Review: Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Dirt On My Diamonds Vol.1

Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group (November 17^th 2023)

Reviewer: Chris O’Connor

In this humble scribe’s opinion, a new album from Kenny Wayne Shepherd is always an event to look forward to. In some respects, he stands apart from a lot of the other guitarists of his ‘era’, being a more rounded artist overall. Not only is Kenny a versatile and emotionally expressive guitarist, but he also has a wonderfully soulful and ‘earthy’ voice too, and for this new album Kenny and co-vocalist/rhythm guitarist Noah Hunt split the vocal chores fairly evenly.

Not only does the ‘band’ have two wonderful vocalists and guitarists, but they have a killer rhythm section, in the form of bass guitarist Kevin McCormick and drummer Chris “Whipper” Layton on drums, and believe me when I say, that these guys are amazingly tight, yet also know how to swagger and groove with genuine authority. Keyboard player Jimmy McGorman adds depth and colour to the band’s already impressive sound, everything about this band simply works organically.

What also has helped has been the fabulous production courtesy of Marshall Altman, who helped record this album with such glorious aplomb. This is the third outing for Kenny Wayne Shepherd with Marshall at the helm, and clearly the combination works with splendid effect, as the band sounds loud and proud, the addition of some punchy Horns, is also an extremely tasteful addition.

‘Dirt On My Diamonds Vol.1’ highlights a wide range of sounds and styles, perhaps the most surprising choice offered up, is the cover of Elton John’s ‘Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting’ – not a song that I would have previously considered suitable, but the band makes it very much their own, embellishing it tastefully, yet still being respectful to the original.

All the remaining songs (seven of them) are originals, a swaggering mixture of blues, country rockers, even a calypso flavoured number (‘You Can’t Love Me’). Perhaps the biggest surprise is the introduction (albeit subtle) of sampling/electronica – found on both ‘Best Of Times’ and ‘Sweet And Low’, which is most certainly a new ‘twist’ to the KWS sound and style, but one that works very well in context.

Album coda ‘Ease my Mind’ has a gloriously shuffling groove, it’s a wonderfully evocative blues number, featuring some beautiful soloing, and a fabulous vocal from Noah Hunt. It’s arguably my favourite number on the album, and I defy you not to love it too, it’s simply fabulous. ‘Dirt On My Diamonds’ has something for everyone, music for your every mood, and yet again, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and his band prove they can do no wrong. Hugely impressive!

Tracklist:

1. Dirt On My Diamonds
2. Sweet & Low
3. Best Of Times
4. You Can’t Love Me
5. Man On A Mission
6. Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting
7. Bad Intentions
8. Ease On My Mind