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Kenny Wayne Shepherd has been on the scene for so long now that it’s easy to forget that the guy is still only 40 years old. It seems like he’s always been around. Grammy nominations, awards by the bucketload, multi-platinum album sales, and Fender nut, Shepherd happens to be one of the most respected guitar slingers around today. His solo output has taken a backseat of late, mainly down to his work with “supergroup” The Rides, but here we have ‘Lay It On Down’, his first solo album of original material in six years. Recorded live in the studio with all the band members present, this is how albums are supposed to be made. You can’t capture spontaneity if everyone is in a different state and sending their contribution in an email! With one of the finest bands around by his side, Kenny Wayne Shepherd has produced an album of staggering depth and range. Yes the blues rock is still there, but he fair mixes it up on this one. With plenty of ballsy, uptempo rockers to get the juices flowing, ‘Baby Got Gone’ and ‘Down For Love’ both have an infectious groove perfect for a packed, sweaty bar on a Friday night. The swing on ‘Down For Love’ is massive, thanks mainly to the incredible drumming from Chris Layton, a man that needs no introduction, but should you be unfamiliar, he was part of Double Trouble with Stevie Ray Vaughan. Nuff said. ‘Ride Of Your Life’ is another beefy moment, with some chunky riffs from Shepherd. With lyrics like, ”We’re talking top down, pedal to the metal, better hold on tight”, this is perfect music for a drive down the coast with the wind blowing in your hair. It helps if it’s not constantly chucking it down, but you get the picture. Shepherd mixes these rockier moments with different styles, like the country twang of ‘Hard Lesson Learned’, a softer, more reflective cautionary tale of basically not knowing when to quit a toxic relationship. The guitar tone throughout from Shepherd is mesmeric. Quiet and understated, it makes it’s mark without ever being overpowering. What about the tailor made prime time radio hit ‘Nothing But The Night’? A massive 80’s vibe on this one… big hair, big shoulder pads, and a humongous hook. The solo from Shepherd, as the song fades out, is worth the price of admission alone. The title track is another moment where the band mix it up. A gentle acoustic-driven tour de force that features some gorgeous vocal harmonies from Shepherd and lead vocalist Noah Hunt. Rootsy and organic, it’s a real highlight on an album of many. Kenny Wayne Shepherd surrounds himself with accomplished musicians for a reason. They bring out the best in him, and here Shepherd sounds as fresh and heartfelt as he has in decades. His playing is of the same high quality that one would expect, but on this album, Shepherd exceeds all expectations, and better still, you don’t need to be a guitar geek to enjoy his incendiary playing. ‘Lay It On Down’ is available July 21st through Mascot Label Group Review – Dave Stott ]]>
