Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
The instrumental album arguably finds itself in a unique position when it comes to the public’s attention and the enjoyment they feel when listening to music. Like all art it will always make you think, but unlike albums full of meaningful lyrics and the drawing of words into the realm of the well placed chord, the instrumental is left to fend for itself, it has to be big and bold just to have someone take notice, for people want the line and the hook so they can fall in love, and yet if the listener is so able, the lack of words speak volumes for the artist.
Easy To Buy, Hard To Sell sees the use of the instrumental backdrop taken with all that in mind and with the passion of the great Blues man Joe Bonamassa as part of the exciting new project The Sleep Eazys, the gigantic approach that the band have is enough to satisfy even the gaze of the casual onlooker and turn them on the power of imagination, for it is in imagination that that our own stories fill the void left to us by chance and design, and as each delightfully musically choregraphed step is taken, so the listener acquires greater knowledge of what is to come, of how to place their own insight into the meanings behind the vocal silence.
The brand-new project, which involves Anton Figg, Michael Rhodes, Reece Wynans, Lee Thornburg, Paulie Cerra, Jade MacRae, Juanita Tippins, Jimmy Hall and John Jorgenson across standards and giants of the genre from Frank Sinatra, Danny Gaton, Tony Joe White and King Curtis, sees homage paid in an electrifying burst of energy and commitment to the cause in tracks such as the excellent Ha So, the wonderful tribute to John Barry in Bond (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service), King Curtis’ Blue Nocturne and the outstanding It Was A Very Good Year immortalised by Frank Sinatra.
All that comes comfortably is never to be treated with the same reverence as that which has been grounded out, which has been placed before the artist as a blank canvas and had the soul poured over it; for Joe Bonamassa, for The Sleep Eazys, Easy To Buy, Hard To Sell is a cornerstone of faith and drive which has come from a place of respect and admiration, one that proves just how dedicated to the cause of entertaining and informing his audience Joe Bonamassa is.
The Sleep Eazys release Easy To Buy, Hard To Sell on April 10th via Provogue/J&R Adventures.
Ian D. Hall