Die Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band mit einer erneuten Meisterleistung! Das einstige Gitarren-Wunderkind des Blues und Bluesrocks, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, ist mit seinen nunmehr 41 Jahren längst ein "alter" Haudegen der modernen Bluesrock-Szene. Mit seiner Gabe, alte Blues-Traditionen in der Gegenwart zu etablieren, sie zu entstauben und zu modernisieren, und sie damit auch der jungen Generation zugänglich zu machen, aber auch mit seinen innovativen, herausragenden Gitarrenkünsten, ist er mittlerweile selbst zu einer der größten Einflußgeber und Präger des jungen Bluesrock-Genres geworden. "The Traveler" ist ein exzellenter Beleg dafür. Ein echte Synthese zwischen Blues und Rock, auch mal ein wenig rootsig, fast Americana-mäßig, dann wieder straight und geradeaus, mit viel Power rockend, aber auch sehr dem "echten" Blues verbunden. Das Songmaterial (famos auch die beiden fantastisch interpretierten Coverversionen von Neil Young's alter Buffalo Springfield-Nummer "Mr. Soul" und Joe Walsh's "Turn to stone") ist ohne jeden Makel. Tolle Gitarrenritte, sehr starker Gesang, sowohl von seinem etablierten Sänger Noah Hunt, als auch von ihm selbst, wunderbare Melodien, viel Energie, aber auch viel Gefühl und Spirit ergänzen sich meisterlich. Es passt alles perfekt zusammen. Kenny Wayne Shepherd und seine Band "at their very best"!
Hier noch ein Original U.S.-Review:
The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band released Lay It On Down in 2017, which was voted Blues Rock Review’s top album of the year. Two years later, Kenny and the gang are back with The Traveler and they aren’t slowing down. Joined by Noah Hunt (vocals), Chris Layton (drums), Kevin McCormick (bass), and Jimmy McGorman and Joe Krown (keys), The Traveler is another top notch album from start to finish.
The upbeat “Woman Like You” opens up the album with Noah Hunt on lead vocals and features a horn section setting the tone. “Long Time Running” follows and the song “is someone expressing what it’s like to lead a complicated existence,” says Shepherd, and includes some scorching lead from Kenny. “I Want You” is a song filled with swagger and “Tailwind” goes in more of a southern rock direction with a bit of a county vibe.
“Gravity” was released as a single and has Kenny back on vocals and is about a complicated relationship with a lover. Kenny is really coming into his own as a vocalist and has credited Stephen Stills of The Rides for encouraging him to sing more. Those vocals are also showcased on “Better With Time.” Kenny and Noah trade off vocals on “We All Alright” while Shepherd is back on lead vocals for “Take It On Home,” a radio friendly song with southern rock flare.
The album features two covers. Noah handles vocals for Buffalo Springfield’s “Mr. Soul,” which again, features a horn section and Joe Walsh’s “Turn To Stone,” which closes the album out. “Turn To Stone” is the track where Kenny really stretches his wings on the guitar.
The Traveler is an all-killer no-filler album. It features all sorts of influences, but everything is done well. The Traveler has blues elements, but is a very song-oriented album. We all know Shepherd can shred, but the guitar is always serving the song. When listening to The Traveler it’s easy to tell Kenny and the Band weren’t trying to fit into any particular box, just make a great record and that’s what they’ve accomplished. The Traveler is another can’t miss album from the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band. (Pete Francis / Blues Rock Review)
Das komplette Tracklisting:
1. Woman Like You - 4:19
2. Long Time Running - 4:10
3. I Want You - 6:27
4. Tailwind - 4:00
5. Gravity - 3:42
6. We All Alright - 5:28
7. Take It On Home - 4:33
8. Mr. Soul - 3:44
9. Better With Time - 3:53
10. Turn To Stone - 5:44
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