Georgie Bonds - Hit It Hard (2015)

Hit it hard. This is what Georgie tells his band before they take the stage. Hit it hard. That’s how he worked as a blacksmith, that’s how he lives his life. Nothing is done in half measures. Upon hearing of the many setbacks Georgie has endured, most people are amazed that not only is he still standing but that he continues to learn, grow, and thrive. You don’t have to talk to Georgie for long before he smiles and tells you just how blessed he is. In Georgie’s world, you count and rejoice in your blessings. All the rest is just noise. It’s a world that perhaps more people should inhabit. Georgie’s obvious talent attracts many fans and admirers. But it’s his personality and infectious positive attitude that turns them into a community of true friends and supporters. When times get tough, Georgie can always count on this community for its unwavering support. Yet another blessing.
These songs reflect many aspects of Georgie’s personal blues journey. The first track, Pickin’ Your Bones, is a tribute to Georgie’s mentor–the great Sonny Rhodes–who guided him as a fledgling blues singer. The final track, Another Year, laments the prospect of spending another year in jail. Georgie wrote this song, his first, as a young man during a two year stint in Federal prison. Between are songs of guilt and redemption, incarceration and freedom, toil and celebration, revenge and forgiveness, despair and wonder, loneliness and joy.