Blues Deluxe Vol. 2 is the sixteenth solo studio album by American blues rock musician Joe Bonamassa, released through J&R Adventures in North America and Provogue in Europe on October 6, 2023. "I Want to Shout About It", "Twenty-Four Hour Blues", "Well, I Done Got Over It", "Lazy Poker Blues" and "Hope You Realize It (Goodbye Again)" were released as singles prior to the album.[1] It serves as a successor to the original Blues Deluxe, released 20 years earlier.
Background
The album serves as a continuation of his 2003 studio album Blues Deluxe. Produced alongside Josh Smith, Bonamassa wanted to see how much he progressed as a musician in the span of 20 years.[2] Smith revealed that he immediately knew what he wanted to accomplish, which was for fans to hear a "completely natural, relaxed Joe". He described him as "in the moment and feeling completely supported".[3] The album includes two original songs as well as eight cover versions of Bobby Bland, Fleetwood Mac and Albert King.[4]
Blues Deluxe Vol. 2 received a score of 71 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on five critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception.[5] Hal Horowitz of American Songwriter wrote that Bonamassa "clearly loves these songs, delivering them with class and fire. Guitar solos are kept in check, stabbing through without the excessive flash he has been criticized for".[7]Uncut described the album as "faithful and reverential throughout" with "clear signs of Joe's own personality shining though",[9] and Mojo found the songs to be "all done pretty straight, but then of course he throws in his trademark 'more is more' soloing, all Bluesbreakers-to-Cream-era Eric Clapton-style muscle and intensity".[8]