Joe Bonamassa launches new project The Sleep Eazys
Blues rock iconoclast Joe Bonamassa has launched a new musical project called The Sleep Eazys.
Last updated 12th Mar 2020
Led by Joe Bonamassa on guitar, The Sleep Eazys is largely comprised of Joe’s touring band - Anton Fig (percussion), Michael Rhodes (bass), Reese Wynans (keyboards), Lee Thornburg (trumpet), Paulie Cerra (saxophone), along with Jade MacRae and Juanita Tippins on backing vocals.
The Sleep Eazys will release the nine-track instrumental album ‘Easy To Buy, Hard To Sell’ via Mascot Label Group on Friday 10th April on CD and Friday 15th May on vinyl. Pre-order it here.
Produced by Joe Bonamassa himself, ‘Easy To Buy, Hard To Sell’ is a tribute to Joe’s musical mentor, the late Danny Gatton, and fittingly opens with a cover of his track ‘Fun House’.
Other covers include Frank Sinatra’s ‘It Was A Very Good Year’, Tony Joe White’s ‘Polk Salad Annie’, Link Wray’s ‘Ace of Spades’ and King Curtis’ ‘Blue Nocturne’. Musically, the instrumental album encompasses jazz, bluegrass, funk, rockabilly, rock and much more.
The first single is a version of ‘Bond (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service)’ by the legendary John Barry. You can listen to a snippet here:
Joe Bonamassa comments: “To be honest I have always wanted to do a record like this. But, to be even more honest I’m not sure I was ready both professionally and musically, until now.
“The time finally felt right to finally pay tribute to a mentor, a friend and one of the greatest guitarists of all time: the late-great Danny Gatton. My time hanging out and jamming with Danny as a child shaped my playing and musical pathway more than just about anyone.”
Alongside The Sleep Eazys and his esteemed solo career, Joe Bonamassa is also a member of Black Country Communion and Rock Candy Funk Party and an ex-member of Bloodline. He has collaborated with an array of artists including Beth Hart, Jason Bonham, Joe Lynn Turner and Jordan Rudess.
The track-listing for The Sleep Eazys’ ‘Easy To Buy, Hard To Sell’ is as follows:
1. Fun House (Danny Gatton) 2. Move (Hank Garland) 3. Ace of Spades (Link Wray) 4. Ha So (Jimmy Bryant) 5. Hawaiian Eye (late 50s/early 60s TV theme) 6. Bond (On Her Majesty's Secret Service) (John Barry) 7. Polk Salad Annie (Tony Joe White) 8. Blue Nocturne (King Curtis) 9. It Was A Very Good Year (Frank Sinatra)
Don’t forget, Joe Bonamassa tours the UK in April and May 2020. Head to Planet Rock Tickets to check ticket availability.
The tour dates are as follows:
APRIL 2020 Brighton Centre – Sat 25th Edinburgh Playhouse – Mon 27th Liverpool M&S Bank Arena – Tue 28th Gateshead Sage – Thu 30th
MAY 2020 Leeds First Direct Arena – Fri 1st Cardiff Motorpoint Arena – Sat 2nd