Artist:     Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band

Album:     The Traveler

Label:     Concord Records

Release Date:     5/31/19

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Why should Phil Spector have total dibs on the “Wall of Sound”? On The Traveler, guitar slinger Kenny Wayne Shepherd comes out burning, literally demanding attention with 10 tracks that will literally knock your socks off. The new album (his ninth studio effort) smashes through all barriers, with a hugeness of sound and virtuosity to be reckoned with. Shepherd, along with co-producer, Marshall Altman, have fused a clever amalgam of hard-edged blues-based-rock, coupled with a tinge of contemporary country in the mix as well. For this project, Kenny Wayne’s backup band could not have been better, and includes ex-Stevie Ray Vaughn traps-master, Chris Layton (solid as a rock throughout), along with formidable turns by Noah Hunt on vocals, Kevin McCormick on bass, and keysmen Jimmy McGorman and Joe Krown.

The thread running central throughout The Traveler is Shepherd’s guitar licks, with the most striking riffs creating memorable, repetitive, hooks. The first single released off the album, “Woman Like You,” smokes, along with the acoustically-nurtured, “Tailwind,” and the country-influences on both “Take it on Home,” and “Better with Time” are convincingly performed. Needless to say, Shepherd’s treatment of Neil Young’s “Mr. Soul” and Joe Walsh’s “Turn to Stone” are nothing but stellar.

Although it might not be the perfect listen for traditional blues purists, The Traveler is a well-thought-out, well-written and exquisitely-produced album. If it doesn’t add considerably to Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s acclaim…then I suggest that any naysayers have their ears cleaned.

—Bob Girouard