Rock n Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason of Traffic has unveiled a new, re-released version of the band’s timeless hit, “Dear Mr. Fantasy.” Alongside blues rock icon, Joe Bonamassa, the two created a reimagining of the 1967 track that both honors the original arrangement, while infusing new creativity into the music.
Traffic released “Dear Mr. Fantasy” in 1967 on the Mr. Fantasy album, the band’s debut release. Original band members Dave Mason, Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood collaborated on Traffic’ discography throughout the 60s and 70s. The band was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
’Fantasy’ has been a favorite song of mine since its release in 1967. I’ve played it live for years in a number of different arrangements. As I’ve often said, there are no old songs, just good songs, and ‘Dear Mr. Fantasy,’ in my mind, is one of the finest examples around.
Dave Mason
Joe Bonamassa, who lent his guitar and vocal skills to the new track, is a blues rock musician hailing from New Hartford, NY, a suburb of Utica. Having opened for B.B. King at the age of twelve, Bonamassa released his first album in 2000. Since then, the 3-time Grammy nominee has since released a total of 16 solo records.
To have the opportunity to incorporate one of the modern-day great guitar players, Joe Bonamassa, is as exciting to me as playing with Jimi Hendrix. He is the first person I wanted to include on this new version of ‘Fantasy.’
Dave Mason
Dave Mason (left) and Joe Bonamassa (right)
Alongside the new release of “Dear Mr. Fantasy,” Mason and Bonamassa released an animated music video, with bright graphics and lyrics to accompany the reimagined track. Watch the new music video below.
Legendary blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa recently released a new song titled “Well, I Done Got Over It”. The track was originally released by Guitar Slim back in 1953. Bonamassa’s rendition is part of his upcoming Oct. 6 album Blues Deluxe Vol. 2. The project comes 20 years after the New York native’s breakthrough album Blues Deluxe.
Photo Credit: Robert Sutton
“Well, I Done Got Over It’ is a high-energy tune that perfectly captures all of the attitude and groove of classic blues-rock songs. Packed with the rich sounds of horns and capped off with an impressive guitar solo, the track showcases every ounce of Bonamassa’s artistic ability.
“My father introduced me to Guitar Slim a long time ago, back when I was a kid… He has such a velvety smooth voice, and he had such a way of delivering a song. We did a very British take on this Guitar Slim song, it’s like the Blues Breakers meets Guitar Slim meets Joe Bonamassa, Josh Smith and company”
Joe Bonamassa
Born in New Hartford but raised in Utica, Bonamassa discovered music at an early age. By the time he was 12, Bonamassa was traveling around the state playing various local shows. The guitarist made a name for himself off of debut 2000 album A New Day Yesterday, which reached the #9 spot Billboard Blues chart. From 2002-06 Bonamassa had five albums reach the Blues Top 10, including his 2003 effort Blues Deluxe.
Bonamassa’s new project will see the Grammy-nominated artist return to some of his original sources of inspiration. Blues Deluxe Vol. 2 features two new original songs as well as eight new covers. The album also gets contributions fromReese Wynans (keys), Calvin Turner (bass), Lamar Carter (drums), Kirk Fletcher (guitar), and Josh Smith (guitar).
“Well, I Done Got Over It” follows the release of the album’s previous single “Twenty-Four Hour Blues” which dropped back in June. The song is a rip-roaring interpretation of Bobby “Blue” Bland’s classic song which was released in 1974. Bonamassa’s version includes an inspired and passionate vocal and guitar performance.
“The outro guitar solo is incredible… It happened live on the floor and has some deep lines you’ve probably never heard Joe play before. The band is absolutely smoking, and Calvin Turner did an incredible String and Horn arrangement. Super proud of this one”
Guitarist Josh Smith
Bonamassa has a slew of performance dates during the Summer and Fall. Stops in New York include shows at the Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater and Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.
Here for album pre-orders and details. Check out here for tour tickets and additional information.
Summer 2023 U.S. Tour
August 2 – Vina Robles Amphitheatre – Paso Robles, CA
August 4 – The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas – Las Vegas, NV
August 5 – Eccles Theater – Salt Lake City, UT
August 6 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
August 9 – Hollywood Bowl – Los Angeles, CA^
August 12 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY
August 13 – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts – Bethel, NY
Fall 2023 U.S. Tour
October 23 – Memphis, TN – The Cannon Center
October 25 – Shreveport, LA – Shreveport Municipal Auditorium
October 27 – San Antonio, TX – Majestic Theatre
October 28 – Sugar Land, TX – Smart Financial Centre At Sugar Land
October 29 – Austin, TX – ACL Live
November 1 – Fayetteville, AR – Walton Arts Center
November 3 – Little Rock, AR – Robinson Performance Hall
November 4 – Grand Prairie, TX – Texas Trust CU Theatre
November 5 – Oklahoma City, OK – Civic Center Music Hall
November 8 – Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Theater
November 10 – Kansas City, MO – The Midland Theatre
November 11 – St. Louis, MO – The Fabulous Fox
November 12 – Cedar Rapids, IA – Paramount Theatre
November 14 – Rochester, MN – Mayo Civic Center
November 15 – Rockford, IL – Coronado Performing Arts Center
November 17 – Fort Wayne, IN – Embassy Theatre
November 18 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre
November 19 – Columbus, OH – Palace Theatre
November 21 – Reading, PA – The Santander Performing Arts Center
November 22 – Providence, RI – Providence Performance Arts Center
November 24 – Springfield, MA – Symphony Hall
November 25 – Baltimore, MD – The Lyric
November 28 – Savannah, GA – Johnny Mercer Theatre
November 30 – Sarasota, FL – Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
On February 28, Joe Bonamassa performed at the historic Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo. Two fans shared their thoughts from the show, accompanied by photos by Zachary Todtenhagen.
