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Joe Bonamassa Releases "Ball Peen Hammer" From "Live At The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra" Album

photo by Christie Goodwin
 

Joe Bonamassa Releases Compelling Live Rendition Of

"Ball Peen Hammer" From ‘Live At The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra’, Live Album And Film Releasing June 21st

 

UK & European Pre-Order Link for Live Album & Film HERE

North American Pre-Order Link for Live Album & Film HERE


 

Joe Bonamassa, one of the world's premier blues-rock guitarists, announces the release of his latest live single, "Ball Peen Hammer," from the upcoming album Live at the Hollywood Bowl with Orchestra. Available for streaming on all major platforms, this version features an extraordinary arrangement backed by a 40-piece orchestra, adding a majestic layer to Bonamassa’s signature sound. Originally penned by the underappreciated genius Chris Whitley, the song was immortalized by Bonamassa on his 2007 album Sloe Gin, and its powerful interpretation by Bonamassa introduced it to a broader audience.


"Ball Peen Hammer" is a poignant tale of resilience and hope amid hardship. Bonamassa's live version captures the raw emotional essence of the song, further enriched by the lush dynamics of the orchestra. Reflecting on Whitley's influence, Bonamassa shared, "He doesn’t get a lot of credit but he’s one of the great songwriters and guitarists that I ever have run across. My tribute to Chris Whitley is deeply rooted." He further recalled opening for Whitley in 2002: "Chris was the most devastating solo performer I have ever seen. I based my song and the sheer volume of the performance of the song 'Woke Up Dreaming' on that night. Gone too soon and not known nor appreciated in his own lifetime. Plus a very nice and humble man to top it off."


The release of "Ball Peen Hammer" follows the success of "The Last Matador of Bayonne," another highlight from Live at the Hollywood Bowl with Orchestra. ”Matador” has amassed nearly 600,000 views on YouTube to date and growing. Each song on the album has been carefully selected to showcase the depth and breadth of Bonamassa's musical influences and his ability to fuse blues, rock, and orchestral elements into a compelling narrative soundscape.



Live At The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra showcases Bonamassa’s virtuosic blend of blues and rock but also elevates fan-favorite tracks with grandiose orchestral arrangements by some of Hollywood's finest – David Campbell, Trevor Rabin, and Jeff Bova. “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.


Available in CD/DVD, CD/BR, 2 LP Vinyl, and digital formats, the release captures the essence of Bonamassa’s career, highlighting his exceptional talent and the impactful fusion of blues, rock, and orchestral music.


 

Total Guitar Magazine recently awarded Bonamassa with the 3rd spot on their best blues guitarists of all time list last month. Following the momentum from his U.S. Spring Tour and the ninth annual voyage of his KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE AT SEA cruise, Bonamassa is gearing up for his eagerly awaited "Blues Deluxe Tour" in the U.S. this summer. Beginning August 2nd in Selbyville, DE, and culminating in an unforgettable two-night performance in Hampton Beach, NH, on August 30th and 31st, the tour celebrates Bonamassa's seminal albums Blues Deluxe and its chart-topping successor, Blues Deluxe Vol. 2. This 21-city tour will showcase an electrifying mix of Bonamassa's classics and deep tracks live for the first time, alongside a band of world-class musicians. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.jbonamassa.com.


Bonamassa's impact on the blues-rock genre is immeasurable. Guitar World has hailed him as "the world's biggest blues guitarist," a testament to his skill, influence, and role in bringing blues-rock to the forefront of the music scene. With a career spanning over three decades, Bonamassa has consistently captivated audiences around the globe with his dynamic live performances and musical ingenuity.


 

SUMMER TOUR

May 5 - New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Jazz Fest

June 14 - Kent, UK - Black Deer Festival

June 15 - Basingstoke, UK - The Anvil

June 20 - Rio De Janeiro, BR - Best of Blues & Rock Fest - Vivo Rio

June 22 - Sao Paulo, BR - Best of Blues & Rock Fest - Ibirapuera Parque

June 24 - Curita, BR - Best of Blues & Rock Fest - Live Curitiba


U.S. SUMMER - BLUES DELUXE TOUR

July 17 - Selbyville, DE - Freeman Arts Pavilion *

July 18 - Patchogue, NY - Great South Bay Music Festival *

July 19 - Bangor, ME - Maine Savings Amphitheater *

August 2 - Albuquerque, NM - Sandia Resort & Casino

August 4 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre

August 6 - Omaha, NE - Orpheum Theater

August 8 - Topeka, KS - Topeka Performing Arts Center

August 9 - Durant, OK - Choctaw Grand Theater

August 10 - Jackson, MS - Thalia Mara Hall

August 12 - Birmingham, AL - BJCC Concert Hall

August 14 - Charleston, SC - North Charleston Performing Arts Center

August 16 - Evansville, IN - Old National Events Plaza

August 17 - Indianapolis, IN - Murat Theatre at Old National Centre

August 18 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium

August 20 - Kettering, OH - Fraze Pavilion

August 21 - Hershey, PA - Hershey Theatre

August 23 - Port Chester, NY - The Capitol Theatre

August 24 - Port Chester, NY - The Capitol Theatre

August 25 - Rochester, NY - West Herr Auditorium Theatre

August 27 - Albany, NY - Palace Theatre

August 29 - Hyannis, MA - Cape Cod Melody Tent

August 30 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

August 31 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

September 15 - Telluride, CO - Telluride Blues & Brew Festival *

*Not part of the Blues Deluxe Tour


U.S. FALL TOUR

October 28 - Santa Barbara, CA -The Granada Theatre

October 30 - Rancho Mirage, CA - The Show at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage

November 1 - Tucson, AZ - The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall

November 2 - Phoenix, AZ - Arizona Financial Theatre

November 3 - Long Beach, CA - Terrace Theater

November 5 - San Diego, CA - San Diego Civic Theatre

November 7 - San Jose, CA - San Jose Civic

November 8 - Sacramento, CA - SAFE Credit Union Convention Center

November 9 - Reno, NV - Grand Theatre

November 12 - Portland, OR - Keller Auditorium

November 13 - Boise, ID - Morrison Center

November 16 - Salt Lake City, UT - Eccles Theater

November 17 -Cheyenne, WY - Cheyenne Civic Center

November 19 - Park City, KS - Hartman Arena

November 20 - Springfield, MO - Juanita K. Hammons Hall

November 22 - Minneapolis, MN - State Theatre

November 23 - Minneapolis, MN - State Theatre

November 26 - Springfield, IL - UIS Performing Arts Center

November 27- Appleton, WI -Fox Cities Performing Arts Center

November 29 - Davenport, IA - Adler Theatre

November 30 - Des Moines, IA - Des Moines Civic Center


 

Joe Bonamassa


 

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