Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Every few years Los Angeles songstress Beth Hart and renowned blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa team up to produce an album that is undoubtedly a labour of love for both artists and a joy to behold for their fans and this latest offering is no exception. Possessing one of the greatest voices of the current day, Hart finds herself at the top of her game vocally with a raft of top notch performances that range from raspingly powerful to tender and trembling depending on the mood of the song. Bonamassa is of course the darling of the modern blues scene and he pulls off solo after stunning solo with ease whilst ensuring that his rhythm work never steals the limelight from his musical other half. Aside from a somewhat perfunctory cover of the blues standard "Sitting On Top Of The World", Hart and Bonamassa have dug deep in terms of song choices with the likes of the Kansas Joe McCoy-penned "Why Don't You Do Right" and a simply gorgeous take on the old jazz classic "Lullaby Of The Leaves" nestling next to the sometimes overlooked Ike and Tina title track. Elsewhere, a satisfyingly storming rendition of the Leiber & Stoller's quasi gospel number "Saved" and the motivational opener "Give It Everything You Got" keep things upbeat whilst covers of Etta James' "Damn Your Eyes" and Lavern Baker's "Soul On Fire" see Hart in trademark smouldering lust mode with Bonamassa's guitar work helping to fan the flames on yet another fine collaborative release.

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