Straight To You Live
Provogue, 2020
9/10
Listen to Straight To You Live
The blues legend Kenny Wayne Shepherd has been quite busy in recent years with several well received studio albums, and here he offers us his first live record in a decade plus his first ever live concert video as part of the package. At his side for the evening in Germany is Noah Hunt (guitar, vocals), Chris Layton (drums), Joe Krown (keys), Scott Nelson (bass), Joe Sublett (sax) and Mark Pender (trumpet).
Shepherd starts the listen with the roaring blues of the anthemic “Woman Like You”, and this energy continues to the indeed soulful “Mr. Soulful”, where pounding percussion and bright brass highlights the explosive climate.
Further into the set, “Diamonds & Gold” is a playful and highly rhythmic display of soaring skill, while “Heat Of The Sun” lands in ballad territory where power and melody meet amid gorgeous guitar work. “Shame, Shame, Shame”, one of the best from the night, then allows the piano to shine on the cautious yet frisky 8+ minutes of flawless blues musicianship.
Shepherd keeps the pulse of the evening steady all the way through, as he delivers the vocally expressive “Blue On Black”, and late in the listen “I’m A King Bee” displays a wild pace of charged guitar, inviting horns, and warm organ alongside the dynamic rhythm section.
An artist whose career has been a string of platinum selling records, Grammy nominations and worldwide fame, if you’re not able to see Shepherd live, this incredible sounding release will work just fine in the meantime.
Travels well with: Joe Bonamassa- Royal Tea; Alastair Greene- The New World Blues