Review KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD ‘Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 1’

Kenny Wayne Shepherd belongs to the most relevant blues and rock guitarists of current times. Shepherd released numerous excellent albums and it is ‘Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 1’ that will prolong the discography.

The album features eight songs, coming from project-like work at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The songs tell the story about loss, salvation, and unforgettable melodies, in a way the chronic of Shepherd’s musical journey.

The greatness of this longplayer is its versatility. Although deeply rooted in blues rock it is Shepherd who gives each song a special feel. It’s not solely the melancholic singing blues guitar. Instead, listeners get an album that has a warm and organic character. As the title implicates it’s not about perfection. Human life has ups and downs. It’s the edges and scars that define us and ‘Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 1’ mirrors this musically in perfection.

With putting the song and feel in focus, the guitarist creates a touching album starts with the title track. It’s a moderately paced blues rocker that leads to ‘Sweat & Low’. The latter is the lead single of the album and rightly so. The grooving song with the while harmonized mix of guitar, horn section and vocals is a great example of gently swinging contemporary blues.

Also to mention is the soul-comforting ‘You Can’t Love Me’, a song full of emotion. Although is one of the calmer songs on the album it is a swinging highlight on an album that comes with a few more curveballs.

None of the songs is like the other and still they all fit together perfectly. There is the gently grooving ‘Man on a Mission’ followed by a cover song. Kenny Wayne Shepherd covers Elton John. With ‘Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting’ is the classic that got a spot on the tracklist. First of all it shows, how great and rocking the original song is. Shepherd gave a bit more space to the guitar, which doesn’t surprise and keeps the vibe of the original alive.

Next is ‘Bad Intentions’ which is a bad-ass blues rocker before the filigree ‘Ease of Mind’ rounds off an album that is a treat for ears and mind.

‘Dirt on my Diamonds Vol. 1’ is a stellar blues rock album that uses the entire playground the genre offers. It is the dirt on these eight diamonds that provides each of these eight sings with a special musical character beyond the usual genre trademarks. Another shining diamond in Shepherd’s rich musical offer.