Dusting off a few blues stylings

Blues rocker Joe Bonamassa has always combined an Allman Brothers-style Southern sensibility with a bit of Black Keys-esque garage grit, but his newest album, “Dust Bowl,” stirs new spice into the creative pot for well-crafted results.

Bonamassa mixes in some honky-tonk with help from John Hiatt and Vince Gill on “Tennessee Plates” and gives a booster shot of old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll in “The Whale That Swallowed Jonah,” keeping the album from getting slowed down by its more reflective (though no less impressive) tracks.

The album’s diversity reflects how much Bonamassa has matured as a musician. 

His lyrics have become less contrived since the likes of “The Ballad of John Henry” and allow the music to shine through without distraction. And it does shine, as Bonamassa’s solos only get tighter and more cathartic — and more fun.  

If you already thought Bonamassa was good, get ready. He’s been dusting off and brushing up.