KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD: Dirt On My Diamonds - Vol. 2 (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

When a young American from North Louisiana talks about growing up in the 80s listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan, it doesn't exactly start off in the most original way. To top it all off, this native of the southern part of the country, cradle of the blues, taught himself to play guitar by listening to the radio and doesn't know how to read a note. This story resembled thousands of others and had little chance of standing out from the crowd, but that was without counting on young Kenny's talent. Of course, his father's network in the music world also helped, but never mind.

Unless you've got talent, being the “son of” is actually more of a curse than anything else, since the public generally waits in the wings for your protégé. Kenny Wayne Shepherd has never cared what anyone says, and his passion for music has always taken precedence. The success of his albums speaks for itself: the guitarist is brilliant and plays sincere, gripping music in a style that's been seen and seen again.

For those who haven't kept up, “Dirt on my Diamonds, vol 2” is the sequel to “Dirt on my Diamonds, vol 1”. In fact, the artist asserts that while the two albums share the same general spirit, the tracks, sound and groove are unique. The original idea was to make a double album, but the option of releasing two albums a year apart was chosen, supposedly to reflect the way people consume music these days.

Nevertheless, let's concentrate on the content of “DOMD 2”, which is quite pleasing. The tracks are powerful, pleasant and bring up to date a style that may have inspired rock and all its modern offshoots, but which, all in all, is a little outdated. Kenny Wayne Shepherd may not know how to read sheet music, but his touch is remarkable, and his guitar solos are a fine tribute to his old masters, too often badly imitated by others. In Kenny Wayne Shepherd's style, we find the subtle art of neither too much nor too little, which is quite rare among solo musicians.

'I Got A Woman' is the single that made the audience's mouth water, but it also introduces what's to come. In other words, an alternation of poignant compositions that we can't wait to see live, such as 'Long Way Down' or the brilliant road trip 'Never Made It To Memphis'. On the latter track, we imagine ourselves to be the hero of this story of a missed appointment, but beautifully sung.

The rest of the album moves away from the rock world and back to blues roots, which is not unpleasant in itself, but reduces the risk-taking to almost zero. So you tap your foot, nod your head, but this finish doesn't shine with originality. Despite this slight flaw at the end of the album, “Dirt on my Diamonds, vol 2” remains a sure bet for fans of modern Blues Rock who are above all looking for emotion.
- Official website

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD

DIRT ON MY DIAMONDS - VOL. 2

MASCOT LABEL GROUP

ROCK