Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band – The Traveler

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band

The Traveler

(Provogue/Mascot Label Group)

Kenny’s problem is self-made – how on earth does he top his last studio album Lay It On Down? That had such great songs, arrangements, playing and singing it was the best release in that genre of that year. On this new collection, Shepherd seems to incorporate a fresh air country rock vibe that occasionally evokes The Allmans or Marshall Tucker Band in amongst the hard blues and driving rock. And boy, it works. There is an airy punch to this set of songs and some ace guitar, as you might expect.

 We set off with Woman Like You which displays a Yardbirds chugging beat and an insistence worthy of Blake Shelton. A sharp horn sound adds to the momentum and the guitar spills out of the mix. A fabulous dynamic outing. On to Long Time Running With its staccato introduction and feisty joint vocal. A heavy hand clap brings in I Want You, crisp horns to the fore with addictive riffing. The Albert King style licks behind the beat are hard to resist.

 Tailwind has a lovely rolling feel and melody. The acoustic guitar and Hammond base is organic and warm with rich ensemble singing. All this plus some rare slide work from Kenny! Gravity is maybe the moodiest segment, with a claustrophobic vibe using density almost in the style of The Afghan Whigs. The guitar steers in a shadowy Alice In Chains direction. I am loving the range of all this…

 We All Alright sees the return of a lighter feel. Over the riffing is a superb performance by drum ace Chris Layton. A real band sound. Take It On Home is a strong country ballad, the guitar flowing and a lyrical appreciation of the joys of home. Mr Soul is the old Buffalo Springfield warhorse, once a live favourite of Steve Wynn’s Dream Syndicate and here slammed out with venom, sparks flying. Better time has KWS reminiscing over a cool piano sound with the number in definite Southern Soul-Delbert McClinton tinge.

 The set ends with a churning take on Joe Walsh’s Turn to Stone. Variety, power, vocal passion – it’s all here, folks. A nod to Marshall Altman, who works with our buddy Eric Paslay, for production prowess.

 Pete Sargeant