So the other night we were watching the end of That Metal Show and the guest was Jason Bonham. They were talking about his new group. Andrew quickly said that the album and the group Black Country Communion was good and may be something that I would like. Quickly it appeared from his collection. I ripped it and put it on the iPod and since then it has gotten several listens. He was right I do like it!! The band is a new supergroup, although in the liner notes guitarist Joe Bonamassa says, they should not be called a supergroup but rather “overpaid underachievers”. Though I don’t think that there is any underachieving on this album. The group consists of Glenn Hughes on bass and vocals. Not knowing anything about Hughes I consulted Wikipedia and found that he was formerly the bass player for Deep Purple and briefly fronted Balck Sabbath in the 1980s, and has had a long solo career as well as playing on loads of other albums! The guitarist Joe Bonamassa I do know about. He is a favorite blues guitarist of mine and one of the best around! On keyboards is Derek Sherinian. Sherinian who also has worked with many artist during his career including a stint with one of my son’s favorite bands Dream Theater. Here’s something about Derek from his website:
It’s rare to find an equal mix of style and substance –– but keyboardist Derek Sherinian has balanced the two admirably during his 18-year professional career. While he has performed alongside some of rock’s flashiest showmen, Sherinian has also proven that he’s more than capable of trading licks with many of the most respected musicians on the planet
Last but certainly not least is drummer Jason Bonham. Bonham is the son of Led Zeppelin’s drummer John Bonham and tours with Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience.
Here’s what their website says about their music:
Black Country Communion is a devastating head-on collision between American and British rock influences—a true supergroup that delivers a titanic rock experience greater than the sum of its supremely talented parts
I agree they sound a little like Led Zeppelin but still have their own sound. I like both Hughes’ and Bonamassa’s vocals on the album and Bonamassa’s guitar shines on every track! The album rocks from the opening bass riff of “Black Country”. I am listening now and one of my other favorite tracks is on “Beggarman”. At least three times when “Song of Yesterday” has come on I have looked to see what the track was, so that must be a favorite, too!! I love Bonamassa and Hughes trading of vocals on this track. “Sista Jane” is another great track along with the closing track “Too Late for the Sun” all 11:19 minutes!
So if you are like me and like 70s rock check out Black Country Communion! In the liner notes Bonamassa’s number one tip on his guide to being a super group “Avoid annoucing the name before consulting the United States trademark office. Who would have thought Letz-Zep-Again was taken”. So that may tell you were there head was in making this album!! Check’em out and one places to do that is their Myspace page Black Country Communion
Here’s the band performing “Song of Yesterday”