“Hope You Realize It (Goodbye Again)” is available now

Joe Bonamassa has released “Hope You Realize It (Goodbye Again),” the latest single from his forthcoming album Blues Deluxe Vol. 2. This original song, written by Bonamassa and Tom Hambridge, demonstrates the 26x Billboard chart-topper’s commitment to innovation within the blues genre.

“This is a song that I wrote with Tom Hambridge, and we did a real Tower Of Power treatment on it,” Bonamassa explains. “Now, the whole thing about ‘Blues Deluxe, Vol. 2,’ we tried to keep the same ratio of covers to originals as on Blues Deluxe, Vol. 1, so we needed an upbeat song and I had this song kind of laying around for over a year. Calvin Turner wrote a killer funky horn part, and we just did like a Tower Of Power take on it and made no apologies about it. It’s just the nature of the groove and everything else – you have to tip the hat.”

The release of “Hope You Realize It (Goodbye Again)” follows three standout singles from Blues Deluxe Vol. 2. “Twenty-Four Hour Blues,” a fiery reinterpretation of Bobby “Blue” Bland’s iconic track from the Dreamer album, boasts one of Bonamassa’s most potent vocal and guitar performances to date. The second single, “Well, I Done Got Over It,” pays tribute to Guitar Slim’s 1953 release. Introduced to Slim’s work by his father during childhood, Bonamassa was instantly captivated by his velvety voice and unique delivery. The new version fuses the styles of the Blues Breakers and Guitar Slim, creating a unique blend that Bonamassa masterfully delivers. The third track, “Lazy Poker Blues,” is a rejuvenated classic originally performed by Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, showcasing Bonamassa’s deep reverence for the titans of British blues.

Blues Deluxe Vol. 2 is Bonamassa’s heartfelt tribute to the roots of his musical journey, breathing fresh life into classic tracks and encapsulating the blues genre’s evolution. Out October 6th via J&R Adventures, the album features two new originals and eight new covers spanning some of the most important names in the blues – from Bobby “Blue” Bland to Albert King. Also available for pre-order is the Platinum Edition Box Set (limited to 500 units worldwide), which includes the CD and vinyl versions for both Vol. 2 and Blues Deluxe Remastered along with exclusive items.

Featuring Reese Wynans on keys, Calvin Turner on bass, Lamar Carter on drums, Kirk Fletcher on guitar, and Smith on guitar, additional highlights from the project include Bobby Parker’s “It’s Hard But It’s Fair,” and “Is It Safe To Go Home,” a new track written for Bonamassa by Josh Smith.

Bonamassa’s 2023 summer run included his debut appearance at Hollywood Bowl on Wednesday, August 9th. The exclusive, one-night-only concert experience alongside an orchestra was recorded for his next live concert film. The summer tour ends this weekend with Keeping the Blues Alive presents: Joe Bonamassa & Friends, featuring special guests Styx and Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles. The special two-night performance run will stop at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater on Saturday, August 12th and Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on Sunday, August 13th. Then, the hardest working bluesman in show business will begin his US Fall Tour on October 23rd at The Cannon Center in Memphis, TN, before crisscrossing the country and capping the year at the guitar-shaped Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL on December 2nd.

Bonamassa’s spring 2024 tour will include performances in historic venues like the Count Basie Center For The Arts in Red Bank, New Jerse on February 23rd and the Saenger Theatre in Pensacola, Florida on March 7th, before culminating with Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea IX, set for March 18-24, departing from Miami, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico. The festival line-up includes Grace Potter, The Marshall Tucker Band, John Oates, Jimmy Vivino, King King, and a special performance by Black Country Communion, Bonamassa’s supergroup with Glenn Hughes, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian. KTBA at Sea is one of the largest fundraisers for Bonamassa’s Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, aiding in its mission to promote music education by providing grants and resources to schools and musicians in need.