Since opening for B.B. King at age 12, Joe Bonamassa has continued to grow and display his unparalleled guitar skills. Out of the 16 shows I’ve seen, Joe always has a unique theme, 70’s funk, big band, old time blues, etc. the show on Tuesday, February 28, was reminiscent of good old rock and role. Joe played a bunch of new songs with some of his older hits mixed in.
The crowd was whooping and hollering when “Dust Bowl” was played and everyone was on their feet for the encore, “Sloe Gin”. It seems like Joe’s ability to play the guitar somehow evolves and improves at every show he plays, keeping the audience surprised, entertained, and always coming back for more. – Kailey Gyorffy.
My uncle first introduced my mother and I to Joe Bonamassa about a year before this show. He played a show at The Tralf that I unfortunately missed. When I heard he was coming back to Buffalo and to Shea’s I knew it was a show I couldn’t miss. My mom took me to the show for my birthday with my brother. The music was comforting. It brought me back to the time I was young and covered me with a warm blanket. A time when I was picking my parents brains for that quality old school rock and roll, blues, you name it. If I had to compare this to anything it would be that. A feeling of what it was like to be alive through the 70’s.
He busted out beautiful guitar after beautiful guitar and had some really great banter in between. His stage presence was one of experience and confidence. Joe used that presence to bring you in closer rather than intimidate, with fun body movements, gestures, and words. It was definitely one of those shows that you wish never stopped, but end up saying ‘WOW That went fast.” – Doug Recore
Three-time Grammy-nominated guitarist and 25x Billboard chart-topper Joe Bonamassa announced on February 6 that his tour will be coming to New York this summer, and is scheduled to perform at Jones Beach on August 12th and the Bethel Woods Center on August 13. The two-night performance is part of a concert series, “Keeping the Blues Alive presents: Joe Bonamassa and Friends.”
Also joining Bonamassa in concert are the rock band Styx, and former Eagles lead guitarist Don Felder. In line with its inaugural event last year, the concert series will feature individual performances from each act. The final act features a jaw-dropping encore with members from all three bands.
On a related note, Bonamassa is currently preparing for his spring 2023 tour. The tour starts Feb. 15 in Charleston, West Virginia, and continues through the Midwest and East Coast. Bonamassa will conclude his tour with the sold-out Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea VIII, scheduled for March 13-17, departing from Miami, Florida to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
Prior to his Jones Beach and Bethel Woods Center shows, Bonamassa is scheduled to perform at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre on Feb. 28
Originating in Chicago, Styx is comprised of six members, James “JY” Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards), Ricky Phillips (bass, guitar, vocals), and ‘Crash Of The Crown’ producer and co-writer Will Evankovich (guitars.) Their career spans over 50 years, with their anonymous first album debuting in 1972. The band released its 17th album, Crash of the Crown, in June 2021 through their label Alpha Dog 2T/UMe.
Born in Gainesville, Florida, Felder got his big break after the release of the Eagles’ third studio album, On the Border, in 1974. It was Felder’s first record with the Eagles, remaining with them until 2001. While he was still a member of the band, Felder released his debut solo record, Airbourne, in 1983. Further, in 1998, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Eagles. On his own, Felder was inaugurated into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville in 2016 and the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2017.
Bonamassa in concert
Born in New Hartford, NY, and raised in Utica, Bonamassa rose to fame in 2000 with the release of his debut record, A New Day Yesterday. In 2020, Bonamassa created his independent record label, Keeping the Blues Alive Records, which promotes and supports the talent of musicians. Similarly, he also runs the 501(c)(3) non-profit Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation.
His fifteenth and most recent record, Time Clocks, was released in Oct. 2021 by J&R Adventures. In support of his latest album, Bonamassa recorded a live concert film, Tales Of Time, in Aug. 2022, scheduled for worldwide release on April 14, by Bonamassa’s J&R Adventures in CD/DVD, CD/BR, vinyl, and digital formats.
Tickets for Joe Bonamassa at Jones Beach and Bethel Woods, and all other shows, go on sale Friday, Feb. 10, beginning at 10 a.m.
Joe Bonamassa U.S. Tour 2023 Feb. 15 – Clay Center – Charleston, WV Feb. 17 – Playhouse Square – Cleveland, OH Feb. 18 – Riverside Theater – Milwaukee, WI Feb. 20 – The Orpheum Theater – Madison, WI Feb. 22 – Peoria Civic Center Theater – Peoria, IL Feb. 24 – DeVos Performance Hall – Grand Rapids, MI Feb. 25 – Morris Performing Arts Center – South Bend, IN Feb. 28 – Shea’s Buffalo Theatre – Buffalo, NY March 1 – Benedum Center – Pittsburgh, PA March 3 – Ovens Auditorium – Charlotte, NC March 4 – Fox Theatre – Atlanta, GA March 5 – Soldiers And Sailors Memorial Auditorium – Chattanooga, TN March 7 – Montgomery Performing Arts Centre – Montgomery, AL March 8 – Saenger Theatre – New Orleans, LA March 10 – The King Center – Melbourne, FL March 11 – The St. Augustine Amphitheatre – St. Augustine, FL March 13-17 – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea VIII – Miami, FL August 12 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY * August 13 – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts – Bethel, NY *
* Keeping the Blues Alive presents: Joe Bonamassa & Friends: Styx and Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles
