In an inspired pairing, L.A. blues queen Beth Hart teams up with rising guitar hero Joe Bonamassa to deliver a set of both classic and obscure soul and jazz tunes with an audacious edge. Hart lives up to her reputation for delivering gutsy, emotionally riveting performances in these tracks. She tops herself with ferocious readings of Ray Charles’ “Sinner’s Prayer” and Bill Withers’ “For My Friends”, infusing the former with blistering self-abasement and the latter with volcanic rage. She cools down for a tender, beseeching reading of Aretha Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way” and radiates scathing bitterness on a cabaret-like version of Melody Gardot’s “Your Heart Is as Black as Night”. Bonamassa rises to the occasion as well, playing with nuanced authority. His full-bodied twang on “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” and distorted riffage on “Chocolate Jesus” is a special treat. He shares lead vocals with Hart on a simmering, ultra-funky remake of Delaney & Bonnie’s “Well, Well”. Jeff Bova’s sumptuous string arrangements add yet another layer of richness to this inspired collaborative effort.