Music Review: Kenny Wayne Shepherd — 鈥楲ay It on Down鈥�
On his last album, Kenny Wayne Shepherd turned a Louisiana homecoming into a moving tribute to his early blues influences. For his latest release, Shepherd shows that he鈥檚 at the top of his musical game by dishing out a fervent set of new arrangements infused with rock, blues, R&B and country seasonings.
鈥淟ay It on Down鈥� is fueled by a fresh vibe as a result of recording the tracks live in the studio to allow the band to feed off each other鈥檚 energy and musical strengths. Shepherd began writing the new material two years ago with some new songwriting collaborations. As a result, the songs possess a vibrant range of diversity with a contemporary feel as Shepherd鈥檚 fiery guitar licks burn a blazing path for the rest of the band to follow.
On his eighth studio release, the 40-year-old guitarist is joined by vocalist Noah Hunt, former Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble drummer Chris Layton, well-traveled keyboardist Jimmy McGorman and the impressive Kevin McCormick laying down some weighty bass grooves.
鈥淏aby Got Gone鈥� opens the set with Shepherd handling the lead vocals and driving guitar riffs meant to peel the paint off the vibrating walls. Stevie Ray Vaughan would be proud.
From there, a blazing horn section ushers a little funk into the house as Shepherd鈥檚 soulful vocals match his smooth guitar playing and McCormick鈥檚 solid rhythm foundation on 鈥淒iamonds and Gold.鈥�
Hunt鈥檚 vocals highlight the straightforward blues-rock numbers 鈥淣othing But the Night,鈥� 鈥淒own for Love鈥� and 鈥淗ow Low Can You Go.鈥�
As good as Shepherd is at tearing it up, he is equally impressive when he slows it down to catch his breath. The title track gently rolls along under the direction of Shepherd鈥檚 guitar and expressive vocals, while the country leanings of 鈥淗ard Lesson Learned鈥� are perfectly tailored for Hunt鈥檚 powerful, earthy voice.
Additional country influences can be witnessed on 鈥淟ouisiana Rain鈥� with Hunt offering up a memorable vocal performance on a tender tribute to Shepherd鈥檚 home state.
The band lays it all down with a vigorous close as the album finishes with 鈥淩ide of Your Life.鈥�
With a recording career that started at the age of 16, Shepherd continues to marry his life experiences with his distinct musicianship to form his very own unique sound of blues and rock that satisfies again and again.
Shepherd brings his guitar prowess to Pittsburgh for a performance on Sept. 24.