Artists: Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Title: How I Go
Genre: Blues Rock
Release Date: 29th July 2011
Label: Roadrunner Records
Album Review
Last year fans were treated with a “collection” of live tracks from SHEPHERD’s live performance in Chicago alongside many blues masters, and it really showed his strengths in the genre. However, SHEPHERD has always been more of a Rock’n’Roll individual with blues influences, and he brings that back with his latest studio album ‘How I Go’. There is still a mix of covers here amongst original songs such as ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’ by ALBERT KING, ‘Yer Blues’ by THE BEATLES, and ‘Backwater Blues’ by BESSIE SMITH. These are pretty much the blues laden tracks with vocalist Noah Hurt lending his deep and soulful voice to carry the power of the music. SHEPHERD does his fair amount of singing, but it is clear that his talent is meant for the guitar (just listen to the awesome solo on ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’). To compare to the two, listen to ‘Show Me The Way Back Home’, one of the more original songs of the album with its slow country rock vibe and how Hurt sings it, and then SHEPHERD’s voice is heard on the track right after with ‘Cold’. There is a huge difference and sadly his voice just doesn’t match up.
As the album progresses on fans can definitely see that SHEPHERD’S instrumentation is one of the more varied that he’s done on albums throughout the years. Aside from the blues covers, which he tries to keep in their original form, there are rock ballads like ‘Anywhere The Wind Blows’ that can be slow and somewhat depressing and then suddenly explode into his solo work with the haunting melody still in the background. There is the funk groove of ‘The Whire’ which is anything but depressing with its upbeat sound, and simply acoustic ‘Who’s Going To Catch You Now’ which has a bit of the folk rock elements that earlier SHERYL CROW featured. There is also a few unnamed guest vocals, particularly on ‘Come On Over’ which has a great dual vocal combination that would appeal to fans of bands like LADY ANTEBELLUM. However, it doesn’t mean that SHEPHERD’S going completely soft anytime soon. And those looking for just a great instrumental jam would enjoy ‘Strut’ which mixes piano with the guitar and drums for a great mix of blues and Rock’n’Roll.
Overall it seems like SHEPHERD and crew have found their niche again. A lot of people seemed to struggle with ‘The Places You’re In’ but it was just a phase and not an apparent direction. The fire that was heard on ‘Live…’ is still there and fortunately, for a studio album, includes a large variety of original tracks that fans can take away as SHEPHERD’s own. Cover albums are fine, but usually only work once, and rarely do a half and half collection (however, artists like SHEPHERD and STEVE MILLER are an exception here). The music is a bit mainstream and leans towards radio friendly tunes that can be heard on pop and independent rock stations, but it is to SHEPHERD’s credit that the music is so accessible to such a wide berth of fans. Country… blues… classic rock… it is all there. Heavy metal fans might not exactly find this their taste, but if they’re into guitar solo artists, then this will certainly fit the bill.
Tracklist
01. Never Lookin' Back - 4:16
02. Come On Over - 3:55
03. Yer Blues - 4:42
04. Show Me The Way Back Home - 5:24
05. Cold - 4:00
06. Oh, Pretty Woman - 3:53
07. Anywhere The Wind Blows - 5:30
08. Dark Side Of Love - 4:21
09. Heat Of The Sun - 5:23
10. The Whire - 3:06
11. Who's Gonna Catch You Now - 4:33
12. Backwater Blues - 7:12
13. Strut - 3:39
Line-up
Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Vocals, Guitar
Sam Bryant - Drums
Noah Hurt - Vocals
Jimmy Wallace - Drums
Robby Emerson - Bass
Joe Nadeau - Guitar
Website
http://www.kennywayneshepherd.net/
Cover Picture
Rating
Sound: 9
Music: 8
Total: 8.5 / 10
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