Time Stands Still
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
The North Carolina resident Kenny Shore navigates around a very intimate listen here, where failure, loss, hope and love are addressed via his soulful bluegrass formula that’s full of sincerity.
“Put Yourself In My Shoes” starts the listen with Joe Macphail’s well timed Hammond and Rob Ladd’s precise drumming in the soulful, warm Americana, and “Wander Around” follows with Jerry Brown’s fluid banjo and Joseph Terrell’s cozy pedal steel fueling the elegant and charming rural melodies.
In the middle, the festive and energetic “Down In Louisiana” showcases Danny Abrahms’ sax and clarinet prowess that tips its hat to New Orleans, while “Everything We Needed” features Andrew Marlin’s strategic mandolin and Isaac Derr’s high string guitar for the intimate album highlight.
Further yet, “Almost Like Heaven” benefits from Robert Sledge’s agile bass amid the folk friendly storytelling, and “The 24th Of June” exits the listen with just Shore handling banjo in a bare but impactful finish.
You might hear influences like Bob Dylan, Muscle Shoals, John Prine, and Jimmy Buffett, among others, present in Shore’s craft, and it makes for a very honest listen that’s never short on soul, emotion and stories that resonate with the human experience.
Travels well with: Ever More Nest- Out Here Now; Angela Easterling- Witness