The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band – 鈥楬ow I Go’
I credit my older brother for my fervent love of music. It was his diverse album collection, ranging from the Allman Brothers Band to Frank Zappa, which I would secretly borrow to broaden my exposure to various styles of great sounding music. My brother had told me about the fiery guitar playing of Kenny Wayne Shepherd years ago. Until the last few months, I had halfheartedly taken his advice about listening to some great blues.
Finally, I picked up “Live! In Chicago” and discovered what all the buzz was about. After loading “How I Go” on my iPod for a long afternoon of tending to the lawn, I was stunned, moved and addicted to the boisterous style of blues the Louisiana native was dishing out. The opener, “Never Lookin’ Back,” is a raucously delivered blues-rock arrangement with an edgy Rolling Stones appeal. Shepherd’s guitar playing is legendary. Noah Hunt’s vocals are memorable. The two combine to create an earthy, soulful persuasion of memorable songs. As a special treat, Shepherd covers the Beatles’ “Yer Blues” as if channeling Jimi Hendrix by unleashing a full-throttle wallop to the John Lennon and Paul McCartney arrangement.
“How I Go” is Shepherd’s first studio album in seven years.
To say that the wait was worthwhile would be a huge understatement at the very least. The way Shepherd handles a guitar, quickly brings back fond memories of the great Stevie Ray Vaughan’s impassioned style of playing. Like Vaughan, Shepherd has a knack for marrying the styles of blues and rock, making it his own unique sound. The Vaughan similarity is most evident on a cover of Albert King’s “Oh, Pretty Women.” Shepherd and Hunt are joined by drummer Chris Layton, a former member of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, bassist Tony Franklin who has played with Blue Murder, Whitesnake, David Gilmour and Pat Travers and keyboardist Riley Osbourn, who formerly toured with Lyle Lovett and Willie Nelson.
“How I Go” features Shepherd at the peak of his career. Once again, my big brother was right.
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