Joanne Shaw Taylor Releases ‘Black & Gold (Deluxe Edition)’ feat. Acoustic Renditions

​British blues-rock powerhouse Joanne Shaw Taylor marks a milestone year with the release of Black & Gold (Deluxe Edition), out today via Journeyman Records. The expanded edition of her acclaimed 2025 album adds three intimate acoustic versions of fan favorites: “Hold Of My Heart,” “Grayer Shade Of Blue,” and the newly unveiled “Black & Gold (Acoustic)”—a stripped-back, soul-stirring reinterpretation of her blues-gospel take on Sam Sparro’s iconic pop anthem.
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“Black & Gold” was already a standout moment on Joanne Shaw Taylor’s original album, celebrated for its emotional weight and striking reinvention. The new acoustic version strips the song to its essence, highlighting Joanne’s expressive vocals and delicate guitar work. With lyrics like “If you’re not really here, then I don’t wanna be either,” the track transforms into a raw meditation on presence, purpose, and cosmic longing.

“I always loved the desperation in the lyrics and felt it could make a great blues-gospel song if performed differently,” Joanne reflects. “Stripping it back even further, this version really lets that emotion come through.”

The release of Black & Gold (Deluxe Edition) continues a run of acoustic reinterpretations that offer fans a more intimate lens on Joanne’s songwriting. Just weeks ago, she unveiled “Grayer Shade Of Blue (Acoustic),” a poignant retelling rooted in the grief of a lost friendship, following “Hold Of My Heart (Acoustic),” which opened the series with a rare glimpse into her craft in its rawest form.

Produced by Kevin Shirley (Black Crowes, Journey, Aerosmith), Black & Gold marked Joanne’s tenth studio album and her boldest to date—blending blues-rock with Americana, pop, and soul. The record drew widespread acclaim: Classic Rock hailed it as “a 9/10… blues chanteuse strikes gold,” Powerplay Magazine praised its “pop appeal and smoothness,” while Guitarist affirmed it “reinforces Joanne’s place in the firmament of today’s brightest stars.” American Blues Scene added, “each track tells a story that stands on its own… a deeply personal experience, showcasing the depth of Joanne’s artistry.”

Tracklist: 
1. Hold Of My Heart
2. All The Things I Said
3. Black & Gold
4. Who’s Gonna Love Me Now?
5. I Gotta Stop Letting You Let Me Down
6. Summer Love
7. Grayer Shade Of Blue
8. Hell Of A Good Time
9. Look What I’ve Become
10. What Are You Gonna Do Now?
11. Love Lives Here
12. Black & Gold (Acoustic)
13. Grayer Shade Of Blue (Acoustic)
14. Hold Of My Heart (Acoustic)