It’s a melodic rock ballad about the need to slow the spiral down, about the importance of tuning in to both sides of a story. A distinctive march, “Curtain Call,” with acoustic guitar, strings and a stomping fiery streak, Joe sings “This is the march of a broken soul.” The effects combined with the strike of drums are chilling.
“Hanging On A Loser,” co-written with Tom Hambridge, is a lively, bluesy tune with delightful piano, slide guitar and a swampy, honkytonk feel. With great groove and gospel backing singers, you can hear that Joe and the band are having a blast.
Time Clocks by Joe Bonamassa is about the songs, high quality tracks to satisfy almost every musical palette. The record, in some ways, also beckons to be a movie score, each track simulating segments of an overall story. Some open a window to the man behind the suit.
‘Time Clocks’ pre-order link for North America and pre-order link for the UK and Europe.
oh my….I have to say this is probably one of his finest songs…we are so lucky to have this man and his music…Thank you Joe Bonamassa………
Just heard the new album. So different. Proggy in places, anthemic in others, balls out rock, heartbreaking blues, it’s all there. Superb!
A brilliant and diverse album which opens up new directions for Joe B. Traces of Pink Floyd, Yes, Led Zeppelin and the Who are present in a much more progressive sound . Bonamassa at his very best throughout. Looking forward to seeing him live next year, especially if he plays tracks from this great album.
Joe’s best album by far.
If this doesnt win a Grammy it goes to show just how cliquish and irreverent the now tightly controlled music industry has become.
Those who do their OWN thing, on their OWN label, their OWN sweat and ideas, their OWN risk and reward…are a looming threat to an industry who has a bevy of lawyers to keep REAL music, off the “airwave” and out of competition by saturating outlets with cut n paste crap, hateful, lawless and sexually fueled lyricism and shoved down the throats of every music platform…..they hire the songwriting groups, developed most if the backing melodies, tweaking voices, manufactoring beats…they keep most of the revenue, copies, rights to the masters…..while squeezing the “indie” labels out with sheer volume, theft of intellectual property and “cancelling” of anyone who threatens their control of this once free and imaginative industry of talent and collaboration, now but an increasingly controlling, cancelling, domineering and dangerous entity to all who want to share their music with the world.
Another significant notch (no pun intended) in the belt for Joe. Saw him at the Greek on Aug. 1st and still wonder why he didn’t play any of the new songs. After seeing the roster of musicians for Time Clocks, other than Anton and Mahalia, his recent usual touring band was not involved, although I’m quite sure they would have been up to the task. Was an awesome show regardless, and always great to hear new music from JB anytime. As Mike stated above, another Grammy worthy effort.
Great Album. Love Joe. His voice and guitar playing gets better all the time
I was blessed to have pulled video’s through my dish network to find Joe. Blessed to have crossed paths with his show in Sacramento. I have seen alot of concerts. This show in the theatre was the most powerful concert I have ever. I finally opened up and played the Time Clocks CD. Chills is all I can say. What a musician, the best. This show beats Led Zepplin’s “Stairway to Heaven” concert I saw at the Swing Auditorium, going way back, and the Rolling Stones last year in Vegas. Thank You Joe Bonamassa!!!! I will cherish the memories and the music. Just like you described your “F’ You Rich friend and song writer, your music and excellence in performing are F You The Best!! I am just sorry my brother couldn’t make the show with me.