The song will be featured on the forthcoming Live At The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra
Joe Bonamassa releases his latest live single, “Ball Peen Hammer,” from the upcoming album Live at the Hollywood Bowl with Orchestra. This version features an extraordinary arrangement backed by a 40-piece orchestra, adding a majestic layer to Bonamassa’s signature sound. Originally penned by the underappreciated genius Chris Whitley, Bonamassa immortalized the song on his 2007 album Sloe Gin, and its powerful interpretation by Bonamassa introduced it to a broader audience.
“Ball Peen Hammer” is a poignant tale of resilience and hope amid hardship. Bonamassa’s live version captures the raw emotional essence of the song, further enriched by the lush dynamics of the orchestra. Reflecting on Whitley’s influence, Bonamassa shared, “He doesn’t get a lot of credit but he’s one of the great songwriters and guitarists that I ever have run across. My tribute to Chris Whitley is deeply rooted.” He further recalled opening for Whitley in 2002: “Chris was the most devastating solo performer I have ever seen. I based my song and the sheer volume of the performance of the song ‘Woke Up Dreaming’ on that night. Gone too soon and not known nor appreciated in his own lifetime. Plus a very nice and humble man to top it off.”
The release of “Ball Peen Hammer” follows the success of “The Last Matador of Bayonne,” another highlight from Live at the Hollywood Bowl with Orchestra. ”Matador” has amassed nearly 600,000 views on YouTube to date and growing. Each song on the album has been carefully selected to showcase the depth and breadth of Bonamassa’s musical influences and his ability to fuse blues, rock, and orchestral elements into a compelling narrative soundscape.
Live At The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra showcases Bonamassa’s virtuosic blend of blues and rock but also elevates fan-favorite tracks with grandiose orchestral arrangements by some of Hollywood’s finest – David Campbell, Trevor Rabin, and Jeff Bova. “Very few gigs represent my journey in music more than the Hollywood Bowl. I moved to Los Angeles in 2003 in search of opportunities and cheaper rent than New York City. My first gig at The Mint was attended by five of my friends and that’s all. We have played The Greek Theatre many times since, but the Bowl has always been a dream. The orchestra and the sheer scale of the event and venue is something I will never forget. I am so grateful that we filmed this special event in my life,” reminisces Bonamassa.
Available in CD/DVD, CD/Blu-ray, 2 LP vinyl, and digital formats, the release captures the essence of Bonamassa’s career, highlighting his exceptional talent and the impactful fusion of blues, rock, and orchestral music.
Following the momentum from his US spring tour and the ninth annual voyage of his Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea cruise, Bonamassa is set to captivate audiences across Europe with a series of performances, paving the way for his eagerly awaited Blues Deluxe Tour in the US this summer. Beginning August 2nd in Selbyville, DE, and culminating in an unforgettable two-night performance in Hampton Beach, NH, on August 30th and 31st, the tour celebrates Bonamassa’s seminal album Blues Deluxe and its chart-topping successor, Blues Deluxe Vol. 2. This 21-city tour will showcase an electrifying mix of Bonamassa’s classics and deep tracks live for the first time, alongside a band of world-class musicians.
