Originally published by L.S. Media. May 22nd 2012. 
L.S. Media Rating *****
If there is one thing you need to know about Joe Bonamassa and his music, certainly above most other facts about him, is that no matter what, in everything he does, he pretty much succeeds in getting you to believe he is one of the greatest guitarist ever.
This should not be taken as an endless glib statement that ends up in debates where people list millions of other guitarists worth their salt, the bottom line is that the 13th album in 12 short and prolific years have led to possibly the career defining album in Driving Towards The Daylight.
Coming a little over a year since the excellent Dust Bowl and a little over nine months since his collaboration with Bet Hart on the album Don’t Explain, it certainly seems that Joe Bonamassa doesn’t stand still, there really is no time to let grass grow under feet. With some artists the more prolific they get, the quality of their output can be seen to suffer and take the odd down turn when they feel the pressure of having to keep long term appeal to their fan base and to keep anyone higher up the musical food chain from devouring each last little piece of genuine talent.
Where the album benefits both Joe Bonamassa and his producer Kevin Shirley is with the inclusion of some tracks by some of the luminaries of the music world including the late Great Robert Johnson’s song Stones In My Passway, a cracking version of Bill Withers beautiful track, Lonely Town Lonely Street and Howlin’ Wolf’s Whose Been Talking?
Without a shadow of doubt though it is the music of Joe’s own personal stamp that leaves its mark on this 13th studio album, songs as enjoyable as these are tremendous to hear and revel in. You might keep the volume down on whatever system you choose to listen to however by the end of the album it will cranked up and enjoyed by the whole of the street, even by those with no wish to have music in their lives will appreciate it.
It’s going to be interesting to see if Joe Bonamassa can top this album, surely an impossible feat for someone even with the music depth and quality of this one man, I wouldn’t bet against it though!
Ian D. Hall