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Limited LP: Transparent Vinyl
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Beth & Joe - 'Don't Explain', re-issued on Transparent vinyl for the first time!
Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Beth Hart, known for her raw and powerful blues-rock sound, wraps her expressive vocals around classic soul covers on 'Don't Explain', an album that grew out of her friendship with guitarist Joe Bonamassa Produced by Kevin Shirley (Joe Bonamassa, Led Zeppelin, Black Crowes), the album features Hart's scorching interpretations of ten songs, with Bonamassa on guitar and his ace band filling out the tracks.
Bonamassa and Hart had crossed paths on the road numerous times, and played many of the same festivals in Europe. In early 2010, he caught a show of hers in London -"It was killer," says Bonamassa - and suggested they do a project together sometime. 'Don't Explain' took shape that summer while Bonamassa was recording his album 'Dust Bowl in Santorini, Greece. "I was up late one night, I couldn't sleep. I was playing songs on my iPod from the reissue of Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out, which included all the opening acts from that Stones show," he recalls. "As soon as the Ike & Tina Turner tracks came on, I just said out loud, 'Beth Hart.' I e-mailed Kevin, saying, "Let's do a soul covers record with Beth," and he replied back, "Actually, that's a great idea."
Hart agreed, though she says, "When I first got the call from Joe about doing a soul record with me, I figured I'd be the background vocalist. He said, 'No, you're singing lead." She collaborated with Bonamassa and Shirley on choosing songs, and the final set list features numbers made famous by artists including Billie Holiday (the title track, 'Don't Explain'), Aretha Franklin ('Ain't No Way'), Bill Withers ('For My Friend'), Ray Charles ('Sinner's Prayer'), Delaney & Bonnie ('Well, Well,' featuring a vocal duet with Bonamassa), Tom Waits ('Chocolate Jesus'), Etta James ('I'd Rather Go Blind' and 'Something's Got A Hold On Me') and many more.
Tracklist
Sinner's Prayer / Chocolate Jesus / Your Heart Is As Black As Night / For My Friend / I'd Rather Go Blind / Don't Explain / Something's Got A Hold On Me / I'll Take Care Of You / Well, Well / Ain't No Way