Bad Temper Joe - At the Villa (CD)

When it comes to blues in Germany, there's no getting around Bad Temper Joe. The grumpy blues bard from the East Westphalian countryside has become an absolute standout in the blues scene in recent years. This is evidenced not only by the numerous albums with songs as raw as they are haunting that BTJ has released to date, but also by his win of the German Blues Challenge, as well as his nominations for various blues awards and the German Record Critics' Award. With a dedication to the old bluesmen from the Mississippi Delta, Bad Temper Joe effortlessly transports the often-declared-dead blues into the 21st century – and does so with everything that characterizes blues at the highest level: excellent songwriting, a strong sense of tradition, and captivating performances. BTJ is also making waves internationally. In 2020, he was the only European act to make it to the finals of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, USA. The British Blues Matters Magazine concludes: “It's hard to believe that the sounds of the Mississippi Delta have relocated to Germany, but they have.”
With "At the Villa," the talented guitarist, singer, and composer presents a remarkable acoustic EP. Following his albums "One Can Wreck It All," "No Filter (One Take Radio Recordings)," and "Glitter & Blues," as well as numerous recordings with various bands, this release once again focuses entirely on his signature voice and his virtuoso playing on the Weissenborn lap steel and resonator guitar. The five original compositions were recorded as raw as possible in the unique atmosphere of the Vita Villa in Wolfenbüttel, Lower Saxony, without artificial elements or post-production. Although the stripped-back sound may seem a little unmodern, BTJ succeeds in creating a fresh and captivating blues EP. The purist yet warm sound makes listeners feel as if they were right there during the recording sessions. The charismatic curmudgeon once again underlines his unique skill in composing and writing lyrics, drawing on the blues tradition while presenting an originality that is unparalleled in Europe.
Following the success of the 2020 acoustic EP "The Memphis Tapes," recorded at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis and released exclusively on vinyl, Bad Temper Joe and the Osnabrück-based record label Timezone are taking a different approach this time. In addition to the CD release in a digisleeve with a booklet containing all the lyrics, as well as digitally on all music streaming services, the EP is also accompanied by a film from the Vita Villa. This film, with its unique camera movements, creates an unusual closeness to the musician and impressively demonstrates BTJ's class as a solo artist. "At the Villa" builds anticipation for a full-length album to come soon, while the EP hopefully serves only as a teaser to shorten the wait.

01 If Her Hair Ain't Longer Than Mine
02 Reinventing the Blues
03 Berlin, Springtime Rain
04 Bad Name
05 Man for the Road