Seesaw is the second full-length collaboration between sultry vocalist Beth Hart and blues-rock guitar phenom Joe Bonamassa. As with their 2011 debut together Don't Explain, this one was worked on with famed producer Kevin Shirley at the desk, who also helped the duo select the choices of cover songs to tackle. The results are a splendid mix of traditional blues, jazz, and rock, with Hart's powerful vocals soaring over the top of tight arrangements and Bonamassa's stinging guitar work. Known session musicians such as Anton Fig, Carmine Rojas, Blondie Chaplin, Arlan Schierbaum, Lee Thornburg, Rob Dziubla, Lenny Castro, Michael Rhodes, Doug Henthorn, and Jeff Bova also have taken part in this recording.
Of course, it's Beth & Joe who are the stars of the show here. Hart has such a commanding set of pipes, often compared to Janis Joplin, and she handles the smokier, blues/jazz numbers here just as well as the more upbeat rock pieces. Just listen to her tear it up on the hard hitting "Nutbush City Limits", and then get all sexy & sultry on the bluesy "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know", the latter containing a scorching Bonamassa guitar solo that is just off the charts. Despite some masterful guitar playing throughout Seesaw, Hart really shines the most, as it's just impossible to not be sucked in by her amazing vocal delivery, which is just full of power and passion. Listen to her charming take on the rockabilly number "Can't Let Go" as Bonamassa unleashes a torrent of sizzling slide guitar, or her gut wrenching screams on the rousing blues of "Miss Lady" for a taste of what she's all about. Then again, if you like rootsy, almost funky styled blues, Hart's swagger will take you for a ride on the upbeat "Rhymes", a tune that also contains some biting guitar work from Joe.
Two young stars that really create magic together, Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa have hit another home run on this new release, and though each have put out some stellar solo albums, there's no denying that musically they really click when they work together.
Track Listing
1. Them There Eyes
2. Close to My Fire
3. Nutbush City Limits
4. I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know
5. Can't Let You Go
6. Miss Lady
7. If I Tell You I Love You
8. Rhymes
9. A Sunday Kind of Love
10. See Saw
11. Strange Fruit
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