New Release - Goin' Home by Kenny Wayne Shepherd
I've been following KWS since he started--I caught his show in Detroit when he was just 17. He was then and remains today a fantastic guitar player, capable of matching up with any other player in the Blues (or any genre) today in my opinion. His phrasing and sense of timing is top notch. KWS has wandered with his sound, straying into the Rock genre in the mid-oughts, but he's been back firmly into the Blues ever since. Kenny has also backed away from the mike these days, leaving most of the singing to Noah Hunt, although Kenny's voice is improving.
This album doubles down on going back to the roots (from his seminal 2007 album 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads), covering classic Blues songs with some great names like Warren Haynes, Keb' Mo, Robert Randolph, Kim Wilson, and even Rock greats Joe Walsh and Ringo Star. He also toys with the sound a bit, bringing in a brass section for a couple of the songs. Fans from Kenny's early days will certainly like this release, as well as any Blues fan of classic songs.
It's hard to pick a favorite on this because there are many, but I'd have to say Cut You Loose for its smoky feel. Notable standout guitar performances are on You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now and Kenny and Robert Randolph dueling on Still A Fool. Other great tracks are Everything Gonna Be Alright, House is Rockin', Breaking Up Somebody's Home, and Looking Back.
Previous Release - Never Slow Down by Roman Carter
Roman was originally a member of The Carter Brothers, who were active in the 60's. They achieved a string of R&B hits, culminating with the #21 hit in 1965 called, "Southern Country Boy." Two years later his brothers were drafted into Vietnam, leaving Roman to go on as a solo act. He recorded very little afterward but did receive the Best Male Blues Vocalist at the fifth annual Real Blues Awards in 1999.
Released in 2007, Never Slow Down was recorded when Roman was almost 70. Nonetheless his voice is still strong and distinct. The album has a modern production feel due to producer Tom Rothrock, who has worked on projects with artists such as Beck and James Blunt. Most notably he worked on R.L. Burnside's album Come On In, and you'll hear a lot of similarities. If you liked that album, you'll love this one as it brings a bigger, polished sound to standard Blues songs. The song lyrics have a Junior Kimbrough style perspective on aging, especially the title track Never Slow Down in which he eerily repeats, "How long?" (as in how long before I die?). Although short this album is worth having in your collection.
My favorite is the up-tempo groove Just a Little Too Fast (video). Other notable tracks are It's All Rite, Every Step of The Way, Never Slow Down, Lo Ride, and You'd Betta Listen.
I've been following KWS since he started--I caught his show in Detroit when he was just 17. He was then and remains today a fantastic guitar player, capable of matching up with any other player in the Blues (or any genre) today in my opinion. His phrasing and sense of timing is top notch. KWS has wandered with his sound, straying into the Rock genre in the mid-oughts, but he's been back firmly into the Blues ever since. Kenny has also backed away from the mike these days, leaving most of the singing to Noah Hunt, although Kenny's voice is improving.
This album doubles down on going back to the roots (from his seminal 2007 album 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads), covering classic Blues songs with some great names like Warren Haynes, Keb' Mo, Robert Randolph, Kim Wilson, and even Rock greats Joe Walsh and Ringo Star. He also toys with the sound a bit, bringing in a brass section for a couple of the songs. Fans from Kenny's early days will certainly like this release, as well as any Blues fan of classic songs.
It's hard to pick a favorite on this because there are many, but I'd have to say Cut You Loose for its smoky feel. Notable standout guitar performances are on You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now and Kenny and Robert Randolph dueling on Still A Fool. Other great tracks are Everything Gonna Be Alright, House is Rockin', Breaking Up Somebody's Home, and Looking Back.
Previous Release - Never Slow Down by Roman Carter
Roman was originally a member of The Carter Brothers, who were active in the 60's. They achieved a string of R&B hits, culminating with the #21 hit in 1965 called, "Southern Country Boy." Two years later his brothers were drafted into Vietnam, leaving Roman to go on as a solo act. He recorded very little afterward but did receive the Best Male Blues Vocalist at the fifth annual Real Blues Awards in 1999.
Released in 2007, Never Slow Down was recorded when Roman was almost 70. Nonetheless his voice is still strong and distinct. The album has a modern production feel due to producer Tom Rothrock, who has worked on projects with artists such as Beck and James Blunt. Most notably he worked on R.L. Burnside's album Come On In, and you'll hear a lot of similarities. If you liked that album, you'll love this one as it brings a bigger, polished sound to standard Blues songs. The song lyrics have a Junior Kimbrough style perspective on aging, especially the title track Never Slow Down in which he eerily repeats, "How long?" (as in how long before I die?). Although short this album is worth having in your collection.
My favorite is the up-tempo groove Just a Little Too Fast (video). Other notable tracks are It's All Rite, Every Step of The Way, Never Slow Down, Lo Ride, and You'd Betta Listen.