Joe Bonamassa is a very busy man. In March he released his latest solo album Dust Bowl and in June his band Black Country Communion released 2, arguably the best rock album of the year. Now the dream team of Bonamassa and producer Kevin Shirley join up with singer/songwriter Beth Hart for Don't Explain, a 10 track collection of soul covers.
Don't Explain opens with "Sinner's Prayer," a Ray Charles cover, which gets things off to a bluesy start. The album really starts cooking on "For My Friend" by Bill Withers. Bonamassa begins with a killer riff that wouldn't be out of place on a Black Country Communion album and Hart's raw vocals knock it out of the park.
The highlight of Don't Explain has to be Etta James' "I'd Rather Go Blind." Hart turns in a powerful vocal performance that gets stronger as the track goes on and Bonamassa delivers one of the most memorable solo's he's ever done, which says a lot. "Something's Got A Hold On Me," another Etta James cover follows and is the most upbeat song on Don't Explain. Soul music simply doesn't get any better.
Don't Explain is an album that could take Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa to the mainstream. Songs like "I'll Take Care Of You" and "Well, Well" definitely have wide appeal. Bonamassa's playing is excellent, but never overshadows the song and Beth Hart proves why she is one of the top vocalists around. Don't Explain is one of the years best albums and hopefully it will result in a second Hart/Bonamassa record.

Track List:

01. Sinner's Prayer (4:28)
02. Chocolate Jesus (2:40)
03. Your Heart Is As Black As Night (5:00)
04. For My Friends (4:11)
05. Don't Explain (4:34)
06. I'd Rather Go Blind (8:06)
07. Something's Got A Hold On Me (6:05)
08. I'll Take Care Of You (5:13)
09. Well Well (3:42)
10. Ain't No Way (6:50)
11. I'll Take Care Of You (Radio Edit) (3:19)

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