On the tiny, cramped stage at The Cavern Club, revered blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa played to a small but thrilled crowd crammed into the venue. Known as the place where The Beatles launched their career, it is on the bucket list of many musicians to play the legendary club. From his place on the coveted stage, Joe had decided to pay tribute to the band that put the venue on the map by performing a cover of ‘Taxman’. However, this is ‘Taxman’ as Music Man fans have never heard it before.
Joe took the snarky Harrison-penned pop hit and turned it into a seven-minute-long blues extravaganza, transforming it until he had made the song something completely his own. His fingers flew over the neck of the guitar, taking detours with bluesy phrases that sounded a world away from the original track, before finding his way back to the familiar song we all know. His creativity and ingenuity in his cover had one fan calling it “the best cover of ‘Taxman’ I’ve ever heard.”
I was charmed by how Joe captured George Harrison’s 1966 composition while also incorporating some of the influences that inspired him later in life. With British blues guitarists influencing Joe’s work, such as Eric Clapton, who was a close friend and musical influence on George, it makes me wonder if this is what ‘Taxman’ may have sounded like had George written it a few years down the line. Joe’s cover goes beyond a tribute and offers a fresh perspective on this song’s sonic potential.
This is not the first time Joe Bonamassa has offered his own interpretation of a Beatles song by George Harrison. In 2019, he paid tribute to the fellow guitarist once again with a cover of ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps,’ this time joined by Peter Frampton. Already a blues-infused track thanks to George’s songwriting and Eric Clapton’s iconic guitar solos, Joe and Peter took things to the next level, their guitars engaging in a stunning bluesy duel that Music Man fans will be astonished by.
The Beatles’ songs are so well known that sometimes it can feel like every detail of their sound is now set in stone. With artists like Joe Bonamassa being bold enough to infuse the songs with their own sound, they can transform them into something new, allowing listeners to hear them with fresh ears and appreciate both the original song anew as well as the new flavor that the cover artist brings.
Joe Bonamassa’s electrifying performance at The Cavern Club not only pays homage to The Beatles but also reimagines a classic in a way no one else could. His unique rendition of ‘Taxman’ showcases his extraordinary skill and creativity, leaving fans in awe. To delve deeper into Joe’s musical journey and experience more of his incredible artistry, explore the links provided below.