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****Liberty Call****

Sidenote: Written by Jimmy Page & Robert Plant; Originally performed by Led Zeppelin

Tea For One
~ Joe Bonamassa ~

Not since the mighty Zeppelin, has a supergroup soared as high as Black Country Communion. In less than two year's time, they've made a mark that will endure for decades, in times when other long established rock bands are struggling with ticket sales and sizing down venues mid-tour, BCC are selling out to SRO crowds.

This epic begins with a sampled snippet of John Henry Bonham's intro to "When The Levee Breaks" and is soon joined by Jason Bonham laying down the big Bonzo beat as only JB's progeny can. Whether this Joe Bonamassa original is about the legenday steel driving man who battled the steam-shovel, or about the Hammer of The Gods that battled demons of his own remains a discussion for other forums. That Bonamassa weilds a seldom heard Theramin (Jimmy Page's favorite play thing) and decends into snatches of Jimmy's Yardbirds bandmate Jeff Beck's signature "Freeway Jam" (keeping in mind that Jeff came within days of joining Zeppelin before his own group was signed to Epic Records), may offer a clue or simply be coincidence or contrived conspiricy theory from the mind of Drumbo Thunder. I prefer to think this song is a tribute to Jason's dad, but I'm sentimental that way (as any self-respecting Thunder Klown should be).

At any rate, Joe assures us that the hammer that killed John Henry and the "cold iron shackles" that bound him won't be BCC's fate. This is Black Country's "Stairway To Heaven" (to date) and there's no encore possible, so it's my Canteen Jukebox finale for tonight. I anticipate I'll be absent next weekend buckaroos as I entertain out of town guests, but I shall return on Friday the 25th if the good Lord's willin'. Until then, Happy Mother's Day, Happy Birthday Joe, God bless ya'll and I'll see you in church.

The Ballad Of John Henry (Live)
~ Black Country Communion ~