The Provogue label know how to make quality vinyl. For music lovers and collectors, the label go that extra mile to make sure that their pressings represent their artists in the most flattering light, and the new Kenny Wayne Shepherd album, a revelation in any format, is no exception. Spread across two, rock-solid 180 gram platters, the maximum audio content per side is 18 minutes guaranteeing crisp, life-like audio that simply decimates the CD in terms of clarity and depth. When you factor in the fact that ‘Goin’ home’ is packaged in a beautiful gatefold sleeve complete with liner notes and lyrics and that Provogue have thoughtfully included a download card so that you can enjoy the album on the run and you have a comprehensive edition of a stunning album.
Having waxed lyrical about the package, it’s time to look at the content, and it is fair to say that ‘Goin’ home’ is an absolute treasure of an album. A rich, detailed, joyous retelling of blues classics rendered by one of the finest guitarists the world has to offer backed by a band of seasoned artists who perform each number with a passion and precision that makes you want to leap from your seat on more than one occasion. The musical reinventions her (for few of the tracks are what you might call a ‘straight’ cover) are blisteringly powerful, the guitar playing exquisite and the production, sympathetically handled by Kenny himself alongside Brady Blade and Bill Pfordresher leaps from the speakers, especially on the specially mastered (by Jeff Powell) vinyl edition.
What strikes the listener most when the needle hits the vinyl is the energy that immediately floods the room. ‘Palace of the king’ is the sound of a group of artists having an amazing time recording music they love. If you’ve ever seen the Blues Brothers and witnessed the sheer joy with which the cast tackled the big musical numbers, then you’ll have an appreciation as to how music can bring people together from every generation, race and background, and listening to ‘palace…’ you can hear a similar love, a similar joy that simply comes from playing music that comes from the heart and from the soul, and when it comes to solos you just know Kenny’s putting every last ounce of himself into the red hot licks that come charging from the speakers, whilst the Rebirth Brass Band add a dash of soulful class to the recording. Second track ‘Everythings gonna be alright’ slows the pace but does not dim the fire, the wild piano of Riley Osbourn adding a further layer of delight as Kenny’s gritty guitar work washes over you. More guests appear in the form of Joe Walsh and Kim Wilson for Willie Dixon’s ‘I love the life I live’, a wonderful traditional blues song that meanders gloriously towards the supercharged version of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s evergreen classic, ‘The house is a rockin’’ that closes the first side of vinyl.
Side B opens with Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers / Gov’t Mule) appearing to soothe the fevered brow with the smooth tones of ‘Breaking up somebody’s home’, a song that benefits from outstanding vocal performances to match the bravura guitar work on display. Maintaining the slower pace, the beautiful blues of ‘you done lost your good thing’ is a scintillating, lengthy cut that once again showcases Riley’s smooth piano work, especially on the jazzy bridge, only for the energetic ‘you can’t judge a book by its cover’ (complete with Pastor Brady Blade Sr) to suddenly rip through the album like a lightning bolt with its high octane vocal and rich guitar work. It rounds out the second side of vinyl and leaves the listener feeling like they’ve been shot up with adrenalin such is the power of Kenny’s awesome band.
Opening side C, Freddie King’s ‘boogie man’ is a sultry, mid-tempo groove that feels as if it’s been drenched in New Orleans heat and sweat whilst ‘looking back’ feels as fresh as a spring breeze with its taut beat, swinging guitars and light solo. Next up is the groove-laden ‘cut you loose’ (featuring none other than Ringo Starr) and it’s an album highlight with its addictive quality and rich vocal harmonies underpinned by slinky guitar work that just grabs the listener. With the album running all too fast, side C closes with an appearance from Keb’ Mo’ and the Rebirth Brass Band on the track ‘born under a bad sign’, a classic track given a new lease of life thanks to the Rebirth Brass Band’s flourishes and the interplay between the vocalists, not to mention the exquisite guitar work that dominates the piece.
Side D opens, and the album proper closes, with the Muddy Waters track ‘still a fool’ (featuring Robert Randolph). A dark stomp, it is a swampy, hypnotic number that slithers out of the speakers with just a hint of menace, it is a fine album closer for those who buy the standard edition. The album also features three bonus tracks, the first of which is the ecstasy inducing ‘three hundred pounds of joy’ (featuring the Rebirth Brass Band) which has a sweet swing to it whilst ‘can you hear me’ has a soulful groove to it that wouldn’t sound out of place on the recent Joe Bonamassa / Beth Hart collaborations. The album’s closing track is ‘trick bag’ which features, for one final time, the amazing talents of the Rebirth Brass Band and which features a slinky guitar riff that sees the album close on a soulful, funky note that leaves you wanting to head straight on back to Side A and set the whole thing spinning again.
‘Goin’ Home’ is one of those albums that you just want to play and play and play. There is not a weak moment, not an ounce of filler anywhere to be found. Like the best blues records, and like the artists upon whose music the work is based, the album is awash with joy – the joy of artists stretching their abilities and embracing the work of masters that they love with such abandon. The guest artists who appear, do so because they understand the value of the project and the collaborative nature of the blues and the result is not unlike a studio-grade version of Eric Clapton’s much lauded Crossroads festival, with artists dropping in to add their own unique colours to well-worn canvasses. At the heart of it all, of course, is Kenny Wayne Shepherd, an artist who makes his guitar sing in a manner rarely heard, and it is his passion and personality that dominates this recording. ‘Goin’ home’ may be an album of covers, but there is no doubt whose recording this is, and there is equally no question that ‘goin’ home’ is going to be high on the album of the year lists come December – it is a stunning, wonderful record and an unmitigated pleasure to listen to.
