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October 21, 2009Widely regarded as one of the best active guitarists in the world, Joe Bonamassa has been playing electrifying blues music for more than two decades. With his latest release, The Ballad of John Henry, the 32-year-old combines incendiary guitar work with his most reflective lyrics to date; the result is a sonically and emotionally powerful blues record.
Bonamassa started out as a child prodigy, opening for blues legend B.B. King by the time he was 12. Although born and raised in the U.S., Bonamassa was influenced most heavily by the work of European blues masters, while still adding his own personal touch. Now on his ninth album, the guitarist continues to expand his sonic palette, rocking like vintage Led Zeppelin when he's not drenching his grooves in melancholy.
Based in Philadelphia, WXPN takes listeners on a journey of music discovery through new and heritage rock, blues, roots, and folk artists. WXPN also produces NPR's World Cafe.
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