Music review: Kenny Wayne Shepherd – 鈥楪oin鈥� Home鈥�
After taking time to reflect on his life and career, Kenny Wayne Shepherd turns a Louisiana homecoming into a zealous tribute to his musical influences. The 36-year-old guitarist鈥檚 seventh studio album delivers an exceptional collection of classic blues covers.
Inspired by blues legends such as Muddy Waters, Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Shepherd shows why he鈥檚 considered one of the most talented and distinctive guitarists of his generation.
In addition to Shepherd鈥檚 accomplished band, 鈥淕oin鈥� Home鈥� features a number of guest appearances by some of the finest musicians in the business. Freddie King would be proud as 鈥淧alace of the King鈥� opens the album with a pulsating horn section provided by the Rebirth Brass Band. 鈥淓verything鈥檚 Gonna Be Alright鈥� follows with an old-school vibe, while 鈥淏reaking Up Somebody鈥檚 Home鈥� is fueled by the fiery guitar playing of Warren Haynes.
Other notable guest performances include Robert Randolph on 鈥淪till a Fool,鈥� Joe Walsh and Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds) on 鈥淚 Love the Life I Live,鈥� Pastor Brady Blade Sr. on 鈥淵ou Can鈥檛 Judge a Book by the Cover,鈥� Keb鈥� Mo鈥� on 鈥淏orn Under a Bad Sign鈥� and Ringo Starr on 鈥淐ut You Loose.鈥� Of all the cuts on the album, a vigorous version of Vaughan鈥檚 鈥淭he House Is Rockin'鈥� is the best example of Shepherd鈥檚 ability to elegantly marry the blues and rock styles.
With a recording career that began at the young age of 16, Shepherd stands poised to continue to build upon his
successes with the same enthusiasm and passion showcased on earlier releases like 1995鈥檚 鈥淟edbetter Heights鈥� and 2004鈥檚 鈥淭he Place You鈥檙e In.鈥� With the Louisiana native鈥檚 latest effort, it鈥檚 clearly evident that the perfect medicine for the blues is a comforting return to familiar surroundings.