I know I shouldn't say it, but this guy is the best I have heard in a long time.  He played our Blues Fest here, and carries the moniker of "Blues Guitarist", but it goes a lot further, I can tell you that.  He can play anything...and with incredible taste and finesse. 

His vocals are so superb, he could make it as a singer even if he never played a note on guitar, and he rules, ladies and gentlemen, he rules.

Joe Bonamassa.  Don't miss him live if you get a chance to see him.  Jaw dropping.   I know we chatted about him here a few years ago (2002 according to the archives). 

He plays in a power trio setting.  His chops are a fusion of every player you have ever heard and of course, a lot of his own.  His forte is blues based electric guitar, but he is a very good acoustic stylist as well, and has a very respectable slide repertoire.  He finished with a nice jazz vamp and sang a vocal so sweet, it was not far off Ray Charles. To hear him, is to experience just about all of the past 4 decades of American electric guitar (and there's a fair bit of Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton thrown in the mix as well).   What I liked about him the best though, was his groove and ...he knows how to entertain an audience, not just do the guitar-god stance. 

Kathryn, I know you would have gone nuts hearing this guy.  Right up your alley.  I'll have to send you some samples soooon...

(He's playing Ram's Head Tavern in Annapolis 10/31/06.  Be there...or be square).